The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-03-21

THE FARMER 4
neirs or the greatest treasure ever de-
iiVered to mortals-fhe truth of the
n personality of God. To
transmit this teaching they were
caIled out from among the nations.
NO" pehoid them trying TO make
themselves as like as possible to their
idotatrous ~neirhbors. Israers capi-
tai was Samar-a- now q hill of ruins
and one miserable village. Judah, or
the Southern kingdom, retained the
city or David for its capital, even as it
retained his seed on the throne. Je-
rusalem is still a world capital. even
though its ancient glory has depart
ed. 1t among the oldest of the
living cities. and beneath it's heaps
of debris lie many secrets and treas
ures, that will one day be brought to
fshmen are digging for the treas
ures Of David. l went down in one of
their shafts until 1 came to the water
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 n 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 Jehovah without
mourning disaster. That is the clear
and outstanding lesson Of the story
of Israel. The truth hat is wr, item
ON h c0~HO0 ~ ~ AR Iarnn1
IS written in the daily newspaper and
the contemporary magazines concern
ing the nations Of today. What are
the great and growing nations today?
It is not true that Great Britain. and
the United States are the foremost
world-powers. in rea influence? And
are they not the nations which are
first in aggressive missionary Chris
tianity?
The story, so rich in all the ele-
ments of the dramatic. shows that
the religion or irreligion Of a nation,
as of the local community is largel'
determined by a few outstanding per-
sonalities- Like priest. like people"
It was the Jeroboams. the Ahabs n
the Jezebels that led the northern
kingdom astray; it was the Asas n
the Jehoshaphats n the Elijahs
hat kept the southern kingdom true
The person who has force Of char
,d1NSX IL d41oSk w
be loyal to God. Likewise. considera-
tons Of patriotism, Is we'll as Of re-
:igion, constrain all who possess
qualities Of leadership, to devore those
talents to keeping the nations face
turned toward God.
What COunts Most.
AS old-fashioned as the Bible. and
as modern as this mornings news
paper. 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" say the
| poets; but even human loves are Sec
I ondary to this great allegiance. To
| before love, and makes the latter
sacred and abiding. Prosperity, that
snare of many hearts, is no substitute
for vital piety. 70 be counted among
the socially elect will not suffice. The
evangel: SITS who raise the cry,
Get right with Cod are. whether
they know it or not, uttering the
Ip~rofoundest wisdom. The rama OF
individual lives enforces this philoso-
ply; it lies ON the surface Of his
tory. All this quarters study OF old
Jewish history has been in vain If 1t
has not taught this supreme lesson.
What a boon it would be to the ma
ton. as well as to homes and individ-
| ual 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-
tons and influences that are teaching
young people to put Him first OF
all.
What is not good for the swarm is
not good for the bee.-Marcus Aure-
Illus.
THE, brave MAJ caryes out his for
tune. and every man is the son of his
own workS.-CervanteS.
Then to sid with truth is noble, when
we share her Wretchcd crust.
ERE her cause bring fame and profit,
and it is prosperous to be just:
Then it is the brave man OOSe
~ LIZ 81 cfandr ac:do