The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-10-31
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
An IN,.ERE sting AND INSTRUCTIVE
LESSON CONSIDERED.


The lesson for Sunday. Nov. A. may be
found in Joshua VIII, VS.. liz.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
The children Of Israel committed res
pass. Surely then, we can believe that IN
Adams fall we sinned all" Here was all
Israel suffering for the nisdemeanor OF one
man. Israel re-echoed the past as well as
foreshadowed the future OF rcdehlfaQns
annals. She represented. In more ways man
one Eden's failure and forfeiture. In this
case n Is Israel that has committed trespass.
IL Is race responsibility for individual SIN.
We read here again. though dlmly' now py
one man "sin entered the world, anu oedch
by sin" There is something fearful IN this
fraternity of ill-desert.
Achan, the SON of Cdrmf. Punishment is
only for the responsible act. All Israel was
in guilt and transgression through this one
vicious deed. but penal severity len only
upon the hand that had been put forth. We
had it up the other day at that ordination
you remember. or that minister's or teach
ers institute. How can man be guilty Win
out being punishable? How can man DC
punishable before being actually and active
" criminal? Let us not put II that way at
all In mysteries we do not expect TO sweep
the whole circumference OF truth. We SIM
ply strike out in straight lines OF verify
which sometime. IL not now, VIII prove
themselves 10 us as true radii OF the circle.
And these are the propositions we can saieiy
lay down: There Is no man who was not IN
Volved ia Adams transgression. 1here Is
no man who is punished for other IMAM MS
own deeds done in the body. That is all the
Bible and human experience gives us; ana
it is enough. When we go up higher we
shall see the great truth in all its occult re-
lations.
Took of the accursed thing. But it was
not "accursed" until they took OF IL, 1t was
simply devoted; set apart at the outset:
When the hand of covetousness was lald
upon it, then il became the accursed thing.
What made the forbidden tree" curse that
brought sin into the world and all our VICE.
but the hand of disobedience put out unto
it? What makes any Of the things OF this
earth "accursed" but the sinful hand and
heart Of man? Opium was not meant Tor
curse 10 any nation. Alcohol was not an
accursed thing" until with fierce, ungov-
erned appetite man turned it into menace
to all things good. Money is not evil, but
the love of money is the root of all evil
After all. this world and the things of the
world are very much TO us what we make
them.
and tvo or three thousand men. That was
human adequacy. Judging from the sue
cess they have heretofore met with an as
saulting party of about twenty-five hundred
picked men could readily reduce the fortress.
Well that would have been enough, had
their God gone with them. Without him,
il was but meager handful. 1t is a mistake
we stiD make. o, yes, we say, the church is
equal 20 this ordeal or that. 10 the invest
/ ment of this city, to the overthrow of that
/ ness we are sometimes found leaving God
out OF the account. That is dangerous
omission. This church equal unto this
community; this pastor with his sermon
before him sufficient for this congregation;
this teacher, with his study and prepara-
ton. a match for the class before him.
This young man "A match for the demands
Of the world. Believe it. each is no better
than the pitiful two or three thousand
men" before Al. Without God we are all
WeaklinGS.
7heg ted before the men Of Al. fortu-
nate defeat il was. 1t appraised Israel of the
seriousness Of the situation and her own
weakness. She may have been feeling
slightly exultant over Jericho's easy over
throw and begun 10 think that it would be a
light thing 20 take the whole land. And so
perhaps there was momentary relaxation
of watchfulness and energy. But il was not
10 last long. The sight of those fleeing sons
Of Israel brought the Lords people 10 their
right mind. You remember how it was at
the opening OF our civil war. y il will soon
be over, "a three months levy is sufficient,
just a sight OF the United States troops
and a taste Of grape and canister on the part
of our enemies, and the war will be at an
end. Then came Bull IS Run and retreat
ing flag and a North in dismay. But. do
YOU know? that comparative defeat. in the
conviction it wrought did more for the
national arms than two, six, ten petty vic
tories.
The hearts Of the people melted. SO God
Intended il TO be. His hand was working
even here and the pursuers were unwilling
ly his instruments to the working of Israels
good. The men of All brought Gods peo-
pie TO their faces in conscious impotence.
When the heart has hardened into perverse-
ness. il must first be melted ere it can be-
come a vessel again unto honor and holi-
ness. 20, L believe I'm a lost SOUL" he
cried. Thank God for that" responded
Lady Huntington. for now l see that God
has begun a good work in you" And
10 hrn thnr ha1 cot L. lie co.
toward the kingdom. 20, my sins ars
greater than / can bear" said the prisoner
In tears behind the bars. Thank Godl"
exclaimed Moody. seeking in vain along the
Jail corridor for one who was willing TO con-
fess his sins Wont you lay them on one
who can bear them?" And he did.
y. Lord. trhdt shall SAP lcheR Israel turn
eth their back before their enemies? An un-
wonted sight. indeed. Israel in retreat. No
wonder II brought anguish to the heart Of
Joshua. their leader. Just before the bat
tie OF Waterloo Wellington kept going back
and forward before his troops. saying almost
unconsciously. 20, what will England say il
you fail her now? What will England say
if you fail her now?" And is there more
moving picture than the bowed head of Ma
poleon alter that, TO him, disastrous en-
gagement? His heretofore invincibe ranks
had failed him. Israel with back turned to-
ward the enemy. Alas. that IL should ever
be so to-day. Alas. that the man of God
wrestling in his closet should have cause to
lift the cry. Lord. what shall say?" And,
Christian, before the worlds scorn. chat can
lie say?
What cit thou DO unto hy greet name?
Gods cause was in jeopardy. Eli felt the
rcnding at his heart when they brought him
word that the Philistines had been victori-
Gus, and then that his sons and successors
were persisted. but when they said. The ark
OF the Lord is taken" then he fell backward
and his neck brake. Ii was natural His
whole life was lived for the temple and the
ark. So Joshua here. Liks Elisha he is
alarmed even more than is due for Gods
welfare. Thine affairs down; /, / only
left" Not so. Gods name has never vet
been in danger of obliteration. An English
man one time saw poor simpleton trying
10 rub a carved name from a metal door
plate with piece OF cloth. With all his rub
bling he but made ii the brighter. His name
shall endure forever"
Next Lesson. "Caleb's Inheritapce.--
Josh. ID: 5-15.
BRILLIANCY Of color and artistic COM