The National tribune., 1891-03-12

Mediterranean Sea- 10 miles southwest az Ca
pernaum. 1t is on the boundary line between
Galilee and Samaria- The modern name IS
Tell DOthaim- Remains Of the pavement of the
ancient caravan road running north and sou Ia
are now found near Dot an. CisterHs there ia
the dry season are without water. One of them
was very convenient as an underground prison
for Joseph. Mr.. TrIstram, who wrote Land
OF Israel speaks Of meeting at DOthan ." a
long caravan OF mules and asses laden, on their
way from Damascus to Egypt" and SAYS he was
reminded Of the company Of IshmacliteS from
G!lead with their camels bearing spicery and
balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to
Egypt" (Gen., 81: %
g. SuggcsfiOns.
/. Never imagine Won can thwart Gods pur-
poses. How much bravadO in the words, " that
] may fetch him" ". 49, Never leave God
out Of your plans What Benhadad declared
was easier said than done. Compare Jer.,
SO: %; Acts. 10: 10; %: 10, ~ You can
never successfully match "horses and chariots
and great host " wa against Gods "horses
and chariots Of fire." CV. H. Even if you
20 "by night" ". H. it will not serve God
sees and knows oil things, and cannot be trapped
nor Outwitted
2. Have confidence in God. He cares for US.
lie will come % our rescue in emergencies.
That very morning Elisha and his servant
Angels were not asleep. As Elisha knew the
whereabouts Of Bcnhadad's stratesie points, so
angels were aware of the dangers bcsetting the
Prophet. Trust in God and you will not be
filed with trepidatiOn when enemies beset you.
Gon viii feel more are for VOC than for your
enemies. Us, /: 81; IL: 1O) The pulpit ora
tor Whitefeld gave a body Of soldiers this
motto: Fear nothing. Christ leading" (Lu,
IL %
). PRAY. How much this duty and privilege
arc taught in Gods word Elisha saw in what
distress his servant was and besought God to
give him spiritual vision, by which he might
not see only Benhadad's forces, but also the an
Crlic hosts from Heaven. Often we find per-
sons IN distress OF mind because ignorant Of
religious consultations and spiritual resources.
Let Us pray for such, that Gods spirit may en-
Tighten them and give them courage and COM
fort.
4. Initiate tho kind spirit Of Elisha in his
treatment Of the alarmed servant. He did not
upbraid him, but soOthed him into a trusting
quiet. Gently he said. Fear not" Then the
vision. BE patient with those who lack conf
dence. Be tender with the young and inexpe-
ricnced. Tauut them not with cowardice. if
they be alarmed. Show to them the super
natural forces which wait the need Of those
who love God. How forbearing orr Savior was
with the stumbling. fearful, skeptical disciples.
.. Remember. the scene Of DOthan was not
exceptionable. IL was true TO life. Angels are
still ministering spirits sent forth to aid u.s. To
say angels visits are few and far between is
the language Of skepticism. Can we sec the
invisible? Yes; by faith and imagination. Is
tine lesson true? Are there angels2 DO they
come To earth and help mankind? Grant tho
above. We have evidence enough to warrant
our belief in these facts Now give play to
imagination. What beautiful visions we have :
What comfort in sOrTOwi What courage in
danger. Pity the man who, In trial, cannot
see the spiritual forces at his service. What a
blessing IS faith IN the invisihlel We can know
of that which it is not possible actually to see.
L. e.: fOu are familiar with the outlying
points which hem in a valley. You know the
structures which crown the hills. You know
there IS tower at the right hand and n steeple
at the left. Suppose, of a morning. you rise
casting your eyes up and down the valley and
OF toward the Tccediug hills. But it is very
iOsgy, and you see but little way no steeple
no beautiful landscape, no mountain stream
lets, no elevation capped by village. But you
know all these are within vision when the
misis clear mp. That foggy morning you see
them by faith. So the Christian, though he
sHes no angels, believes such Heavenly helpers
arc ut hand acts with courage, because he feels
they are at bis service braves enemies, because
he il certain the forces 10 aid him are greater
than those Of his opponents.
What contrast is furnished in the lesson
between spiritual vision and moral darkness
II man cannot see, he is at the mercy Of his
enemies.
Thrice hest il lie to whom IL given
The instinct that can tell
That God - Ia the field when He
Il most invisible"