Arizona republican., 1917-07-14

over, Scripture warrant for keeping the Passover out of the regular time.
 (Num. 9: 9-13) Our God is full of condescension as well as compassion, and knoweth our frame and takes ac- count of our weaknesses But where exact obedience is possible, woe to us If we do not render it. (See Deut. 12: 92; Sam. 6: 3-7; comp. Mum. 4; Is. 1 Chron. 15: 12, 13.) He had not ven, tured upon this step without seeking counsel of others tv. ?. Some men are so confident of their own opinions. and that they are divirely led. that
 they scorn to seek counsel of others.
 This is not biblical. (Prov II: 14: 15:
 22: Ac. 15: 6.) The man who is most
 clearly led of God is the man who is
 most eager to know how God is leading
 others, and is most patient in listing to
 their counsel. They had not done it
 of long time.' To many this would
 have seemed 3 good reason for not do
 ing 1t now You urge some people to
 do as it is Written,' and they answer
 we have never done it that way. and
 our fathers never did 1t that way.
 That is no good reason for not doing
 it now. The question is not what we have done in the past, but what the
 word of God bids us to. do. To Heze- bAlh and his associates. the fact that
 they had not done it of a long time, as 1t was written, was a reason for mak- ing haste to do it at once. If we find in the Word something that we have not done of a long time, let us do it as quickly as possible. Turn again." that i is the constant cry of God through pro nhets. apostles and Christ. 0sa 55; s. [; E,zk. 33: Il; Hos. IA: 1 Joel ?: 12-. IA Mat. 3: ,, 1, r; Ac. ?: 3S; 20: 21) Men are very wandering, and God IS
 ever calling them back to Himself and l His pardoning love. We forsake Him
 and in sense He forsakes us. but He never ceases calling after us, Come back. And when We return, He re i turns Is some one reading these lines
 who has wandered from Him Come
 back, and He will come back with all 1.-the old-ti love and tenderness.
 ] II. Be not ye like your fathers and 1 like your brethren" 7-13. If our fath
 CTS were wrong. that is no reason why 1 we should follow in their steps. Two particulars are given wherein their i fathers had been wrong: CD They had "trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers So Hezekiah went back of the fathers to the grandfathers Jc- hovah, God of their fathers. against whom they had trespassed, had given them up to desOlation" tor made them for an astonishment") So it is God
 deals with those who trespass against
 Him. This desolation was apparent to alias ye see" So today, any one
 with open eyes can see the desolation
 of the individuals, families and nations that trespaSs against God. @ They
 had been "stiff-necked" Jehovah had
 called to repentance, but they would
 not hear. Comp Ch. 36: 13; EX. 32
 9: Rom. 10: 21) Stiff -neckedness Is
 dangerous disease. (ProV. 29: 1.) In
 place of being stiff -necked, Hezekiah calls upon them to yield yourselves
 unto the LORD That is Gods call to us today (ROm. 6 13) It means total absolute surrender That IS the
 great secret of blessedness and power. absolute surrender to God. Having
 yielded themselves, they were first to
 enter into communion with Him; "en- ter into His sanctuary, which He hath sanctified forever" and Second to , serve" Him. Comp. Deut. 6. 13, IT, f Rom 6: p: Col, 3: 2224; Jno. 12; 26; Rev. [: l5.) Most blessed results were to follow for them and for their breth -
 ren and children, also. All this bright
 prospect of what would follow upon
 repentance, surrender, communion and service was founded upon the fact that
 Jehovah lis gracious and mercifuL yi fEx 34: 6, :: Neh. 9: 17. 31; Psa. Sb }. 15: Ill: 4: 145; z, s; Jonah 4; Z: Micah z: 1S) They laughed them to scorn and mocked them That IS the , way in which men habitually treat : Gods loving calls to repentance and : pardon. (Ch 36: 16 Gen. 19: IA 9 Alas for them that they do, The wrath , of Jehovah will arise at last, till there e is no remedy. If we are faithful am v bassadors of the Lord, we must expect l to be laughed at and moc1ed. There l was, however, wise remnant even Tn [. Hezekiths day, who 'humbled them : selves and came to Jerusalem.