Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-04-19
In The Religious World;
CREv1Ew OF SUNDAY SCHOOL LEssoN)

lclear up the social problems Of oul
time is for men to get on true terms
: with God. The only abiding basis
: for the solution of our days teemins
iperplexities is this. New legislation
may do much, but only a sense OF
mans obligation to God will hold
men true to those ideals by which
: alone society can be kept pure and
} strong and SAFE
i This is the meaning Of Jacobs
crisis. His night of wrestling at
Jabbok Is dramatic rendering OF
the old lesson of getting right with
j GOD. Jacob was torn by conflicting
He had reach the limit. Messen-
on his wronged brother Esau was
approaching with a force of four
hundred men. How could recon
citation be effected? The self-ex-
animation that ensued brought Jacob
! face to face with God.
A Crafty Mans Education.
That night of wrestling, one of
the most memorable incidents in the
bible, transformed Jacobs character.
He chung to the heavenly visitant,
entreating a blessing. When he
ceased to struggle, and yielded him
self to the angel, in token Of sur
render of his proud and selfish will,
he was given the coveted blessing.
| The new man won new name. Old
Jacob was slain that night, and In
his body arose new prince whose
name was called Israel.
There is one education which
comes from books, and there is a
higher education which grows out
of great spiritual experience. The
civil war was school of manhood
for myriads of American boys. In
the experience of a great love many
man comes to his height. Conver-
sion often does for PERSONS charac-
ter what the schools have failed to
do. Jacob failed to benefit by the
education of home and business. His
real diploma was won at Jabbok.
The lesson of life, which interprets
all other lessons, is that in submit
ting to God and in dependence upon
him victory is won.
The Guile Of the East.
We blunt and direct occidentals
find difficulties in this story of the
meeting Of Jacob and Esau. We
rather revolt from the sychophancy
and guile of it all. That Jacob should
fear the man whom he had wronged
we clearly understand; it is easier
to forgive the man who has wronged
us than the one to whom we have
done an injury. Yet, somehow, we
cannot understand Jacobs way of
going about reconciliation.
Be it remembered that the whole
episode was oriental. The elaborate
gifts to placate Esau, the seven-fold
prostrations, the fowery compli-
ments, all can be paralleled today
almost anywhere in Asia. Even I'M
my limited experience in the Orient,
I have known servant seeking
mercy to fling himself on his face
and clasp my feet. Again and again
Chinese have knocked their heads on
the grounds before me. An Indian
Mohammedan, seeking help to get to
Mecca, bowed low and kissed the
hem of my overcoat. The ways Of the
east have endured for milleniums,
and Jacob was but following the rec
cgnized usage of his land and time
Wueu ue SOuSuI ldSOI Wy 6AbS @Au
by humility.
Winning Over An Enemy.
Jacob sent rich presents to meet
his brother, dividing them into five
installments, each better than the
one that had gone before. The cumu-
lative effect of this upon Esau's mind
needs no psychologist for it's explain
alton. Then Jacob divided his COM
pany and his possessions into two
parties, with his favorite wife and
son in the most protected place.
When finally he came up with Esau,
and had Frustrated himself seven
times before his brother, he pressed
upon him the gifts. The incident IL
Illustrates the masters word, Make
to yourself friends by means of the
mammon of uprighteousness."
True to his younger nature, Esau
the impulsive, the needless, the gen.
erous, readily forgave his brother.
He could be wheedled out of his
vengeance as easily as he had been
wheedled out of his birthright. The
two were reconciled. Jacobs dan
ger was safely past. He was at
peace to settle in the home of his
fathers, in the land Of promise.
Thapooforth we 600 No more 0f the