The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-08-02
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIs.)

=
one of the most interesting stories
(BY WILLIAM 7. ELLIS)
in the Bible. and one which is fastened
in the memory from childhood days Is
the narrative of the ten plaques OF
Egypt. These were the weapons USED
by Jehovah in the great contest with
Pharaoh for the deliverance of the
Childred of Israel from bondage The
story is replete with dramatic incident
1t has all the thrill which a great con-
test ever eXciteS, and then II has the
multitude of absorbing accessories,
such as the shepherds rod when IN
Aaron's hand became serpent; the
clever efforts of the Egyptian magl-
clans to match the miracles, the re-
peated interviews between the Prince
Shepherd Enancipator, and Pharaon'
with mutual defiances; and then the
nature of the plaques themselves
We do not have to take Pharaoh at
his own valuation, as We Ilho me-
might vauntingly set forth on the
monuments, to understand that ne
was one of the two lords of the world
in his time He was an absolute des-
not. with power of life and death over
every man and woman in a large sec
ton of the known world. He was
worshipped as God by his people. 10
him Jehovah was but as one OF trlDal
gods of the heather; the tutelar delty
of these despised Hebrews In such
a contest Pharaoh thought that the
odds were all with the builders of the
pyramids and of the great temples
The story is crowded with messages
for EVERYDAY life, for the struggle be-
tween God and the proud human soul
is written in the book of the heart OF
many a man and woman who VIII READ !
these words.
The Covenant That Counts. !
The modern school of fiction writ
ing pIunges into the middle OF Things
with the first sentence of the opening
chapter. The older way, Whlcn Is
u-I,.ar hET
We are introduced to this spectac ular
duel between deity and earthly king, |
by reminders of JehoVahs anclehI
covenant We find Abraham and /
transactions with the Infinite are
factor in the great struggle IN Egypt
God recalled to Moses the covenant
that he had made with the patrlarcns-
He takes very seriously his agree
ments with man. DE- eS one say that
the covenant had been rendered m
valid because the party of the seconq
part had broken it? Not SO; dou
keeps faith. IF we are faithless. he
abideth faithful; for He cannot deny
Himself
one of the changeless things of
time and eternity is the spoken WORD
of Cod Into this compact mortal may
enter The ant-keeplng char-
acter of Jehovah is the comfort OF
Gren to him: and it is the support oI
all who have pledged their lives to
God in the great transaction Whlch -
the mountain peak OF human eAPeI ~
This conflict in old Pharaoh's court, we
can read in clear and shining letters
the eternal truth that JehoVah Is
God
The Patience of the Strong
Whether We view history in the
large or study some detailed incident
like this of the plaques. we are SlTen
cause to marvel at the patience of the
Consider what COO mas !
borne at the hands of men. Behold ,
how He has waited through the cell ;
turtles in benign patience. Well could :
the Psalmist cry that Jehovah Is /
slow to anger and plenteous in mercy $
His course with Paraoh is His course {
throughout life. eHe gave this proud I
potentate one warning after another,
opportunity for repentance succeeding
He would have been justified in j
overwhelming Egypt with one swift, |
smashing blow; but. He hath not
dealt with us after our sins. nor re '
warded us according to our iniquities
Watching this duel we perceive the {
homely and yet lofty lesson that
proof of strength is patience. The wise
know how to wait; the strong are TIE
sIowest to use their strength. 1t is the
weak who are the impatient and the
excitable. Children want everything
done on the instant. The mature know
that lin your patience ye shall VIII
your solus.' This quality is an at
tribute of the infinite; and it should
mark all who share His life.
The Side With the Big Guns. ,
Napoleon once cynically remarked !
that he noticed that heaven was US
ually on the side OF the heaviest bat
talions That was not true in Napol-
cons case, nor has it been true in the ,
long reach of human life. 1t is clear. ,
however. that the invincible forces ere !
on the side of heaven. While we watch !
welding great natural vista 8
tons as swordsman wields his !
weapon We remember the resources of ,
God. He has many arrows in His qUiv- 7
er Luther's song is true "A mighty I
fortress is our God" Peer closely cato '
life. and read on every page, the Lord I
God Omnipotent reigneth.'
We miss the meaning of this great {
conflict unless we perceive that God {
is arrayed against wrong. injustice, ]
tyranny, greed. cruelty, all have to l
contend with heaven. This is the firm
upon which every worker
for truth and for man plants his feet |
Except Jehovah keep the city. the ]
Waterman waketh but in vain God
makes common cause with the wro1ged
and the suffering everywhere Phar- .
aoh was not fighting a hundred thou- :
of the universe.
This is the explanation for the great =
moral victories that stand faile- I
stones down the centuries, clustering {
thick in our own day. 1t was but a I
few weeks ago that the Congo Reform t
association official disbanded, its york {
accomplished Societies for the aboli- :
ton of slavery have no longer any
mission. The foot-binding society {
formed by foreigners in China has gone
out of exietence. counting itself no
longer needed. The Anti-Opium League I
has its great victories. TEN a
perance has made such strides that we I