The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-24
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

philosopher announces that he has dis
covered a short cut to Utopia. The
event always proves him mistaken; but
the persistence OF the search reveals
how keen is the present-day pursuit
of a social Canaan 1t is frankly ao-
mitted that human society has not yet
arrived at its goal; some pessimtsts
even question whether 1t Is really jour
ncying there or whether 1t is slipping
back to an Egypt Of oppression. Un-
dcuhtedIy we are on the move and
facing il the right direction A close
analogue to the conditions OF today Is
to be found In the current Sunday
Ecnpol lesson OF IsraePs journey 20
Canaan.
The underlying assumption II that
there are better things ahead or US
That Is the optimism taught by these
pessimistic Jews OF old. Progress Is
The divine law for all creation. Like
Israel. society and individuals may
rest for instruction and ueedful DIS
c;p.ininE, but the better estate may De
reached only by journeyings- Tne'
nicious: where there Is life there Is
growth. Change is not decay; stagna-
ton In. Tina day of doom has come
for any institution or character that Is
satisfied with itself.
Where the Bank Clerk Faltered.
That is the spirit which made the
dead nations of the Orient; China has
had TO be permeated by new spirit of
,scantent before her well-W1shers
could have any grounds for hope for
her future. Israel could not ap1oe at
sinai, any more than a boy can abide
under the shelter of his parents roof
and protection and still become a man.
Goirg up must always be preceded by
a giving up.
There was a young bank clerk in a
nrriI,ern Ohio city who felt that he
was fit for larger things than a mere
bank clerkship- He grumbled and
Sretted over his hard lot. for he was
sure that he, like others, could make
q success of an independent undertake
ing One day his opportunity came;
a -riend offered to SCI him up in bust
ness. Then fear began to bite at his
heart. What if he should fail? Thel
After nerve-raczing days and nights
of indecision. the young man finally
concluded that he dared not take the
risk. He's still a bank clerk. H s
a typc of hesitant Israel, fearful Of
new and untried ways, and willing to
suffer the evils of ignoble surrender 20
uncOngenial conditions. rather than to
dare the wilderness
False Lights and True.
A plain truth about Israel. which
never sugaF-eoated its religion, is that
Jehovah was recognized as the prims
essential of its life. The fact OF G3d
was the grand assumption upon which
all tho events OF the pilgrimage were
based. Jehovah was frankly admitted
IL first place. Sue less -HDr the Israel
ties consisted only in going his way.
and with his guidance. Ever in thu
midst Of the camp was the sacred
Ark, and the pillar of cloud or Ore;
ever at the head of the marching COL
urnn went these emblems OF the divine
presence and authority.
HERE is truth for the times. Amid
the Eanciful, pickering lights Of this
age, society needs most to follow the
nil aR
going Gods way. Without trying any
short cuts, and Improved modern
methods. we should simply follow
God This is society's only hope. And
teaching, in this day Of clamorous and
Jangling voices. should bear down with
great emphasis. We may reach the
better country of our desire only by
following Gods guidance. Nowhere
but in his Leadership is there safety
and prosperity. Let US not be blinded
by the glitter of gold, nor bewildered
by naammon's pageantry; but along
the old proved paths let US follow God.
Following the CLEAN.
It Is a sorry plight to be caught in
unknown territory without a guide.
Well do recall one night in Picking,
when, having to cross that great city,
our Jinrickisha coolies did not give
proper heed to the friend who told
them. In Chinese. our destination 1t
soon became manifest that, finding US
unable to speak Chinese, they were
lost. 1t was nearing midnight and it
was cold. And Picking, with it's semi
dormant hostility to foreigners. its
vast extent, Is not pleasant place in
which to be lost HitheP and thither
the coolies went, inquiFing in one
place and then in another. each time
starting on with q semblance of con-
hdenee. Seeing their hopeless help
ieSsneas. was at last able to direct
them to the Drum Tower, which was
known territory TO me. But learned
then, and at other times in lands
where English is not spoken. that a
guide Is an important factor in life.
This cry for guidance, in the wide |
region of the spirit, Is almost univer- |
cal. Out of it sprang Newman's beau |
tiful hymn,
Lead, kindly Light"
One Of the precious truths OF the |
Christian religion is that, like Israel in |
the wilderness. the trustful soul may
have guidance, clear, direct, explicit. |
After leading those stumbling Israel
ties into the Promised Land, God did |
not straightway forget the art of guild
ance. He will lead in a plain path
every perplexed disciple who is will
ing to follow. Once he led his chill
dren in the mass; now he leads them
one by one. Society progresses by the
advance OF individuals. AS each per-
son follows his CLEAN, he bears for
They who rise, lift; they who advance,
lead mo life can be pure in its pur-
pose and strong in its strife, and all
life not be purer and stronger there
by"
The Arab and the Hebrews
The appeal to the Imagination made
by the spectacle of that vast horde of
Hebrews on the march is worth con-
sidering. 1t was vastly different from
travel today. There was not a wheel
of traffic in all the equipment; every
thing went afoot. Camp had to be
broken and household goods carried |
While at this very moment there are
fro