f the party remains indelibly stamped upon his
mind as the symbol of Christ's whole relation to His people. That night
in Gethsemane was to them all the hour and power of darkness; and in
every subsequent hour of darkness John and the rest see the same Divine
figure stepping to the front, shielding them and taking upon Himself all
the responsibility. It is thus Christ would have us think of Him--as our
friend and protector, watchful over our interests, alive to all that
threatens our persons, interposing between us and every hostile event.
If by following Him according to our knowledge we are brought into
difficulties, into circumstances of trouble and danger, if we are
brought into collision with those in power, if we are discouraged and
threatened by serious obstacles, let us be quite sure that in the
critical moment He will interpose and convince us that, though He cannot
save Himself, He can save others. He will not lead us into difficulties
and leave us to find our own way out of them. If in striving to
discharge our duty we have become entangled in many distressing and
annoying circumstances, He acknowledges His responsibility in leading us
into such a condition, and will see that we are not permanently the
worse for it. If in seeking to know Him more thoroughly we have been led
into mental perplexities, He will stand by us and see that we come to no
harm. He encourages us to take this action of His in shielding His
disciples as the symbol of what we all may expect He will do for
ourselves. In all matters between God and us He interposes and claims to
be counted as the true Head who is accountable, as that One who desires
to answer all charges that can be made against the rest of us. If
therefore, in view of much duty left undone, of many sinful imaginings
harboured, of much vileness of conduct and character, we feel that it is
ourselves the eye of God is seeking and with _us_ He means to take
account; if we know not how to answer Him regarding many things that
stick in our memory and conscience,--let us accept the assurance here
given us that Christ presents Himself as responsible.

It is not without surprise that we read that when Jesus was arrested all
the disciples forsook Him and fled. John, indeed, and Peter speedily
recovered themselves and followed to the hall of judgment; and the
others may not only have felt that they were in danger so long as they
remained in His company, but also that by accompanying Hi