Article January 29, 1910 Issue

SELF SUBORDINATE TO SCIENCE

JOHN V. DITTEMORE.

When Jesus came down into the valley of human experience, after that wonderful spiritual exaltation and illumination described by the apostles as his transfiguration, he found some of his disciples surrounded by a great multitude, in a tumult which was occasioned through the failure of the disciples to heal an epileptic boy, who had been brought to them by his father. These disciples had been with their Master continually for many months, but though they had enjoyed the unspeakable privilege of his teaching and example, they were not able in this instance to prove their faith by their works and restore the boy to his rightful condition of health.

Jesus rebuked their dulness and unbelief, their lack of spiritual understanding, and pointed out to them that only through "prayer and fasting" could they follow his example and do the works which he declared would prove their discipleship,—even those "greater works" which those who believed on him should accomplish when he had returned to the Father.

Notwithstanding this rebuke, which should have spurred the disciples on to greater effort to emulate the works of their Master, they were found almost immediately disputing among themselves as to which of them should be. greatest. When questioned as to the occasion of their dispute, "they held their peace;" but Jesus, "perceiving the thought of their heart," as Luke tells us, checked this strife for place and position with the emphatic declaration: "If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." He further taught them the Christliness of humility and love, and gave indubitable proofs of his greatness, when he took in his arms a little child and said: "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me."

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