The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-08-22
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for August 28-
The Pillar of Cloud and
of Fire"
dom the Chicago Standard

teenth 10 the twenty-third verses.
On NE dap, IL was at once mans day
and Gods day. Humanity speaking. IL was
the day OF completed obedience: looking at
the divine side. IL was the day of fulfilled
prophecy Israel fulfilled the command
Jehovah fulfilled the promise. II is always
so. We have but 10 meet the necessary con-
ditions. and the wshed-for blessing is ours;
the Identical blessing. or n better. There is
certitudo In religion. On the day. the very
day. that the altar is reared. or the taber-
nacle set up. the glory Of the Lord appears.
and the cloud covers the sacred place. We
can make out something of "a spiritual cal
endar II we can but know ourselves. Ac-
cording 10 our faith. ii is ever and infallibly
unto Us. le shall seek me and find me
when we shall search for me with all your
heart. What was the beginning of the
great revival of Ireland in 1889? Three
young men met by covenant in IA certain
school-house or the interior, and there by
covenant raised up tabernacle OF prayer.
The cloud and fire soon appeared.
Ths appearance OF fire until the morning.
The divine presence lasted. the appearance
only changed. The phenomena of the gra-
cious guidance fitted themselves TO the
varying times and circumstances. cloud
by day; the appearance Of fire until tie
morning. We passed "A little while ago
belated street-lamp. 1t was burning with
-ickly yellow glow against the brightness of
the suns morning beams. a displacement
uiA lhtonHTNltl III was, a waste OF llell ana
energy. IL Is the cloud that comforts and
assures by day. the flame by night. Let us
have care lest we be found asking for the
blaze Of great light when it is rather the
cloud that we need, or the shsdow of II
cloud when the right season calls for an
Illuminating flame; or perhaps We ask for
both at once. BE like Israel in faith and
trust. When comes the day. the cloud covers
the tabernacle Of our hope and prayer; with
the night the appearance of fire until the
morning.
So IL ,cas al,cays. Give that journeying
people the credit that is their due. They
were not wholly recreant, stif-necked. The
attending fire and cloud through years of
weary pilgrimage was proof that there was
still the blessed seed of faith and righteous
ness in Israel Whatever waverings there
We're. the cloud abode; whatever inconstan-
cy, there famed the steady light. 1t was
Gods cloud and Gods light 10 be sure. but
II rested on the tabernacle, built and guarded
IN simple trust, by man. So be il always
with this nation. Founded i'm righteousness
the cloudy pillar was granted az the outset
and through tumultuous changing years. i'm
spite of troublngs and turnings. by night
there has been the fire. by day the cloud of
Gods presence. Gods gracious abiding
over the nations welfare assures Us that
faith Is still in the heart. and that in the
blessed purpose of the unchanging Jehovah.
there Is a better land of promise on ahead
for this American people.
Then. Like the striking Of bell. like the
voice OF a commanding officer then after
that the children Of Israel jourHeyed II
was token of implicit obedience. A beau
titul scene it must have been. The tented
hosts resting at their allotted stations.
whether the ground were rough or smooth.
whether the country proved hostile or
friendly doing their daily tasks. only cast
ing an eye occasionally toward the Taber-
nacle te see whether the pilot cloud lifted
itself in summoning splendor aloft. or not.
II was an earlier and more illustrious Casa
blanca. IL was sweet household faith in
the Father God Would that we could get
into such simple, trustful plain with him
who keeps us. and there abide BE ready
20 start 10 Greenland Tomorrow came the
summons TO the Morayian Christian. Can
YOU do itT" Yes. was the prompt reply,
IF the shoemaker can finish my shoes"
There. You know where Israel was TO be
found. In the place where the cloud abode
there the children of Israel pitched their
tents" Journeying or standing still. they
obeyed the beck OF Jehovah. There are
some men whose principles of righteousness
are so strong and steadfast that you can be
always certain Of them. You know where
they will stand. 1t will always be upon the
side of God and the truth. though the main
tenance cost thcm not little. There stands
General Jackson like a stone wall" they
said in war days, and gave the gallant
Southern commander the name his memory
still carries. Christians ready 10 stay and
stand at the call of God are needed to-day.
Men who, placed of God. while the duty
lasts. are always TO be found there; there
and nowhere else.
Al the commandment Of the Lord Read
here the church's schedule OF movements.
her register Of labors and intermissions.
She goes forward or rests at the Lords COM
mand. There are no fixed times or seasons.
Gods help is always given when asked. but
the great movements of the kingdom are in
his hand. II was at his command that we
entered Burmah, at his command we 90 into
Mexico, into Africa. The map of the future
is before the great Commander and he di-
reefs the onward marches as well as the
times Of tarrying. Joy 10 Us 10 know that
the word of the Lord is sure: safe and
sure.
Then rested ia their tents. II takes large
faith TO wait. Rest in the Lord" says the
Psalmist, wait patiently for HIM" 1t can
only be done rs patient grace il given requi-
site 20 the ordeal We have Just been hear
ing Of gifted hand maid Of the Lord. her
feet ever in the paths OF charity. her fingers
ever ready for kindly ministrations, for
whom the cloud "a long time moving but in
termttently and rarely. has at last stood
completely still. anG = 70 hers for we know
not what lapse Of busy days TO patiently lie
and be miniStered unto instead OF minister
ing. rs her hedrt prompts. unto others. But
there il a rest of righteousness as well as a
work. and il Is a comfort TO know that even
our tarryings by the toilsome way are at his
bchest.
Kept the Charge If tie Lord. Literally it
is the matches OF the Lord" God desires "A
watching church. What | say unto YOU,
said Christ, Il say unto all. watch. The
spectacle Of the church through all the cen
turtles looking expectantly forward and up
ward is an interesting and impressive one.
Watch, for we know not" spake our Lord.
and he set the eyes of his disciples forward
toward the mark. What that watching.
waiting spirit has done for Christianity
during the centuries. who can estimate? IL
is the picture of great army resting on
their arms and waiting for the signal from
the captains tent. and II he withhold his APP
pearing the loyal soldier know il is for the
best. Themistocles tarried long i'm his tent
before the battle of Salams his warriors
waiting impatently on the seashore. But
at last. near the middle of the morning. he
suddenly strobe from his tent and gave the
signal for embarkment. And then they saw
the wisdom Of the commandment. He was
waiting for the later land breeze which
would release every hand from the oar and
sweep sword welding army on to victory.
NEXT LESSON. The Spies Sent into Ca
naan. Mum. l3: 1873.