Sunday afternoons with railroad men...

Contents

Ready for Work 9

Fishers of Men 21

Fou,owing Christ 37

II Fishers Of Men

After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias ; and he manifested himself on this wise. There were together Simon Peter and Thomas, called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. They went forth, and entered into the boat ; and that night they took nothing. But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach : yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three : and for all there were so many, the net was not rent. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord ; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep, John 21 ; 1-17,

II

FISHERS OF MEN

Last Sunday we were studying together a story from the Old Testament, which told us of the preparation for service given to a prophet, by a vision of his Lord. This afternoon we are to review an incident from the New Testament, which tells us of a vision of the risen Christ, which prepared his followers for their glorious task. It is the early morning scene beside that little inland Sea of Galilee. Simon Peter had suggested to his friends that they should "go a-fishing." A party of seven had started out in the evening, and had fished all the night through. As dawn was beginning to break, they heard a voice from the shore, calling to them, and asking what they had caught. They say that they have taken nothing ; and then the voice replies, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find;" and so they let the net down as directed, and as soon as they had done this the net inclosed a great school of fishes. Instantly, the beloved disciple, John, recognizes his Master, and cries out, "It is the Lord!" Peter, impatient of delay, leaps overboard and swims ashore. When the boat with their friends has touched the beach, they gather round their Lord, and are surprised, not only by his unexpected presence, but also to find that he has prepared for them a breakfast, and on the coals they find bread is baking, and fish are broiling. When they have breakfasted together, the Master hears the confession of Peter's love, and commends him anew to service in his name.

Such is the story. It is one of the accounts which we have of the ten or eleven appearances of our Lord after his resurrection; but it has a special message for us to-day, as it speaks to us of the aim, the encouragement, and the motive, which we have in our work for Christ.

First of all, then, it suggests that in bringing men to Christ we are "fishers of men," or, as the words really mean, we are "saving men alive." This is the great work which lies before us during the coming months. Such is the first message which the Saviour brought to his disciples on that memorable morning: "Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men." He did not speak these words at that time, did he ? No ; but just as soon as they saw the miracle they recalled the meaning that he had assigned to a similar miracle three years before. You remember how, when Christ was first calling men into his service, he went down to the seashore and borrowed a fishing boat from Peter. He used the boat as a pulpit, and then, when the sermon was ended, he told Peter to push out from the shore, and to let down his net. Peter replied, "Master, we toiled all night, and took nothing: but at thy word I will let down the nets." You remember the miracle which followed; the great catch of fish; and the words which our Saviour spoke, and which I have already repeated, "Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men." So now, when Christ has risen from the dead, and is sending out his disciples on their great mission, he works through them this similar miracle, to suggest that if they obey him, they will be used to save men. He is thus repeating the former message by a second striking object lesson. He is telling them that they are not to be merely fishermen, but life-savers. "You will save men alive."

That is exactly what we are trying to do by the work of this Association. We are seeking to save men by drawing them toward the loving, living Christ. It is a great thing to have the shores of our loved land dotted with life-saving stations ; but it is true that every church, every chapel, and every Christian Association throughout the length and breadth of this land is a life-saving station. We are striving, with the equipment of this great building, to do many other things, which will help men toward a fuller and a larger life ; but our first aim is to seek those who are lost. These meetings are held, and our Association work is being conducted, so that we can take one man after another who is in peril, who is fighting against temptation, who is being drawn down by deadly currents, and lift him up to light and life, to holiness and God. To be fishers of men, to be saviours of men — this is indeed blessed work.

One of our friends in this Association celebrated last Sunday afternoon his fifth anniversary as a child of God, and I remember what was said by one who is specially interested in our work: "It seems to me that if nothing else has been accomplished by erecting this building, and carrying on this work, other than the reforming of that one life, and the transformation of that one home, the work would have been a great success." Why so?

Because one soul is of such supreme value ; one life of such priceless worth. We can truly rejoice that we are banded together anew in our effort to save men.

A few weeks ago I was in Central Pennsylvania, and as I stood one evening looking out over the broad river, a story came into my mind in connection with the old bridge of the town. I do not know the exact truth of the incident, but it illustrates this work of ours. It is said that on a certain occasion, when the river was swollen with the spring floods, a man had floated out from the shore in a little boat without oars, and was being borne swiftly down the stream. Word was telegraphed down to the town that the boat would pass in a very short time under that bridge, which spans the river. Immediately a number of men provided themselves with ropes, hurried to the bridge, and, standing at intervals, hung down one rope after another, so that, wherever the boat might pass, the man might have a chance for his life ; and, sure enough, before long there came the boat, drawing nearer and nearer to the bridge. The poor man saw what was being done, and just at the right instant he grasped a rope, and his life was saved.

Is not that exactly what we are seeking to do? Are we not throwing out ropes and extending a helping hand to one man after another who is in peril of being lost? We are not called merely to rejoice in our own safety; nor to fold our hands in idleness when we ourselves have been saved; we are sent to work for the saving of others; to forget ourselves, and to strive to rescue every man whom we see to be in need.

In the second place, this story suggests to us the encouragement we have in our service. The encouragement is this, that we are being supported, aided and sustained, by an unseen but ever-present Master and Lord. All the appearances of Christ after his resurrection were designed in part to teach the disciples the truth of his continual presence. He would appear to them suddenly, when least expected, in an upper room, or as they were walking by the way, or as they were gathered on a mountain top, to teach them that he was ever near. So when he appears to these fishermen in their unsuccessful toil in the twilight of that early morning, he wishes them to understand that whatever their labor, he will ever be near them, to aid and to sustain.

This truth will surely strengthen us. We are not called to labor in our own strength or wisdom. One who has all power in heaven and in earth is with us as He was with those discipies of old. He wished to show them that they could look to him for guidance, and could depend on him for support; for this reason he gives the direction which leads to their success, and then invites them to share the breakfast which he himself has provided. Have we failed in our effort to bring some soul to Christ? Possibly we have not been looking to him for wisdom and help. Are we afraid to undertake some special work? Possibly we are forgetting how ready he is to supply the needed power and grace.

When Stanley was about to be sent on his first expedition, the telegram which summoned him was very brief. It was in substance, "Go, find Livingstone." No matter how great the difficulty, no matter how long the task, no matter what the peril, he was to penetrate to the very heart of Africa ; he was to save the great missionary explorer. Yet there was one thing else in that telegram. Stanley would never have started if the message had included nothing more. Just enough was added and enough implied in the signature of the telegram to suggest that all the money which was needed, and all the supplies he might require, were at his command. Our Master is sending you forth to-day, sending you back to the home, sending you out on the engine to-morrow, or to the office, or to the shop, and he is saying, "I know you can do nothing in your own strength, but draw on me for support; depend on me for help, and for the wisdom and courage you need, and I will give it you." "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world."

Let us consider, however, in the last place, what motive will keep us at work. There is but one, — Love; love for our fellow-men, and, above all, love for Christ. This message is emphasized in the story we are studying to-day. In this beautiful morning scene there are several features which suggest to us this motive. There is the keen vision of John, who was first to recognize his Master, because he lived nearest to his Master's heart; and then there is Peter, the poor backslider, who wishes to swim ashore, unwilling to wait for the boat, the progress of which is impeded by the burdened net. Three years before, on a similar occasion, he cried, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man," but he has learned to love his Lord more since then. It is true he denied him, but with infinite compassion the risen Christ appeared to Peter, first of all the disciples, to speak to him words of pardon and peace. No wonder Peter loves that Master now; no wonder he is so eager to greet him on the shore in that early twilight.

But this motive of love is especially manifested in that remarkable interview which follows. Three times the Saviour asks Peter to confess his love, and three times Peter repeats the avowal of his devotion.

There are many truths suggested here. This one at least we can unite with what has gone before; the miracle has been a picture of service; the interview can be a message of love. It must be love for our fellow-men which moves us to bring them to Christ. I remember the story of a poor old woman who would not be saved alone. She wanted somebody else to be saved with her. It was a story of the flood down in Alabama. A number of poor colored people had taken refuge on the top of an old corn shed, which seemed about to be swept away. There they clung, with the surging waters all about them. Some men in a boat came out to rescue them, and as the boat came near the rescuers cried, "Let the women and children come first !" Just as the crowded boat was about to push away, one old woman was heard to cry, "Can't you take my old man, too?" "No, we cannot take him," was the answer. "Then let me go back," and up she crawled to the roof, to die with her poor old husband. As the boat drew away into the darkness, her voice was heard singing: —

"I'se clingin' to the ark, Let me in, let me in ; For the water's deep and dark, Let me in, let me in."

And they left her there. But another boat was found and was sent back to complete the work of rescue. As they came near, those in the boat heard her singing again : —

"The Lord hab heard my cry, Let me in, let me in; He will save us, by and by, Let me in, let me in."

She was willing to be saved when her husband could be saved, too.

How many persons are there here who believe they are saved, but are not sure their households are saved ? How many mothers and fathers are here who believe that their boys are without Christ? How do you feel about the man you meet every day on your engine or in your office? Are you willing to be saved without him?

Love for our fellow-men will make us "fishers of men ;" but there is even a higher motive. Love for Christ will make us work for Christ. Jesus did not say to Peter, "Do you love these men?" but, "Lovest thou me?" That was the point. There are many people in this world who are not very lovely. We might be willing to save the people we love, and still be careless about the unkind, sinful people we have neither known nor loved ; but when we love Jesus Christ we will love them, too, and will for his sake do for them all we can.

A little story was handed me a few days ago, which speaks about the power of love. It was manifested by a little newsboy whose mother had been taken from him. They had lived together, helping one another, and when she died he felt that he had lost everything in the world. He wished to show his affection, so he went to a yard where monumental marbles were being carved, but was disappointed to find that he could not afford to purchase a stone. He happened to spy a piece of granite that had been broken by accident. He asked if he might have it. "Yes, you can," replied the superintendent; "but what are you going to do with it?" "I am going to take it over yonder, and put it on my mother's grave." A day or two after he came with a little fourwheeled cart, and the men helped him put the piece of stone on it, and started the boy on his way to the cemetery. The superintendent of the yard was so interested in the boy that after a time he went to the cemetery to see what had become of the stone. He asked the man in charge if he had seen anything of the boy. The man took him to the grave of the boy's mother and pointed out to him the stone. On it he saw an inscription rudely drawn in great capital letters. They read something like this :

"MY MOTHER SHEE DIDE LAST WEEK

SHEE WAS ALL I HAD

SHEE SED SHEAD BE WAITING FUR— "

That was all there was on the stone, and then the superintendent heard the following explanation: "The little fellow came out here day after day, and cut these letters himself on that piece of stone. One day I missed him, and nothing was heard of him for some days, and then a man came out from the church to which his mother had belonged, and ordered a little grave dug; here it is. You see the little chap was coming out here to finish his work, but as he was crossing the street there was a runaway ; he got under the wheels and was killed ; and when they picked him up they found in his hand a little old file that had been sharpened to a point, and with that file he had been cutting those letters on the monument in memory of his mother, just because he loved her so. When the men back in the yard heard the story, they clubbed together and bought that stone for the little grave, and on it they put first his name and then these words : 'He loved his mother/ When the boys and girls came out from the Sunday School, I heard the superintendent say to them: 'My children, I would rather have that put on my tombstone, and lie there by that little boy, than to be the veriest king in all the world, and yet fail to love my mother.' "

"He loved her." What will love not do? Is there anything too hard for love, any obstacle too great — the love of a mother for her son; the love of a child for its mother? Surely the love of Christ for you, and your love for Christ, will send you forth as you have never gone before, to serve in "his blessed name."

Ill

FOLLOWING CHRIST

And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest. But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me : and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me : for he that is least among you all, the same is great.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name ; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not : for he that is not against you is for you.

And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received ud, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before his face : and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

But he turned, and rebuked them. And they went to another village.

And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests ; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead ; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord ; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house. But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9 : 46-62.

Ill

FOLLOWING CHRIST

Our afternoon Scripture lesson suggested to us six moving pictures, six dissolving views, six striking scenes, from the life of our Lord. The first three represented his disciples, and the last three concerned men who were meeting Jesus for the last time, as he was on his way to Jerusalem and to the cross. Those first three scenes may be helpful to those of us who already call ourselves Christians; and the last three may bear a very definite and helpful message to the men and women here, who, once more this afternoon, it may be for the last time, are being urged faithfully, openly, and honestly to follow Jesus Christ.

The first scene presents to us the disciples as they are engaged in a heated argument. "There arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest;" that is, greatest "in the kingdom of heaven." That was the Question they were discussing; and there was 37 something very admirable about the discussion. They evidently regarded the kingdom of heaven as a reality, and they thought it worth while to enter in, and to attain a high place in its glory. Perhaps if some of us had just as much faith, we might sometimes argue about the same facts. If heaven were just as real to us as the present world, as real to us as this building and our homes are, if the friends yonder were just as much in our thoughts and hearts, just as actual to us as our friends here are, I think we might sometimes question what our place is to be in heaven.

Yet our Saviour rebuked them; for while there was something of faith about their discussion, there was much more of pride; and there is no place for pride among the followers of Christ. He took a little child and placed him beside him and said, "Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me . . . for he that is least among you all, the same is great." He took a little child because they were talking about heaven, and heaven belongs to little children. If there is any poor mother here whose little one has been taken from her into the yonder land, she can be absolutely sure that the little one is to-day in the presence of Jesus Christ, because "to such belongeth the kingdom of heaven." And there is no greater service in this world than to care for little children. We are surrounded by "little children;" by men and women who have less strength than we have; less strength of mind, less strength of character, less strength of body, — who have limitations which we do not have. To be of service to such, in the name of Christ, is to be great in the sight of our Lord. Lowly service is the measure of greatness. That is the message.

Do not think that greatness consists in having the highest place. It consists in serving and helping those who are like children in their helplessness and their need. "Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me."

Only a few days ago Dr. Barnardo died, in London — a man who had been used of God in rescuing, saving, and giving life to thousands of orphans. I suppose among all the nobility of England, you could not find a man greater than he, who has given his life to save the little ones. I tell you it is just so here to-day. Those of us who are greatest in the sight of our Lord are not those of us who occupy the highest place, but those of us who are willing to do the little things, and the humble service, for his sake. There is no place for pride among his followers.

"John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name ; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us." He "answered," of course, because Jesus had said that if one did anything "in his name" he would be rendering him a service. So John was saying, "I rendered thee a service, I forbade a man, who was casting out devils in thy name, to do it." There was something admirable in John's action. He so loved his Master that he wished everybody to follow in that little company of disciples. He would have liked to have had all the people in Galilee as followers of Christ.

Now, there is something admirable about a man who loves his own denomination, and who wishes to have other men join his society of Christians. If any man is sure that he has found the shortest way to heaven and the most secure, I do not blame him for wanting others to follow along that same path. That is all right. But Jesus rebuked John, and said unto him, "Forbid him not : for he that is not against you is for you." It was as if he had said : "Why John, it is all right to love your own denomination or your own little society of Christians ; but never stand in the way of another man's work for Christ. Do not try to oppose what another denomination is doing in the Master's name. Do not in any way discourage any other disciple of Christ because he does not follow with you." We cannot expect all Christians to belong to the same denomination, or to subscribe to the same creed, or to worship in the same way. This is the question : Is good being done, and is it being done in the name of Christ? John should not have forbidden one who was casting out devils and who was doing it in his Master's name. No wonder Jesus rebuked him. If any man, no matter what his denomination, is seeking to save men, and to cast out devils in the name of Christ, let us bid him "Godspeed." There is no place for bigotry among the followers of Christ.

That great convention that met in New York City, and closed ten days ago, that conference in reference to the Federation of Churches, was a magnificent exhibition of what Christ had in mind. All these different denominations, twenty-eight in number, representing eighteen millions of Christians, came together to say: "Let us all agree to work side by side; and let us not insist that every one shall follow in exactly the same little company." "Forbid him not : for he that is not against you is for you."

Then, as Jesus "steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem," we have another scene. He was entering a village of the Samaritans, and the Samaritans would not receive him. John cried, "Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?" Now, there was something rather admirable in John's spirit. He was rather on his mettle, I think. He had just made a great mistake about that man who was casting out demons, and he thought he would retrieve himself. He loved his Master, and he could not bear to see him insulted. There is something admirable in the feeling of a man who, when he hears his Master's name used profanely, and when he sees his Master's cause being thwarted and opposed, is filled with a certain righteous indignation, and distress. There may be something admirable in such love for the Master; and yet the Master rebuked John. He turned and said, "John, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of." "And they went to another village." He was saying, "John, there is no place for intolerance among my followers." Even though Christ may be insulted, even though his name may be used ever so profanely, it is not for you or for me to show anger, or try to injure any man. There is a time of judgment coming, and there will be a day when, as the apostle Paul said, those who have refused the gospel of Christ "shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord." That day is coming, but we are not living in that day. We are living in "an accepted time," in a "day of salvation." God is long-suffering, and very patient. Even though this man may reject Christ, that man may turn his back upon him, and a third man may profane his name, and may defy him to his face, this is not a time of vengeance. No, it is a time of patience and gentleness ; and if you and I follow Christ, we must be kind, gentle, forbearing, and forgiving. If you have been insulted this week, because you are a Christian, if there is some one who is making your life miserable because you are trying to follow Christ, do not think of revenge, do not think of showing unkindness, do not think of cruelty, but seek by your patience, your forbearance, and your forgiveness to show "what spirit ye are of" — the spirit of gentleness, kindness, and love, that you may win some soul for Christ. There is no place for intolerance among the followers of Christ. Now, as they are advancing on their way, a young man comes running to meet Jesus, and cries, "I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." You can just imagine how glad Jesus was to hear that word. You can almost see him putting out his hand to welcome that young man. Oh, how glad our Master would be if every young man here to-day would say,