The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-03-25
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structure SO that I have frequently
seen miserable novels with stately
Greek and Roman columns built into
their walls. In Mesopotam1a, Few
days ago, I spent a night in village
which was remarkable for having d
great many fenced enclosures Tor cat
tie, and every single stone, in all these
rods of fence. had been dug up from
the Roman ruins which underlle the
village. That is what these old Jews
had been doing, and it is what many
person today is doing with his life
putting a noble inheritance to an igno-
BILE use. The Jews were the heirs OF
the greatest treasure ever delivered TO
mortalS-the truth of the oneness and
personality of God To transmit this
among the nations. Now behold them
trying to make themselves as like as
possible to their idolatrous ne1ghbors.
!sraePs capital was Samaria, now q
hill of ruins and one miserable village.
Judah, or the southern kingdom, re-
tanned the city of David for it's capital,
even as it retained his seed on the
throne. Jerusalem is still d world CAPT.
tai, even though its ancient glory has
departed. 1t ranks among the oldest
of the living cities, and beneath it's
heaps of debris lie many secrets and
treasures, that will one day be brought
to light. At present a company of
Englishmen are digging for the treas
lies vi OdN1Qs L WCuL 0OWU III OAAC Va
their shafts until 1 came to the wa
ter tunnel in the native rock which
was undoubtedly a remnant Of the
Jebusite city which antedated David S
time. The sons of Judah still throng
to the ancient city; but Israel is no
longer a people. In losing Jehovah, it
lost it's life. as we shall presently see,
in the course of these studies.
The Great Detection.
The separation between the north
ern and the southern kingdoms was
less important than their separation
from God. That is the great division.
Nations may honorably split, and both
achieve greatness; but no nation can
separate itself from Jenovah without
mourning disaster. That is the clear
and outstanding lesson Of the story
of Israel. The truth that is written
on the sacred page concerning Israel.
is written in the daily newspaper and
the contemporary magazines concern
ing the nations of today What are
the great and growing nations today?
Is it not true that the Great Britain
and the United States are the fore
most world powers, in real influence?
And are they not the nations which
are first in aggressive missionary
Christianity?
The story, SO rich in all the ele-
ments of the dramatic, shows that the
religion or irreligicn of a nation, as
of the local community, is largely de-
termined by a few outstanding person
alities. Like priest, like people" 1t
was the Jeroboams, the Ahabs and
the Jezebels that led the northern
kingdom astray; 1t was the Asas and
the Jenosnaphats and the Elijahs that
kept the southern kingdom true. The
person who has force of character is
under especial obligation to be loyal
to God. Likewise, considerations of
patriotism, as well as of religion. con-
strain all who possess qualities of lead
ership, to devote those talents to keep
ing the nations face turned toward
God
What Counts Most.
AS old fashioned as the Bible, and
as modern as this mornings newspa-
per, is the plain deduction from his
tory that it is only God who counts
Loyalty to Him is the supreme thing
"Only love is worth while,. says the
poets; but even human loves are Sec
ondary to this great allegiance. To be
true to God is the duty that runs be-
fore love, and makes the latter sacred
and abiding. Prosperity, that snare OF
many hearts, is no substitute for vital
piety To be counted among the So
ciaIly elect will not suffice. The evan
gelists who raise the modern cry, "Get
right with God" are, whether they
know it or not. uttering the profound
est wisdom. The drama of individual
lives enforces this philosophy; it lies
on the surface of history. All this
quarters study of old Jewish history
has been in vain if it has not taught
this supreme lesson.
What a boon it would be to the ma
ton, as well as to homes and individ
uaI lives, if only the youth of today
could see that making God their king
counts most of all. Let us be CRATE
full for the Sunday school, Christian
Endeavor, the Young Mems Christian
associations, and all other organiza-
lions and influences that are teaching
young people to put Him first of all.