ore is the word in its application to the
disciples of Christ at the time when the Spirit was given. They had
lost the visible presence of their Lord. The sorrow of his removal
from them through the cross and the sepulchre had after three days been
turned into joy by his resurrection. But now another separation had
come, in his departure to the Father after the cloud had received him
out of sight. In this last and longer bereavement, what should they
do? Their beloved Master had told them beforehand {37} what to do.
They were to call upon the Father to send them One to fill the vacant
place, and he who should be sent would be the "Paraclete," the "one
called to their help."[1]

But what deep questionings must have arisen in their hearts as they
heard the Saviour's promise: "If I go not away the Paraclete will not
come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you." Did they
begin to ask whether the mysterious comer would be a "person"?
Impossible to imagine. For he was to take the place of that greatest
of persons; to do for them even greater things than he had done; and to
lead them into even larger knowledge than he had imparted. The
discussion of the personality of the Holy Ghost is so unnatural in the
light of Christ's last discourse that we studiously avoid it. Let us
treat the question, therefore, from the point of view of Christ's own
words, and try to put ourselves under the impression which they make
upon us. To state the matter as simply and familiarly as possible:
Jesus is about to vacate his office on earth as teacher and prophet;
but before doing so he would introduce us to his successor. As in a
complex problem we seek to determine an unknown quantity by the known,
so in this paschal discourse Jesus {38} aims to make us acquainted with
the mysterious, invisible coming personage whom he names the
"Paraclete" by comparing him with himself, the known and the visible
one. Collating his comparisons we may find in them several groups of
seeming contradictions, and just such contradictions as we should
expect if this comer is indeed a person of the Godhead. Of the coming
Paraclete then we find these intimations.[2]

1. He is another, yet the same: "And I will pray the Father and he
shall give you another Comforter" (John 14: 16). By the use of this
expression "another" our Lord distinguishes the Paraclete from himself,
but he also puts him on the same plane with himself. For there is no
par