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 the net  of  the  word  of  God. The wonderful  complexity of  natures  in  Christ,  with  their  knots  and  difficulties, His  gradual  broadening  out  from  a  helpless babe to  full  Messiaship,  His  perforated  body  on  the cross, and  His  reaching  at  His  death  from  the  highest heaven  to  the  lowest  hell,  all  proclaim  that  the Word made  flesh  is  both  the  fisherman  and  the  net whereby men's  souls  are  gathered  into  the  peaceful waters of  God's  heavenly  preserves. Or, if  you  will, the preached  and  written  word  of  God  is  the  net,  its doctrines the  cords,  slender  but  enduring,  and  bound indissolubly together  as  with  knots  by  mysteries  and miracles and  divine  commands;  a  net  seemingly small at  first,  but  when  investigated  and  unfolded found large  enough  to  encompass  man's  entire  moral and intellectual  world,  reaching  heaven  with  its promises and  fathoming  hell  with  its  threats. Be the draught ever  so  great,  the  bark  of  Peter  will  not sink, nor  will  the  net  give  way;  "  for,"  says  the  Lord, " though  heaven  and  earth  shall  pass  away,  My words  shall  not  pass  away."

Brethren, when,  as  is  related  to-day,  the  miraculous draught  of  fish  was  hauled  aboard,  Peter  in amazement  flung  himself  at  the  Saviour's  feet  and cried: "  Depart  from  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  a  sinful man." If the  priesthood  has  its  trials,  it  also  has  its consolations. The night  of  fruitless  toil  may  be  long and wearisome,  but  God  will  take  account  of  and  reward the  labor  regardless  of  results. Through many tribulations one  enters  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  and especially so  the  priest,  but  if  through  all  discourage-