The Green Forest tribune., 1913-06-20

| prophets and prophesied concerning l Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, about 790 B. c. His name means burden" and his prophecy re- l yeals a sore one. Though outwardly | prosperous, and victorious upon the battlefield, indeed Israel's golden age,' yet this prophet reveals that it was an age of lead as well, for he shows that associated with political and material prosperity was a gross moral corruption; even as was the case in the declining days of the Ro- man Empire and as was the state Of France just preceding the days of the French Revolution. This is certainly a lesson for our day. Blessed as we have been so abundantly. we need to pause and examine the framework of our political and moral life.
 Gods Proclamation.
 "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion" (verse D. What an indictment, and of how many can this be said in this present day. The state of Israel spoken of by Amos has come down through the ages. We must not of course, suppose that all were in that state, but rather the majority. Any one at all interested or familiar with present-day church life knows how few are concerned with the fundamen- tai work of the church, viz, seeking to save the lost. Not only our fndiffer. ence to those of heathenism but of our neighbors and companions. How much are we concerned with the groans and the cry of intemperance except per haps to shed few crocodile tears and straightWay forget? But God by the mouth of the prophet proclaims Woe We are not called to Tease" but to work, not alone to enjoy but to suffer. 2 Tim. 2:12 If we are to escape the woe we must bestir our selves and not be at ease. This of course refers to the war being Waged against evil aid not to any matter of our personal salvation, Phil. 46, R. V I Pet. 5:7. This is the ease of lndif- ference to Gods honor and the peril of men out of Christ.
 The prophet then points to the na- tiOns that bordered about (verse q and warns them that like as they had come and gone, risen to eminence and power and sunken to obscurity and de cay, so also will Israel unless it bestir itself. America is strong and proud but is just as weak as those that have gone before. We could not stand half-Slave and halffree," no more can we stand half-intoxicated and half sober. We may seek to put off the evil day (verse 8 but whatsoever we SOW that shall we also reap, Gal. 6:7 Israel relied upon the fortified noun tains round about, only to find later such support to be a broken reed, for the day of reckoning came (9:10). Sinners scoff at warning, hell is a myth, judgment and death long way off, ? Pet. 3:4. Governments put off the proper course of action for poIiti- cal reasons and the people perish. Witness intemperance in America opium (due to England's perfdty) in China, and slavery in Africa Can God be righteous God and overlook these things? Where there is no vision Knowledge of the need and the re- sources at our commando the people perish" e. g., throw off restraint R. ", Prov. 29:18. Lacking a vision, nations, families and individuals alike perish Rather than to face the issue (verse A we give ourselves to ease and to the enjoyments of the sensual na- ture. Because sentence against the evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil" Feel Sill; and so to the chant of music (verse 5 they drink bowls of wine (verse @ and anoint themselves with choice ointments but are not con- cerned about the af1iction of Joseph. e. g., the chosen ones of God.
 Display of Wealth.
 Here we have a terrific indictment. These people abounded in "superfiui- ties" (marg) suggesting something of the lavish display of wealth we are constantly beholding, each seeking to outvie the other, whereas God is call ing the Christian to life of simplic ity as the price of power. The intem perate way some professed Christians
 
 to attract attention by means of dress. as well as other forms of display, de. nfands that we pause and ask what will be the outcome, let alone the eff. feet upon the Kingdom. See I Peter 3:9, 4; I Tim. 2:9, 10; Luke SPA. 25: Matt. 16:24. They sing idle songs" (R. V. marg.) the songs suggesting impurity and the debasement of that noblest of arts is sad commentary upon the wantonness of Israel Music | finds it's highest expression and yields it's greatest influence when ascribed to the worship of God Eph. 51S, 19; | Jas 5:13.
 Therefore" (verse D. Back of every effect is an adequate cause" Back of the fall of Babylon was cor rupt court, back of the fall of Rome an enervated, morally emancipated | people; back of the fall of Jerusalem disobedient race who trespassed once too often. The prophet has stat ed his case and now speaking for Je- hovah he pronounces sentence. Though the judgment was not executed at once, we know that it was carried out and Israel is byword among the na- tions of antiquity It Is easy to look back and believe such prophecy as what greater condemnation we must be resting when we spurn, neglect or seek to evade those other prophecies