The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-18
.SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
"THE ARK BROUGHT no JEROsA-
LEM, THE SUBJECT.
Rev. Edward l.. PeIi says "What the Key
stone Is to nm Arch Religion IL
to the Nation

until they have pulled out the Wedge
with their own hands, and these children
sometimes grow to be men without out
tried the experiment with results which
should have satisfied her curiosity for
ever but there are some thousands of our
countrymen who are dying to SEQ II Amer
icas arch would not stand just as well
and look a great deal better without the
keystone, which. to their eyes IS but an
unsightly horseshoe hung over the ma
TONS door, Happy Is that people whose
rulers have the wisdom OF David, who
having built the foundations and pillars
OF his kingdom, FASTENED 70 put in the
keystone that It might bind every other
stone In Its place.
Tor a people who had been taught re-
ligion by symbols a revival Of religion
meant, first OF all, the restoration Ct the
ark which was the symbol Of Jehovahs
presence TO It's proper place IN the ma
ton. Believing rs they did that the
Lord OF hosts dwcit between the cher
ublms.' II was impossible for them to
have any religious life while the ark re
manned in neglect az KirJath-jearim. The
plans which David adopted to get the
ark Up TO jerusalem were partly
wise and partly otherwise Ho
first consulted the captains and leaders
OF the people. In this he was WISE lie
was looking out for the spiritual interests
OF the whole nation, and no knew that
II the people received any benefit from
the bringing up OF the ark they would
have TO have a hand and Il heart in 1t.
II they were not made TO feel any IN
terest IN Il its coming would mean noth-
Ing to them. If they received bless
ing they would first have 20 want IL, and
David got them TO want IL. He put the
matter before them, and urged them 10
decide what should be done, and the act
OF deciding quickened their interest There
is lesson here which many leaders are
slow 90 learn. II those who are COM
mitted TO our care are TO receive any
real good. they must be led to desire
il and 70 work fer it. There are pas
tors and teachers who try TO see now
much OF other peoples work they can do
In addition 10 their own. forgetting that
I'm taking from tho people their Work
they deprive them Of their blessing also.
Ia consulting with the leaders, David
asked them % decide two things. FIRST
whether his proposition 10 bring the ARK
10 Jerusalem seemed good TO them' anu
secondly. whether they brought 1t ac-
corded with the divine Will. In this also
ne was wise. a plan may seem good
to us. and yet not seem TO meet Win
divine approval. ON the other hand'
IL confirms us greatly in our purpose 10
be assured that our judgment IN pa"
ticrlar matter has divine endorsement.
The appointed day came, ana with II
a vast multitude of the chosen men OF
Israel. There was great procession TO
Kirjath-jearim, where they set the ark
az God upon new cart, and brought IL
ont OF the house OF Ablnadab, when was
I'm the hill" and with music and with
singing the procession turned back to-
ward Jerusalem. They were almost III
sight OF the city when suddenly the uu-
sic ceased and a. cry OF horror went Up
! from those who were nearest the ARK.
| A flash OF divine wrath had struck uotd
one OF the men who "drave the cart.
| what could IL mean? Was Jehovah dls-
pleased with the king for attempting 10
| move the ark to Jerusalem? Had the
ne,ple fallen Into sin? Had Uzzah COM
| mltted some horrible crime that made IL
necessary for him TO be- thus made
public example?
However the case may appear to De
AGAINST T'zzah at this distance 1t IS
evident that David was not disposed 10
plac. all the blame upon him. lie was
| "dlspleased." not indignant, but troubled.
He was afraid he himself had
NOT acted according 10 God j
/ law. lie remembered that he
| had planned the removal OF tho ark
without taking the trouble 20 consult the
law at all Had ne unwittinsly broken
f.?
Tro had caused the ark 10 be put on a
cart. I'm this he had followed the fhiils-
tinos and not Jehovah. Tho law re-
I..a IN
shoulders OF four men, and slaves mad
he,n proviled so that IL could be carried
without touching IT, The law required
| that II should be- carried by Levites, the
men in charge OF the cart evidently De
I,nced 70 another tribe. II the ark had
| been carried according 10 Gods coininahu'
IL would not have been in danger OF fall
ing and Uzzah would have had no oc-
caslon 10 touch il. with regard 10
Tzlah. however. IL must be said that the
law distinctly forbade his touching the
ark. II is plain that reverence Tor the
ark OF God as the symbol ot'hls presence
had sadly declined in Israel. IL Is pam
/ ,bst unless that feeling Of awe could be
revived. it would De impossible TO revive
religion arrong the people. Tho Year OF
| the Lord Is the beginning Of religion ana
the ark was called by the name even the
name Of the Dord of hosts which dwelleth
| between the cherlbims" that faced , eac a
other on lbs golden nd. II this spirit OF
reverence could be- restored, II the nation
could he saved OF the expense OF the liic
OF one man. would II be forth wnile2
But after all has been said that can
I be said we are reminded that Goa mas
not appointed us 10 Justify his conduct
and we arc also reminded that there may
have been. and probably were, other err
| cumstances corrected with the event
which II known. would make all our eN'
plantations worthless.
After such a catastrophe, The only
nroper thing 70 DO was to suspend mat
ters and seek for more light. And so
The multitude dispersed and David re-
turned 10 Jerusalem a sadder, ana soon
IN bo a wiser man. through more care
mi study q the law. In the mean time'
the ark was safely sheltered In the nome
% Obed-eaom. a Ievite who belonged 10
Tho family which was set apart 70 have
obare, Of the ark and tabernacle. Ine
prosperity which the ark brought 70
Obed-edom (what lessons have We mere
indicated plainly that no harm couin c. IN,
from the precious symbol 70 any one "Ho
received II I'm the proper ma nner' ana
David having learned from the law now
a. should be received went and urongnl
IN the ark Of God from the house ol
Obed-edom 10 the city OF David Wtn
gladness.' .rD, prrr.
-
Thankful Veterans.