The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-06


1.-The Tamudic writer's, in enumeraling
the prophets, attribute the gifts of proph-
ecy to five teachers. namely, Balaam ard
the four friends OF Job. What they mean
probably is an attrbution of the gift of
oratory. for the Hebrew 'nabp stands for
an orator as well as for one who is endowed
with provision and gifted TO pronounce
what shall happen in latter days.
The burden of Balaam's prophecies was,
one and all, that a mysterious influence
prevented him from invoking upon Israel
the curse Baiak meant 10 purchase with his
silver ana gold.
There was a special protection around
the wanderers. Sacrifice offered at every
point Of The compass could not exercise the
power that seemed inimlcal to the King OF
Moab.
1.-THE heather prophet speaks in accents
of establishment He intended to curse the
people faithful 10 the mission ne had ac-
copied, but the tones Of execTation changed
10 lovely accents of benediciion as he be-
held Israel encamped according to lis tribes.
THUS his mission became futile, The in
tents Of the MOabte baffied and no evil
came TO the tribes, temporarily at rest in
the fruitful valley OF Moab, few miles
from the point where the divine would
eventuate in actual possession.
I'm these latter days" continued the
preacher, "the story Of Balaam's fruitless
mission becomes significant. No man can
can interpose his mind and will between the
deity and his evident design. Human his
tory is not only the record of events human,
but it is testimony of the righteous opera
items of divine providence.
mo man, 20 power, no nation has as yet
been able to curse Israel to destruction.
HAIRED ia q thousand different guises
has followed the descendants of the Jewish
Bedoulns, only to have its shafts blunted
against the wall of divine protection that
seems to surround them.
why Is 1t so? Why this people lives for
ever. secure in its renewed vigor with
every generation, retains its vitality de-
spite changes OF time and climate and coun-
. try, is question that perhaps can be most
effectively answered by pointing to the
eternal designs of deity.
1--WE need not pretend to understand
every detail of the mysterious purpose that
never throughout time falters; nor Is ii at alt
necessary to become olOgists for the con-
tinued life Of Israel. Suffice it that it is
here teeming with life, not at all ready TO
give up the ghost, preserving intact its re-
ligious organization, increasing the store of
its learning and the wisdom of its deathless
past, ard having a share in the renown Til It
belongs TO the upbuildIng of human civil
liZatiOu.
Art. invention and modern Improvement
pay tribute to its intellectual achievements.
1t suffers nothing in its history and legends
30 stand IN the way of the march OF enter
Prise. II avails itself Of every energy of the
age ana links every progressive force to the
ear Of its transcendant history. The IN
covering OF unlocking of every giant force
of nature is welcomed by IL as part of the
divine unfolding that has fenced it in with
a continued providence. 1t has opposed no
warfare 10 the deyelOpm ent Of science. and
has simply recognized a continued provi-
dence in every conquest of the intellect.
I'm the long Tuu this anti-Semtic feeling
will do no harm. The confession will be
made. at first reluctantly, willingly after
ward, that the morality of the Jewish faith
is The healthiest Ingredient in the blood OF
Christian civilization. Every writer against
Israel is a blasphemer, for in attacking the
race he attacks the purest element of
Christian civilization.
"As yet is David the international
household poet. solomon the interna-
tional teacher, Job the comforter
mighty oak beneath whose foil.
age men of all ages have sat down to rest,
to ponder and to be comforted. AS yet is
Isaiah the glorious poet whose renown has
not been obscured by any genius, living or
dead. The spirit Of God speaks so palpably
through the great testimony OF Holy Writ,
that as long as the Bible remains the house
bold treasure ITS owner will be compelled to
think of the Hebrew as the bearer Of a dl-
vine message.
And that shall be the sole vengeance OF
Israel for centuries of dark deeds perpe-
tTated against III. And no man in future
shall attempt to take up Belaam's burden,
Tor again shall the curse fade on his bias
phemous liDs, and the tribes enjoy the
blessings OF God as of yOTe."