The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-17


ligious Education.
school extension department. of the above
named society. All who study them are
requested to send their names: postofiice
address and denomination, mentioning
this paper, to the author at Washington,
ID. e. for enrollment)
CONTEXT.-The plague of fiery serpents
cured the Israelites of their murmuring.
Numb. xxi. 60 Thereafter they marched
toward Canaan with loyal patience. In
the way Moses gave instructions suited to
their needs, partly moral, partly ceremo-
NAL. Opposed in their progress by Sihon
and Ogg, kings of the Ammorites and of
Bashan, they gained a splendid victory.
Numb. XXI 24-35.) This greatly alarmed
Balak. King of Moab, who requested Ba-
laam, the priest of Pether, to curse Is
rael; but the latter. under divine direction,
pronounced blessings. tNumb. xiii, 2o)
Passing on, the people encamped on the
plains. east of the Jordan. opposite Jer-
icho (Numb. xxi, ID, where for several
months they rested in full sight of the
promised land. There new census was
taken, showing a loss, since the former
enumeration (Numb. ii, 3D. of nearly two
thousand fighting men. (Numb. XVI, SD
Having been forbidden to lead the people
further (Numb. xvii, a, Moses requested
a successor. and God appointed Joshua.
FAREWELL--The men to whom the
Ten Commandments We're first delivered
had persisted in the wilderness. 1t seemed
necessary TO repeat and reaffirm that law
in the presence of the new generation who
were soon to enter upon their inheritance.
In the performance of that service Moses
would take leave of the. congregation and
lay down his life Office. 1t was an i'm
pressive occasion when the vast assem-
blage stood before him to- hear. On ac-
count of his extreme age Oeut. xxxiv, y,
as we'll as his long service. they who
had grown up about him must have rev.
erenced him as father and friend.
The book of Deuteronomy is record of
the final utterances of that great man.
(Deut. |, 1-5.) Its title. derived from two
Greek words, signifies the second law, or
the second giving of the law. Moses not
only enjoined what God had previously en-
acted, but he gave advice, the result of
his experience and observation, illustrat-
ing and confirming the same by numer-
Gus historical references. This he did,
prompted by desire for Israel's prosper
ity in the new home. (yerse 81
BASIS.-Moses was a theist. In philoso-
ply Gen. |, u. in religion eek. Xxx, 81.
and in political economy ne always began
with some thought of God. Notwithstand-
ing his Egyptian training (Acts VIII 22),
he laid chief emphasis. upon the subject
Of the divine unity Inolaying a basis for
national security and In stating the con-
elaimed iSr ers ae uoi ea Meofe Israel the
Lord, our God, is one Lord. he puts that
truth In the forefront By 1t, he would
who believes in many gods. 1t was
expected that the firm holding of that
doctrine would awaken lofty ideals and in
from that Fundamental thought He en-
joined love TO God. This followed as a
necessary deduction. Supreme love-en-
Is due to Supreme Being. Right think
Moses anticipated Christi. OIatt. xxi. 80.
ss Essegta pes is Se
same. =
'COMMANDS.-Moses did not pause with
enjoining correct thoughts and feelings con-
corning God He enforced all those com
mands which God had delivered by him.
Why should a man who loves be bound by
laws? Does not love render law unneces-
sary? Is not love itself law? So some
teach But Moses was wiser. He was deal
ing with people who must be educated and
elevated, for whom institutions had been es-
tablished with imposing ceremonial. Some
of the laws regulated those institutions,
while other laws pertained to the relations
t fe demands an should - acmmstted to mem.
iaw-ablding. Besides, this Mosaic code was
a transcript OF the divine mind To know
|, - Meditation upon it would strengthen
all the intellectual powers psalm xix, Z, 81
nope and r lna as noW ana
is universally true-that men are made free
by the truth. (John wifi, 32) Much sin is
attributable to Ignorance. acts iii, H.
Judaism and Christianity are in accord in
emphasis of law. Oeut. v, %; Matt. v, 49,
CHILDHOOD--By loving God and keep
exalted condition. psalm cxliv. 15) But
that generation would soon pass away
| (Eccl /, A, and those who came after nigh,
quickly pull down what had been oude ed,
| the young, nation will fall to decay
| psalm lxxviii. 81 Good statesmanship viii
by good training to make the future better
| than the past. prov. xxi. 81 Hence, I;
| avert calamity and to- promote progress
every people ought to give iced to the little
ones (Mal. iv, g., who are Gods heritage
| psalm cxxvii. 81 Moses displayed his wis
| dom in the farewell address to Israel by re
| quiring, as the third item in his advice fo
their welfare, the instruction to the young
| Verse ID Thou shalt teach them" no
geography, arithmetic. language .(strang
| that a scholar like Moses should overlool
| God" How he exalts divine truth in build
| ing character. psalm cxix, 80 How m
| emphasizes the parental office. He woult
| make the home a school, Gods word TIL
| chief theme of conversation, inscribed on TIL
| posts of the house and on the gates! Verse
| and 81
RICHES.-Moses expected that Israe
would become wealthy. 1t would be diff
cult to keep God-fearing people poor. prov
iii. l6) Righteousness is capital. and its re
| turns large and sure; and that, because i
4 qualities men for legitimate business, AM
| prevents them from unholy pursuits
| psalm xxxvii, 25.) Besides. accumulate,
| treasure. handed over TO godly posterity
| Will increase more and more. And, wha
| was specially worthy of consideration,
| was a rich land into which the people wer
to enter. full of all good things" Vers
| % They would receive wells which the.
| did not dig, vineyards and olive trees,
which they did not plant. The wealth 0
| XXI, 32) would be transferred TO then
| lisa. Xxi, g., and with that beginning the.
| would go on from year to year and from
century to century. With a prophets ey
| Moses may have contemplated the vast ae
| gregate of earthly possessions which woul
ultimately be granted TO this highly fay
| ored people. under the blessing of Almight
| God. q Chron. xxi, 16)
DANGER.-Wealth brings luxury, an
luxury pride. and pride turns the hear
away from God prov xvi. 1s) And $
eousness is attended by danger. Moses di
not leave the people ignorant on this poin,
| If they had complained in their povert
| Numb. xxi. %, and suffered in conse
| quence. he would have them know tina
| when they had eaten and were full the