The Newtown bee., 1897-02-05

story. In our Bible study we miss the connecting links. We do not weave the facts that we get into one garment, into comprehensive whole; but the stories we do not forget. No stories are more captivating than the Bible stories child ren eagerly grasp them, and older one never tire of telling them to their child ren. This is briefly the story of Jericho's fall. The children of Israel had now come up from Egypt. The 40 years wandering in the wilderness was done. Moses, the leader of Gods people, stood on Nebo's height and looked over into the Promised Land; his sin prevented him entering the fair borders. In val ley of Moab he was buried; the place of sepulture Is unknown to this day. Moses leadership had passed over to Joshua, fearless man.
 DOWN AT THE FoRDs OF THE JORDAN is this mighty host, 2,000, 900 strong, they say. For three days preparation for the crossing is made; then the word of com mand is given. On this side the waters roll back into heap, on that side the waters roll back into heap; and 8 passage is made for the people to pass over dry shod. The priests, bearing the Ark of the Covenant, advance to the center of the stream, and the long line files by them; 12 stones of remem- brance, one for each tribe, are set up as memorial of the great event. But, previously, spies had been sent into the land. They learned that news of the coming of this great army had preceded it. The people thought of it as Gods army; 'sthe inhabitants of the land are faint because If us," was the word | which the spies brought back. The men of Jericho knew of the drying of the Red Sea; the fate of Og had come to their ears. The army of Israel is over the river now. A little further they march and encamp around the walls ol Jericho. God has made the promise to Joshua that if the people march around the walls of the city once each day for six days and on the seventh day seven times, and then, If at the seventh time the priests blow with the trumpets ot rams' horns and the people shout, the walls of the city will surely fall. The conditions of the promise were simple the conditions are fulfilled; the promise Is kept.
 THE WALLS OF JERICHO FELL FLAT
 before Israel; and "the people went uT into the city, every man straight be fore him, and they took the city," By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days"
 My friends, I am going to glve turn to this subject which you are hardly pre- pared for. I am going to say that there are Jerichos in all our hearts and lives, strongholds of the enemy, entrench- ments of sin, that seem impregnable, impossible of capture, that for years have defled capture both by the indi. vidual and by the Church of God; and some are growing very timid and weak. hearted about their capture. They are impossible of capture except as individ uals and the Church of God fulfill the conditions which God has laid down except as they believe in the ultimate victory of truth over righteousness, ex, c6pt as they have faith in the mighty power of Jesus to save.
 How many are these Jerichos to-day Every man has Jericho, some great sin that he Is fighting, some weak point he istrying to overcome. With this man the Jericho is appetite, carnality, With this man the Jericho Is passion, 2 bad temper. With this one the Jericho is the shadow Of great grief, which has saddened the whole life. Oh. no, do not except this congregation; every one of you is struggling against some '