The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-09

yond the Euphrates. through Canaan, Egypt, the wilderness and thence back to Canaan. He estops pride by remind ing them that their victories were achieved supernaturally-not with their swords and bows.
 Turning to the future, the warrior says naught of war. His speech takes on a millennial cast. Swords are al- ready beaten into plowshares, spears into pruning 1hooks. He speaks of moral qualities, of obedience, of holiness. He will fore-warn his people of a peril. He will enjoy a duty.
 The Hebrews had an hereditary tend ency to idolatry. Their fathers served other gods beyond the flood. They suf- fered four hundred years the debasing influence of Egyptian polyth eism. Un- happily they had allowed the dregs of the grossest idolatry to remain in the conquered territory. Joshua recognized the incident of the golden calf as only the irruption of the idolatrous spirit and practice which was secretly main tained. Like the kings evil. this vice seemed in the blood. The vision of the centenarian was not too much dimmed to see the Iliad of woes impending. Joshua sets up a standard. Decided himself, he calls for decision on the part of the people. Once for all, let 1t be determined who is God. and let him be served. If they think the ugly little images surreptitiously brought from Harans are gods; if they prefer the hf- thy deities of the Amorites to the Je- hovah of Abraham Isaac. and Jacob to the Wonder-worker. Of the Red sea, the wilderness, and Sinai-then let them turn to idols. But like high clrion blast that has kept the, air pulsing ever since. comes Joshua's pef- sonal decision: fAs for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!" The place, with its halIowed associa- tions, the speaker, venerable and ven- erated; the address, at once modest and |. {. sublime, had an owerwh elming effect upon the distinguished auditory. With Oriental profuseness they deprecated any forsaking of Jehovah, and protest ed their determination to sarve him. Joshua sifts them like wheat. He dis closes the character of Jehovah, affiir- ing His holiness, His unwiilingness to accept a divided affection, and the ferceness of His punitive wrath. Such a God can not be served except with sincerity and wholeness~o of heart They protest that such shall be their service. Your conscience shall be witness, judge, and executioner, if you are un- faithful to this covenant" Joshua cried. "So let 1t be-" answered the people. So Joshua recorded the covenant. and set up a perpetual reminder of 1t in form of pillar under the sacred terebinth. And the assembly was prorogued.
 ANALYSIS AND KEY.
 1. Joshua: character and career.
 Stainless, brilliant.
 2. Approach of death.
 Desire tp protect his influence.
 Public parting planned.
 =, General national assembly.
 3. Local Environment of scene.
 Schechem, Ebal, Gerizim.
 Associations.
 4. Historic Resume.
 Discriminating analysis.
 Appeal and exhortation.
 s. The solemn covenant renewed. \ Oath and monumental reminder of
 the same.~
 THE TEAGxIER's LANTERN.
 Joshha's influence was phenominal. He held Israel to the Lords service while lie lived. and projected his con- trolling power upon the succeeding generation. We search thee sacred his tory in vain, from the exodus to the captivity, for another generation that was so wholly faithful to Jehovah.
 The secret of Joshua's influence was not so much in heroic deed or eloquent word as in his character. It was not so aof 10