Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-07

ence. and the sudden appearance of a mis-
fortune awakened sense of i'll desert.
Perhaps for these reasons or because OF a
direct impression made by the spirit of
GOD. the people came promptly forward to
confess to Moses. They did not attempt to
extenuate the matter. I'VE have sinned,"
they exclaimed. 1t is a notable day in the
life of an individual when sin is humbly
acknowledged. What a sneedy change had
been wrought in these people! How soon
were their rebellious hearts converted The
serpents bite had power in 1t. Now the
voice or complaint changes to the voice of
to have done at first. Pray unto the
Lord, they cried, that He take away the
serpents." . They had learned Moses worth
They believed In Gods mercy and power.
The time OF their extremity had come.
They must have help or die. Matt, viii % }
PRAYER.-"And Moses prayed for the
people" This is the most eloquent sentence
In the lesson An old man. approaching the
end of his sixscore years Deut., xxxiv:O,
double the age OF the Oldest of Israel
Numb, xxxii:11D Burdened for years with
the great cares OF a great people, often I'M
justly condemned by those to whom he had
given his life--the leader dealt gently with
the erring and became intercessor in their
behalf. He exhibited the same spirit which
through all the years, had distinguished
MIN man Of meekness and faith, adapted
10 the exalted position to which he had been
called. Entering into the tabernacle by the
appointed mode eek, xxx:20) he poured out
his hearts desires. The words Of that
prayer are not recorded-they do not belong
to after generations. 1t was a spectacle
upon which after ages might gaze with de-
light and even with wonder. One man,
alone with God pleading for dying men-a
man who had access into the presence of
the Infinite (Ex.. xxx:1D using his high
prerogative for those in distress.
complishing His purpose-mediate and i'm
mediate In the moral and religious realm
He usually adopts the former, because of
its educational value If an instrument or
institution Is used. something may be seen
or touched. and the required cooperation
imposes condition and cultivates faith.
Whereas direct result, produced by fiat,
with no effort OF man, might be taken as
the natural outcome of some natural proc
ess, and God might be unknown. And 80,
after Moses had prayed, he was directed
upon pole" This was not a violation of
the second commandment eek, xx:4), for
the figure was not set up for worship. 1t
was merely an object toward which the eye
of the suffering might turn. lisa, xlv22.)
Whosoever looked upon 1t should live. The
serpents were not removed-probably they
infested the country throukh which Israel
Travelled: but the remedy was provided.
AFTER tnat the people were In constant peril,
but were held to the one source of security.
Misfortunes had become blessing. Jesus
used this incident to illustrate the saving
grace that is in Him. John. iii:11-14)
CONCLUSION-The law Of. spiritual
progress is the same in all ages and coun-
tries-among half-civilized tribes emerging
from bondage and the most enlightened
people thirty centuries after. The body
wars against the soul. (Rom. vii :23) Its
imperious demands must be subordlnated to
the sense Of duty. Il Cor. ix:27) Present
physical losses are sometimes unavoida Bile
in the struggles for the good beyond (Phil.,
iii:S) godly life is a perpetual choice
between Canaan ana Egypt-between the
aspirations of the spirit and the needs of
the flesh. John. iv:31. 32) Sorrows, dis
appointments and burdens will not be taken
away-they lie all along the journey of this
mortal life Gen. iii:17.1S, but help will be
given to bear them. Gil Cor, kits. 81 If. in
times of sorest difficulties. man Is led from
God, there Is pardon for his penitence.
John. iii:16) I'VE have sinned, pray for
u.s." is the confession and plea. the condi-
ton and hope of victory and success.