Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-12-14
CoMMONW a. TIL. OF ISRAEL.
DIR. Jackson Talks of the First Great
Republic.

DR.. Jackson Talks of the First Great
Republic.
In the Fountain str@et Baptist church
last evening Dr. Jackson spoke on the
above subi,c,, taking for his text:
"What nation is there So great that
hath statutes aud judgment SO right
eous rs AL tins Law which l set before
you this day." Deus.. 4: 5. He said:
In these days when soc 81 problems
are before the people It is not unlikely
that = stddy of the ancient Hebrew
commonwealth may throw some light
upon our investiSa.ions. 1t was orlsI-
nally a republic modelled somewhat
after the plan ~ eur own government.
After a time the Irasaelites began to
ssk for king that they might be like
he nations about them. This was
sranted very reluctantly and to that
hange can be traced most Of the sub
,equent troubles which afflicted the
alton.
1t is their original form of govern
~ ent that We are about to study and
Y hich is even for the civilization of
tCday almost perfect model.
/ ach tribe was q state, having
certain rights and privileges of tits own
and yet IN Intimate and vital relation
With the central government. The
legislative body consisted of an upper
and lower house. The senate was com
posed of seventy elders. The congrs-
CATION corrseponded TO our house of
con. ress. The executive, however, was
yes d in the hands of the judges, cl
sen b. tho people, whscn Was the chleI
nation oil Office In peace and in war.
The browning glory OF the Hebrew
commonwealth MAS N its pIOslsIos Is for
the maintenance of equality amsng Is
citizens. A distinctive poor Class vas
almost unknown among t6ou and its
laws were such that II was nest to inn
possible for the ambitious to oppress
their unfortunate fellow ccuntrymen-
Thus was secured to this p, ople the two
essentials OF perfect governments, lib
ertv and equality.
The provision made for the unfortu-
nate was quite abundant aud ii the
laws had been faithfully observed Is
rzel need never have had a beggar
within her borders. According - these
laws even the i-possessor had kind
Of legal clam 10 the produce of the
roll.
Again the land owner was not allowed
TO reap the corners of the 6eid. TO
gather all the grapes. TO bsat the OLIVE
trees a second time or To return - his
ield to carry away any forgotten snesf.
Every tnHa year titne WAS the her'-
tage OF the poor and IN the seventh
year, when she soil rested, all the spon-
tanesas produce of the land wss theirs
by law. fDeui. XIV, 8 AID %, Exodus
XIII, III. Loans without security
we're to be granted to the pour
and no usury or interest
Mas To De charged Tor the nee of money.
Exodus XXIi. 1s: Lev. NV, 35-S1.1
On their festival OCCASIONS me stranger,
the orphan asd the widow vas to b.
invited ~ their homes ana kindly en-
terlslnsd. tDeat. XXI. ll-14l
Their lAad laws are ~erthv Of close
study and asy give ~. nints ~ %
tae solution Of ore OF our Sravest 81, ii
prsblsass. In tue asst place tie Isna
-ss distributed in sqasi silotiaenis
among al she people. Thcr Laws were
enacted which made the portion re-
eelved By escn fsmiv practically IN
slienshle. II misfortune cana and
assn was compelled TO sell ne and, be