Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-27
DIR. MARION MICH. HULL.

AS there are some mountains which
stand out most prominently so there are
some chapters which cannot be for
gotten. The 55th chapter of Isaiah is
one of these. 1t has been called the
gospel according to Isaiah, and it has
all of the good news in il that gospel
means. 1t is a message of the Seventh
century before Christ to the men of the
Twentieth century after Christ.
This chapter is in the third part of
Isaiah, that part consisting of chapters
40 through sc. In this portion of the
book as we have it, Isaiah arises to such
heights that he is able to see into the
future. and he speaks so exactly of
Ihe period of exile which was $50
years later, that some even now try
to make us believe that it was not
written by Isaiah at all, but by some
one a century and a half after him. He
even calls Cyrus by name. But why
should it be thought incredible that
God, who knows all things. should be
able to reveal TO a man who is in close
fellowship with Him events of the fu-
ture even to the eXaCtness of detail
Isaiah had?
While this chapter therefore. Wa
primarily applicable to the men OF
Hezekiah's time ii was also peculiarly
so to the people of the exile, and none
the less so to men of this day, for IL
was a gracious invitation which Goa
gave to men who were so enSrossed
in material things that they lost sight
of spiritual realities. They were so
busy making money that they did not
realize that there was something better
than money. Since what Isaiah said
then would have been said TO-
day. because men have not changed
we shall consider the words as spoken
to ourselves primarily. rather than
primarily to the men of Hezeklah
time.
THE CHIEF QUEST.
What is the chief quest Of men of to-day
Is II God? Is II things which deal primarily
with the Spirit life? is II not money ana
What money will thy? Material things rather
than spiritual? Things to gratify that part "i
us which is temporal rather than that part
which is eternal? As mad rush for gOid.
Everything is reduced TO the standpoint OF COLI
merce. Will it bring more business to nay
firm or TO mel Will II help me to increase
INV holdings? VIII 1t give me larger capa l.
ty 10 get? Every man at some period OF rs
life nrobahly Is striving for competency lie
wants to get enough TO retire. and often lie
sooIs himself into thinking that when he gets
n competpncy he will spend the rest or Ms
life in doing good in this, that. OF tne "l. .t
pursuit which he recognizes is better thah 'ne
one w, he is now engaged IN; but WHO" :
impossiblp IL he would attain his emu
Yes, this is the chief quest-to get money Or
what money will get. This was thu chief qnes'
~ those men to whom Isaiah spoke, and mere
is the invitation to them, "Ho, everyone una,
thIrsteth come We 10 the waters, ana ne ula'
In IN no money. come We, buy ana eat; yea;
come buy wine and milk without money ann
without nrice Wherefore do We spend your
money for that which is not bread and your
labor for that which satisfieth notE
on there Is the tragedy of IL! Before men
rave attained their quest they are not satiSfiel
Tbev find that what they have gotten is NOT
broad and that what they have labOred Tor
does not satisfy. NJ man who seeks Tor ma
tariel gain will he satisfied. He sets out TOT
$40 OOO and he wants 500 OO0 before he is near
the $4,000. and then S5O.O0O. and then m
crassinc In larger sums There Is as muca
philosophy as fun in a series OF pictures pun
IisbAd nv a we'll known cartoontst which aW
o,ds ..Sween Ont Padded Cell. These things
connect satisfy. for man was made Tor TOO ,hi
there is that in which cannot he satsreI
nv ANYTHING else than God Himself: ana 50
Igaiah's invitation is this. "Hearken, dlhgentlE
INTO me and eat We that which is good. ana
let vour soul delight itself in fairness. lncllo2
vour ear and come unto me; hear ana your
soul shall live"
long GUARANTEE