The Topeka state journal., 1913-07-19

that he turned aside to see, God called
unto him out of the midst of the
BUSH" God rewards the seeking. To
preserve an open mind toward life is to
display the first quality of culture.
Friends of ex-Ambassador James
Bryce often remarked that despite the
fact that he has passed mans allotted
span of life, he is more zeStful in ac-
quiring information and new knowledge
than the youth just out of college. The
great are ever learning.
When Moses saw the bush afame
and heard the voice, he was bldden
to put off his shoes, which is the
East'S mark of respect. Keepers OF
the mosques of Turkey, and vergers
of Europe's cathedrals, could tell many
tales of the troubles they have with
these western travellers who do not
care to put off their shoes or remove
their hats. The sense of reverence is
not the strongest American character
istic We call our fathers the OLD
man." we have nicknames for all our
teachers; we caricature our public men,
and address our even casual acquaint-
ances by their first or last names
There is pertinecy in kipling's lines
to THE American:
He greets the embarrassed gods, nor
fears
To grasp the iron hand of fate
The Voice Out of the Fire.
1 once watched a man in the throes
of a political decision. The position
concerned was a minor one, but the
man wanted to do the polite thing
that would help his future. He was
torn between contending claims and
courses. His anxiety was pitable ana
Iudicrous. 1t would have been SO much
simpler and worthier to have tried to
do merely what was right. Duty's path
is oftenest straight and clear. Moses
on the mount of decision, when sum-
moned by the voice of the Creator, an
swered instantly, Here am L" HIS
reply was as natural and instructive as
the AYE Aye, Sir of the sailor.
The message that the wondering
ears of the shepherd prophet Listened
to was that God had heard and seen
the aff1iction of His people in Egypt.
"I know their sorrows, and am come
down to deliver them. Behold the
cry of the children of Israel is come
unto me: moreover L have seen the
oppression wherewith the Egyptians
oppress them" God is not needless OF
grind slowly''-but they never cease
to grind. For long generations the
prosecuted Christians of Macedonia
cried to Him for succor. In the full
ness of time He has answered them.
For ages children and women have
masters like unto Egypt, but Gods
ear has been open, and we are now
in the day of their deliverance.
To hold this faith is one thing: to
be willing to make it effective is quite
another. Many of us believe that in
justices should be remedied, politics
purified, and the church magnifed, but
we cannot quite see where the burden
is laid upon us. Gods commands are
Gods enablings." This month cele-
brates a hundred years of American
Baptist missions, frefghted with heroic
lives and messages, and it recalls the
famous motto of that earlier British
Baptist missionary, William Carey:
Attempt great things for God; expect
great things from God"
This was the message to Moses out
of the bush. At the moment he was
not ready for it, nor equal to it. He
had turned his eyes away from God
and was looking at Moses and at
Pharaoh. and no man who considers
only himself is qualified to do any
great work. We shall see that Moses
mistaken caution cost him a priceless
privilege.
The Great Debate.
The dialogue in the lesson story is
more than interesting Moses shrank
from the great task offered to him by
Jehovah of delivering the people from
their bondage. He interposed objection
after objection
"Who am I that L should go unto
Pharaoh and that I should bring forth
the Children of Isreal out of Egypt?'
Swiftly and sufficiently comes the
answer, Certainly I will be with thee
This is equipment enough.
Fearful that he had not adequate
credentials, Moses objects that the
people of Isreal will demand of him
concerning God. What is his name;
what shall I say unto them ?''
The mighty and mysterious, IT am
that am" was given as the sufficient
password. That was the covenant name
of Jehovah, and the faithful among the
Children of Iereal would count it suf-
fcient.
But. behold, they will not believe me
nor harken unto my voice; for they
will say. Jehovah hath not appeared
unto thee,'' objects Moses.
Patiently as a kindergarten teacher
with a stupid child, the Lord gave
shepherds rod in his hand became a
serpent. Then his hand thrust into his
bosom was leprous when withdrawn.
and restored when put into his bosom
again. 1t was promised that water
should become blood at his command
ooh. Lord, am not eloquent -"
for I am slow of speech and OF a slow
tongue" cried Moses.
There is favor of sharpness in the
rejoinder. 'TWho hath made mans
mouth I will be with thy mouth,
and teach thee what thou shalt
speak"
Still Moses with the apparent mod
esty which was fundamental egotism,
protested his unfltness. 1t is not self
assurance to step out on the promises |
of God for great service. Moses pro-
tested too much. Jehovah. in indigna-