Yet there are
senses in which the blessed touch of Christ is felt yet on men's lives.
He is as really in this world to-day as he was when he walked in human
form through Judea and Galilee. His hand is yet laid on the weary, the
suffering, the sorrowing, and, though its pressure is unfelt, its power
to bless is the same as in the ancient days. It is laid on the sick,
when precious heavenly words of cheer and encouragement from the
Scriptures are read at their bedside, giving them the blessing of sweet
patience, and quieting their fears. It is laid on the sorrowing, when
the consolations of divine love come to their hearts with tender
comfort, giving them strength to submit to God's will and rejoice in
the midst of trial. It is laid on the faint and weary, when the grace
of Christ comes to them with its holy peace, hushing the wild tumult,
and giving true rest of soul.
But there is another way in which the hand of Christ is laid on human
lives. He sends his disciples into the world to represent him. "As
the Father hath sent me, even so send I you," is his own word. Of
course the best and holiest Christian life can be only the dimmest,
faintest reproduction of the rich, full, blessed life of Christ. Yet
it is in this way, through these earthen vessels, that he has ordained
to save the world, and to heal, help, comfort, lift up, and build up
men.
"In these earthen vessels heavenly treasure
For the enrichment of thy poor may shine;
Thou canst fill us in our human measure
With thy being's overflow divine.
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