The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-19

And alaSi Although we are many cen turies removed from their time, we sec much of this same principle today--much sham, pretense. misrepresentation of God. on the part of those who profess to he His representatives. We behold the present. war. with the German Kaiser the head of the Lutheran church; Emperor Francis Joseph of Aastria-Hungary chief son of the papacy: King George the head of the Church of England: the Czar chief rep representative of the Greek Catholic chGrch--all these marching to battle, each raiiying his soldiers with the thought of God, each treading the name of the pro eious Prince of Peace into the dust. each bent on the use of the sword to selfishly promote the greatness of his empire and it's con mereial prosperity, each upholdine the traditions of the past respecting his authority to establish the kingdom of God on earth.
 Today. as in the days of Ell. the peo- pie shout as they couple the cause of God with their national projects. They forget that the two are entirely separate, that Gods cause Is under divine direction, and wili prosper best by the permission of a great defeat to all these systems of men. preparing for the establishment of Mes sah's kingdom, after the Armageddon of the Bible shall have huTnbled the world and made them ready to acclaim King Immanuel and His kingdom "the desire of all nations"
 Calling upon the name of the Lord and having the ark of God in tho battle did not help the Israelites even as carrying the ikons by the Russian soldiers will not give them the victory, or wearing the name of God upon their belts give victory to the Germans, carrying the Cross of St. George give victory to the British. There was great slaughter and scat tering of Israel. Ellis two sons were slain. The ark of God was captured A swift runner brought tho sad intelligence to Shiloh, where Eli as judge sat upon his high seat in the gate. anxiously won dering. fearfully remembering the 2o-year- before prediction of disaster The runner | reported to Eli the entire matter When the poor man learned that the precious ark, of which he was the divineiy ap- pointed guardian, had been taken. he fell backward from his chair, and his | neck was broken. Although faithful at 1 heart until death, he neglected his fam fly and neglected to sec that the work intrusted to him was not interfered with | by those of his own household. His loy- alty to God was not sufficiently great to hinder him from shirlxing his responsi- | biity In his character was too much of | tho spirit of peace ut any price," not enough of that courage which is pre- pared to die for righteousness sake
 Israel Different From Other Nations
 
 people, the Lord next sent advertisements upon the Philistines. so that they were glad to return the ark to Israel. Special plague of mice and hemorrlaods were sent. We are not to suppose. however. that every plague or pestilence today is a special punishngnt of God. Israel was under peculiar divine supervision. Who ever touched them or anything pertaining to the typical system was thns adverse to the Lord and His cause. This could be done only by Gods permission. aud when He wished to bring back the ark or de- liver His people, He could brlng 1t to pass
 There is no such conditionsos things to- day. Israel is temporarily cnt off from divine protection-u the 'full number from the Gentiles shall have como into spiritual Israel Then all uf natural ls- rae will be recovered from their blind ness. as 1t is written.-Ror lans li:26-39
 The only people now In covenant rela- tionshlp with God, according to the Bible. Is spiritual Israel. "a hoy y nation. pe- culiar people," The dlvns promises do not guarantee them searthy blessings and pro- lection, rather the re verse--persecutlon and opposition. But fsod guarantees tc them that all the adv' rsities Of the pres ent life will work . ut to their eternal spiritual welfare. if they are rightly ex,' ereised thereby