Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-08

as for the complete symmetry and uni
unity of all good qualities. Joshua at
all times, in peace or war. in the desert
or among the fruitful hills of the Promis-
ed Land, whether fed on mama or on
barley from his own barn. whether In
Office or In private life, was the 4iunbte.
unselfsh, WISE devout, God-fearing man.
His record is good one for the young
men OF any country to study.
DANGER OF ENVIRONMENT
There is a subtle influence either for
good or bad in environment 1t is hard
to stem the tide of thought around us
from our infancy to Odd age. When every
bcdy believes and practices a thing we are
apt to do so ourselves. When we live
and abide in certain land or section
we are likely to think and act and be
under the spell of the sentiment OF tnat
locality. When We are IN Rome we are
lilble to do as the Romans do. Nothing
Influences us more than the methods by
which others succeeded and became pros
porous or what inspires others in their
ambitions and hopes. It takes deliberate
act and choice of the will for us to break
away from the power and influence OF
our environment.
This is what Joshua desired his fellow
religionists to do-to take a decided ana
the power of their false religious sur
rouadings, lest they should lapse into the
belief and practice of the idoiatry preVar
lent around them. and which had become
known to them In Egypt. and which had
been practiced even by their own ances-
tors. They were IN such minority that
the influence of their numerous heathen
neighbors might overpower them and dis
integrate the strength and purity
of their divirely-given religion. So every
Christian community may become para
lived and dernoralized by the insidioUs IN
huences OF all kinds of worldIiness.
DECISION DAY.
Joshua gathers the people together in
his old age as he stands on the DRINK
of eternity and asks them to make
whole hearted decision for God. He re-
His character. His power. and His rner-
cy to them, He, in manly style. asks
them to male deibs rate choice of mas
ters-Jehovah or the false gods. Iae
choice each man has as to his souls ser
vice is between the true God and false
god-rcally the DEVIL This service Is vol
untary, only there must be some service
rendered either to the source of good or
cvil-God or the devil Each one must
settle this great question for himself
What will do with God?
Turning away from God always briggs
trouble Sorrow follows wrong as echo
follows song" Choice of God brings
grace peace. power, victory over every
spiritual enemy, heaven! This che zee,
from the very heart of the soul is not
easy because it is a matter of principle,
and not motion. It is not easy because
man is sinful and God is holy, because
man is hayward and God is exaction;
but to one who really loves, apprecie tes
and desires TO honor and Glorify the liv-
ing and all-glorious God it is easy. and
mis- service becomes joyous. Joshua cast
the weight of his example into the scales
of true decision in the sight of all the
people and said: las for me and my
mouse, we will serve the Lord" The good
teacher must lead in the way to God
Joshua was the leader Of souls as well
as OF armies" So Israel WAS forced to
decide. I. is good for US to be Obliged to
decide for or against GOO. Ii He is not
worthy renolnce Him; if He is worthy
quickly accept His mastery. Be brave IN
coming to a conclusion. Reason ard graf
itude point to God. Error se!5sh.ess,
ana sin point to some phantasy CT a
god Your life will tell what Your choice
mas been. The conversion OF an individu-
81 or q nation means progress upwards