This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ... II "LOSE TO FIND" "He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it."--Matt. x. 39. This is surely a very extraordinary chapter. As its contents pass before us we are possessed by feelings of everheightening surprise. Here is Jesus, gathering about Him a little company of twelve men. No member of the little band belongs to the ranks of power, or culture, or wealth. They are all inconspicuous, many of them unlettered, the majority of them poor; it is just a company of working men standing nervously on the borders of an unfamiliar publicity. And now their Master is about to send them forth to proclaim and perpetuate His ministry. With what kind of programme will He inspire them? What glory of possibility will He set before them? What light will He place upon the distant horizon to cheer them in their mission? What will He say to kindle in the hearts of these timid toilers a burning and insatiable enthusiasm? When I turn to the programme, I wonder at the oppressiveness of the shadow. I wonder that the Master uses such black colours in depicting the coming day. "Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for My sake." "Ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake." "When they persecute you in one city, flee ye into another." "A man's foes shall be they of his own household." "He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of me." I am amazed at the almost audacious candour of the programme. There is no hiding of the sharp flint, no softening of the shadow, no gilding of the cross. The hostilities bristle in naked obtrusiveness. Every garden is a prospective battlefield. "I am not come to send peace, but a sword." The choice of the Christ involves a perpetual challenge...