fflatus, an
impersonal influence could not have stood in the same category with
Himself.

There are those who think that the Holy Spirit is to the Lord Jesus
what a man's spirit is to his body; and imagine that our Lord simply
intended that the spirit of His life-teaching and self-sacrifice would
brood over and inspire His followers; but this could not have fulfilled
the promise of "the other Comforter." It would simply have been
Himself over again, though no longer as a living Person; rather as the
momentum and energy of a receding force which gets weaker and ever
weaker as the ages pass. Thus the spirit of Napoleon or of Caesar is
becoming little more than a dim faint echo of footsteps that once shook
the world.

Jesus knew how real and helpful He had been to His followers--the
centre around which they had rallied; their Teacher, Brother, Master;
and He would not have tantalized them by promising another Paraclete,
unless He had intended to announce the advent of One who would adjust
Himself to their needs with that quickness of perception, and
sufficiency of resource, which characterize a personal Leader and
Administrator. There were times approaching when the little band would
need counsel, direction, sympathy, the interposition of a strong wise
Hand--qualities which could not be furnished by the remembrance of the
past, fading like the colors on clouds when the sun has set; and which
could only be secured by the presence of a strong, wise, ever-present
Personality. "I have been one Paraclete," said the Lord in effect;
"but I am now going to plead your cause with the Father, that another
Paraclete may take My place, to be My other self, and to abide with you
forever."

There is no adequate translation for that word _Paraclete_. It may be
rendered Comforter, Helper, Advocate, Interpreter; but no one word
suffices. The Greek simply means one whom you call to your side, in a
battle, or a law-court, to assist you by word or act. Such a One is
Christ; such a One is the Holy Spirit. He is a definite Person whom
you can call to, and lean on, and work with. If a man were drowning,
he would not call to the wandering breath of the wind; but to any
person who might be on the bank. The Spirit is One whom you can summon
to your side; and it is therefore quite in keeping with Scripture to
pray to the Holy Spirit. On the whole we are taught to direct prayer
to the Father, through the Son, and as prompted by the Holy