(Continued from p.154.)

CHAPTER 6

Muscular Tissue; The Structure and Grouping of the Muscles

We pass now from the bony framework of the body to that which is closest to it and which is the enveloping covering of the entire skeleton. Muscular tissue forms from 40 to 50 per cent of the weight of the body. We are impressed with the complete unity of the body as we consider any part of it. A skeleton is, apart from its muscular envelopment, but a witness of death, from which persons instinctively shrink. And yet without this basic framework the entire muscular structure would be formless and weak. Thus we are reminded that there can be "no schism in the body."

Similarly, the muscles, no matter how completely formed, how large and apparently vigorous, would be absolutely inert and lifeless without the nervous system which supplies the motive power. We may think, therefore, of the muscles as forming the connection between the skeleton and the nerves. To use a familiar simile, the body may be regarded as a perfectly constructed derrick, in which the beams answer to the bony framework, and the motive power, the wiring and the electric current, to the nerves; and between these the muscular tissue answers to the ropes without which there could be no link between the frame and the power.

We have been seeing that the structure of the bone is a prophecy, we might say, of the remaining parts of the body. It is not simply mineral matter, as though composed of stone or metal, but living tissue infiltrated by the mineral salts, which give it its form and stability. We saw that in the spiritual body, whether of the individual or the Church as a whole, the frame and basis of all is the living part impregnated, and characterized by the indwelling Word of God. "I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you" (1 John 2:14).

This living tissue in the bone forms thus the link for the muscular tissue to take hold of and be identified with it. The living periosteum and the cartilage and tendons form thus a unified whole. Similarly, the various joints point forward to the necessity for the muscles by which the movements in these joints take place.

Before taking up the details, both of structure and form, we speak of certain obvious services rendered by the muscular tissue. It forms the walls of the heart, stomach and intestines, in this way taking the place of the bony structure, for instance, of the skull, and thorax. It is not, however, rigid, but by contraction and relaxation changes the size and shape of the organs, making possible the pulsations of the heart, and the movements of the viscera and the blood-vessels. In the functioning of the new man, individually, or of the whole Church, while all is according to and under the control of the word of God, it is not rigid, abstract truth which is the organ of activity, but the fresh tissues which grace and truth have formed in the living person, or the collective Church, the Body. Where there is a loss of this fresh tissue, hardening of the arteries and other parts takes place, resulting in senile decay, with its attendant infirmities. "Thou hast left thy first love" (Rev. 2:4).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another" (Col. 3:16). It thus forms not merely the framework, but is mobile, vital, personal. "Have an outline [ύπoτύπωσιv, an under figure, or basic form] of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 1:13, J. N. D.). Here we have emphasized the firm foundation of the inspired testimony, answering to the bony structure, but it is "in faith and love," with the mobility of the muscular tissue. We might in this way liken the muscular tissue to the new growth of the tree, which bears the fruit. The stem and limbs form the framework which supports the tree, but the 'fresh growth bears the fruit. In the scripture partly quoted above, Ephesus had much faithfulness, could refuse evil, try professed apostles, but-the joy of first love was lacking, and this if unchecked would result in the removal of testimony (Rev. 2:1-7). Mere orthodoxy will not take the place of living communion.

The entire muscular formation with its varied parts, envelops and covers the bony framework. Apart from its great work of producing all movements of the body it clothes the human form with symmetry and beauty. With the filling out of the fat tissue, it is a witness of the health and vigor of the person. "When Thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, Thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth" (Ps. 39:11). Undue leanness is as much a deformity as the extreme of obesity. The prince of the eunuchs feared lack of nutrition would result in the loss of vigor and beauty in his young charges, but his fears were groundless, for after ten days' trial he found them '"fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat" (Dan. 1:8-16). "I have meat to eat that ye know not of… to do the will of Him that sent Me" (John 4:32-34). Our blessed Lord was in the full vigor of strength, but His food was not that of the world. We too are to feed upon "the bread of the mighty" (Ps. 78:25, margin). "He fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord" (Deut. 8:3). This part of our subject, however, must wait till we come to speak of nutriment and assimilation. It must suffice here to speak of the function of the muscular tissue to clothe the man with beauty and evidence of vigor.

We must add the obvious remark that the muscular tissue is the means of motion throughout the entire body. Without muscle we could not take a step, move an eyelid, or have a pulsation of the heart. Motion is a sign of life. When a man has ceased to move, to breathe, or to have a heart-beat, he is dead. Form, beauty, motion, are dependent upon the muscles. We see therefore its eminent importance in the mechanism of the body; and equally does its spiritual function have an indispensable place in the "new man," and in the Body of Christ, the Church.

S. R.

(To be continued, D. V.)