Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1911-07-04

quoting the same frequently. He said
In part
For centuries Bible Students have
observed that many of the strong ex-
pressions of the Old Testament re-
specting Babylon found their parallels
In the New Testament, used in respect
to Mystic Babylon. Many of these
statements of the Old Testament seem
far too vivid and too strong to be APP
piled to Literal Babylon. Hence 1t was
surmised that Mystic Babylon was
more particularly referred to than the
Literal. 1t was noticed also that as
Israel and judah went into captivity
to Literal Babylon, so apparently the
Book Of Revelation teaches that Spir-
1tual Israel would have drastic expert
ences in a captivity to Mystic or Sym
bolic Babylon the Great, the Mother
of Harlots" Revelation xvii, 81.
Within the past fifty years, under
the blighting influence of the Evolu-
ton theory and the destructive Higher
Criticism of the Bible, these parallels
have been lost sight of. Indeed, aside
from international Sunday School les
sons, Bible study has been very large
ly neglected, even in theological semi
naries. And the Sunday School les
sons, under the guidance of worldly
wisdom, have sought to avoid every
thing except the milk Of the Word
(the simple doctrines) to avoid contro-
versies.
Only very recently Is true Bible study
being revived in conjunction with the
international Bible Students Associa-
ton, q branch of which 1 have the
honor to address today. We may well
congratulate each other, dear friends,
that In Gods providence we have es-
capped the misunderstanding influence of
Higher Criticism and Evolution. We
may well congratulate ourselves also
on the degree Of liberty we have at
tanned In the study Of Gods Word
freedom from the confusing creeds
manufactured for us in a darker age
freedom from some OF the rank super
Etitions and false theories which, for a
time. fectered our reason and made
the Divine Plan to appear ignoble-un-
worthy of just and loving man, much
more of an All-Wise, Just and Loving
Creator.
Great Babylon of old.
Briefly we remind you that ancient
Babylon was built on the river Eu-
pirates; that she had impregnable
walls; that the river ran through the
midst of the city, and the great gates
of brass spanned the river as a pro-
lection against assaults of an enemy
from that quarter. The name of the
city was attached to q large area Of
country outside of it,. for which 1T
served as the capital. Indeed, at its
zenith Babylon was mistress of the
then civilized world-the first Uni
versal Empire.
We remind you of the captivity, first
of the ten tribes of Israel, and later
on of the remaining two tribes or king
dom called Judah. The method OF
Babylon was to scatter the 1Sraelites
amongst the Babylonians, and through
their earthly interests to amalgamate
them as part and parcel of Babylonia.
This condition of things lasted until
the fall of Babylon before its con-
Queror, Cyrus.
The General gained his victory in a
remarkable manner, while the Baby
lonians, assured of their security, We're
revealing at a banquet. Although the
crisis came suddenly, the preparation
had been long in progress. The sol
diers of Cyrus, under his direction.
had digged a canal of considerable
depth ready to drain Off the water or
the river as soon as the necessary con-
nection was made. When the canal
was In readiness the connection with
the river was speedily made and the
water flowed rapidly into the new
channel, leaving the bed of the river
under the great brazen gates, on both
sides of the city, an open roadway,
through which marched the army or
Cyrus. Suddenly, at an unexpected
moment, the boastful city, the proud
Babylon, was captured.
Then 1t was that Cyrus. the victoA
rious general, gave the command which
granted liberty TO every Israelite car
ried captive thither, to return TO his
own land. Additionally, assistance was
rendered TO all who desired to return.
and the golden vessels pertaining 10
the worship Of God in the temple were
sent back. But strange - say, out or
all the millions VINO had constituted
Israel and Judah before the captivity,