The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-01-06
gaturday DIGIT
TG9Ikc By Rev. F. E. DAWSON
OuatNS Rutland, w.
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A POLITICIANS GOLDEN CALVES.
international Bible Lesson for Jan.
8, 11-U. Kings 12:25-33).

~ We 'Nin9S IL EO-ooJs
Jeroboam is an early example OF
q tricky politician.
Having been suddenly and unex-
pectedly lifted to the throne of the
Kingdom of Israel, his first idea was
to concoct some plan to keep his
people from going up to the Holy
City to worship.
So he got up a little religious
scheme of his own. He had construct
ed two golden calves, and set them
up at opposite extremities of his
kingdom, and called the people to
worship at these new affairs. He in
stituted a new priesthood, and with
sacrifices and spectacular services
sought to run an opposition religion
to that at Jerusalem.
People Easily Humbugged.
He was eminently successful. Peo-
pie are easily humbugged, and prone
to run after new things. They be-
gan to worship at the shrines of the
golden calves. and not having any
true teachers, they soon went much
farther than the King intended, and
before he realized 1t had nation Of
idolators on his hands.
So easily do nations and men de-
generate when they get started ON
downward career. Jeroboam had
opened the flood gates and he could
not close them. He had sown the
wind, and he must needs reap the
whirlwind.
Jeroboam was a worker Of mis-
chief in his own day, and he cast a
baleful shadow down the ages. His
influence, direct and indirect was
bad. A sinner himself, he made q
whole nation to sin. The indictment
which the Scriptures make out
against the first king of the north
ern kingdom after the division, an
indictment no less than a score of
son of Nebat who also made Israel to
SIM" The making Israel to sin is
the crime which brands the man and
makes him infamous. The extent OF
Jeroboam's sin is seen in these par
ticulars. New places, new temples
and altars, new times of worship.
new ministers of religion, visible
symbols of jehovah every item in
opposition to the word of God, and
every method with the direct and
settled purpose to wean the people
away from their ancient manners,
customs and pious observances. The
religion which he established was a
wretched caricature of the religion
of their fathers. 1t was a politi-
clans move, denounced of God and
disastrous to the nation. 1t debauch-
ed kingdom, and resulted ultimate
ly in Israels destruction.
There is something peculiarly se-
ductive about idolatry. Once in the
grasp of false religion the victim
seems bound to go on. The kingdom
of Israel lasted for $50 years, and
their idolatry stack to them till the
ten tribes were carried away into
captivity to be lost forever from the
map Of the world. And it all came
about by yielding to politician.
Degeneration Gradual.
This is a gradual process with all
of us. The Arabs have fable that
once a camel came to the door of a
tent and thrust in his nose; not being
resisted, he thrust in his feet; there
being no hindrance, he came half
way in; after While he got all the
way in. Then the Arab said to the
camel, "This tent is not large enough
for two" IF that is so," said the
camel to the Arab, you had better
leave" So this idolatrous spirit
comes into the heart a little at q
time, until it takes full possession.
So it is with the whole catalogue of
ruinous things. The people who go
into them at first do so unwittingly.
They never meant to go so far in the
path. They felt sure they could rein
in the fiery steeds of passion before
they struck such pace. When they
mounted the chariot of evil they only
intended to drive down the course
a little way and then return. They
once had as fair cheeks and manly
brows and stout hearts as any one.
They stepped very gradually aside.
They read French novels. They
looked at bad lectures. They went
into communicating associations. Out
of curiosity only they took short ex-
cursions into the path of evil. And
they were caught in snares that had
captured stronger men than they.
Come I'M" says the gray spider
to the house-fy; Il have entertained
a great many flies. l have plenty OF
room, fine meals and a gay life
Walk over this suspension bridge.
Give me your hand. These walls
are covered with silk, and the tapes
try is homemade" The house-ay
walks mincingly in. She feels hon.
ored to be the guest of such a big
bug. Suddenly she espies broken
wing, and a fragment of foot, and
she starts to rush back. But the
drawbridge is up, and the gate is
locked. "IIa, hal" says the spider.
81 only contracted to bring you in.
cannot afford to let you out. Take a
drop of this poison; it will quiet your
nerves" And another house-fy is