The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-01

ing the entire reign of the latter, a
period of twenty-four years, in which
he was successful. Besides, he had
foreign enemies oversees Q and 10.) Ze-
rah, the Ethiopian, with a million men
came Up to battle. The precise loca-
tion of that country cannot be deter
mined, but the general opinion is that
IL lay south and west of Egypt. IL
this be so then it was probably vast
marauding expedition which had been
melted to make this incursion on ac.
count of the wealth and good fortune
of Judah. The Philippians are men
toned in Scripture as of warlike char
acter der. xlvi:9) They formed part
of Shishak's army e Chron., xii 81 and
represented all that was known of in
ner Africa, q land of mystery and
terror in the earlier ages. This vast
horde of warriors from a distant land,
marching on without restraint, pene-
trated into the borders of Judah and
came as far north as Mareshah. Their
approach must have caused corsterna-
ton among the people who knew that
plunder and murder would result.
VICTORY.-Asa went forth to meet
| the enemy and set the battle in array
| in the valley of Zaphathah (verse 10.)
| Then appeared the nobler side of the
| kings character. Backed by his vast
| army of mighty men he did not depend
| upon them alcne. Like Washington at
Valley Forge, like Havelock in India
he prayed for Divine help (verse III
That prayer was a model of simplicity,
| directness, humility and faith. In it
| hn ode 10 mic nf
Lord. confessing that He was able to
| give the victory even without the help
of men, thereby casting himself upon
| the almighty arm. 1T is nothing with
| thee to help" he cried-there was no
| difficulty in such help. it might easily
| be rendered. Help u.s." he cried. i'm
| plying that the army proposed to fight
but only with Divine blessing. We
rest on Thee" in Thy name we go
against this multitude! These were
the pious utterances of the good king.
He proposed to act for God, and added,
Let no man prevail against Thee"
| Here was another Gideon, another
| David. The result was a complete VIC
tory, whose glory is ascribed 20 God
by the inspired penman. The Lord
smote the Ethiopians," and they fled.
True, the bow and the spear were in
the hands of the men of Judah and
Benjamin, but there was another Hand,
all unseen, that conducted the battle.
| SUMMARY.-Our lesson presents an
ideal kingdom of the tenth century be-
fore Christ. Its ruler has n good heart
one that is loyal to God. He destroys
all forms OF worship except that of
Jehovah which he establishes and
maintains. He introduces time-hon-
ored but neglected laws, customs and
manners, all designed for public good
Manifold blessings follow with abound
ing prosperity. The gathered treasure
and the general feeling of content are
used in providing the comforts and
defences which shall prepare for emer.
gencies. An army is equipped TO NEE
and overcome adversaries. And wher
at length the foe appears he is met il
force, but before the battle ia JOINED
prayer is offered, and trust is express.
ed in the Sovereign of the world. Plety
plenty, protection prayer, these arr
the conditions, and glorious victor!
is the result. Perhaps this is not il
all respects an ideal for modern times
Eliminate the king and inaugurate
president, and the description wouIt
be nearly complete for the best day o
our own republic. What we need frs
is a revival of religion, our chief mel
promoting it. Then will come all ma
: terial good. Then ought we to prepar
+ for days of evil And then ought w
with trust in God to meet our foes an,
! conquer.