The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-02

had not hidden Jehu to use deception. Read
as 20 the determination, TX, -: 90; Den,
l3:5-lI; Is: 20) The Divine penalty for
idOlatry Was death. They who cfitieise such
law do not realize how Important IL was 10 set
the nations right as to tEe existence and attri-
butes Of the true God. A race idolatrous, cor
rupt, immoral as Wero the BaaliteS is a curse to
the world. and the best good Of society de-
manded tho determination Of the thus guilty.
The employment Of the lsTaelites in the work
Of destroying the id0laters would cause them
70 become the more conscious Of the terrible
sin OF disowning God. Education is n discip-
line, aud discipline in Is very nature Is severe.
The general good sense Of the world to-day on
the question OF Deity has been Che product Of
ages Of hard, sometimes cruel, strokes Of un
welcome lessons; OF, at times seeming iHjEst-
ices. As 10 the fact OF the destruction Of life,
no more can be said than might be uttered
against cyclones, earthquakes, cholera, pesti-
lence, etc. While we commend Jehu's obedi-
ence TO Gods command we cannot, in general,
justify deception nor cruelty.
6. Suggestions.
Now let rs pluck some Of the cars Of corn
growing in the field over which we have been
stro!iing seek some practical thoughts az food
for our ethical appetites.
!. Let there be care not TO exceed due zeal.
IcOnocasm suffers IL censuTe for carrying the
destruction of images, pictures, religious build
tho case of Claudius. Bishop Of Turin, who
ragged against images, and ordered even crosses
TO be east from churches and thrown into
flames. In the reformation in England much
unnecessary injury was done. Rather than 20
destroy grand church buildings because they
chance to have images ia inches rather than
defaCe grand old paintings of the masters, be-
cause an aureole circles the head Of a saint,
better educate the people to q correct apprecis-
ton Of art and architecture, teaching them the
difference between holy thoughts inspired by
the beautiful and the nObleF, hOlisr emotions
of worship 10 Deity.
2. Art may be an ally Of religion. A man is
lacking IN good sense who cannot get benefit
from n picture without worshipiuc IL per Sc.
3. IL Is our duty to maintain the purity OF
doctrine taught by our holy religion. In our
day we have more effective way OF disposinG
Of false doctrines and the prOpagatOrs OF such
errors. We must scatter the truth. We must
convince the Judgment. We must preach the
truth. We may prove 10 men that their philOs-
Ophy is false their doctrines unsOund, their
conclusions illogical save with premises which
can be OverthrOwn. We must show better
fruits on the tree OF Christianity than those
growing on the wild olives. We must exhibit
everywhere the sweet temper, the lovely dis
position, the kindly treatment of error and in
jury. Jehu drove furiously, and il WAS more
excuSable in his day and land. We must have,
with firm purpose, gentle manners. Love must
drive cur chariot wheels, ours must be the
sword of the spirit. Our wrath must be the
wrath OF the Lamb.
4. Root out evil. We have Gods warrant
and example for removing the wicked from So
CiCty, as to check their influence and stop
their evil practices in community. It would
not DO proper, except in great national turning
points involving military action, TO proceed TO
measures Of determination. To 90 to the
II, 4
mand from God. The Mosaic law was very
severe in the case Of idolators. Idolatry was a
mortal sin. That was an early day, and it was
necessary to make lessons plain and enforce
them with authority. Allowing the punish
ments were harsh almost TO cruelty, yet idOla-
try abated bat little.
.. lie truthful. No reform depends for sue
cess on the lying Of its abettors. 1t was not
simply strategy bat actual falsehOOd which
Jehu prseticed. The Staying of the Baa!ites
could have been effected without violating q
moral law, the eternal principle Of truth. Do
not commit one evil 20 stop another doing evil !;
even If il be sure that good may come il is
wrong. We must keep faith even with here
ties.
t. Obey God. Jehu did according TO the
saying Of the Lord" (Y.I7) God commended
according to Gods heart. ". 3G) The Lord
directed that Israelite5 be punished and Jshu
obeyed. DO Gods will. study his laws and con-
form 10 them. Perform every duty he die
tates. Walk in his ways. ~. b.
z. Fear sip. See It's fearful results and pun
ishmenta. DO not slight prophecies. All that
befell Ahab, Jezsbel. and the Baalites, through
Jehu aud Hazlel, had been foretoId to Elijah as
sure to be inflicted, and not an item failed.
Look out for all Of Gods threateniugs.
e. see to church attendance. 1.-The house Of
Baal was fall from one end 10 another" "
2l.) It is sad to sec places for evil purposes
crowded and Gods house quite empty. Gods
sweet invitations TO US to seek his courts should
have more power over Us than the cruel men
aces Of Jshu TO the Baalites.
9. A healthy emulation in doing good il
WELL Try to Guido others in charity and vir-
tues. If they serve God little, let US try TO
serve him much. (See V. 49,