world ye have
tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."--JOHN
xvi. 16-33.

In the intercourse of Jesus with His disciples He at all times showed
one of the most delightful qualities of a friend--a quick and perfect
apprehension of what was passing in their mind. They did not require to
bring their mental condition before Him by laboured explanations. He
knew what was in man, and He especially knew what was in them. He could
forecast the precise impression which His announcements would make upon
them, the doubts and the expectations they would give rise to. Sometimes
they were surprised at this insight, always they profited by it. In
fact, on more occasions than one this insight convinced them that Jesus
had this clear knowledge of men given to Him that He might effectually
deal with all men. It seemed to them, as of course it is, one of the
essential equipments of One who is to be a real centre for the whole
race and to bring help to each and all men. How could a person who was
deficient in this universal sympathy and practical understanding of the
very thoughts of each of us offer himself as our helper? There is
therefore evidence in the life of Jesus that He was never non-plussed,
never at a loss to understand the kind of man He had to do with. There
is evidence of this, and it would seem that we all receive this
evidence; for are we not conscious that our spiritual condition is
understood, our thoughts traced, our difficulties sympathised with? We
may feel very unlike many prominent Christians; we may have no sympathy
with a great deal that passes for Christian sentiment; but Christ's
sympathy is universal, and nothing human comes wrong to Him. Begin with
Him as you are, without professing to be, though hoping to be, different
from what you are, and by the growth of your own spirit in the sunshine
of His presence and under the guidance of His intelligent sympathy your
doubts will pass away, your ungodliness be renounced. He is offered for
your help as the essential condition of your progress and your growth.

Seeing the perplexity which certain of His expressions had created in
the minds of His disciples, He proceeds to remove it. They had great
need of hopefulness and courage, and He sought to inspire them with
these qualities. They were on the edge of a most bitter experience, and
it was of untold consequence that they should be upheld in it. He does
not hide from them the coming di