[Rev. William C. Isett, as quoted in the Times, Los Angeles, California]

The wise men ended their search at the Bethlehem manger, and were satisfied. The wisest of the wise to-day will say, too, that the answer is there in the stable palace of the King of kings. Take the teachings of the Christ from any point of view and they form a basis for world stabilization: the world one family, universal brotherhood, seeking the good of others, spiritual and not material wealth, labor for all and a just wage. What phase of human life is untouched or unfinished in the governmental system of Jesus Christ? As for power to enforce, is there a greater power than love in action?

[Stanley Armstrong Hunter, D.D., in the Christian Herald, New York, New York]

Jesus has been telling the disciples, "I go to prepare a place for you." Thomas asks, "How can we know the way?" That is the wistful question of humanity in many ages. "How can we know the way?" It is the cry of many a... bruised heart to-day. Mankind is prone to lose the road. "All we like sheep have gone astray" is the diagnosis of the prophet. Some are seeking; some are wandering. Can you not hear the ringing declaration of that phrase, "I am the way," as the Master explains that through him, through what he did and taught, his followers may surely come to their goal? That goal, of course, is God....

"The fourteenth chapter of John's Gospel," one expositor used to say, "is the page that is worn thinnest in the Bible of the lover of the Word." ... In this wonderful fourteenth chapter of John's Gospel, Jesus makes the remarkable and venturesome assertion, "I am the way." He was familiar with the metaphorical references in such a scripture as Isaiah's word, "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." In his mountain sermon he said, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." There are many roads through life, some wide and congested, some not so popular. "Broad is the way, that leadth to destruction"—straightened the way that leadeth unto life. One leads downward; the other climbs upward....

"The way" is the earliest description of Christianity in the New Testament. Five times this expression occurs in the Book. Before the ... name of Christians was given at Antioch, Christians were called "followers of the way." When our Christianity can be described in these terms no longer, something vital has been lost. It is a way: it is a road: it is a thoroughfare. It is meant to be traveled upon!

The journey through life is described in the Bible as our earthly "pilgrimage." Our feet are constantly on the quest. New scenes ever unfold before our eyes. ... The path may go through the valley of the shadow, but it does not remain there, for it winds upward to end in the Father's house of light.

The New Testament records the story of many individuals who one by one found in Christ the way to God. The path is so simple and plain that it may be recognized and traveled by anyone. A wayfaring man, even if he is a fool, need not get lost on that way, so clearly marked is it. With a ring of confident certainty the Christian points all who doubt to the Lord Jesus Christ and says: "Study of him; learn his life. He is the way."

Connecting the missions in the early California days stretched the King's Highway—EI Camino Real. Travelers lost in desert wanderings rejoiced when they found themselves upon it. The King's Highway stretches through life, and journeying upon it, we again hear that voice saying as of old, "This is the way, walk ye in it." It is the way of certainty, blessedness, and peace.

[Canon Shatford, as quoted in the Boston Evening Transcript, Massachusetts]

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me," cried Jesus, "... for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." We have entirely misunderstood the yoke, regarding it a burden. A yoke is a harness or collar to help the animal to do his work. It is an instrument of mercy. Religion is not something to be borne, but an agent to help us bear life's responsibilities. If your religion is a burden, it is not Christ [Jesus'] religion Christianity is meant to assist you in your work. If it is not doing that, there is something seriously wrong. Either it fits badly, like a galling yoke, or you have misunderstood its nature and use.

A yoke means surrender. The animal submits to control and guidance. The Christian submits to Christ. It is the surrender of love. And where is there a love that does not rejoice to surrender, to submit itself in service to the beloved? It is a voluntary surrender. There is no compulsion about it. The yoke also teaches fellowship. It is a double yoke. The Master sent forth his disciples two by two. Partnership, cooperation, are the golden words in Christian service. Religion is not a selfish desire for salvation. You can only save yourself by saving others. And then the yoke means rest. Jesus linked the two together. "Take my yoke upon you... and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Who has not learned that service for others brings the richest satisfactions, the most refreshing joy?

[Rev. W. Russell Bowie, D. D., in the Union, San Diego, California]

[Christ] Jesus was God's supreme and perfect Son because in him that divine love, which alone dignifies and redeems human life, attained its perfect and unhindered expression. When men looked at Jesus and knew that "the things of the Spirit" are more desirable than "the things of the flesh," that goodness is worth striving for and worth winning, and that Love alone can lift men out of their own selves and make a world where men may dwell together in glad fullness of life, they knew that they had touched the very glory of the meaning of God.

[Editorial in the Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada]

There is as much of the good Samaritan displayed in the way we speak of others as in our acts towards others. Unfortunately, this is not recognized in the full measure it ought to be. We have to recognize the evil that is done from want of thought, and this is the evil caused by idle gossip. James, no doubt, felt the need of emphasizing this when he said: "Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." He did not emphasize the nature of an unruly tongue too strongly.

The little things in Christianity matter much. Chief among these is the consideration of others. We cannot be too careful about making statements about others in those things which are apt to hurt and which, for all we know, we are not able to substantiate. If we arrive at this understanding we shall learn to bridle our tongues. People are so apt to take "tithe of mint and anise and cummin" in the outward observances of Christianity. There is nothing to be said against this, provided they do not neglect "the weightier matters of the law," the law of good will, of kindliness, not only in deed, but in word, of consideration of others, which is the outstanding virtue of those who endeavor to follow the simple Christiantiy which Christ [Jesus] enunciated.

The profession of Christiantiy calls for much more than the mere outward observances, which is the religion of the easy-going. It calls for those inward virtues in the practice of that Christianity which is not seen of men. This is a true Christianity, because it is an instinctive Christianity, having its origin in the best impulses and the influence which guides the Christian to seek to live up to what the Master taught. "I am the way," said Christ [Jesus]. No one can fail in his or her Christianity if he follows in that way.

[From the Times, London, England]

There is one secret which a man ought to desire to know, and when he knows it to reveal it. One of the Psalmists refers to it: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant." This secret is worth possessing for the infinite satisfactions it brings to those who learn it; but it can be known only by those who have the moral and spiritual capacity to receive it. It is whispered to the humble and pure in heart. In the Gospels [Am. Rev. Ver.] we read how the Master said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst reveal them unto babes: yea, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in thy sight."

This secret is never discovered by human intelligence. It is not won by philosophic thought, or scientific research, but it is a secret told, a wisdom given from above, to those who have the receptivity of faith. These learn that which cannot be told in formal human speech, but is made known by that voice which is heard in the conscience and reveals the things of God.

Here is the paradox of the greatest secret of life. With every other secret our desire must be that others shall not be aware that we know it, but those who have learned this hidden wisdom which is from above wish above all things to share it with others. In the New Testament the word "mystery" stands not for a truth that is hidden, but for that which could never have been known by man if left to his own devices, and yet has been revealed by God, conferring a secret hitherto unknown.... These are secrets offered to all. Those who know them bear within themselves a bright light in the darkness, a never failing comfort in the hour of pain, a source of endless joy in the acknowledgment of the God revealed in their hearts. This is their secret, and it is a proof that they are keeping it well when they make it known to others.

[Rev. Walter D. Cavert, in the News, Newburgh, New York]

If we govern our lives by... expediency, we will be like the ship with dragging anchor. But if we guide ourselves by eternal standards of righteousness and truth, by that which we feel in our consciences to have the approval of God, we will be like the ship anchored to a solid rock.

[From Great Thoughts, London, England]

The Christian life is a discipline, a training full of the joy of deepening fellowship, a continuous struggle, with its defeats and disappointments, but growing strength and courage and its assured victory.