The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-16
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Nov. IL, 9O1 The Childhood of Moses
Exodus Ill, lilo.

Some one has likened the eleventh chapter Of
Hebrews to a tall obelisk craven with the names
of the Heroes OF Faith. That Egyptian column,
brought at such expense from the banks Of the
Nile. and set up in Central Park-not one in a
million can read its hieroglyphics, ana It Is sast
crumbling away; but this obelisk is imperish-
able; it is ineligible TO even a child. . In
all this shining catalogue the most brilliant
name is that of Moses. The faith Of Moses was
antedated by the faith of his pious parents. 1t
is written: by faith Moses, when he was born.
was hid three months Of his parents because
they saw he was a proper child, and they were
not afraid of the kings commandment" 1t was
something more than mere natural affectlon
which impelled them to this act. 1t was borne
in upon their minds that this child of uncom-
mon physical beauty and precocity was to break
the calling yoke of bondage, and lead Gods peo-
pie from the brick kilns of Egypt to the high
lands Of Canaan. They believed this. They
wished Gods purpose fulfilled. Loving and fear
ing the King Of heaven, they despised and
feared not the King of Egypt. Though his cruel
soldiers, with drawn and glittering swords, pa
trolled the streets, and though instant death was
the penalty of disobeying the kings command
ment. they were not afraid. For three
months they successfully hid the babe in the
deepest and darkest recess Of their lowly hut
But further secrecy was impossible. The childs
cries were too lusty. Suspicion was already
aroused. The envious gossips were at work. We
see those parents toiling at night-weaving a
basket out Of the long ribbons Of the papyrus,
making a tiny mattress, and tucking the beauti-
full babe into his strange cradle. which was TO
be rocked by rivers wave instead Of a mothers
hand. The parents used their best judgment at
the same time they exercised their faith The
papyrus is said TO be offensive to the crocodile.
Hence the child was comparatively secure from
that great danger. He was put afoat upon a
river which the Egyptians worshiped, and, found
there, would be esteemed sacred as the gift of
the river god. He was placed where Pharaoh's
daughter was accustomed TO battle. with the
hope that he might fall into her hands. and the
little tactful sister was stationed to watch, and
use the strategy Of calling a Hebrew nurse il
opportunity afforded. Having done all they
could. they waited in confident faith for God TO
bring It all to pass. And they were not dis
appointed. See the Divine Providence-God in
history! He Just picked the babe out Of the
river and put him in Pharaoh's palace-to make
spoil of the wisdom and wealth of Egypt. that
he might the more easily deliver Israel. But
who does not see that one Of the turning points
in the history Of Gods ancient people was the
faith of Moses's parents? The destiny Of the
child. the destiny Of the nation, turned on the
piety of the parents.
THE LANTERN.
On that pivot, the pious faith of parents. ma
lions are turning yet. Parenthoodl who can ex-
ageerate it's responsibility? Marvelousl that
any parent can put a soul adrift upon the stream
Of time. headed toward eternity, and not appre-
ciate the accountability Christless parents are
a curse TO any nation. To desecrate the Sabbath,
to neglect church. Bible, prayer. live as If there
were neither God nor herafter, is to push the
tiny bark of the child-life into those dark and
swift waters which. at the end. fall with Nj
agara roar into the abyss OF hell. ." Snap
ming crocodiles infest the stream Of our Ameri-
can life. Bad literature. a lewd theater, saloon,
pooIroom. and brothel-an are yaVrning for our
youth. Every precaution must be taken before
watched while there. Providence must be ap-
pealed 10 for his defense But. after all. there is
an ultimate element Of self-hood in the child
which finally decides whether, Ulysses-like or
not. he will sail past the sirens. . . Sweet
est OF charities is that which is so widely. per-
sistently and intelligently exercised to-day to-
ward unfortunate hildren-fresh-ai funds,
eountry-home finding. newsboys' lodging houses.
societies for the prevention Of cruelty 10 chill
dren. chiIdren's homes. etc. How pleasing this
is 10 the children's Friend. who In the days Of
His flesh took them in His arms and blessed
them! All the splendid achievements OF
the Pharaohs pale before this princely act OF a
Pharaoh's daughter. Greater by far was the
compassionate lifting OF this dripping basket.
with It's helpless human occupant. than the
placing in position Cheops' snowy apex. Where
soever this book OF Exodus Is read. there shall