FOR THE SABBATH.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 544, 22 February 1913, Page 6

FOR THE SABBATH.

TEMPTATION. The picture reproduced here is quite a recent one by W. Dyce, R.A., one of the first of the "Pre-Raphaelite" artist*. We fancy we hear readers ask, "But where is the devil?" We are accustomed to see pictures of the Templntoir in which the devil ia depicted as a sort of ugly imp with noma and tails; or, perhap, like Milton's Satan, a splendid fiend who commands our unqualified admiration. But in this picture there ia no devil at all. How then can it be a Temptation? Did you ever see a devil like the one usual in pictures? And if such a creature came and tempted you, would yon be likely tu listen to his suggestions? The evil Spirit would be a very harmless being if he walked up to you in his true colours. Probably the most clever and satsnic feat he has ever achieved is to make people think he does not exist. That is the true srt of war. Make your enemy secure in the belief thst you are absent, and you heve him et your merey. Have we not learnt yet that the Tempter is always dieguised as something natural, easy, plausible, aceordirg to our mood of the moment? He never tempts two people alike ;he lurss good people into pride and self-suffici-ency ; he suggests to 'azy people that they want rest and need not exert themselves; he conjures up visions of money and prosperity to lure the covetous, and helps to mature their plans for them. If you try to keep Lent ss Jesus did, he wiil manage that all your most frivolous friends will inundate you with invitatioons to parties and jollity and, of course, it would be pharisaical not to go. When you are "down" he will say "throw np the sponge." When you are baffled s little in your effort to be good he will whisper, "What's the use of trying?" God never puts a good thought or desire into your heart but the Tempter sugg-sts a plausible alternative alongside it. He poisons the well of human nature; turns rightful anger into angry passions; love in to lust: friendship into jealous rivalry.

The most perfect picture of Satan in modern days—if we must have a picture—is that which the great poet Goethe introduced into his drama of "Faust" Mephißtopheles who corre3 on the scene as a cultured modern gentleman with a sneer. He insinuates that life is not really serious. He posea as a professor, and assures the student that knowledge is not of value except to deceive others, and get your own way. He casts doubts on the purity of womanhood; he politely waves aside the old superstition we call religion; he destroys Faust's high ideals one by one, and reduces this beautiful world to a sham, and life to a cynical game. Nothing is worth striving for; no one is sincere. He is the spirit that "Denies and annihilates. "And rightly bo, for all things that have life Are nothing worth, but fit to end in death."

We return to the picture of the Saviour, solitary, with the Divine assurance, "This ie My beloved Son," ringing in His heart; with the great commission to redeem and restore mankind the gloricus Ideal, clear before Him. The Tempter is hard at Him. "Is there not sn easier way? Why all this humility? Why the long effort of labour and sorrow? Why take such pains, when the thing can eaßily be done otherwise? Whv not seek "material comfort?' Feed and clothe the hungry and eold with magnificent charity! Turn life's stones into bread! Then all men will be good and happy! Or, yet again, look at the great world of commerce, wealth a«;d politics! Look at the progress of the age! There is the true saving power! Enact righteous laws, overcome the tyrants with armies of Dreadnoughts, bring the world to Thy feet by statecraft! No? I? it God alone who can save? and Tbou the Child of God? Then why ,wait? Why labour and suffer? Why endure the Cross? Rather invoke the Divine Power at Thy command, and bring all men to Thy feet in wonder and worship!"

None of us can fathom the mental struggle in the soul of Jesus as He flung aside the lower paths of life. "Not material comfort . . . not the way of human ambition . . . not even the proud claim to be "above" God's common and kindly ordinance for man. It shall be the old loyal way of service—of patienee, of long-suffering; to accept God's call, as I am, and where He shall please to send Me. If it be to the cross, so let it be. The path iB clear; the light shines true that way. Self-sacrifice alone can save the world. I came not to do mine own will but the will of Him that sent. Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit." The call of Lent is the call to do what our Saviour did. To make a time of peace and quietness and find cut where I stand,to determine myself . . whither am I tending? To renounce and press back the multitu dmous impulses that drive me hither and thither. Make time to think! "Vacari considerations " The two words of stern advice given by the greatest of mediaeval teachers to the Pope who asked for counsel amid his political distractions. Make time to think! There is scarcely one of us but needs it.

How can I be a Christian a Churchman? How can I follow Jesus whilel am at the beck and call of the thousand claims of business and pleasure that press in on me every hour, half of them quite frivolous and unnecessary ; and when the Tempter is at me all the time, backing up evety influence that distracts me, with his plausible excuses and suggestions and evasions? Knocking the bottom out of my best resolutions; assuring me that I positively "must not" resfuse that invitation, or do without that nice li tie prize, or give up that amiabl little weakness! So the heavenly vision dies out of our soul. We are ail busy trying to turn stones into bread, and to get all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and

in the end W3 shall be all tumbling into vacancy and calling out to God to come and save us. Look once more at the Saviour, wreßtling out His great purpose Goud's purpose—in prayer and fasting, till the evil visions are all banished and He is ready to go forward strong in God to fulfill His high calling. There is a cross before Him, and beyond that the glory of the New Life perfected in God.