Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-11-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
NIENTS FOR NOV. 10 BY THE
REV. 1. w. HENDERSON.
Subject: Joshua Renewing the Cove.
nant With Israel, Joshua 24:14-
28-Golden Text, Joshua 24-15
MavnOrv Vorses C2-34.

SUBJECT: Joshua ItoHoWlnS tho WV
nant With Israel, Joshua 24:14-
2s-Golden Text, Joshua 24-15
Memory Verses, 1924.
This Is one of the sublimest mo-
ments in the history of Israel. The
account which forms our lesson Is as
fine a piece of writing of its sort as
can be found. The situation Is he
roic. The simplicity of the language
of the record simply heightens It's
majesty. In a few words, and they
we'll chosen, mighty moment In the
national and religious life OF Israel Is
conserved to posterity.
Joshua has finished his work. The
call of eternity is sounding IN his
ears. He is about to ford another
Jordan, He feels that his labors are
not consummated until he has sealed
Israel by her own consent anew 10
God. Therefore he gathers the peo-
ple together. He relates the bless
ings of God to Israel. He pictures
the glories of fealty to Jehovah and
the woes of disobedience to His holy
will. He makes masterful, a NOV
ing speech. Pleading, lecturing, al
most insulting, he throws down the
challenge. Choose We this day."
Israel follows in the footsteps OF
her aged and inspired leader. The
fidelity of himself and his family and
his declaration of his steadfastness
In the service Of Almighty God
awake q responsive note IN the soul
of the nation. 1--WE will serve the
Lord"
CHOOSE ye this day whom We Will
serve" comes as clear call 10 the
world to-day. Never before mas
there been such prosperity. such rea-
son for giving God glory. This Is the
richest age that the world has known.
In spite of its sins, in spite OF Its
manifest Weaknesses, in spite OF the
sufferings of multitudes in every cor
ner of the world, this Is the finest
epoch in the history Of humanity. No
age has possessed so much. No age
has had a greater future. No age
has had so many reason to front to-
morrow with hope unquenchable.
The achievements, the opportuni.
ties, the future Of the age, however.
are the gift of God. And humanity
seems forgetful often of the fact. We
exalt wealth, we magnify men, we
serve sin, we trust self. AS though
wealth or men or we could have
done the work and accomplished the
results that are at hand without the
counsel and the cooperation OF AL
mighty God. AS though sin had done
it. But humanity should not be al
lowed to forget its indebtedness to
God. 1t should be called into His
presence even as was Israel by
Joshua. And humanity should be
compelled individually and collective
" to take stand, to decide for or
against. to affirm it's allegiance. For
we cannot serve two masters we
have TO business to talk about our
Indebtedness to God while we refuse
Him the service Of our souls and hug
idols to our hearts in secret.
The world to-day as Israel talks
about it's debt to the providence OF
God while it secretly yields homage
to idols And there can be no hypoc-
risy much worse than that. Israel
thanked God. but many Of her people
served the Egyptian deities and the
gods of the Amorites in secret. And
Joshua knew it. And so he brought
them right up to the point where
they would have to make declara-
ton for or against God. ANY intelli-
gent man knows that the conditions
are the same to-day inside and out
side of the church The world should
be compelled to take stand.
What is true of the world at large
Is equally true of America specifically.
We owe more to God than perhaps
any nation on the face of the earth.
u n
pie apparently have to glorify Him.
And we are not slow at certain sea-
sons to acknowledge our obligations.
We are forced to admit that God has
been good to this land aud that we
owe Him debt that we never can
repay. But while we hail His grace
we hug idols to our hearts.
We must make decision, we must
take a stand We cannot serve Him
while we hold our idols close. Wheth-
err the idols be money, or power. or
lust, or prize, We must abandon them
for God.
And we ought. For God Is worth
serving. His providence Is able. His
grace is sufficient for all. His coop.
GRAFTON will insure our future. Amer
lea cannot do much that shall be
memorable except He aid ner.
Neither can the world. There is no
force SO influential as the mind of
God. There is no service that is so
profitable as His. There Is no lead
ership so grateful to those who fol.
low as is the leadership of God. For
Jehovah is the supreme molder of the
iestinies of the world. The God and
Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ Is the supreme artificer Of this
worlds affairs. We cannot fool Him,
for His eyes penetrate. We cannot
deceive Him, He Is too wise. We
cannot balk His plans. For we are
mortal. We had best serve Him.
Not because it is policy to do so,
though it is, but because 1t is right.
Our happiness lies in our fealty to
God. Idols are a delusion.
Let us serve Him and hear His
voice to obey 1t. Let US incline our
ears toward Him. Let US not deny
Him overlordship In our lives. Let
US exalt Him, For IL we will eXalt
Him He will magnify US. And 1t will
be well for us here and hereafter.