"The pulpit, therefore (and I name it filled With solemn awe, that bids me well beware I say the pulpit (in the sober use Of its legitimate, peculiar powers) - Must stand acknowledged, while the world shall stand, The most important and effectual guard, Support, and ornament of virtue's cause." 12 I. ANNOUNCEMENT. AT T the conclusion of the Last Supper, our Saviour and his disciples silently threaded their way eastward through the deserted streets of Jerusalem. Outside the walls, overlooking the garden of Gethsemane, they paused. The moon had doubtless already fallen behind the western hills. Before them were triple shadows of mountains, city walls, and olive trees and deeper shadows. Nay, it was midnight above their heads, and in their hearts. To relieve this threatening gloom the clouds part for a moment.* "Simon, Simon," said our Lord, "behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." After an additional warning had been given to this disciple, the entire company are pleasantly reminded of those earlier and happier times, when they were al *Luke xxii. 31-38. lowed to throw themselves confidently and without reserve upon the protecting providence of God. Vividly, though in few words, were recalled those charming and peaceful days in Galilee — days, when they could preach and have plenty of open hearts and ears to hear them; days, the memories of which were laden with mercies and filled with sunshine; days, when they had no care and no want - when, if the lips but parted, God seemed to speak through them; when opponents were easily silenced, and the common people heard them gladly. "And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything?" No wonder that, quickly and with emphasis, they replied, "Nothing." In view of the leading question, this reply, and the impending gloom, we look confidently for some substantial encouragement; something, perhaps, like this: As ye have lacked nothing, so move on in faith, believing that ye will lack nothing. Be divested of everything like doubt and fear. Let the indelible impression of past experiences, successes, and triumphs make you careful for nothing. The storms of to-night are but the temporary shroud of a jewel-decked morning. The same God rules who has ruled, and what has been will be. Such the expected representation. But our Saviour banishes the expectation almost as quickly as it had been excited. The clouds are again folded together where they had for a moment parted. "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip; and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." ANNOUNCEMENT. 15 What fearful and dreadful times are these, when garments must be sold for swords! What intense, warlike, and almost bloody language! What skill and devotion are now required! What battle is it, that is now pending? The disciples at once realize a change of relations. The contrasts are sharp and well defined. No longer are they in the charming regions of Galilee, surrounded by a faithful body-guard of common people. No longer is their every want anticipated and relieved. Behind them, rather, is a city of blood; before them gloomy shadows, which they must enter; and already upon their track is a band of assassins and murderers. Yes, if a man has a purse, let him not leave it at home, but take it; so also take his wallet; so also take everything else; and if with everything else he has not that which is to be as a substantial defence, let him sell even the garment off his back to buy it; for henceforth there must be no mock battles, but real war to knife and hilt. Providentially, Christ would say, you are now thrown upon self-defence. The wondrous and divine guidance hitherto enjoyed gives place to the ordinary course of human affairs and agencies. I am still with you; but God works henceforth indirectly, and by means, instrumentalities, and second causes. Secure them, buy them, sell them at no price, barter them not away, part with them no sooner than with life itself; otherwise God, too, will desert you. Pray and look up to heaven as you have done; but add to this daily devotion a manly resolution, prudent calculation, and thorough preparation. Is the announcement understood? The disciples thought they apprehended. They had in mind immediate battles and defences, and felt they were prepared. "Lord," they replied, “behold here are two swords;" one of which was presently wielded in an act of violence in the hand of an impulsive apostle, and, but for the miraculous interference of our Saviour, "might have compromised for a generation the pacific character of the gospel." They had misapprehended, yet in part only. It was not precisely this kind of defence that was demanded, yet it came in principle so near it that specific explanation and correction are, at present, deemed unnecessary. Time will clear away the difficulties, and make all needed interpretations. "It is enough," briefly responded our Saviour. The conversation immediatly ended, and they passed on under the shadows of the mournful garden. The words of our Lord, especially such words as occur in this announcement, and more especially words spoken under such like circumstances, cannot be idle, or restricted to apostolic times. When correctly understood, we shall find them, like all his words, significant and urgent, and adapted to all times and to all disciples. They constitute an ultimate appeal, back of which we cannot go, and in presence of which, both interest and prejudice are silenced. They enshrine, under a form which is both parable and allegory, certain principles which furnish a sure and universal foundation upon which to stand. If we succeed in correctly interpreting this parable while making a special application of it to modern ministerial culture, we shall have gained the object in view, and shall hope to have added something to the cause of a thorough professional education for the Christian ministry. |