p. 14 | Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Aug 21, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 34.

Studies in the Christ-Life at Brother Eldred's

By Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle

Sixteenth Evening's Study.

"You surely do not believe that this ceremony is binding upon Christians, nowadays, Mr. Eldred?" questioned Mr. Field.

"Will you please read verses twelve to sixteen of John thirteen?" responded Brother Eldred.

"So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call Me Master and Lord, and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

"Well, well," said Mr. Allan, glancing at Mr. Field; "we couldn't ask for a plainer answer than that, now, could we?"

"That's what the Master said, Mr. Field," said Brother Eldred, and then he continued. "Alice, will you tell me upon which evening of the week the Lord's Supper was instituted?"

"It must have been on Thursday evening; because it was that night in which He was betrayed—the night before the crucifixion."

"Jack, who was high priest at this time, and what have you learned about him?"

"His name was Caiaphas; he was a Sadducee, and a son-in-law of the ex-high priest, Annas."

Jack paused a moment, and Blanche added: "Caiaphas was very angry because Jesus declared that when He finally came to earth the second time, Caiaphas himself should see Him,—for this strange man did not believe that the dead would ever be raised to life again, for, as Jack says, he was a Sadducee. He declared that Jesus had blasphemed, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God. Then he rent his clothes."

"Tom, can you prove by the Bible that this very act disqualified Caiaphas for the priesthood?"

Tom thought a moment, and then turned to Lev. 10:6. "And Moses said unto Aaron [the priest] and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes, lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people."

"Very well; now, Florence, will you give me a short history of the events of the rest of that dreadful day?"

"I'll try, papa; I think Jesus was first sent to Pilate, and then Pilate sent Him to Herod because he did not want to bear the responsibility of delivering Him up to the Jews; then Herod sent Him again to Pilate, and from there He was made to bear His own cross on the road to Calvary, until He fainted. O, it is so dreadful! and to think, Mr. Field," she continued, while a look of pitying awe stole over the fair young face, "to think that He did it all for poor, helpless people, a great many of whom would never believe in Him as their Saviour!"

Mr. Field hastily brushed away a tear. "It looks vastly different to me than it once did, Mr. Eldred," he said. "I thank God that the Spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ, has been speaking to my heart."

"And I thank Him," exclaimed Mr. Allan, "that He ever led me into these blessed little meetings!"

"Amen and amen!" responded Brother Eldred. "Mildred, will you please continue the narrative beginning when Christ fainted under His cross on the rugged road to Calvary?"

"I believe a man named Simon carried the cross for Him at last. He was crucified between two thieves, one of whom repented, and Jesus forgave him. There was a dreadful earthquake, and it was as dark as night almost all the time until Jesus died. Then the disciples buried Him in Joseph's tomb. But, Mr. Eldred, Blanche has learned some verses about the burial of Jesus. Shall she repeat them?"

"I learned them this week on purpose for this evening," responded Blanche, as she took her place upon the floor: Take from the cross the dear form of the Master; Tenderly fold ye the poor, bruised hands; Carefully cover the torn, mangled body, Loosen the cruel cords, sever the bands. Yes; fold the hands that so often in kindness Healed, in His pity, the woes of mankind, Ministered oft to the poor and the needy, Strengthened the sick and gave sight to the blind. Fold ye them tenderly over His bosom, Over His loving heart, pulseless and still; Wrap ye His form in the soft, snowy linen, Tenderly bear Him from Calvary's hill. Take the rough crown from His pale, bleeding temple, Wash the dark stains from His dear, sacred head; Tearfully weep o'er the blessed Redeemer, Tenderly bathe ye the wounds of the Dead. Tenderly bear Him—the crucified Saviour; Lift from thy spirit its terrible gloom; Leave Him to rest; for the heavenly Watcher Waits but to call Him to life, from the tomb.

"Yes, yes; praise the Lord, the tomb could not hold Him—the mighty Conqueror, the Prince of David," said Sister Eldred. "Tillie, will you repeat those verses about the glorious ascension of our beloved Lord?" Wiping a tear of joy from her eyes, Tillie responded, while her soft voice trembled with emotion:- Lift up your heads, ye glittering gates,— E'en lift them up, ye doors of pearl; The risen King of glory waits; Let heaven's banners wide unfurl! Then voices cry, e'en like a roaring sea, "Who can this King—this King of glory be?" Then from the bright angelic throng, 'Till heaven's myriad arches ring, The glorious word is borne along, "The Lord of hosts! He is the King." "Who can this King,—this mighty Conqueror be?" "The Eternal Prince of heaven! 'tis He, 'tis He." Lift up your gates, ye glittering bars! What glorious honors you may win! And brighter shine, ye heavenly stars, And let the King of glory in! Ye everlasting portals,—open wide, And bid the risen King triumphant ride. Asunder, 'mid a mighty shout, The massive, glittering portals rolled, And hallelujahs glad rang out As opened wide each gate of gold; Then with the mighty millions tried and true, The conquering King of glory entered thru. (Concluded.)