Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1894-01-03
A SERMON
Preached by Rev. s. A. Paris, in War.
ner Institute.

Entertained OF Love. Hebron, there
lore, became the inheritance of Caleb. the
son OF ~Jephunneh, the Renite, INTO this
qay,, because that he wholly followed the
LORD God OF lsrael.-Joshua xiv.
fhe city OF Hebron is still one of the most
Interesting and delightful places in Pales-
tine. It'll a highly elevated spot, overlook
ing a wide extent of country, and aver amid
the desolation of Palestine II is still a scene
OF surprising beauty, fertility and luxuri-
ance. The country is covered with vineyards
and plantations; the grapes of Eschol still
grow in the valleys, and the rains and water
springs are returning in something like
their former f%ullness. One can not wonder
that Caleb should set his heart upon this
choice Inheritance and claim IL SIS his own.
The incident of this chapter is one of the
most stirring In the book of Joshua. Caleb
was one of the faithful spies who returned
from the survey of land at Kadesh, and, I'M
IKE the rest of his brethren, he encouraged
the people to go up and claim their Inherit
ance. But they refused, and for forty years
he waited until that unbelieving generation
had passed away And now for more than
four score years he had stood shoulder to
shoulder with his comrades in the conquest
''S Wv WV II otCuTlnB Oh InelT various
inheritances, until at last the kings were all
subdued M the land divided by lot. Then
he comes forward and claims his own inner
itance, and justly receives it. The whole
scene Is full of spiritual meaning, and Wv
idly sets forth the higher Inheritance which
faith and hope may claim from the Greater
mmande In the land of promise:
l. HEBRON represents a special inherit
ance; something more than the ordinary lot
OF the tribes. Caleb's act expressed a holy
ambition, which Is worthy of our attention
and highest thought. God is pleased to have
us claim all there is for us in his great re-
demption. The Master was not angry with
James and John when they wanted more
than their brethren. The prophet of old " as
angry with lsraePs king when he was will
ing TO lake so little, and reproached him
that he had not struck FIVE or six times with
the arrows of faith upon the ground.
There is more for each of us than an ordi-
nary christian experience. There is much
more than just being saved and sanctifed.
GOD has choice possessions for choice spirits
and he lets each one of us decide for our,,
serves now much we shall have. He is al
ways watching with loving jealousy to see
now earnest our spirits are, and how much
we Will claim of our high calling in Christ
Jesus.
hebron represents not only a higher in
h~erltance, but the very highest. 1t was the
choicest spot In all the land. Caleb wanted
IL Just because it was the best, and Anak
held 1t for the very same reason. Caleb
would take nothing less than Gods best. and
he got 1t. God wants us to be content with
nothing but his highest thought, and to press
forward into all the pleasures of his good
ness, and "the good and acceptable and per-
feet will of God"
Inc reason why the best things in your
life cost you such great temptations and
Trials Is because such mighty and unspeak-
able blessings lie behind the breastworks OF
your Zoe Tor you, If you will only dare to
ciaim your inheritance. If you are to sit
win Christ upon his throne, you must 90
with him through his Gethsemane. Christ
Is not holding you back from highest places
at HIS side, but he is asking you, as he did
his disciples of old-can We drink of nv cum.
can We be baptized? Christ is looking for
men and women of strong inheritance, those
VINO VIII bear the hardest things and fear
not the cost of the highest things i'm His
kingdom.
"A sweet new song is in my mouth,
TO long loved music set.
glory To God for all the grace
1 nave not tasted YETI"
Hebron represents specially the Inherit
ance OF love and holy friendship. 1t was the
city OF Abraham, the friend of God, and its
name to the present day is "The Friend
IL Is The type of love, the highest heritage of
christian faith and experience of our Heay-
enly rather. We find again, Hebron was
1ne city OF Abraham and of David. AS the
ciCy Oh Abraham 1t represents the covenant
right OF all the children of love, faith and
nope. 1t is our right to nave these highest
blessings. This is whatJesus means I'm these
wonderful words: ale that hath nv COM
monuments and keepeth them, he 1t is that
loVeth me; and he that loveth me shall be
loved OF my father, and l will love him and
manifest myself unto him. This is some-
thing more than he says to the ordinary
christian. This is his special love for the AL
ways obedient heart. And so struck were
MS disciples with /, that they asked him
again concerning it, and he repeated the
same promise In still stronger language-"If
"a man love me he will keep my words, and
my father will love him, and we will come
unto him and make our abode with him., !,
am leaning close to Jesus breast,
> close that / can hear
Inc softest whisper of his love
In fellowship most dear:
And feel that His almighty hand
Is with me in this wonderful land.
Where Is your inheritance-in the great
kingdomo of God, or in the hands of the wick
ed one9 Let us decide this day to claim an
inheritance as Caleb did. Can we build a
Hebron here in East Tennessee? Can we
o out upon plantations and VINEYARDS?
Can we see the pure water passing down its
mossv bedg Yes. This all represents He
bron to us. We are invited to come today
n claim our inheritance. Now may the
power of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with
you evermore. Amen.
Nnkhsn L.