The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-24

u
aziah, at least for the greater part OF
his reign, was his son, Uzziah. who
prepared his people for war, and pro-
noted the arts of peace. His spirit
of the public welfare was sound; but
his success made him vain He got to
thinking too highly of U'zziah. Like
plenty of Successful men today, he
thought himself big enough to regard
Religion and God patrorizingly. He
so far forgot himself as to attempt to
enter the Holy Place in the Temple
It is stirring to consider that spectacle,
when the brave priest so fearlessly re-
buked the king, and pronounced the
sentence of leprosy upon him.
After all, a prophet is bigger than
king. There is no position on earth
higher than being the messenger of the
Most High. so we turn tc a new char
at the seventh and eighth lessons.
Isaiah, the greatest of the Old Tesla
ment prophets. He illustrates the truth
that the man with a divine word is
king over all kings; a curious poem
by Rudyard Kipling, THE Last
Rhyme of True Thomas" carries the
same message. Isaiah felt himself un-
worthy for his great mission; what
truly great man ever did feel himself
equal to his greatest task A self
sufficient preacher from abroad went
to New York a few years ago, but he
has lately retired, confessing his fall
ure Though blaming it upon others)
and boasting to the end. 1t is the man
who feels that his lips are unclean,
and needing the purifying fire Of
coal from off Gods altar, who shakes
a nation to its center. So equipped,
Isaiah was able to recall his nation to
its peril, and to utter such majestic
strains of truth as had never before
come from mortal lips. The whole
world today studies Isaiah because he
greatly saw. and greatly uttered the
greatest truths.
An Early Peace Prophet.
The press of five continents is ring
ing with articles upon the subject of
international peace. That means that
they are now. after more than two
thousand years, coming ur to the level
of a humble Hebrew prophet VINO
tuned his Tyre to these majestic
strains amid the pleasant hills and
fields of Palestine. His utterances have
undoubtedly had part in the changed
mind of the world which the days
press echoes. There is an eternal con-
temporan eousnesS of truth, and it is
refreshing to see the modern prophets
coming up to the level OF those of the
Old Testament. The truth is that this
old Bible is the most up-to-date book
in all the realm of morals and ethics
and philosophy. The Sunday School
members are real progressives in
studying it. The tribute which the
London Times paid to IL on the occa-
sion of the Tercentenary CT the King
James Version was sympIomatic of the
best thought of the time. 1t IS signifi-
cant that in most of the modern utter
ances upon peace, we find the words
of this old Prophet Micah being
quoted.
Before there can be peace there
must be forgiveness That applies as
we'll to international politics as to the
A,I.-
fail if old grudges are to be cherished
in all their bitterness. A measure of
giving way, overlooking and forgive
ness will have to be practiced by the
nations ere universal peace can be as
sured. And that is the message of
the quarter dwelt-
Like King and Like People.
The history of any country shows
only a few really great kings. We
remember only a few outstanding
names in the long roll Of EngIand's
rulers. So with Israel and Judah But
Hezekiah is one of these. He had
kingly qualities, and we shall see more |
of him ere many days. But in this
connection he illustrates the vital truth |
that religion is necessary to national |
cohesion Revival precedes reform. |
To influence a people profoundly, it is |
necessary to go down to the springs of
life, which are religious. He summon |
ed his people-inviting also the North |
ern Kingdom-tO great Passover.
To return to God was to return to all
that was best in their own history and |
their own natures. There is no lofty |
ethical or philosophical exhortation |
current that has more Of truth and |
in it than the pungent |
revival motto, Get right with God"
The trouble with Israel was that |
both kings and people, in the main, |
had been at enmity with Jehovah. Led |
astray by JerOboam, who made !
Israel to sin," they sought to follow |
the popular fashions Of the nations
around them, instead of the peculiar
destiny prescribed by God, and so, in /
the last lesson of the quarter, we find |
them wiped out as a nation. Their |
candlestick was removed from among |
the nations. All the hopes and or
ganization and royal line had persisted. |
The cruel lot of captives of ruthless |
Assyria was theirs, alike for tender /
women and children, as well as for /
brave men. What a comm entary upon /
the proverb. There is a way that /
seemeth right unto man, but the end /
thereof are the ways of DEATH" To |
depart from God is to depart from life. /
THE NEW POWER IN OLD CHINA.
Terse Comments for June Is, missions /