The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1892-11-29

with them some OF ltS ueHclOuS lIui'S.
The valleys abound with vegetation.
The hilsides furnish rich pasture for
their focks. There is no task master
there, who, with cruel lash will drive
them to their labors, but the Lord
God of their fathers will rule sthem
with gentle hand, if they will but
prove true to their covenant. The
God who had led them all these
\ years is now ready to lead them into
tho land. Never before had such a
glorious opportunity been offered to
them. 1t was not the voice of a mere
enthusiast, who regarded not the diff
iculties in the way, that urged them
forward when Caleb said: "Let us go
up at once and possess; for we are
well able to overcome It," but it was
the voice of one who bad carefully
studied the question, weighing well its
} difficulties and dangers: who, strong
of courage and stout of heart, and
!. full of faith in the Lord God of Israel,
saw the power which was theirs with
this God to lead them. Oh, Israel,
how grand was the opportunity that
opened up before you when the COM
mand came; $50 up and possess the
landw M
But there was another opportunity
: that presented itself to the children of
Israel at this time which was far
grander than that of entering into
theiripossessions. opportunity of
showing to the world the power of
God" They were comparatively a
, weak nation. Their occupations had
: been that of shepherds, save what
time they had been slaves to Egypts
King, and they had learned nothing of
I the arts of war, as it is taught in the
: fierce school of the battle field. Possi-
: bly, they had been trained somewhat
I in military tactics while they So
journed at Mt Sinai; but they were
9 weak as compared with these accus-
toned to fighting. The inhabitants
: of the land were warlike people.
$ They dwelt in walled cities and in the
i holds of the mountains. They were
}, accustomed to the ravages of war and
q were prepared for them. These were
q some of the difficulties with which
Il Israel would have to contend. They
were nation of giants, while the
j children of Israel were small of stat
ure. Israel was the chosen people Of
u God. Unto them had he committed
y the keeping of his oracles. By then
d was to be disseminated through al
n the world the knowledge OF the true
y God. They were commissioned tc
n abolish idolatry. To them was given
{ the promise of the help of theil
~ divine leader and ruler. The nations
~ which they were TO conquer were AZ
10 idolatrous people, bowling down tC
IS images which their own hands. ha(
/ made. Here was Israel's opportunity
/ Of showing unto them the superiority
g of the true God over an image o
a wood or stone. Now they could have
1t the honor of showing to the worlC
l. that it was not military, tactics no.
strength of arms, nor walled cities no
ut mountain holds that would give tht
Oh victory, but that it was the power o
ld God. A weak nation, people un
al accustomed TO warfare, armed witt
IN the promises of God, they were [,
SIS move forward to the conquest unit
OF victory should crown their labors
ne Victory not their own but the victor,
4" of the Lord of Hosts, and all tn
Ut. world should stand in awe of tn
I'd power of the God of all the earth a
p manifested through his chosen people
I'd Again, They had the opportunity 0
is possessing the land for God. Gran,
IS as was the opportunity of enterin
upon their own possession, and O
at showing the power of the Lord. Fa
n grander was the privilege of possess
ir ing the land for Him.
in Long had it been land of heathe
er superstition. For years had the wor
on ship of idols reigned supreme, bu
as now, if Israel will but improve her op
ed portunity the land will be lifted to
y. higher plane of intelligence and idol
it airy give place TO the worship of til
a true God, Jehovah. Soon instead {
on idol temples and affairs will be foun
CHI. shrines at which the people may com
lie, and pay their worship TO a Twin
a God.
re God had called Abraham out frol
-.