Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-06-29
Y. 10. And the, saw the God Of Israel

cOnlectures.-l Dung no sOul mas eyes
There are hours not registered 10y the clock;
there are birthdays for which the calendar
provides 10 lin of entry. The attempt is
made 10 illustrate "A heavenly picture by
material description Every heart has its
own image or parable or symbol by which
il sets forth 10 itself the best aspect of its
supreme delight.
"As il were the body of heaven in his
clearnsss When we try TO represent God,
we naturally turn 20 the heavens: no earth
~ object Will suffice; we want the broad
brilliance of MONDAY or the tender glory
Of the midnight There is verify "A natur
al religion, but il is poor deity that can be
set forth in clay, iron or carved stone
Parker.
VII. And upon the mobiles of the chill
dren of Israel he laid not his hand. Whilo
they were sinful men i'm near relation TO
divine purity, God did not Chnstise them or
lay Ais hand upon them, but they ate and
drank receiving no harm from the amazing
manifestation. The word translated saw
in this verse is not the same as that in the
10th The former indicates ocular view,
the latter carries with II spiritual perception
which was enjoyed by holy or inspired men
in state ofsupernatural ecstacy.-Bush. We
are 10 understand, therefore, that they were
privileged 10 enjoy ncarness OF communion
and friendship with the divine. To "eat
and drink" in his presence symboizcd tho
privilege of every pious Israelite, sheltered
in Gods mercy and living in faith on his
words OF grace perfect love casting out
fear "
V. r. Come up to me into the mount.
After the sacrihcial meal in which the sew
enty-four persons engaged, Moses received
n second summons. Before his departure
he arranged with the elders that in his alb
sence Aaron and Hur should Judge in Israel
concerning all doubtful questions. He then
went up the mountain, accompanied part
of the way by Joshua ". 49,, who remained
| xvith IN Ciy awaited
summons, which came on the seventh dag,
! 10 enter the cloud. For forty days Moses
was taught OF God. The commands were
| inscribed on stone by the "iinger' or God,
to be authenticated and honorc! above the
| judicial or ceremonial law. (which have
written" were words not spoken by the
voice, but written by the hand of God TO
have peculiar authority. During these
days Moses received the civil and religious
laws which were 10 guide Israel in becom-
ing distinct, successful and prosperous
people.
sUoG@,rEp THOUGHTS.
We must not Judge the acquisition Of
others by the mcanness of our spiritual re
suits. Do not blame Moses for his rapt1re
but blame ourselves for lack OF IT,
1t is the characteristic OF Bible teaching
that il wants clean hands, large hearts, no
bic thoughts, sweet patience and complete
sacrifice. These having in them the pledge
of final and eternal resurrection.
Moses was called 10 a solitary vision and
communion. Aaron Nadab and Ablhu
and seventy OF the elders were not called
TO the summit as Moses. This is true to-
dhy. The tops of the mountains are not
! pcopled like the valleys. We must not deny
| the visions of the mountain II we have ncv-
er climbed il. IL j. always the one man
who sees first, hears most clearly and Is
! given special utterance.
Many at the dawn 60 mp the heights and
| pledge themselves before they 90 down 10
do life's rough work in the valley or market
| place.
To those far from God, he seems envel-
! oped in clouds and darkness; 10 those most
near he reveals himself in glory, and they
partake of his peace and beauty. THE
pure in heart shall see God
| Remember that il is not privilege which
saves. Two Of the men who assembled the
! mountain and beheld the vision, failed TO
! keep their hearts staid on God and persisted
for Their disobelicnce. and the seventy cid
crs were very soon found grovelling before
| the golden calf.
The blood was first applied to the altar,
showing that God is first TO enter into com
pact for the good Of Israel In all ages God
! is represented as not only ready, but wait
! ing TO be graclOuS-"Gc would not
Great manifestations of divine glory fol-
! lowed the mutual covenant agreement.
! Many a convert can now testify TO the oil
! vine Joy and peace experienced when he
| nrSt accepted the divine conditions OF saliva
! ton.
All the words which the Lord hath said
] will we do poor weak humanity; for be il
! remembered that every voice which enun-
| ciated that VOW Of fidelity, persisted in the
! Wilderness because Of dis obedience. The
VOW must by persistent cndeayor become
| bone and snew or we too will fail in fulfill
| ing our obligation and the right to claim the
| promises.
God first comes down 10 his believing
| children, but later he called 10 them 'come
up higher 1t may be 10 ascend through
| dark clouds, thunderngs and lightning, but
he whose heart is stayed on God, unques
tioningly goes.
High attainment Of any sort means isola
ton from the masses. Moses alone APP
/ preached closest 10 his Lord. We must all
choose between lower companion ships and
! oneness with God.
Fasting is a sign of sorrow. eating an d
| drinking symbols Of !ov. There are times
| 10 fast, there are times 10 cat and drink.
! Goodness consisted not in cithsr, rs acts
alone, but whether we fast or whether we
! engage in fcstivitY. In whatever we do,
may we do ali 10 the glory Of God.