Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-28

Thus the people reasoned, and
would not listen to the certain few
who strove to stem the popular wide.
open policy. And nct only did the
leaders among the liberals speak dis
paraglngly of these. but in various
ways they caused prosecutions to be
made upon them.
Now among those who had re-
NAMED true to the precepts and
teachings of Moses and Joshua
and opposed the popular movement
was Othniel who in the days of
Joshua had so bravely fought against
the strong cities of Canaan and had
overthrow by his own prowess Kir-
philosopher, and had thereby won
the beautiful Achsah as his wife. The
bitter enmity of those who were
leading Israel astray seemed TO
center upon him and he found IL ex.
pedient to withdraw from the midst
of Israel and to dwell in portion
of his Inheritance quite apart from
them.
When this had been accomplished
the false leaders congratulated them
|
drance to their undermining the ma
ton of Israel and making 1t like the
great nations about them. In order
to do this 1t was deemed necessary
to introduce some OF the social Gus
toms of the other nations, and this
led to inter-marriages and 1t was not
long before the strange gods of the
other nations had found their way
into the cities of the Israelites.
And why should they not?" asked
the liberals. do not these, our
neighbors, soiourn among us to buy
and sell, and why should we refuse
to let them have their gods to wor-
ship and serve, even as we worship
and serve our God?"
Then as they became familiar with
the more festive and elaborate serv
ice of the heather worship, they be-
gan to feel that the worship of their
God was too narrow and severe and
unattractive. And so 1t came to pass
that in time their worship was cor
rupted, until finally It was an easy
and natural step to share with their
heather associates and neighbors in
the festive worship Of the strange
gods.
More than once Othniel and the
few who had stood with him had
cried out against this thing, but
had met with such sharp rebuff and
ridicule, that with great sorrow of
heart they ceased further protest,
realizing that they must let the evil
run its course
And the evil was not long in bring
Ing it's penalty, for weakened by
their sinful indulgences, they we're
unable to withstand the demands of
the king of Mesopotamia, who, learn
ing of the richness of the country, de-
scended upon 1t and placed 1t under
.. tribute. Then was 1t that the bur-
dens of oppression rested heavily
! upon the land. The king demanded
; more and more and as the tribute
.. money was increased, the taskmas-
. ters multiplied to collect the same.
. For eight long bitter years did they
serve this powerful king, and they
found that the friends and associates
: from among the nations about them
wards them, but sought by many
ways to trouble them and rob them Of
: their sustenance.
. In these sore straits the people be
! gan to call upon the name of their
. God, and repented of their folly in
: going after the gods of the people
. about them and in following their
: customs.
, One day a group of men had gath.
cred and were bemoaning their I'M
happy condition.
"Ah, If we had only listened to
Othniel and the few who counseled
with him." exclaimed one. Where,
now, is our boosted prosperity?
Where now are the friends we made
among the nations about us? Where
now is the greatness and glory of
our nation? Gone! Gone! And
what hope is there for us? Where
shall we go for one to help us?"
At these words they all shook their
heads sorrowfully and were about to
separate, when one of them spoke up
and said:
Let us go to Othniel 1t may be
, that he will help u.s.
"But what can Othniel do against
this powerful king of Mesopotamia?
spoke up another, dejectedly
But nevertheless let us go anyway,
urged the other.
And even as they went the spirit
of the Lord came upon Othniel and
he went forth and met them in the
way, and when he had gathered TO
himself an army he went out and
made war upon the king of Mesopo-
tamia and the Lord delivered him
into Othniel's hand, and he judged
the land, and the nation had peace
, for 40 years, even during the life of
Othniel.