The National tribune., 1895-08-15

o. laea5OnS-
a. Prepare for emergencies. 5.
b. Seek public esteem, confidence. z.
c. Construct memorials. Ais.
Il. God gives crossings now.
c. Have Ark with you, Gods presence. 6.
Notes on Outline.
/. A cubit was 1924 feet, and hence 1000 Gu
equal 1923 feet.
2. As to the crossing having been effected by
a miracle, compare "worders." V. 5.
3. Joshua led as successor TO Moses.
4. Sanctiacation. This consisted of certain
ceremonial rites, and yet presupposed prepa-
ration of heart and mind.
5. reason for keeping the people off from
the Ark distance of 1000 GU. may have been
not only TO enable the multitude to sec moro
readily the Ark. but also to cultivate that rever-
ence for holy things which is essential to all
pure worship.
6. 1t is to be noticed that there was no aid of
nature in efecting the miracle we now study,
as was, however, the case at the Red Sea, when
wind and. perhaps, tide helped notice was
given in advance of the fact the Jordan was TO
be opened and dried up. The crossing was at
midday; the water at its highest point; wit
nesses were not only the Israeiites, but their
enemies; memorial was erected on the spot.
Elijah and Elisha mt n later date crossed the
Jordan by making a dry highway across the
channel.
Prof. w. S. Tyler wrote: "This could be but
by miracle; at the lowest 10 is not safe for a
multitude to ford. The record was made too
soon after the occurrence, while monumental
testimony was extant to permit our rejection
of it. We do not say that il was not the result
of an earthquake The Armada was dispersed
by storm; storm dispersed u French feet
that would have prevented our capture of
LOusbourg. The Opportune freezing and thaw
OF the Strymon saved Greece. But God does
not need natural causes to work out His will
They say Zoroaster passed rivers by miracu-
lous means. Neptune dried up the Inachus.
The shifting sands of Egypt have been
blown about by the winds during the last
1886 years 10 such an extent that an occasional
skeptic may raise his howl about the crossing
over the Red Sea. He may say that the place
where Moses led his troops across was very
shallow or very narrow. or he may sneeringiy
ask US to point out the spot. and prove from it
that there was any crossing at all, and that the
Israelites did not 20 round the northern end
of the arm of the Red Sea, over which we claim
that they crossed. But nobody need dispute
tho existence of the Jordan. or claim that in
the days Of Joshua it was nothing but q creek.
Nor need anybody try to prove that Joshua led
the Israelitcs around the beadwsters of the
river, aud down by the way of tine plain of
Esdraelon aud Galiiee to Jericho. Stand in awe
of the wOndrous work of the great God. 1t was
q miracle, and He did it,"
The Crossing Of tie Jordan IN Poetry.
Chas. Wesley. IN hymn beginning when
Israel out OF Egypt came" has these lines:
The sea beheld his power. and fed.
Departed by the wond'rous rod;
Jordan ran back ward to its head
Isaac Watts Q709l. in his hymn beginning
" There is land of pure delight" has verses
evidently based on the account we study:
There everlasting Spring abdes
Aud never-fading flowers;
Death, like narrow sea, divides
This heavenly land from ours.
Bright fields beyond the swelling flood
Stand dressed in living green:
So to the Jews fair Canaan stood,
While Jordan rolld between.
But timorous mortals start and shrink
To cross the narrow sea;
And liuger, trembling on the brink,
Aud fear to lauch AWAY.
o could we make doubts remove,
Those gloomy doubts that rise
And see the Canaan that we love,
With faiths illuuiin'd eyes
Could we but climb where Moses Stood
And view the landscape DER.
Not Jordsn's stream, nor deaths cold food,
Shouid fright from the shore.
S. Stennett's hymn beginning :" On Jordan's |
stormy banks ! stand" should be read in full |
It is delightfully."- written and serves as COM
in measure.
Rev. w. Williams "a. 1791) in hymn, "Guide
me, D Thou Great Jehovah" has
When tread the verge Of Jordan,
Bid M an xiOus fears