The Right of Jesus the Christ to Be Called Master

THE RIGHT OF JESUS THE CHRIST TO BE CALLED MASTER By Russell L. Hess Scarcely a day passes that someone does not refer to the teachings or the ways of "The Master" meaning always Christ Jesus. When applied to the Savior, the word "Master" has deep significance. It personifies ,and typifies a nobleness of character, a resoluteness of purpose, a passion for truth, an unselfish love for humanity, and a master-craftsmanship, all of which were attributes of the Messiah. When one studies the life of Jesus in an effort to .discover whether or not he was really worthy to be called "Master" and whether "or not his life and work have the earmarkings of mastery, a , mass of evidence is bared exemplifying beyond question that no man, either before or since Christ's ministry, has ever shown himself more worthy of the title of "Master." During the whole life of the Savior there was never an act on his part that did not reveal his .complete mastery of himself on all occasions. True, he showed on one occasion in the Garden of Gethsemane, that after all he- had his human side which cropped out when he, praying, said: "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me;" but, then, in the same breath he recovered his self-mastery and added, "nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Each of the four Gospels is a strong witness that Christ on every occasion met each seeming difficulty with absolute confidence that he and his disciples could rise to and dominate any situation. The temper and the character of Scribes and Pharisees alike were only too well known and understood by the Messiah. Whatever their accusations against him and however much they scourged and denied him, he showed remarkable self-mastery and had always ready an answer to their comdemnations and a most remarkable patience and fortitude to endure the suffering they caused him. It required an almost endless amount of foresight, precision, understanding of the human mind and its limitations and weaknesses, and an all-abiding faith in the goodness of right, justice, and God, in order for the Savior to batter down the skepticism, the discourage- ments with which his disciples were beset. Recall how , on the sea, troubled by storms and winds, when the disciples grew fearful of the storm, Christ appeared among them, bade them fear nothing and commanded the sea and the winds to be still. The Savior calmed the fears of his apostles knowing he was able to control the situation and that by the proper application of the power of mastery he could overcome a storm that struck terror to those who, less capable of understanding than he, could not throw off carnal weaknesses long

428 IMPROVEMENT ERA enough to realize that harm could not come to them if they exercised an all-abiding trust in the protective power of God. At prayer, as Satan appeared and sought to tempt the Messiah, the Savior was once more able to show his absolute control of himself and to declare, "Get thee behind me, Satan." In the Garden of Gethsemane, while in the throes of agony, Jesus was still able to reveal his dominance of every situation; and when Peter smote off the ear of the soldier of the high priest it was Jesus who restored the ear in perfect working order and showed the greatest composure and sejlf-possession of all that were gathered within the garden. Before Pilate, Jesus maintained a masterly silence and calm. Never did he show himself disconcerted when being mocked, tried, and scourged by his accusers. Job had suffered and cried out against his oppressors and complained of his lot, showing himself always hedged about with weaknesses; but Jesus the Christ through all his agony and bodily suffering never weakened so much that he could not exclaim before the end, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" To us who have followed after him and embraced his teachings, Christ Jesus hag ever represented the highest type of manhood, whose great charity, love, sympathy, patience in suffering, and faith in right triumphing over might," we have all wished at some time to be able to emulate. From birth to death and resurrection the Savior ran the gamut of human endurance, and, at the time of the ascension, he reentered God's fold truly a Master in all that the word signifies. Logan, Utah. To A Worthy Widower The throbbing pulse of loving hearts Beats on through time and space; The hope that's born of noble deeds, Death's pangs cannot erase. Each act of kindness and of love Assures us Death's an "angel form" That comes to free our kin from pain, And take them from the scene of storm. No matter what our creed may be, The force of instinct calls aloud; And, with it's power -enforced with love, Removes the darkness from the cloud. So let us live and trust in Him Who wrote within our breast The sweetest song that's e'er been sung: The song of hope and rest. Blacktoot, Idaho. GEO. E. GlBBY.