The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1911-04-07
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JEpHTHAH'S VOW.

Text, "And Jephthah vowed vow unto
Jehovah. "-Judg. XII, 80.
It's a thrillingly dramatic story this,
unrivaled in tragic power by anything
in human literature. This Jewish
hall of fame hero was an illegitimate
son, cursed for sin not his own. Like
many such, Jephthah develops rare dar'
ing and force of character. Crowded
out of his home, he becomes an out
law, yet patriot, loving the country
that did not love him. In a national
emergency, in the face of a great
enemy, they call the exile home. And
the outlaw of the desert shows him
self born leader, great soldier, skilled
! diplomat He's one of those coura-
geous men who in time of national
panic become popular heroes. Wars
gigantic gamble at best, with human
lives and national destinies as stakes.
There's an element of chance as well as
heavy battalions. Rain, muddy roads,
torrents sweeping away pontoons, up
set all calculations of strategy. Sol
diers become superstitious. Vows are
registered. Covenants made with the
Almighty. Jephthah makes one-that
which first crosses his door when he
comes home victorious shall be burnt
offering.
The warrior returns in triumph. A
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
womanhood to greet him. Horror,
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 proverb. What should
the stern warrior do? "HedgeT 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 A soldiers word is his honor.
She's a soldiers daughter. What's her
life more than another's as part of
price in great cause? This Jewish
Joan of Arc feels while life is pre-
cious truth is more so.
The Price 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. Antietam is the
hneY
till it's soil is wet with blood. The re-
ligious soldier deals staggering blows.
A Cromwell, a Gordon, a Robert e.
Lee, makes a 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 go back. even though his
heart breaks and his life is wrecked.
He's willing to buy his country's good
at terrible price. l know common
tators get nervous when they reach
this story. | know their explanations
and respect them. But how do we
know that the sacrifice was not &C
ceptable to God? If he demanded the
cross from Christ, why not broken
heart from Jephthah? OF John the
Baptist he asks death in the dungeon
at Machaerus. Of Paul martyrdom in
the Mamertine prison at 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. fagot
and arena were their part. Their
greatest attachments were made by
awful sacrifice. "In the world We
shall have tribulations." they are as
sured. l do not know but that the
defect in modern religion is that ii is
too cheap; that 1t asks no vows. no
sacrifice. We ask gifts of God and
give nothing in return. To go to a
luxurious church on a beautiful Sun
lay morning, when the sun is shining, |
dressed in our best, bow our heads to
be observed and admired of all, listen
10 trained choir and an eloquent
minister. drop our smallest coin on
he plate-this is called ''serviceF'
He that stitch in the heavens laughs.
4 true religion not only gives all, but
all Who knows but that =
Jephthah had his cropping
land on a great truth?
Pay Your Vows.
Ever make promises to God? Ger
ainly you have. When you were sick. /
bought you were going to die. you 9
God IL he would spare you !
'ou'd give time, money and service for :
i'm. Says Mr.. Richman. "If God pulls
ne through this time I'll give half my
ortune to him." He's better. Preacher
eminds him Of his vow. Then he
edges. "Halfl That's too much.
Iust make allowance for sick mans
aving." Fourth? Why, no man ever
ave that much" Fifth, tenth. hun
redth partr'-a different arithmetic
as to be used. I'm tell you. preacher; :
We a deal on now. II It comes out as n
hope I'll pony up" The deal" goes.
brilliant stroke. He made a small a
1rtune. The check comes-for $5l 4