The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-02
International SundaySchool Lesson
November a. 1907.
THE CITIEs oE REFuGE
tunnHma0lH0BUI ulnmGua mlH llA
ourth Quarter. Lesson V. Joshua

THE CITIES OF REFUGE.
 The political constitution of the He- brew nation shines like radiant star through ages of dark oppression and injustice. It antedated as we'll as re- alizzed Plato's phantom republic. It was Utopia adapted to use. Its ju- risprudence. agrarisn. municipal, sani- tary. and criminal. is the wonder and admiration of minds versed in such matters. Under the easis Of It's civil code. the Hebrews were safe from the ruin which afterward befell the Greeks and Romans. A race ofclients, slaves, and paupers dependent upon rapa- cious oligarchy, was an impossibility under the laws which made estates in- alienable. and gave protection against usury. In place of such a shiftless population as disgraced and destroyed Rome, Palestine had a yeomanry freq and industrious.
 Our State Boards of Charities, and our laws for public sanitation and for the prevention of cruelty to animals. were antedated 5000 years by the poor laws and the statutes concerning dumb brutes, contagious diseases, etc. The Hebrew polity was both philanthropic and practical.
 The institution of the cities of refuge is remarkable evidence of this. This provision was a kindly safeguard against the abuses incident to the age old custom of blocd-avenging. It was in contrast rather than analogous to the right of asylum afterward insti- tuted in other countries. It sheltered the innocent only. It gave the right of trial before an impartial tribunal before the infection of penalty.
 The cities were chosen with refer ence to accessibility. They were dis tributed at equal distances from each other, and on both sides of the river. Like the New Jerusalem, with It's three gates on each side, nobody need make wide circuit to get in, as the refuge was near at hand. All roads leading to it were kept in good repair, and free of stones All streams were bridged; all crossroads Index fingered with the significant word, Refuge" Two young students of the law might run with the fugitive, to stop and par ley with the avenger, should be over take them, and deter him from strik- ing the death blow, If possible.
 Arriving at the refuge, the fugitive has preliminary examination in the gate, which is still the seat of justice in Oriental countries. He is afterward cited for more formal trial before the congregation. If found guilty of pre- meditated murder, he is legally con- signed to the elders of the city whence he came, who, in turn. deliver him to the ayenger, who waits for him at prescribed distance from the refuge city.
 If the homicide is proven accidental or without malice the unfortunate per- petrator of 1t is given residence within the city until the death of the high priest then in office. It Is at his own peril he ventures beyond the wall. This special of exile is the forfeit Of II. fcfr n "a refiige-city law extended to the Gen. ti1e stranger as we'll as to the native citizen.
 This statute of the refuge city, alto gether unique in the worlds jurisDru- dence is fin perfect alignment with the commandment, Thou shalt not Kill" 1t was designed to emphasize the value of human life. and thus conserve 1t. It put curb on revenge. The ven- detta could not thrive under it, 1t in- sured the punishment Of the guhty, the protection of the innocent.
 Like the Mosaic polity in general, this particular ordinance was humane. just, and practfeAk
 AnayIsis and Key. i. Superiority of Hebrew political con-
 stitution. 70
 A practical Utopia
 Realization of Plato's Republic 2. Israers polity philanthropic and
 practical.
 Charity boards. sanitation, preven-
 tion of cruelty antedated 5000 years. 3. Cities of refuge an illustration.
 Safegard against blood avenging. 4. The institution described in particu-
 lar.
 Defense of innocence. Accessibility,
 etc. 5. Type of atonement.
 Analogies traced.