The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-30

THE SUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON
Aug. 81, 19O2-Numbers xxi, 1-9-The
Brazen Serpent.

new generation Of Israel, one that had not
been debased and corrupted by the servitude and
idolatry of Egypt, but, instead. had enjoyed a
divine ~tutelage and been Injured by the hardships
of the wilderness-such a nation was approach
ing the borders OF Canaan.
one last ordeal for their faith and patience
remained to be endured. Between them and the
land of promise lay Edom. Moses had sent a
deputation requesting, in most fraternal IAN
guage. the privilege Of passing through assur-
ing the King that they would keep to his own
highway and not deploy through the country 10
the endangering of the fields and vineyards. AS
custom was. promise was made, in addition to
pay for the water used en- route.
To this civil petition Israel got a churlish an
swer. a blank refusal. emphasized by warlKe
demonstrations. The Israel OF forty years before
would have got angry on the instant ana
whether God willed it or not, would have I'M
dertaken to have forced a passage. But the
generation bred In the wilderness was more
docile.
Rut hope deferred. and the exceeding diff
Guilty Of the way-finty. arid and sa~nd-swept as
it was-hnaly broke down the spirits of the
q Israel. They raised the old murmuring
that ought to have died and been buried with
their fathers. In their petulance they failed to
mention its real cause-namely, the postpone
ment Of the entrance to Canaan, and fell TO
depreciating one of the greatest boons of Provi-
dence-the mamma. without which they would
have long since persisted.
Their punishment Was by natural means.
Their path lay through a tract infested to this
dav with venomous serpents. At that day, un-
decimated by the Bedouin, who, familiar with
their traits and haunts. avoided them. they had
bred in prodigious numbers. In these serpent
dens the people, sullen and unwary, walked.
The serried hosts in the rear. unaware of the
subtle danger. pushed the formost ranks Tor
ward and made escape almost impossible.
The brief and pitiful record is that much peo-
nile of Israel died" Their manner OF death was
shocking. They were quickly affected with a
burning and raging thirst. accompanied with a
fiery Inflammation.
Tba promptness and genuineness Of Israers
repentance is a mark OF Improvement In hA-
tionaI character. There seems not to have been
a single instance of wholesome contrition on
tho mart of the former generation. Moses's IN
tercession was apparently the only ground on
which they were spared. But this generation
frankly saws: I'VE have sinned." Pray for
US
The means provided for restoration were strik-
ING and Significant. The supernatural character
Of the case did not admit OF question. 1t was
uatent To all that there could be no natural con-
nection between looking at a bronze snake,
clinging to a pole set Up in the midst OF the
camn and the allaying Of the deadly fever Incl
dent to the bite Of a venomous reptile. Strange
antidote for poison that! But the power Of the
Almighty was in that improbable means to all
who had faith enough to look towards it,
Many looked, ana instantly the deadly fever
a allayed and an impending and awful death
averted. The mourning of the stricken camp
was changed into rejoicing. The mercy and
-- - cod were maEuilpd.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
The crucihed serpent is the most striking type
~ the Old Testament. II had the form Of that
which destroyed Israel. yet was the very means
~ salvation. SO Jesus had the likeness of Gin
fl flesh without having sin. 1t must needs be
ufted ND. SO must the son OF man be. IL re-
ouired faith to look at the serpent. II takes the
same TO look at the Savior. The cure is in
stantaneous in both instances.
sin is poison. 1t sets one on fire of hell. 1t
nroduces a raging thirst. II blinds. deafens.
hurns Kills and damns. Might as we'll talk OF
educating the venom OF an asp out OF a man
as 10 talk OF refining and culturing sin out Of
the sinner. 1t requires a supernatural antidote.
A heather poet. Lucan. in Pharsalia, gives a
vivid picture Of the effects OF poison on the
physicaI nature. AL unwittingly he gives. a
striking portraiture Of sins deadly dealing
with the soul:
Aulus. a noble youth OF Tyrrhene blood
Who bore the standard or a dipsas trod,