The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-11

smerican Society OF Religious Education.)
~~~~~~~-~~s
where the sacred chest was deposited.
GOSH. WAY What wonder that this
ark was carried with confidence into
battle.
THE TWELvEEVerses and 2E) The
triba! idea entered largely into Biblical
history. Beginning with the sons OF
Jacob. who were blessed by their father
at the time Of his death, (Gen., xlix:a-ooS),
the families were kept distinct all
through the sojourn in Egypt and the
exodus and wandering They were plant
ed In Canaan as a sacred confedsracy.
united but ever separate, They made
possible in the national life traits OF
character and forms Of achievement
which otherwise would not have been
attained Even the Christian Church.
the new Israel. was built on the Idea.
there being twelve apostles, (Math, x:D,
on whom rested the foundations Of the
kingdom. (Eph.. ii:20) In the passage
Of the Jordan the tribes were also rec
ognized One man OF the common peo-.
pie was selected out OF each trihs- to be
the last that should cross the river. It
IS @5uppOSeu Liz tWSlSC SLuOO dDOUl
the priests who bore the ark. witnessing
all the events OF the day, and then that
they retired to express to all their neigh
bors and children the sense Of profound
gratitude that filled their hearts.
THE sTONESVerses 5. 4, 81 Those
twelve men did not leave the bed of the
Jordan en,pty-handed With the tramp
OF conquerers they marched after the
ark. each bearing upon his shoulder a
hugo boulder, taken out Of the place
where the feet of the prists had rested.
This was done at the command OF JOS
hua, who must have received the order
from God. It was part OF the method
by which the crossing was effected. the
real design in the appointment of the
twelve men. Joshua, ui:12.) Twelve
stones, twelve men. twelve tribes. The
number was sacred 1shnlael had
twelve sons. Gen, xvii:o0.) There were
twelve wells of water at Elm, eek.
xv:27), and twelve bowls and twelve
spoons were devoted to the altar. (Numb..
vii:sI.) Solomon had twelve officers
over Israel. q Kings, iv:7) Elisha
plowed with twelve yoke of oxer &
Kings, xix:10l Twelve goats were a
complete sin offering. ezra. vi:17)
There are twelve gates In the new Jeru-
salem. Grew, xxf:12.)
THE MONUMENT-Verses and ~
These stones from the bed Of Jordan
were carried to Gilgal, GOSH, iv:oO). a
place in the valley near Jericho. the sits
of the first camp Of the Israelftes In
Canaan. There they were builded to-
gether In heap. a kind OF rude monu-
ment. designed to commemorate the pas
sage over the river. In like manner It
| was customary. and 1t Is to this day In
all parts Of the east. to erect some suit
able structure that viii tsl to postertty
the important events OF the past. Jacob
directed his brethren 20 gather stones
| Gen, xx1i:46), In testimony Of the
reconciliation between him and Laban.
| his father-tn-low. It was announced
mortal to all after generations, The
children, on asking their origin and sig
nificance, should be informed In this
| way the wonderful deed should be kept
in memory. transmitted by word OF
mouth from century to century through
ell the future years, awakening the
spirit OF reverence and gratitude.
THE REFLECT1ONS-Iet the SUDDEN
sit down by himself In a quiet place ane
suffer the events Of the lesson to pas
slowly through the mind. and let eacl
point be held in studious contemplation
Among other reflections these will doubt
| less occur:
l.. Those who would bring great thing
to pass must rise early and observe thu
Lords will.
3. Israel followed the priests because
they followed the ark: we must follow
ministers as they follow Christ.
3. We cannot 60 far astray IN Keep
| ing the ordinances Of God In doing &c
we need not fear the rivers OF trouble
or the mountains Of difficulty. OF tne
hosts of opposing foes.
e. Even when no ark 10 present, wnere
there is nothing appealing to the senses
\ tho Lord still goes before his people.
| S. AZ Israel went through Jordan drs
shod, 90 may We pass through many dan
| gers unframed.
| s. Gods wonderful works ought TO be
kept IN remembrance. The fathers ought
to publish them to their children. Oeut.
4 VII