The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-01
FAITHFUL LEADERS.

THEIR FAITH IN G0D.-Moses and Aaron,
and two of the spies who were of different
spirit from the rest, Joshua and Caleb, strove
NIGHTLY to influence the unbelieving and
despairing people and their representatives
to trust in COP, who had led them hitherto
and delivered them from every danger, and
who had promised to drive out the terrible
and dangerous inhabitants of the country
before them. By relating their past marvel
GUS experiences, Moses attempted to encour-
age in them the faith that GoD. who had led
them forth, would fight their battles for them
and give them an easy victory over all that
might oppose them (Deut. i. 29-30). Moses
and Aaron manifested their own piety and
strong faith in COP by prostrating them
selves in prayer, and imploring, it may be,
the faithfulness, both Of the faithful GoD
and his then faithless people. The two faith
full spies manifested their deep distress at
the rebellious attitude of the people by pub
licly rending their clothes.
THEIR C0URAGE.-Their faith in COP
and his purpose to give them possession of
the land promised to their fathers, gave them
courage, and they boldly declared their be-
lief that they were able with the Divine help
of which they were sure, to advance at once
to successfully and permanently possess 1t.
1t was q land richly worth possessing, even
at some sacrifice of comfort and strength,
and if GoD were pleased for them to possess
it, he would surely give it to them. They
fearlessly opposed the rebellion which was
being inaugureted by the affrighted people,
and declared that GoD had left the Canaan
ties, of whom they were afraid, defenceless.
and was indeed their Defender. "They are
bread for u.s." they said; either they could
be swallowed up and destroyed like bread by
the hungry, or by being conquered and
driven out they would provide food for the
vanquishing Israelites. The measure of the
iniquity of the Canaanites was probably full
for their destruction, and because of their
wicked warfare upon each other, and their
tribal discussions, they may have been una
BILE to unite to make successful defence
against any strong and determined invasion
of the country. By recognized law OF the
Divine administration of the world, COP
makes the wicked weak and the righteous
strong, and the tittest races and nations sur
vive to perpetuate anI promote the Kingdom
of Con to the conquest of mankind.
PERSECUTION FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
SAKE But the excited assembly of Israel
would not listen with patience to the encour-
aging words of their brave leaders. They
were treated as enemies of the common
wealth and blasphemers of COP. That they
be stoned, was the cowardly response to
their pious appeals for faith and courage on
the part of donbting and unbelieving Israel.
So the true prophets of mankind have always
been treated by the generation to whom they
came with their Divine call to the highest
duty and grandest opportunity. The chill
dren of them that stoned the prophets have
been they that erected monuments to their
memory. A genuine prophet of truth and
righteousness has no more honor in his own
generation than in his own country. But in
the Kingdom of COP. they are blessed in
deed who have been prosecuted for right
eousness sake (Matt. v. 10). OF the twelve
spies, but two of their names are now known
Joshua and Caleb-and they are immortal
IN human history, while all the others have
passed into infamous oblivion. Tney who
bear the white banner of pure cause ulti-
mately triumph because GoD is with them,
and spirit is mightier than body, and "knowl-
edge is power" and righteousness exalteth
a nation" The despised prophets of this
generation who are calling their timid breth-
rem to move at once against gigantic adver-
sary shall be COMMUNICATED heroes and
canonized saints of the next. The verdict
of history confirms the judgments of COP.