ey might lead anyone
astray or causes anyone to stumble, particularly such as might be in years
or experience less mature than themselves. No age of the Church has been
without its tragedies in which power and influence have been selfishly
used to mislead innocent souls, and no life is beyond the possibility of
placing stumblingblocks in the paths of others or of exerting even
unconsciously influences which may cause others to sin.

In the second warning, here recorded by Luke, vs. 3, 4, Jesus guarded his
disciples against lack of charity. He intimated that his followers should
be ready always to forgive. He did not advise weakness or indifference to
sin; he suggested that a brother who offends may deserve and should
receive a rebuke. It is proper that he should be made to feel and to
appreciate his fault. Nevertheless, he is to be treated with kindness and
if he sincerely repents, he is to be forgiven freely. Even if he repeats
his sin with frequency, no revenge is to be harbored against him. Jesus
suggested that his offense might be committed "seven times in the day," by
which he meant an unlimited repetition of the fault; even then if his
repentance is sincere, forgiveness must not be denied.

The twelve apostles, probably in view of the particular responsibilities
which rested upon them, turned to their Master with the petition, "Lord,
increase our faith." The reply contains a solemn warning, that there is
need of such increase, a far greater need than the petitioners realized.
Nevertheless, there is also in the reply a gracious promise. They were
lovingly rebuked for their lack of faith, but they were reassured by a
revelation of the unlimited power of faith. Our Lord asserted that if they
possessed real faith, even so small as to be compared with one of the most
minute objects in nature, namely, "a grain of mustard seed," they would be
able by a word to accomplish incredible results, speaking figuratively, to
cause a mulberry tree to be rooted up and planted in the sea. The
followers of Christ to-day need to be reminded of these same truths,
namely, of the narrow limits to which faith is usually confined and the
unbounded possibilities which might be theirs if their trust in Christ
were more simple, more unquestioning, and more real. Vs. 5, 6.

The fourth warning here recorded rebukes the pride, the self-confidence,
the desire for praise and for reward, which too often characterize the
followers of Christ. Jesus