The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1913-12-06
The Teachers Lantern.

Israel's invasion of Canaan must
have filled the native princess and
peoples with extreme dread. 1t was
no predatory incursion. 1t was no
aggression in quest of tribute. Three
million people were moving in bodi-
ly bag and baggage. Death or
Punishment was the dilemma which
the Canaanites faced. The justice
of this displacement of the Canaan
ties by the Israelites is challenged.
One passage of sacred record, how
ever, is like the flash of search
light on this problem. Cause of
the postponement of Israel's en-
trance to Canaan was affirmed to
be the fact that the iniquity of the
native tribes was not yet full. For
four centuries the sword was up
lifted, but the hand was stayed to
leave space for repentance. Iniqui-
ty was full at length Ii
centiousness, wanton drunkenness,
inhuman devotement of children to
the fire of Moloch. A race, retain
ing still the human face and form,
were devils incarnate, whose exter-
mination was a mercy to themselves
and surrounding nations, as well
as an expression of divine abhor-
renee. We get, as it were.a glimpse
through the curtain Of that Hand,
infinite and irresistible, wiping out
of existence one nation, and plant
ing another in its stead; not, how
ever, capriciously, but justly and
mercifully ,suspending its last move
for four centuries. That same Hand
still moves among earth's nations,
as the hand of the thoughtful chess
player above the board. The righte-
Gus nation is still exalted the wick
ed abased; and the hand of the
Lord hath done it. There was a
seven-day delay-a crucial test OF
Israel's faith, and a means of its
cultivation also. "He that believeth
shall not make haste" In that
they did not precipitately assault
the city, they showed their faith. 1t
was faith that brought the walls of
Jericho down This was better
generation than that which persisted
in the wilderness. This delay af-
forded a last opportunity for re-
pentance on the part of a perverse
generation. The candle was burn
ing in it's socket, but still burning.
In this, the eleventh hour of their
probation, repentance would have
brought salvation. To the victor
belong the spells. But Jehovah was
the Victor in. this instance. To the
Oriental mind there could be no
more emphatic evidence of this
than the complete deprivation of
the assaulting party of the rich
booty within the city. Israel is
solemnly warned that, If he follow
ed the hideous vices of the native
tribes, the land will vomit him out,
as it did them. Righteousness is
the only title by which they can
hold the land. lamar the Canaan
lite, Rahab of Jericho, Ruth the
Moabitess, and Bathsheba the Hit
tite are the four foreign women
whose names appear in the genoa
logy of the Messiah. What use
God can make of the heather and
outcast who give themselves up to
him in dutiful faith.
Young Peoples Devotional Service.
Psalm 1; 1-6.
The Ideal Christian-His Reward.
The true Christian is no legiti-
mate object of pity. His sacrifices
and losses are in appearance only.
He gives up what would harm him
to receive what will bless him. Their
is a perennial freshness and fruit
fulness in his life. The fact is,
he is rooted in the very River of
Life. His leaf cannot wither, and
he always has the capacity for. a
prod1gious harvest of moral deeds
which can bless others as well as