The National tribune., 1895-09-12

n. from disouietude. but will reveal to us q
nearer and clearer view of the Son OF God and
thus work in our hearts and lives richer
likeness to him. This is the aim of all Biblical
| scholarship"
The Worcester (NIassl Telegram, referring tc
Jesse Malek Yonan. of Chicago, who came from
Oroomiah. Persia, said: "Nr. Yonsps father
is still alive and Is one of the wonders OF hi;
| race having read the Bible from beginning to
end no fewer than Is times. His son, the sub.
iect of this interview. bids well to eclipse his
father in this respect. having gone through
the volume from Genesis to Revelations IL
times"
Fdre,reu.
First word. and last words are always
specially significant. People cannot be with
each other very continuously. There comoa
| call for terms to express our feelings at part
ings-good-by, aufwiesehen, al rcvoir, fare.
| well. alden.
"Farewclls are always sad, even when only
for day. for the day may grow 10 lagging
years. Many friends have parted in the morn
| ing and have never met again. How import
ant that any 'good-by' should be tender
| enough for the last!
The words We study now are specially sig
| nificant as being among the last words OF a
great Bible character. They are ripe words,
right from the heart full OF intense concern
for the hearers, so practical as to DO usefully
1
Circumstances.
| Joshua was far in years and knew he must
| soon pass from life. He understood what q be-
witching influence idol worship had on his pco-
| pie. He saw the bad examples all around them.
| Ho rememb ered their weakness in respect OF
monotheism. lie was conscious of his persona al
| influence. He was anxious to leave record
| warnings which might be rememb ered by the
Israelites aud save them from theological ship
col. f,-,, -
ant ssscmblage of his people. he enptied his
mind and poured out his heart on this subject
| urging the Israeites to DO loyal to Jehovah.
JosRUA's FAREWELL ADDRESS.
Data.
JOSH, "a: 1925.
We date 2575 A. NJ. Joshua was ITO years
old. %: 90. See Josephus A., 5. l, %. Joshua
lived % years after the close of the Exodus.
Where.
The address was delivered at Shechem.
Joshua's home was at Timnath-Serab.
Speaker.
The address was delivered by Joshua. For
Is years he had lived quiet. retired life, and
now he "waxed old aud stricken in age" %:
1,2.
Josephus says of him: I" He was a man that
wanted not wisdom nor eloaucnce to declare
his intentions TO the people, but very eminent
on both accounts" We may infer an address
by him would receive great attention.
Practical4S asgestions
l. Be sincere. V. IL Live true lives. Away
with hypocrisy. Gsd loves genuineness.
ITO soy my prayersis not TO pray.
Unless meas the things any.
Unless think to whom speak,
And with my hesrt his favor GEEK.
.tT,hau Let r,e vvhen 7 lneei TO pray
Not only nsiad the words say,
But also strive with esrnest caro-
To let my neart 40 with my prayer"
q Keep from idolatry. Have gods. VS..
IA. 10. 16, 90 %. God is jealous. Y. IS. He
is called oar Husband. Jer., 81 30. He wants
our love as his bride. We must not give to an
idol that homage and reverence belonging ex-
clusively TO God.
& Decide whom to serve-God or Satan. 15
Choose. Here is recognition OF the human
will However much influence beredity and
environment may have upon us, We are all the
time conscious of the power TO ACT rs we PREFER
within certain large Limitations. Hence we
feel we have done right wrong, as we have
acted this or that way. We could feel sense
Of guilt if We could not be convinced that we
have an extensive margin for free action. 1t |
is a fearful responsibility to have the power of |
determining conduct which may bs eternally |
right and bapPy or. Gs many hold, endiessiy |
wrong and miserable.
a. las for me and NM house we will serve the |
Lord" V. To- We have here "a suggestion as |
TO family religion. The head of hsme shonld |
feel a responsibility for all its members. 1t Is |
found pareats help themselves III the manage |
ment, discipline, and instruction of family, |
If there be cultivation of the religious Gle !
ment in the household. Very many fathers !
and mothers intrust to Sunday-scho teachers
the care Of their offspring in morals and re-
ligion. A liberality Of sentiment and practice
as to the culture Of tho soul. li5eraity which
leaves children to form Independently their |
own religious ideas, is rninous to the develop
ment of reverend CO for holy things, and leads TO
ignorance Of most essential Christian instruc-
ton. The family is the startpoiut of State aud
Church, and the members thereof should be
trained at home SO as to insure their becoming
good citizens and faithful Christians. The
Jewish religion in special prescribes instruc-
ton in the family as to religions duties aud
doctrines. Deu., 6:49.
Spurgeon said: III We would bring holy life
to Christ we must mind our freside duties as
well rs the duties of the sanctuary.
DR.. John Hall wrote: An uncared-fOr fam
lily gcing unwarned and unheeded 10 ruin is
stain on the Christian character of prolessedly-
Christian neighbors."
s. Act on the spot. V.15 Choose this day
V. ID. That vorse-"Seok ye tho Lord while
he may be found; call ye upon him while he
is near"-means something; means immedi-
ateness of action; allows no room for convent
ence; renders duty present; seizes on man
and grants no respite
Mother" said a little girl On coming home
from Sundsy-schoo i want to ask you some
thing"
well. dear, what Is it?"
DO you know which is my best text?"
Tell me- my DEAR replied the mother
"Well, mother, you know that / am just
seven years old. and my text has just seven
words in 1t. aud this is It,: 1t is time to serve
the Lord"
See Hos. 10: IL. E
Shaksper. says, in "Alps Well That Ends
Well, Let's take the netant by the forward
top" Nu., -: 80; Eeclesissticus, S.: 7. Thomas
Halliburton said autobiography, "a delay is,
in Gods account, q refusal"
6. Be independent as to duty. v. 10. Do
the right, even IL all others fail TO do it. Henry,
the commentator, says: "Those that are bound
for Heaven must be willing to swim against the
stream, and must not do as the most do, but as
the best do" We remember Joshua as spy.
The minority report was correct. The fact We
choose, shows wo have power to act with the
few. We have people who seem to act as though
they would be willing to go to ruin if the ma
jorty were bent on destruction. What Shak-
spere says in King Lear" is often too true:
" Men are rs tho timo is"
We do not mean one should become obstrepsr-
Gus and offensive.
Nothing is SO perverse in nature as pro-
found opinionator."
Be yourself Realize your personal response