The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-09-15
Israel ReprOVed.

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Israel Reproved.
! 1t is to be regretted that the words
minor, or less, have been used to
/ designated the twelve prophets with
whose writings the Old Testament
! closes. These minifying terms, GER
tainly not gived by inspiration, may
! perhaps in part account for the too
general neglect OF this portion of the
sacred Scriptures. Reference is, of
| course not to the contents, but only
to the comparative brevity of the
books. From a literary. doctrinal, or
/ spiritual standpoint the writings are
! to be admired. OF Joel, for example,
| it has been said: His style is clear
and elegant of Hosea, He is pathet-
/ ic, animated, sublime;" Micah has
/ the poetic beauty of Isaiah and the
vigor of Hosea;" Nahum is surpassed
! by none in sublimity of description
his book consist of a single poem
which opens with a solemn descrip-
/ ton of the attributes and operations
of Jehovah" Malachi's language is
vigorous, pure, and beautiful. His
reasoning is concise and cogent.
Amos, to whose book our attention
is attracted is the peer of any in the
college of prophets. He was of lowly
origin. He has been called the peas
ant prophet" He lived among the
the rough hills of Judea, near the
edge of the great desert. He was I'M
trained in the schools. He says of
himself:
"No-prophet l,
No prophets disciple L.
He calls himself one of the herdsmen
of Tekoa. Part of his rustic occupa-
! ton was to gather the fruit of the
sycamore. To find market for his
fruit and tlocks he must need 90 into
the kingdom of Israel. There he OBJ
served the degeneracy of the people.
On his return, and in the solitude of
the wilderness, he had opportunity to
mediate upon what he had seen. His
heart was stirred. He must needs re-
/ buke the people. L was woe to him
/ if he did not. In his own strong Ian
guage he said, The Lord took me as
| followed the flock, and the Lord
said unto me, Go prophesy unto My
people Israeli 1t is the surprise of
the critic that from such an unlikely
source such an elaborate and exalted
work should come. Professor Cheyne
does not hesitate to compare Amos to
Dante, and say that the freshness
entities him to as high a place in the
history of literature as in that of
theistlc religion. Carl Frederick
Keil points admiringly to the rhetori-
cal power of Amos-h!s wealth and
depth of thought, vivacity and vigor,
his bold antithesis, his poetical roll
rising into actual rhythm. Some one
has picturesquely and appropriately
described Amos's prophecy as a thun-
der-storm, rolling over all the sur
rounding Kingdoms, touching Judah
and finally settling down upon Israel.
Some one has called this particular
period in the history of the kingdoms
of Israel its Indian summer" be-
cause of its glory, and also themes of
the winter of its desolation. The
ancient limits of the kingdom and all
its splendor lost under former kings
were regained under Jeroboam II.
Great wealth was suddenly poured
into the Golfers of the princes and
mobiles. 1t was the wealth of con-
quest. the spoils of war, not the re-
wards of peaceful arts of commerce
and agriculture. With riches gained
in such manner came the tempta-
ton, to oppression, and luxury. The
poor was oppressed viii, A., the ordi-
nances of religion thought burden
some viii, 81, the idleness; luxury,
and extravaganza W ere'general iii, 49,.
You will search in vain the whole
range of literature for more graphic
description of self-indulgent people
than Amos gives. They enthrone
violence Immediately, but consider
the day of reckoning as indemnity
postponed. They recline upon ivory
divans. They stretch themselves
upon their touches beside their ban
quet- tables, laden with every delica-
cy. They use for an ignoble purpose
the instruments which David invent
ed for the worship of God. Ordinary
wine-cups do not suffice; they drink
from capacious bowls. They use the
finest of oil in their boudoirs. How
could such sensualisty perceive. much
less be grieved, for the moral havoc
made their country! "They are not
grieved for the affection of Joseph.
Now the prophet speaks their