Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1911-03-23
SATURDAY. Y IN!G|lHT
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JEPHTHAH'S vow.

deHoNdH Juue. ~. ~
It's u thrillingly dramatic story this.
unrivaled in tragic power by anythin.
in human literature This Jewish
hall of fame hero was an illegitimate
son. cursed for Il sin not his own. Like
many such. Jephihah develops rare dar
ing and force of character. Crowded
out of his home. he becomes an out
law. yet a patriot. loving the countr!
that did not love him. In Il national
emergency. in the face of great
enemy. they call the exile home. And
the outlaw of the desert shows him
self Il born leader. great soldier. skilled
diplomat. He's one of those coura-
geouS men who in time of national
panic become popular heroes. Wars
Il gigantic gamble at best. with human
lives and nations! destinies as stakes
There's an element of chance as well ii
heavy baltaions. Rain. muddy ro;u>
torrent, sweeping away punluonN. VI
set az! calculations of strategy. 50
dirr' br One NurcrstitioES. Vows Hv'
re- iStrrnd. Covenants made with III
Almighty. Jephthah makes one-that
which first crosses his door when he
comes home victorious shall be n burnt
Offering.
The warrior returns in triumph. y
nation cheers Then back home to
his own hearthstone. But the vow
the almost forgotten vow. Out from
his door comes an exquisite piece of
nj
amazement. self reprOach, sit on his
face-it's his only child, his noble
minded daughter. the victim for his
triumph the bride of death. Oh. that
vow. Bad promises are better bro
ken" says the prOvcrb What should
the stern warrior do? "Hedge?" Lead
out an OK garlanded: And the girl
what of her: Should she rebel? God
of nations. send us such patriots. In
language heroic she bids him perform
his vow. \ soldiers word is his honor
She's a soldiers daughter. What's her
life more than another's as a part of
price in great cause? This Jewish
Joan Of Arc feels while life is pre-
cious truth is more so.
The rricc of Victory.
All great service demands sacrifice
Great souls seem to recognize that.
IF thou wilt drive Lee from the soil
of Pennsylvania will free the slaves.
vows the man of sorrow on his knees
at the White House. Antetam is the
answer. No great cause tlouriShes
till its soil is wet with blood. The re-
ligious soldier deals staggering blows
A Cromwell. Gordon. Robert F.
Lee. makes terrible antagonist. His
vow is with God His cause. Gods
cause. There's something awfully
splendid in the man who vows to God
and cannot 20 back. even though his
heart breaks and his life is wrecked
He's willing To buy his country's good
at Il terrible price | know common
tators get nervous when they reach
this story. know their explanations
and respect them. HUt how do we
know that the sacrifice was not az
ceptabe to God: If he demanded til"
cross from Christ. why not broken
heart from Jephthah! or John the
Baptist he asks death in the dungeon
at Machaerus. of Paul martyrdom in
the Mamertine prison ut Rome. Of the
Nazarene crucifiXion on Golgotha. OF
his saints he has demanded prison
torture. lives of Insult and physical
agony; the thumb screw. rack. faEot
and arena were their part. Their
greatest attainmpnts were made 10y
awful sacrifice. in the world We
shall have ordinations" they are as
sured | do not know but that the
defect in modern religion is that it is
too cheap: that il asks no vows. no
sacrifice We ask gifts of God and
give not hing in return. To go to
luxurious church on II beautiful Sun
day morning. when the sun is shining
dressed in our best. bow our heads to
be observed and admired of all. listen
to II trained choir and an eloquent
minister. drop our smallest coin on
the plate this is called service:
He that stitch in the heavens laughs
\ true religion not only gives all but
demands all Who knows but that
semibnrbarc Jrphthnh had his cropping
hand on II great truth?
Pay Your Vows.
Ever make promises to God? Ger
tainly you have When you were sick
thought you were going to die. you
promised God if he would spare you
you'd give time, money and service for
him Says Mr.. Richman. IF God pulls
me through this time III give half m,
fortune to him" He's better. Preacher
reminds him Of his VOW. Then he
hedges Half: That's too much.
Must make allowance for sick mans
raviug." "Fourth? Why. no man ever
gave that much Fifth. tenth. hun
dredth parl?'a different arithmetic
has to be used. IN tell you. preacher,
I've deal on now. If it comes out as
hope I'll pony up" The deal goes
Brilliant stroke, He made IA sinai
fortune The check comes-for 81
Shame Give God ungrudgingly your
costlieSt. Remember that sickhed
brother? Yes. you're better now,
cheeks rosy eyes hri=ht. limbs are
strong But, say how about that VOW
"Oh I'm going To come to church be
fore long. Sure. Think I'm not a MAN
of my word" But the vows never