The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-25
n l .

| of letters patent, derived from the highest
possible source canceling all other claims.
Hence he came not now so much TO ob-
| tain title to secure recognition ana
| publication of title, that the Divine deed
| might be entered for record in the his
| toric archives of Gods people. In TINS
| there was vastly more than the protection
| of personal rights to property. If God
| had set apart a certain place of residence
| for himself and poSterIty it was for Il
purpose. And Caleb was determined TO
go to that appointed place that he might
| meet the Divine purpose i'll him. lie was
not willing to thWart any part OF tnat
wondrous plan whereby Israel should ac-
complish its mission. What Hebron af-
terward became exhibits the wisdom OF
Caleb's choice and resolve U4uke l., 33).
CONQUEST Caleb urged his request
by still another consideration, which must
have removed all objections if any exist
ed. He declared that, notwithstanding
his extreme age, he was as strong as III
the day when Moses sent him out as IL
spy, as we'll able as then to go to war.
He declared also that If the Lord should
be with him, placing his confidence where
he had always placed it (Numb. xiv, -,
he would be able to drive out the ANA
kimS and possess their land. In these
statements there was undoubtod reference
to the public welfare and the glory OF
God. 1t was highly important that the
powerful enemy, dwelling in the mountain
Businesses, should be subdued, as, other
wise, they might be Il perpetual men-
ace to the people. They may have re-
membered the reports of their fathers,
and they may have been well pleased
with the offer now made by the stout
hearted Caleb If his request is granted
he will stand on the south, a wall OF de-
f,n CT ~ In which
anticipated courage and faith are
equal to the necessities of the hour.
WARD.-Calebs request was made
to one who, more than any other, was
prepared to appreciate its merits. Joshua
was one of the spies (Numb. xiii, 81. He
also went out in company with Caleb on
that thirty days visit to the land, and he,
too, saw the giants. lie stood with Ca
leb on the return, and united his voice
with that of his associate lNumb. xiv,
$40 in endeaVorng TO inspire confidence.
The remembrnaces of those days came
Vividly to his mind, and the present oc-
cason was one of rare interest. 1t at-
forded Joshua an opportunity to recognize
the faith of his old and tried friend, To
set his name in the lightful place in the
national history, to show that the utter
ances of the unbeleVing are not to be
trusted, and that the confidence of the
good is not misplaced, And above all,
it enabled him to leave upon all after
generations an impression that should
strengthen their trust in God, So Joshua
gave unto Caleb the city of Kinjath Arbd
Josh. xiv 15l, afterward called Hebron,
CONCLUSION. - Two scenes are in
striking contrast tNumb. xiv, G-lO and
Josh xiv, l2). In the first, two good men
whose hearts are SteadfaSt with God,
plead with their countrymen. even endan-
Gcring their lives, vanly seeking 10
awaken faith in God and lead them for
ward into the land of their hopes, In The
other scene the same men are honored in
old age by the succeeding generation in
the land which before they sought 10
gain. Spared by the mercy of God, pass
ing through many trials, they have
reached the goal One of them, invoking
Gods blessing, bestows the long deferred
reward of the others fidelity, Hundreds
of thousands of men OF war and millions
of people, gathered about, are witnesses
of the undymg loyalty of two hearts to
each other and to God, Verify the right
eous fail not, After two years OF pa
tient waiting many an aged saint stands
up To receive the blessing which his long
life has earned, a blessing not for him-
self alon, but for his children and his
children's children, unto many genera
tions (Deut. VII, %.