The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-09
A HAVEN FOR THE WEARY.
Rev. DIR. Radcliffe Draws n Lesson
From the History of ZebulOn.

Rev, Dr. Radcliffe Draws n Lesson
From the History of ZebulOn.
The services at the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church were conducted yes
terday morning by the pastor. Rev. Wal
lace Radcliffe. The sermon, as announced.
was upon the subject. The Haven Of
Ships" being some practical spiritual les
sons from the life of Zebulon.
DR.. Radcliffe chose for his text these
words: "Zebulon shall dwell at the haven
of the sea. and he shall be for haven
of ships, and his border shall be unto
Zidon." Gen 40 xiii. He said in part:
In the year 1900 an old man lay dying
in the north of England. and to his son
he announced that his family would dwell
beyond the sea. and would attain to rank
and wealth and influence under the shadow
OF a capitol as yet unnamed and unknown.
and his home should be beside the flow
ing Potomac Three hundred years have
passed away and that family now finds
Itself across the sea under the shadow of
the Capitol of the United States. and has
attained marvellous wealth and an infiu-
ence unbounded, and it dwells fguratively
at least. beside the Potomac.
What shall we call this? Is IT guess
Is it miracle OF inspiration? That
romance of individual life no one expects
to see fulfilled, but the romance Of human
history has its fulfillment in this mighty
nation which has peopled a continent and
risen TO power. l.,.
Jacobs prophecy to Zebulon was sim
liar. 1t was foretold of him that he should
dwell beside the sea- that his race should
be a maritime one, and that his wealth
should be in ships. Three hundred years
pass and with no interference from Joshua
the lot falls as indicated in the prophecy.
Zebulon goes to seafaring life and his
allotment is near TO Zidon, and his home
becomes haven of ships. BY the decree
of God he has life work mapped out for
him, and family traits are developed
strongly In Zebulon. He was of the i'm
patient type, quick to act, and quickly ex-
pected the results of his action. Many,
like Zebulon, desire for themselves the
haven of ships when they ought to be en-
gagged in the pursuits OF agriculture or
something else for which they are more
fit Many want the wealth, emolument,
and influence of Zebulon's birthright when
they are totally unfit to receive or profit
by IL. God seems to have ordained in the
race. as among the sons of Jacob, that
each shall pursue the course for which his
fit him. We do not understand the ap-
portionment. None but Congressman seek
to put haven for ships on q hillside.
what are ships. and what have they
TO do with history? Zebulon, standing
by his fathers death bed the prophecy
doubtless seemed perplexing and useless
He may have never seen a ship and he
may have never properly understood the
meaning of his fathers prophetic words
until after the possession OF Canaan, and
he found himself with an Inheritance be-
side the sea on the borders OF Zidon. So
with us, standing by the allotments of
God, we are often mystifed dissatisfied,
and rebellious. But finally day by day the
years unfold the plan OF God. and we see
harmony and success worked out before
our eyes. The weaver with his tangled
threads seems In hopeless maze from
which nothing orderly can be evolved. but
the shuttle flies back and forth and the
end reached is useful and beautiful. We
are in the hands OF the Divine Weaver.
Zebulon is sent TO a work that he knows
not but for which he Is specially endowed
by the Creator. He finds that contehtmen.
is success and faithfulness is victory
Zebulon worked on through the years
until he developed that for which he was
intended
Each man amoung the sons of Jacob
had special characteristics. which were
worked out into the national life. Zebuloh
had single heartedness He saw his duty
and did 1t. In the days of Deborah he i'm
periled his life in the high places Of the
field Loyal in heart and with one mind.
he came to the help of David. not with a
heart and heart. as the Scriptures else