Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-28
Returning From Captivity
SERMON by
REV. FLOYD w. TONiFtINS.
Text, Exrn I. Ill

Cyrus the Jews were allowed to return
to their own country. 1t was second
eSodus, and reminds US of tho first eN-
odns when the Israelites came out OF
Egypt. Life Is full Of such experiences.
So In 1870 did little band come out or
the "old country" to settle In America.
So havo sincere Christians come out of
the darkness into light, leaving douSt
and fear behind them. So at last th>
whole world--Christ's redemption COM
pleted-comc out of the bondnge of Sa-
tan and there will be new earth
wherein Righteousness shall dwell.
There were probably 10000 who
joined the returning host for the four
interesting TO note that this exodus
took place the same month as that In
which Israel came out Of Egypt $0t
years before. but. alas! instead Of 600.
600 and more who came out OF Egypt,
oily half a hundred thousand ler:
Babylon. The Jews had already bceh
scattered over the earth. 1t must have
been joyous multitude. however. We
can Imagine them singing and wor
Shipping AS they went. They were
eorted by 1000 horsemen to protect
thcm, and their sick and feeble foil;
were carried on cnmels. love to
think OF the glad day when they
started out. II seems TO mo proph-
ecS OF the day TO come when Christ
himself will lead his hosts TO III
we VIII sing and rejoice and worship
when the Lord brings home HIS own.
GOD Is CALLING HIS
CHILDREN FROM SIS
Zcrubbabcl and Joshua were the
leaders of the expedition. IT is inter-
esting to note Joshua in connection
with this exodus. just as there was a
Joshua In the first exodus. only this
Joshua was high priest rather thsn
warrior. Joshua is really the nnnie
name for Jesus. and 20 we love 10 re-
member how Jesus Christ, Priest and
Conqueror. started the Christian cx-
oduS from helplcssnesS and sin. diving
indeed, that we might live. but Still
through all the centuries leading His
children on.
At last the march shall end:
The pilgrims find their Fathers house
The wearicd ones shall rest;
Jerusalem the blest
VIVA: arc our lessons to-day? The
first Is this. that God is calling HIS
children from Babylon (type OF sin
and worldliness) to Jerusalem uype OF
holiness and righteous service) The
cry has gone forth: Arise. for this is
not thy rest" (AIicah H. 100 and We
arc on our way singing Onward Chris
tian soldiers" In sense we mr.. In
exile here: that Is, we here have no
continuing city. but We seek one 20
come 1t is pleasant exile. for We
have our homes. our friends. our wor-
ship and our work. and the dear Lord
Is with US all the time to comfort and
10 guide. But we pass away from, Il all
after a few years. Generation succeeds
generation, and as age comes on there
is loneliness and weakness; and all
through there is struggle against tho
enemy. II we have heard and answered
the call VIC know what life means
II Is an education for higher 'iivinx.
II is preparation for divine onportu.
mites 1t is toll for men that they
may know God and 10 His Will we
must love life II we arc true men. I, is
not for US to crumbie or he gloomy
for we are the Kings hosts ana we sin,,
as we 20. Many pleasant thnes nre
given us. md above all else, we can
commune with our Master. Blu, VIZ are
so1ourners and must not dare to think
our lie here is other than prepara-
ton for the life to come.
SAVED GIFTS ARE
ENTRUSTED TO Us
A second lesson Is derived from tn.
fact that the people carried back with
them from Babylon 10 Jerusalem. hv
royal permission" the sacred vessels
wh!ch had been taken from TIE Temple
oy NebuchudncaZa-. What a list we
nave IN Ezra. and how IL shows the
care that was taken by some one OF
those precious things! So tho sacred
siits and opportunities OF this life
which were intrusted to us by God arc
TO be taken with us when he enter n,
aoiS CITY. We can carry nothing ma
terial with us when we die, but we 81,
carry something far more vaIyah,ca
ioyal heart. an unbroken faith, loving
words and deeds. self-deniais OF which
me Master knows service given uo-
seinshiy for the worlds salvation "A
see In imagination these precious
vessels carried by tho returning Jews
Which had been kept FOR seventy wear,
monuer what ! can bring TO the King
Wneh ne calls me home, of the rnanv
Gus which He intrusted to nv care
mere IS my life itself. and INV name
nv ,;ra Town In the Book OF Life--win
my ne De unsullied and my mama nm.
summed: There is my tfme-ha, :,
oeen hiled with loving service? can
orinE my friendships and nv assoc,
IONS. without fear or shame? can r
,,;,h my church's life all glowing
service and my love for Christ -.
strong as when He first tnspi,cd - $50
unoroken by trials? Indeed. il ,s trn.
.nlt when come to the cross here for
p p, l bring nothing but m,
hands, for Jesus saves frcc1,. ny ,,y
when come to heaven, oh, d.,
pihE something as a token thar nv
years or living have not been lille or
4SeisSs. some soul which in it's despair
led to the Master. Some littIn chii,,
~ 's'ii toid inc story Of BethInhe,o
ana calvary. Some message. sDols.n
win my own heartarhe hidden 10
discouraged brother. These can ne,a.
ciaim admission for me to heaven hn,
tney VIII show the Lord my love ANA
I Inat nave tried to live for Him
heaven VIII he full of these p-ec;om.
ln!nES brought from earth sofourn bv
G ., children. The Christ viii have
then' III a great treasure house ,ns
wnch nc shows them His children ,ciIi
forget themselves as they crown Him
VARIETY OF People
IN CHURCH OF GOD
third lesson is gained by consider,
ing the variety of people in this cara.
van as 1t made it's way over the desert
road. old and young. women and men
ana children. the wen and the sicIs
some who had been in prison, some
VINO had forgotten their language. moor
ana SICK, servants and their masters
strong crowd. yet they were all Jour
neying toward Jerusalem. Such is orr
life here. Take the Church of God TO-
Day and see. White and black and
yellow and red and brown are their
faces They speak a varied language
N hn oh roI>