Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-23

gave us Chat on Jonah that. I've heard read
and praised so often that am tempted 20 tell
you OF q talk / heard about Amos. The real
text OF the prophet was the fifth chapter aud
oath verse-Iudgment and righteousness.
Amos. Ike David. was shepherd. a dresser
Of sycamore a communer with nature and
fearless man OF God. Jerusalem but u
miles north Of Tekoa. and Bethel but p miles
away. Crowds Of people gathered near him
for the annual festivals and be had opportuni-
ties to talk with men OF every land as they
came 10 barter for Israeis products You re-
member that Israel. was not a Manufacturing
Now. we VIM take up the first chapter He
spoke these words. 1.-TWO years before the
earthquake" just as today many people date
experiences from some great calamity. the
civil war. perhaps. Notice that he wrote them
after the earthquake, else how would the tense
have been.
FIRST came the sermon against Damascus
For three transgressions yea for four that
means for innumerable transgressions. The
people OF Gllead had been used as cuelly as
possible. and Damascus was TO be destroyed Tor
their enmity 10 Israel. For the innumerable
transgresis0ns OF GAIA. especially because they
took Israel captive( GAIA was slave marketl
God was going 10 deal out retribution by sell
ing the people of Cana TO Edom. a larger slave
market Edom really means the southeast
and the people Of GAIA were 70 be scattered as
slaves. And thus Amos preached about the
sins OF, the neighbors and his listeners APP
plauded. most likely they said to each other.
Gle i fine preacher. we are glad he sees
these things" and they doubtless asked MIN
to eat with them. and made him presents.
But note the second chapter. Moab was ruled
nv judges appointed by Israel. The worst
thing that can be done 70 family. or nation.
IN the Past. II to destroy the bones. OF their
dead That IS insulting them vitality And
for their inuumerahle transgressions they were
to receive retributicn.
Now comes the part that we are interested in.
Judah knew better than the others, and were TO
be fudgrd for more than they. Our oppor-
tunities are taken into account and when IN
justice Is done hv those who have had opor-
tunities to do better God win not spare them.
Read the Second chapter OF Amos. from the
sixth verse The Israelites in power sold or
lAtrayed the righteous for silver and the POOR
for n pair Of shoes. They were LAND grab,
hers AMI evrn envied the poor man the dust
thnt settled on his head.
There was law that clothes taken in pawn
were Il he given back at sunset. These Israel
ties not only kent them. but wore them at the
very altar itself
The Amorites we're tan and strong Thee
were the people that frightened the children
81 Israel when thev went to spy out the land
Of Canaan yet God gave the Israelites their
country and heanei BLESSINGS them Their
sins we're innumersble and Tor that reason they
Then comes the pronhet's denuneiation 20
the women ~ Israel BaShan was shepherd
country and he used figure Of sneeeh they
cows. Wah INTO you wives who goad your
husbands n AL manner Of sins to give you
finer clothes. to put you in finer houses TO
let yon ouf-dress snd out-dO yOur neighbors.
You ten him 20 make money. No matter what
may Re the method. that your station demands
g. When cow Is sid IN some countries even
today. rone is put through ring IN her
nose. and when the calan1ities fall mon Israel
the women win ne led into captivitv-paiaees
here mean the nalaces NJ their captors where
they viii he made slaves.
Now note the fact that they given an
other rhaw~e. God never has punished anv one
without -'-'ne them smnle oOorturities to re-
nenf. - 49, fifth chapter and 14th verse he
ar-i- 49, ont the hand Of forgiveness.
7 ~@---. any farther. but Won can read
fhr book - Amos and aply IL II this 10th cen
turv. Don't apnlv II to your neighhor. but
verse bv verse see what can he improved IN
yonr own hearts. and when your preacher calls
attention ~ vour SHORTCOMINGS do not denOunce
him hut listen snd thank God that you have
an Amos among you.
SISTER MARGARET.