The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-09-11

wall. In return for her kindness, they
promised to save her and her house
hold alive when the city should be
destroyed. on condition that she bind
a line of scarlet thread in her win
dow. This story, found in Joshua q
and 6, furnishes many helpful lessons.
Fear as the Beginning of Love-
The woman told the spies how the
terror of Israel had fallen upon her
countrymen, because of what Jehovah
had done at the Red Sea and In the
wilderness. Many have fled to Christ
because led to fear the wrath Of God.
There is something in God to be
feared, much as this age forgets It;
God who is not indignant against
wickedness is not worthy OF wor-
ship. Christ did not show his love by
excusing sin, but by bearing 1t In his
own body to the cross. Men like
Finney and Spurgeon and Moody. who
have led multitudes to love God, have
warned them to fee from the wrath
to come. Fear may properly be tha
beginning of love.
no FOSStpiiittSS W StaSSs
This woman was a sinner. Yet her
faith is praised in Hebrews IL, her
works in James 2 and-most wonder
full Of all-she became an ancestress
of Christ. Let none despair in the
presence of the grace of God which
bringeth salvation! The impure, the
drunken, the slave Of drugs, the mur
derer. the avaricious-all and any
may find deliverance in Christ. When
at last the New Jerusalem comes
down, adorned as bride, among the
names shining in the foundation Will
be that of Matthew. once a publican!
The Scarlet Thread.
It doubtless reminded of the Pass
over and the sprinkling of blood. 1t
speaks to us of the way of redemp-
ton through the blood of Christ. He
hath made him to be sin for US. who
knew no sin"-how horrible, how
blessed! We need some great thing
to assure our condemning hearts that
a lust God may deal graciously with
us sinners, but Calvary is sufficient
The most despairing may fully trust
In the blood of Jesus Christ whcn
cleanseth from all sin.
Tho Works of Faith.
James writes (2:25). WAS not
Rahab the harlot justified by works,
when she had received the messen-
gers, and had sent them out another
way?" Some have thought this state
ment contradictory of Paul's teaching
of justification by faith; but while
Paul is giving the inward principle
James writes of the outward develop
ment of it. Saved by faith alone.
but not by faith which is alone says
Chalmers. Faith If it have not works
is dead" writes James. Our faith as
to spiritual things should affect all
our lives, even-as Rowland hill
quantity said-the treatment OF the
dog in our home.
Rahab's faith manifested itself, also.
In her concern for the safety OF her
household. Such concern for the
salvation of others is prime marx
of salvation. Do you find this marx
I'm yourself Christian reader?
True, her faith was weak, and It's
weakness was exhibited in the false
hood told to the king of Jericho. Yet
we should not forget how patient Goa
must needs be with the best OF his
servants: Abraham's lying is recorded
and Peters denial. We are not to
continue in sin that grace may
abound but we will need to remem-
her to the end that "to him that work
eth not, but belieyeth on him that
iustifieth the ungodly, his faith is
counted for righteousness" (Romans
i:6)
The DeIiverance Effected.
Some see in Jericho a type OF this
world. under doom from God; 1t was
near Jordan, "the river of death" 1t
ia true that Jericho means sweet
SAVIOR" although a curse was on 1t ana
it WAS an offense unto God; SO men
sneak of this doomed world. But as
destruction came to Jericho at the
"t;n,e of harvest" so 1t will come to
the world at "the end of the age
We read, Joshua saved Rahab the
harlot alive, and her fathers house
hold. and all that she had; happy
will those be, in the "day Of wrath.
who are delivered by greater Joshua.
This sinful woman was saved by
relying on the scarlet thread. be-
cause of the word of the spies. But
let the unsaved now hear this prom
tse of Christ: Verify. verify. / say
unto you, he that heareth my word.
and believeth on him that sent me.
hath everlasting life, and shall not
come into condemnation: but is
passed from death unto life" (John
5:24.)