The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-27
.JOURNEYING TO CANAAN
DR.. PELL's IsTERPRETiTTON or
THE sUNDJT-scHOOL LESSON.
The Interview Between Moses and Hobab.
The Journey of the Children of
Israel to Canaan.

Iy Rev. Dr. Edwad l.. Pell:
Although the journey from Egypt 10
the promised land could hare been ac-
ccmplished IN a few weeks, IL was nearly
a year after the exodus began before the
children OF Israel struck their tents AZ
Sinai and started across the wilderness
toward Paran. The delay IN route -
ull Of significance. II God could haze
been content 10 people his land with
mob OF ignorant slaves he would have
led them 10 Canaan by the slightest route.
10 was lccause Hc wanted an organized
nation Of Intelligent, So0-tc1rlus free
I IN that he hated tho mob ~ the way,
AID sent item u school at sinai for q
year. II God could be- satisfied with rs
as We are, just escaped nom the DoiH-
age Of Satan, We might reach heaven
Today b. an AIRLINE, but IA re must nc
"a transformation before there can DE Il
translation. and the delay n tie Wider
ness means trat the CHARACTERIZATION -
not yet complete
our lesson opers with an interview
between Moses and relative Dy mar
rage whose services as desert guide
Moses was anxious 10 secure. HcbaD
WAS a "son " the wilderness" ard
would be 20 Israel INSTEAD OF eyes.
But why should Moses try 10 secure a
human guide when he had already the
pillar OF cloud and promise Of the DIVINE
presence all the wayE Simply because
he would not tempt God by De
Iondlng uIOn him TO DO what he had
given him The power 90 DO FOR himself.
The pillar of cloud would give the diftc-
ton. but 10 would not uncover the hid+'n
wells and point cut lnnLleraDlc dangers
eo long as these things could De done
hv human diligence. Go1 works FOR no
man who sits with folded hands. Moses
had great faith in tine Lord, bat DC had
too much common sense To- le CfeNui1u-.
The man who keeps foul chimneys ana
trusts the Lord 10 keep his house from
being DESTROYED by fire does rot honor
God by his faith. he dishonJrs God nf
mis- credulity on the other hand, we ar,
not 20 do the best We can and leave inc
rest TO Cod We are 10 leave eA 10 Nou'
and DO the best We can.
We are interested in TINS interview pc
cause the Invitation Moses gave 20 no.
h1b ia the invitation which the 'Hiifch
gives 10 every sinner, ana Moses fn1Na
us how 10 give ~. w are lchf :
unto the place Of which the Lord s'id
/ viii give il you. come with us ana W.
will do thee good. for the Lord haih
spoken good concerning Israel IT Ho-
lab had been IN a dieFIfatiOus frame OF
mind. ne might have questioned the liu ~
fi-lness of Aioses' statement. lie might
have said. Il doubt very much whether
YOU are an gOiug TO Canaan some ol
you may get there. but there are tho.a-
ands OF YOU who viii never own "A slice
~ the promised land. But Moses was
speaking Of Israel. and NOT or lnHiNlduul. =.
With an their failings. they We're sun
the Lords people. as peope, ana tnfy
were the children of the promises. ton
would do more for them than Tor any
other nation and the man VINO WOuid
Join his fortunes with their, woel1 CONE
i'm for q share o. the promised blessing.
IL IS i'm this sense that the church zee
meats the assurances which Moses gave
10 IIohab. IL is not true mat All rh.Fc 7
members are journcying TO thr i'i'l "l
promise. 10 ia not true that every chii' 81
member L. helpful 10 those AROUND DIM
buf IL is still true that the church Us or
God. that 10 the church belongs the prom
ises. that God is with his people. that
God IS blessing the Church as me- ls not
blessing the world and that those "h,
leave the world and enter ms ranks VIII
walk I'm the way over which the WlNuo"'
Of heaven open; that the Church AID not
the world viii do him good, ana tnat J.
the ranks of the Church and not lu tl'
ranks OF the world he VIII 90 sogu
Whatever fault we may ma WIN iH'
Church. the fact remains tnat HeaIy az
the good that Is done on eafth D. zone ll
the church. and nearly Oh me 5000 ',,'l
is obtained on earth ls obtained lh ii'
church. Il you want 10 fight Tor yonl
country. you Will join your cotnift !
army and fight under her nag. 81 ag ,p
enlist I'm his army. and not tsy 70 con
auer the world as guerrilla
Rut Moses did not ask Hohdb 10 Joi,
the army merely % receive spoi. re "N
not say 20 him you are isia'tiEr 81 ~
mine. and ! want you fO get tht htheH
of this expedition. Just put your nfinc "i
nv roster. and YOU need not 10 anFlhin-
We will be satisfied with your name li.
influence" lie had no right 10 say Una ,
Nor has the church the right TO rtF i
4.
recessed 10 receive HOhab Oh The mutua
ilan. 1--WE will DO YOU good. ana you cai
AZ ms GOOD" and the church has no ai
thoritv 10 receive a member on any oi.t
flan. We have no right 20 promise a SIN
nor that II he will only give ns me use %
his name he need not do ANYTHING nor
On the other hand. have We enc fEnt p
rronise on rselves that n We get him u
The church. We will get all tne gOoi on
Of him we can, and give MIN noun"
There is hardly a more beautiful pic
4,,,e fu the old Testament than the clos
ING scene OF our lesson. The children o
Israel are on their journey, thelr ia 't'
toward Canaan, the ark Of God in ron
~ them. the pillar Of cloud above
move. when IL rests they rest, ana ~
nillar OF cloud points out me way. a
ve look fr-son the scene We think or mos
neople with envy. If the way TO heaFe'
was only as simple rs tHdit W say
we only had the ark 10 go before ms an'
the pillar OF cloud by day ana the P'i ih
v,,,,,,,aI a,,inees Of those people who 81
miserably failed to appreciate their priv
icces Ard yet this picture IS hut q Iln
re,reeontation Of the privileges whici
crowd our pathway We, TOO. are Jour
neving through a wilderness, but at tn
START we have the aid or many Hopap
who have been long i'm the way, ana "h
can point out the dangerous places an
tba hidden wells. And, better than m
ark and the cloud. we have me rresenc
~ the Holy Spirit and the Word CT Cos
a. noint out and enlighten the way.
1,ie tourney was long and hot and IN
tiguine. but il would have been l9nse
49, hotter and more fatigulng II Nose
had not turned II into religious pilgrim
age. he taught the people that they wer
! Gods people i0urneying toward Gods
1snd and every DAYS march was begu
and ended with PRAYER. Who that ma
| iourneved long in the way needs 70 =
.cid of the power Of prayer %. sweetel
Toll 10 shorten dragging hours, 70 re
i'NN EDWARD l.. PLI.l-