p. 9 | He Goeth Before Them by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 29, 1906

“He Goeth Before Them”

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

It is said of the true shepherd, “He goeth before them.” The sheep need the shepherd to guide them. They love to follow, but do not know the way.

All this is speaking of the Great Shepherd. He knoweth his sheep. “When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” The sheep do not have to be told their true shepherd is before them. This they know. And, furthermore, it is said, “A stranger will they not follow.” They will not follow him simply because he is a stranger.

There is great significance in all this just now. Some people are getting terribly perplexed because the people of God will not follow them. They blame everything and everybody except the right cause—themselves. The trouble is significantly apparent. They have the scent of the stranger upon their garments. Their voice betrays them.

Christ goeth on before his people. The Good Shepherd's voice can be heard ahead calling, “This is the way,” “follow me.” He is still on the old highway cast up for the remnant of the Lord to walk in, even the “path of his commandments.” And rejoicingly his people are following. It requires true humility of soul to follow the Lord. Simply admitting

by this humble act of following that we are wholly ignorant of the way, utterly unable to guide ourselves through this dangerous way by which God's own are to go, trusting everything to the Guide—this is the test of true discipleship to-day.

Rome, N. Y.