The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-04-09

III Joys and sorrows. still fated
separation started in tf1e face these
xad travellers, as Naomi proceeded on
her journey back to the land of her
fathers. And this testing time dig
closed the genuineness OF Ruths a.
efAchHaent and the hofiewBess of Or
pAf1's profession. Orpan Kissed. bur
Ruth cIave.
Points of Likeness.
Notice, first. the simiiaritiea which
Tor. o while concealed IL. One con-
xaaIing likeness VS. they sustained
the same nominal ~ ton to Naomi.
They were both dausnters-i n-law TO
+ her. They were both widows. There
WAS no closer blood or legal tie for
the one than for the other, The same
swociaI and civiI rite had made them
members OF her family. The husband
Bok each had nursed at Naomts breast
and called her mother. She had wept
Ut the death OF the one, and shed
no colder tears at the grave OF the
ether, The garb Or mourning she
Eara blended in its hiackness IA triple
Hrief. These two women came from
HifIerert homes to the same home ana
aadeF the same circumstances.
Another likeness was the similarity
OF general natural endowment one
may have been better looking than
the other. but they were both good
= hooking enough t. MARY. sf1d IT, 'ftttt~
~ brothers. Socially they appear 20
\ have behaved with equal propriety.
Though they were OF another ntN-
1lGa.aIity, they seem to have made
1 m equally good impression upon their
4 mUxher-in-law, The old folks seem
TO have been equally pleased with
each marriage. They do not seem 10
have had To run away to get married,
Il ~ IL nowhere here revealed that one
oNc<ilcG the other in native grace.
- far the light OF orpah is un-
6inamed by the torch of Ruth.
q. Another likeness by which the
sdtstincfion between them liz concealed
~ similarity of manifestations OF de-
xctf.n. To given point they ex-
shihd the same love and loyalty. When
thsy knew that Naomi was going thee
lid we will go with thee To thy peo-
spie. They both followed her TO the
border OF Moab. To given point
they made the same protest against
roturning, the same professions OF IL
deity. Each talked about the separa-
zion with sad heart Roth wept.
Both kissed In this far-away sociai
scene we have the printed illustration
sOf the difference in affirmed devotion
according as Il rests III the heart or
Heats Upon the surface.
So far they Were like the exodus
from Egypt--the Hebrews and the
naked multitude following with tbs
same enthusiasm and shout and bag
gage. To this point they were as
the tGn virgins. each group OF 1--WE
Rping out to meet the Bridegroom.
With the same general object in view
and with lamps ia the same outward
trim Thus far they are alike. Demas
and Luke both going with Paul 10
ia a Aeff alt in
until the prison gates swing closed
upon him To this point they appear
IN equal excellence. And 80 we sec
sAFerywnere. in society and in educa-
zion, In morals and in religions
Mlxeness underneath OF which there Is
81 gaping gulf of difference.
The Testing Time.
VI Note with me now the testing time
which disclosed this difference. IL
Wns AT the time and place where
s3eclxion Was forced. and could not DE
pOSfponed II was where things were
bnt1g separated and distinguished
& IN was on the border OF Moab and
s1nxmeh where one was clearly mark
- ed fFes4 the either. 'f'ne tines De-
tween the two peoples were clearly
defined. This point Of the journey
lhnparated Moabite customs and rites
Rnd social life and laws and gods from
The customs and laws and the God
I0f Israel. Many go together to the
&o4nf Of such "a separation. They will
xm1rch with Naomi 80 long as that is
met Incompatible with tho interests
ank Moab AS far as Orphan could
Al0aIng to Moab's interests she woula
4 20 hut when there was winnowing
$o1 these and OF these she must be
a~HRfpped, she broke down. Points
EHle this come In every life, where the
- IL clearly drawn, and lighter
|slN&h8s must be given up. or We turn
E6nrk from duty.
The testing time, when the worldly
the spiritual can no longer keep
pany, disclcses deep-seated difrsr-
- IN men
cAme at a time when one thing
k ~ sacrificed for another. Or
E9 relatiyee and rites and gods
~ given up or she sacrifices the
@I&3on OK Israel. She sacrificed Je-
0k for EHemosh. as Eve lost Eden
&hx apple. and the : Gadarenes
- II Tor their irvine. This IL world
NET nxtnx the world, but fol-
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