The Washington times., 1913-07-19
Christian, Enoeavor
Topic for Sunday February 1s13-Favorte Verses NE m
.@-~i .-,s - phetcal Books.-Hos. 14:1-9
BY RExFORD l. HOLMES, President of the District ca
tan Endeavor Union.

7 Perhaps the books of the Bible con-
earning which the average younS
I Christian knows the least are the So
called Prophetical Books OF the Old
iTestament- Those, however, who.
through years Of experience in the
Chrtstian life. have learned the hid
den beauties. the helpful passages.
and the undsriyine truths OF the sa-
cred Word. have learned to appseci-
ate ths literary beauty, the histoytc
interest. and the spiritual uplfft tha1
tcome from acareful study of the nil
nor sAd the major prophets
Nor are the messages and truths
ennnciatsd by the prophets of old ap-
pltcable only to q far by-gome age.
They apply TO the needs and hopes
and ambitions and fears and failures
and the joys and successes of our
modern civilization. The lameutations
Of Isaiah over the rebellion and ma
tions to repentance. with promises
and threatenings n his words OF wis
dom were NOT needed, his prophecy Of
destruction 20 the wicked, and prom
ise. OF grace to the believers, may be
held applicable to a sinful generation
rael OF old.
One almest wonders II the old prophet,
with far-seeing eye, had not cornpassed
/. IN his Tine of vision some of the In
habitants of our own fair hand when he
orsed: '.Ah. sinful nation. a people
chaaoren mat are corrupters: they have
forsaken the Lord. they ave provoked
| the Holy One Of Israel unto anger.
they are gone away backward" Qsa-
1:43 Then comes his promise Of for
gfveness On High. an earnest of better
things to come for those VINO. win turn
TO the Lord for strength: .
Judgment. relieve the oppressed. Judge
the fatherfess. plead for the widow.
Come now. and let US reason together,
saith the Lord: though your sims be as
scarlet. they shall be rs white al snow;
though they be red IKE crimson. they
shan be as wool" Nowhere IN the Old
Dispensation is there recorded more
forgiveness OF the Lord.
Jeremiah. too. sings sweet and strong
the song of redemption OF Israel: IF
thou wilt return. o Israel. saith the
Lord, return unto me: and n thou wilt
put away thine denominations out Of my
sight, then shalt thou NOT remove And
thou shalt swear. The Lord hveth. IN
truth, In Judgment and IN righteous
ness: and the nations shall bless them
selves In Him. and In Him shall they
glory" fJer W:1-2O
The prophet Ezekiel, vino pruphesied
nearly COO; ysars before Christ, again
pointed out to Israel the consequences
of persistent wrongdofng. In words that
may wen be needed by the sinners of
today. His words of cheer to the OPP
pressed but virtuous men OF his gem
eration sound even TO US now IKE Q
rallying cry Of q beloved leader in time
OF battle: And thou, son of man, be
not afraid of them. neither be afraid
Of their words. though briers and
thorns be with thee, and thou dost
dwell among scorpions; be not afraid
Of their words, nor be dismayed at their
words unto them. whether they win
hear or whether they viii forhear; for
they are most rebellious" Ezek., ii.sO.
Indeed. the battle against Sin and op-
preston Ia always waging. and Ezekiels
dier In nfe's battle.
The simplicity Of helprophet Daniel.
who, when surrounded by plenty and
luxury, would not give himself over to |
the eating Of high-priced but body-de- !
stroyfng foods. nor the drinking of ]
wines. but confined himself to modest I
and unassuming fare, is commendable |
to the young who would be strong OF
body and mind Daniel absolute faith |
in God and His power to save have
through an generations. and an example |
to Gcd's people for all time. Again. |
Daniels practice of constant prayer !
was a lesson to believers and doubters |
alike. 1t is stated Dan., WHO
His windows being open In his chamber |
toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his |,
knees three times a day and prayed |
and gave thanks before his God. as he |
did aforetime."
Danel proved. too. that God will guard |
and keep His own. for CDan- 6:lG \
e. . The king commanded. and they
brought Daniel. and cast him into the |
den Of lions. Now the king spake and |
said unto Daniel Thy God whom /
thou servest continually. he viii deliver
thee.Y Then the story goes on to tell \
how the den Of lions was closed and |
sealed and the king left for his palace. |
but came back early in the morning. |
land went in haste unto the den Of |