The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-10-19


The International Sunday school les
son for October 20, is THE Capture
of Jericho" Joshua s: $40.
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
The daily newspapers which woult
reform the land between issues are
scarcely aligned with the historical
method. Great deeds are done in 9
moment. A fair criticism of much OF
the contemporary agitation for re-
Jerichos have to be marched around
many times before they fall. II takes
time to do mighty deeds of righteous
ness. In patience the reformer must
Tip his soul If he would win the VIC
tor .@m he seeks.
The boastfuf, insolvent, Wanting
Jericho of graft, which today seems to
be topping, was not overcome by yes
terday's editorials or by last month S
speeches or the resolutions of last
years convention. There has been a
long. patient siege by the unhurried
forces of truth and justice. This is a
basic principle of success. Some
things only time can accomplish.
Therefore they work well who know
also how to wait.
Giving the Calender n Chance.
A. man had been in conflict with d
powerful but errfng ecclesiastical or
ganfzation. He failed to correct the
abuses which he had attacked and APP
to about his uncoucern over the out
come. he said, ct am in partnership
with the calendar. tried to fight a
good fight, and fair. Having done my
part, I can trust the calendar to do
the rest. The men who are at fault
are old men Grant them the long
est lease of life possible and they will
yet have gone within few years. /
shall have opportunity to write all
their obituaries. The principles stood
for are the prevailing principles; the
new men will carry such of them into
effect as the old men have not already
been forced to adopt So, am
serene: knowing that God will in his
own time-and he has plenty of time
-vindicate the truth
Giving the calendar a chance is
only another way of giving God
chance. They who champion Gods
hour. The counsel of the hymn,
BE calm in thy SOUL
is good for truths warriors. 1t is only
error which needs to be in mad haste;
the eternal years of God belong to
truth. His faith was rather frantic
keenly wrote a clergyman concerning
a speakers hysterical missionary adj
dress. 1t seems to be the divine pro-
gramme to bring down Jerichos by
the expenditure of time and self-re-
strained fidelity. The story of
Joshua's victory over the KEY city
Canaan comes OPPORTUNITY; men need
just now the lesson that truths bat
ties take time. Because yesterdays
election may have gone against re-
waves may ebb while the tide rises.
A Strange Siege.
p IT is hard for the man of the street
to realize the power of weapons that
are spiritual and not carnaI. The or
ganized liquor interests of the land
ra6
over the recent swift succession of
victories for prohibition The thing
seems Incredible; they spent the
money. they employed the lawyers
forces. Yet rout is the outcome. Not
being able to discern spiritual things
they do not take into account the
prayers of amounted women and men
The "pious talk of the preachers
they had regarded as negligible guam |
titles. Still, the fact remains that the |
walls of some of their Jerichos lie |
fiat
Pretty much the same state of |
mind must have been that of the peo- |
pie of Jericho who watched the ap-
proach Of Joshua's army. True, their /
hearts had been melted within them |
at the news of Gods wondrous deal |
prepared to fee from a frontal at |
tack. But this f1ummery scared no
body: a crowd of silent marchers,
: company of ceremonially-robed /
box borne by priests. more marching
men, and the whole encircling the |
city without letting loose a single ar
row or driving a solitary spear. The I
Canaanitish equivalent for fanatics
was doubtless heard in sneering tones
around many Jericho campfire that
night.
A different note was heard shortly. T
The grim silence Of those marchers,
by taunts and jeers and
stones ard filth must have got on the
nerves of the besieged. It was a uni
Versal truth which the psalmist ex-
pressed when he wrote, I'm quietness
and in confidence shall be your
pie saw the second champion wrest-
er of Japan defend his title against
! newcomer quiet, modest man.
The champion was plainly made anx-
Of the other. He was defeated in
mind before he came to grips with
mis- adversary-and then he was
thrown outside of the ring. He had
crowd try to rattle" the pitcher of
he opposing baseball team. If such
L colloquialism may be permitted in
his connection. the people of Jericho
we're BADLY rattled'' by Joshua's ex-
exhibition of confidence.
That absolute faith of the marchers
vas enough to shake anybody's
oravado.
A Cowardly City.
Some cities and neighborhoods and
Nations are VIGOROUSLY craven. They
lever assert themselves or defend
themselves; ever they fall a prey to
he strong. Its own history of defeat !;
ought against Jericho. just as a sense
f conquest fought with Joshua
seorge Adam Smith says concerning
'erichc:
Her people seem never to have
'een distinguished for bravery; and,