The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-04-09

have offended his object Of worship, and that
all are suffering the vengeance due one. They
decide to find out the guilty man. This they
do by lot. 10 was their belief that Providence
spoke through such channel The lot fell on
Jonah. lie admits his guilt and its desert.
The conduct of Jonah was admirable. He
owned up frankly and fully He was loyal 10
the true God. He claimed for his Deity what,
il true, would exclude the possibility OF any
other god existent II Jehovah created heaven,
sea and dry land. away go all local gods His
confession was manly and noble He felt he
was really the cause Of trouble TO the whole
crew. and was willing 10 be thrown overheard
for their safety. Notice, it was his own sugEes-
ton he be cast into the sea. Aud the seJmcn
were worthy our admiration. They could not
bear tho thought Of hurting Jonah to the mer-
ciless sea. crowded with hungry whales aud
sharks. They tried to rescue themselves and
to save Jonah. They "rowed hard At
length they gave up-the storm beat tempestu-
Ously. All must perish or one. Better one
than all. The crew were inuOcCnt. Jonah
was the guilty man. They believed the lot not
only determined the cuIprit, but also warranted
his punishment. And yet they pause-Eraud
mariners! They first beg God-nolice they
address Jehovah. Jonah's God-they beg God
To forgive them, If what they are about to do DO
- sin. Jonah made no resistance. He would not
leap in of his own accord and so add TO his sin
that Of committing suicide. Jonah overheard,
and the sea is appcased stops raging. mir
acle, indeed! The behOlders were forced 10
acknowledge the jehovah Then followed
worship of Him in the form of a sacrifice,
seemingly offered on an altar improvised on
deck and also in the form Of prayers and vows.
But what Of Jonah2 God had prepared for
him. IIo did not reach point out OF sight Of
Jehovah. Aud it was we'll he failed. A huge
fish swan up just as Jonah fell into the sea,
swallowed him whole, and became his abode for
three days and three nights, long enough for the
fish to swim from the ship to land. The ship
was bound west and should sail on, not having
to return with Jonah. She had already suffered
loss OF lading, much time. and all with fearful
distress. JOnah's destined place was east Of
Joppa. He must therefore return aud set out
in the opposite direction. The fish, hence.
probably swan for JOppa, aud there landed
Jonah.
8. Practical Deductions.
/. We should chide sinners for their wicked
ness and warn them against it. ". p
2. Never try to escape from duty. DO not go
west when God says east. ". 81
3. God IS everywhere. Pray IN times OF dan
ger. Prayers in storms at sea are fitting aud
generally plentiful. (Y. g.
4. Part with the less in the interest Of the
great Sacrifice lading for life. Give one life
for many. (vs. >, II, 49,
8. Confess sin. Acknowledge fault.
g. As to casting lots, see l Sa., IA: Al; M,
26 80, So; Acts, :26; 1 Ch., "a : s.; Ps, %: IL.
Also Ps., 10 5; Pro, 80.
z. Treat the erring considerably. Tvs. 13, ~
g. Fear God. (Vs. 9, 49, Do not be afraid
Of God. Fear him in the sense Of reverence.
Fear 10 violate his laws and commandments.
g. Sacrifice. w. l6.l Religious worship is
duty, and should DO pleasure. And worship
should always DO accom- paHied by offerings. In
every prayer remember the sacrifice on Calvary.
Offer yourselves sacrifices TO God-dedicate soul
and body to his service.
10 Make vows (V. 49, These should
always be to God-relats to proper acts-be in
frequent.
II. Physical fear In time of danger Is not
sinful. (Ys. 5, lO.)
H. Away with excuses for not performing
duty.
l3 Courage for Gentiles. Jonah was sent 10
Ninevah to preach repentance. Maintain mis-
sions.