Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-07-08

Bible testimony,
quoting tile same frequently. lie 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 ap.
piled 10 Literal Babylon. Hence II was
surmised that Mystic Babylon was
more particularly referred to than the
Literal II was noticed also that as
Israel and Judah went into captivity
10 Literal Babylon. so apparently the
Book If Revelation teaches that Spir-
itual Israel would have drastic expert
ences in a captivity to Mystic or Sym.
halic Babylon the Great. the Mother
Of Ilarlnts" Revelation xvii. -
Within the past fifty years. under
the bighting 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
narics And the Sunday School les
sons. under the guidance OF worldly
wisdom. have sought 10 avoid every
thing except the milk of the Word
dhc simple doctrines 10 avoid contro.
versies.
Only very recently Is true Bible study
being revived in conjunction with the
Bible Students Associa-
ton. a branch OF which / have the
honor 10 address today We may well
each other. dear friends.
that in Gods providence we have es-
capped the misunderstanding influence of
Higher Criticism and Evolution. We
may we'll congratulate ourselves also
IN the degree Of liberty we have at.
tanned in the study of Gods Word
freedom from the confusing creeds
manufactured for us in darker age
freedom from some of the rank super.
stitions aud false theories which. for a
time. fettered our reason and made
the Divine Plan 10 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
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
~ brass spanned ;hc river as a pro
lection against assaults Of an enemy
from that quarter. The name Of the
city was attached "a large area Of
country outside Of II. for which II
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
or the len tribes of Israel. and later
on Of the remaining two tribes or king
dom called Judah. The method Of
the Babylonians. ana through
their earthly interests 10 amalgamatc
them as part and parcel ~ Babylonia.
rhis condition ~ 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. were
revealing AZ banquet Although the
crisis came suddenly. the preparation
had been long in progress. The sol
diers ~ Cyrus. under his direction
had digged canal Of considcra BILE
depth ready 10 drain or the water Of
the river rs 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 81 the river
under the great brazen gates. on both
rides of the city. an open roadway.
through which marched the army Of
Cyrus Suddenly. M an unexpected
moment. the boastful city. the proud
Babylon. WAC captured
Then II was that Cyrus. the victo-
Iious general. gave the command which
granted liberty 70 every Israelite car
Iied captive thither. ia return 10 his
;swn land Additionally assistance was
rendered 20 all who desired TO return.
and the golden vessels pertaining to
the worship ~ God IN the temple were
sent back But strange 70 say. ont of
al The millions VIII" had constituted
Israel and judah before the captivity.