X

THE NINETY AND NINE

(T is unfortunate that nearly all theology

J

was written by people who lived under kings-naturally enough to them God was a king. The image of him on earth was some king they were acquainted with. Now it is characteristic of kings not to know the people they govern except as a multitude. But when an American writes a book on the relation of man to God he calls his book not "The Kingdom of God," but "The Republic of God." In an old-fashioned kingdom everybody was under the laws except the king. There are plenty of laws for the people of Russia, but there are none for the czar. He is lawless. He can do no legal wrong. In a republic the president is, with the people, under the law. A citizen of a republic can read Christ's definition of God and understand it. God is not an Oriental monarch-he is a father. He made all things; he cares in a

special manner for every creature; not a sparrow falls on the ground without his notice.

We read of generals commanding one hundred thousand men-no general ever did it. The most that a general can do is to be wise in his choice of marshals and give them great discretion. In the afternoon of Chickamauga did General Rosecrans know what General Thomas was doing, or did General Thomas know what Rosecrans was doing?

It was

a battle fought by men commanded by colonels and captains. The general commanding did not have much to do with it. A human being of the greatest gifts, if limited, may, like Julius Cæsar, be able to do several things at the same time. He can not possibly be in two places at the same time. But Jesus teaches that God is with us-not far off from any one of us. At the close of the Franco-German war they had a great celebration of the victory, review of the army and thanksgiving to God. Well I can fancy some men saying: "Why, yes; terested in a thing like that." thing.

God is in

Some large

But men are skeptical as to God's care of

the particular human being, to say nothing of a sparrow. There are so many folks. One looks on a night full of stars and thinks God is caring for them-busy as a train dispatcher. There is a dignity about keeping planets on time and in order. But one man is such a little creature. Even an

earthly king does not know his subjects by name or face. But against all probability men in all ages have had a hope that God did take note of the individual. Prayer is natural. Man may grow out of it, but he never grew into it. Little Ishmael, cast out by his father and forsaken by his mother, throws out his voice. There is no one in sight, so he prays to someone out of sight. This hope that we have that God hears, Christ came to confirm. Here in one of our books is a very popular little song, called "Ninety and Nine." The popularity of it lies in its doctrine. It teaches that the greatest good to the greatest number does not satisfy God. "Ninety and Nine" are in and safe folded.

That is a very large per cent., but it does not satisfy the Good Shepherd. the desert to seek my sheep."

"I go to "He calleth

his sheep by name."

The clerk at the hotel

must learn to call the guests by name.

It is

a vast advantage for a public man to remember faces and names. A man so remembered is pleased to have made an impression that lasts. Christ tells us that the father, knowing the individual, does not merge him in the mass and lose him in the crowd. That gives man dignity.

At the wreck of the Northfleet one body of a baby was washed ashore (nameless). Those who buried the little body inscribed on a plank at the head of the grave "God Knows." That is right. Pope's prayer to the universal God is well enough as long as Pope has no need to pray. It is a kind of a metrical harangue to the system of things. But when a man is drowning he will not pray to the system of things. He will say, "God help me." "Where there is a will there's a way." Frequently not-then we pray to will Almighty. "The God of nations,' the "great Architect of the universe". these are not the titles of God which man uses when he is in real need of anything. Vague generalities to an all-pervading spirit

He

"Lord,

do not appear to the thief on the cross. speaks as a heart speaks to a heart: remember me." It is quite impossible to really pray to principles or systems.

Mary of Bethany and all the Marys need a care that is personal and immediate-a Providence that is particular, minute, special. People pray to God through Christ because

he is human.

"Human, and not angelic,

The form he deigns to wear;

Of Jesus, not of angels,

The likeness thou shalt bear."

People could talk to him when he was on earth-anybody. He was especially attentive to the individual-some blind man, or poor woman, or little child—

"What sound do I hear of a multitude treading?

Who is it that passes? Oh, would I could see! It is Jesus, the Prophet, who round him is shedding The sunshine of mercy. Then why not on me?”

What Bartimeus needs is a Savior who, in the hum of many voices and the trampling of many feet, is able and willing to hear his voice, "Have mercy on me." This is the