The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-06

1,ha International Sunday School Les
son for December II: tine Eau u
Jericho" Josh. 5, g.
(RY WILLIAM. T. ELLIs)
Down in Atlanta the modern host
OF Joshua went up against the citaoei
Of the legalized social evil. ana began
TO march about 1t daily. blowing rams
horns-or what was the modern eQuiva-
lent thereof daily newspaper aoveruse-
ments. At first Jericho jeered. Then
II mistrusted. Then 1t feared. Tnen
the citadel collapsed. The Old Tesla
ment story was repeated once more.
In truth the fall Of Jericho II
word picture OF human e1pefience
which il every day illustrated. This
"A the victory . even your faith.
The conquests of confidence are q
daily occurrence in business. as well
n in religion. 1t is an eternal law
that Jerichos fall before the trumpets
Of faith According to your faith be
II unto you" One reason more c1ta-
dels of sin do not fall Is because
Christians 81. covering and complain
ing in their tents, making fears
futile plans, instead of marching forth
to a confident assault, remembering
that 1.-THE righteous are bold as a lion;'
and that the promise is that one man
shall chase a thousand. Let us go to
Jericho and learn a lesson In the art
Of spiritual warfare.
A Fresh start in the New Land.
There was nothing rash about the
siege. The Israelites viewed the sttua-
ton with elaboration. They sent forth
their spies They took all precautions.
They made sure Of their orders. Be-
cause they had made ready. they did
not get panicky. 1t is the unprepared
who go to pieces in an emergency.
The end of one stage OF their ma
terial life had ceased. Jordan had
been crossed. The mama had ceased.
New responsibilities had come upon
them. Having become men they put
away childish dependence. Henceforth
they must maintain themselves by the
fruit of the land-which included Jert-
cho! The person who wants the privi-
leges Of manhood. with none Of its re-
sponsibilities and tasks, has really
never grown up.
This new era was begun with a re-
hgious ceremony. even as many newly
married folk set up their home with
a little service of dedication. Wise
are they who fare forth to great SER
vice with an act of dedication. III
thou goest not up with me. carry me
not up hence The altar of worship
and service should be at the beginning
and the center of every life and home.
More Jerichos would fall If there were
a better recognition of the part Of God
in their overthrow.
The Citadel First.
All Canaans have their Jerichos,
which must be overcome before we
can enter into possession. The land
OF milk and honey lies on the other
side Of the conquered fortress. The
pilgrim must pass the lions before he
comes to the Celestial City. Difficult
ties. test our fitness. Life is but a
task on which to try the souls sword.
The new generation. of youth who
covet easy money" who want the
worlds rewards but decline to pay its
dues. are in perilous case.
The program for the conquest of
Jericho, as laid down by Jehovah. was
almost absurdly simple. For the host
OF Israel, led by the ark and the
priests, were to march once a day
around the citadel for six days, and
seven times on the seventh day. They
were to go in silence, giving no heed to
the taunts of the warriors lining the
wallis. They were not to boast or to
shake their weapons in defiance.
Taunt was not to be answered with
taunt, jeer with jeer. A new fashion
was introduced into warfare. This
PAOCCSSAOh WAS I1OIc Ike a Ie1KlOuS
ceremony than a military siege. That
was the Planners idea; the glory
should go to God, and not a mans
proves. The priests led off in the
steady march of the disciplined Israel
ties. The ark was first. The symbol
OF Jehovah was given precedence.
The Silence of Strength.
Can any one wonder that the thing
got on Jericho's nerves? The silence
OF the marchers was more terrifying
than the familiar shouting of warriors
Already the fame Of Jehovah's deal
fngs with Israel had turned the hearts
of the heather to water. Now this as
faith. I'm quietness and confidence
shall be your strength" The event
recalls the apostolic word, BE ambi-
tious to be quiet" Which Carlyle puts
into thunderous Injunction. "A little
more silent, please"
That last day in the camp Of Israel
appeals to the imagination. Every
body was keyed up to the highest
pitch. There was little sleep for any
body. Happily. the order for the day
required an early start for that seven
fold march around the city-no small
task, being journey of twenty OF
thirty miles.
It was toward evening when a lone
blast on the rams horns sounded. and
Joshua gave the expected word
'.Shout! for Jehovah hath given you
the city" What is that? Shout while
the walls are still up? God hath
given you the city," though there II
still stands in insolent defiance? Yes
Just SO. That is victory by anticipa.
ton. This is the victory that over
cometh the world. even your faith.''
When the Walls Went Down.
Read the thrilling, dramatic mar.
rative: $50 the people shouted, and
the priests blew the trumpets;
the people shouted with a great shout
and the wall fell down fiat" Yes, II
fell flat: God always does a complete
task. 1t was not merely a preached
wall but crumpled up and collapsed
thing that the Israelites could wall
over. 4;0k FE
Here enter the wise modernists who
talk about "ether vibrations" and
point to the wireless telegraph as pos