s itself anew in the hearts of those who are "first pure."
Love has no harsh words, no harsh feelings. It is full of mercy and easy
to be entreated. Where this heavenly wisdom abides, there will not be a
disposition to assert one's own rights, to be self-willed, or to hold fast
to one's own ways; on the contrary, if its blessed presence fills our
souls, we shall be merciful, kind, forgiving, long-suffering, pitiful, and
we shall have the same tender feeling for our brother who has done us
wrong as the father had for the prodigal. We shall be ready to run to meet
him. We shall be ready to forget all the past. Our hearts will be filled
with joyfulness at the expected reconciliation. O brethren there is
nothing needed quite so much today and every day as that heart-quality
that makes people "easy to be entreated."
TALK THIRTY-TWO. FOLLOWING "WHITHERSOEVER"
One day as Jesus was passing along the highway, a man said to him, "I will
follow thee whithersoever thou goest" (Luke 9: 57). This man no doubt was
greatly impressed by the wonderful works and noble character of Christ. He
thought that companionship with such a man would be full of blessing and
richness. Just to see and hear would be worth any man's time and effort--to
hear the gracious words that came from His lips would enrich mind and
heart; to see the mighty works done would inspire. To him it seemed to be
one of the most desirable of all things. Christ's answer to him, however,
showed that following Him might well mean something more than this man had
ever considered. His way did not always lead through pleasant places; His
path was not always to be rose-strewn; not always would the multitude look
on Him with favor. Whether this man followed Jesus we are not told, but
following evidently meant more to him now than it had meant before.
There are many today who, like that man of old, say, "Lord, I will follow
thee," with no clear idea of what it means. It was not hard to follow him
when the multitude shouted, "Hosanna!" and threw palm-branches before him.
It is easy for us to follow him today when his cause is popular, when
people are proclaiming the truth of what we teach and approving of our
service. It is no task to follow when it brings praise and admiration. It
is no task to follow in the calm after his "Peace, be still," on
Gennesaret. Who would not follow gladly to the mount of transfiguration to
behold his glory? But to follow him "whithersoever"
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