The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-28

called by another name when exhib-
tied by such as the ten spies who re-
ported to Moses.
The Great Opportunity.
The day. of opportunity is usually
likewise the day of destiny. Kadesh-
barnea was the opportunity of Israel;
because 1t failed to measure up to that
opportunity 1t had to undergo a des-
tiny of forty hard years in the wilder
ness-years filled with funerals, until
every man who had reached maturity
ere Kadesh-barnea was attained had
been buried beneath the hospitable
soil of the wilderness. Such was the
cost of being afraid.
But that is to anticipate. In order
to ascertain the resources and obsta-
cleS of the new land. Moses sent out
twelve spies, one for each tribe. Their
reports agreed as to the fertility of
Canaan; SO also as to the obstacles
Only in their conclusions they differed
radically. The ten were so impressed
by the grass-hoppers and giants and
walled cities that they reported ad-
versely. They are the kind who
magnify obstacles, always able to give
ten reasons for standing still. No
doubt they were honest; their caution
and conservatism, however. were real
ly cowardice. 1t was the fear within
their own hearts that constituted the
greatest barrier to the possession of
the promised land.
Dread is always defeated. Cowardice
conquers nothing. A heart of fear is
life's worst evil. There are giants on
every hand for the person who is
afraid. The tempermentally timid are
never Trustworthy. Those ten spies
were a majority; but it was a ma
jority Of towards. The great advances
made by society are usually when some
man hopelessly in the minority, like
Columbus, is scornfully given his way.
Truth is generally in the minority
until it becomes safe and common
place. The man to follow is the
daring. high hearted man who in lone
illness is brave enough to follow God.
Gentlemen Unafraid."
Two out of twelve were gentlemen
unafraid," Caleb and Joshua. They
were not safe and sane" in the popu-
lar estimation. They did not belong
to that order of politicians who "go
along with the party In fact, they
had clear heads and stout hearts, and
so dared to be different-as, indeed,
the clear-headed, stout-hearted man
usually is different from the majority
of the people.
These two spies possessed the same
body of facts the others They
were fully informed as to the number
and size of the giants ana the walled
cities-tho they had multiplied neither
by their own fears. The scared man
sees double. Caleb and Joshua had
more than facts. They had a right
judgment of them. They had conf
dence in themselves. They had con-
fidence in the company of the Israel
ties whom they represented. They
had confidence in Jehovah, their su-
pernatural leader. Therefore they ar
gued for an Immediate entrance into
and possession of the land. They
were not afraid of a fight To them
land won without effort was not a
prize to be coveted. AS to the enemy.
they would be but bread for Israel,
who could "eat them 2p.' They could
master the giants and become masters
of the land and also of themselves.
That was not one of IsraePs brave
days however. The minority report
was rejscted with stones The craven
majority carried the sword with them
and Israel forever had cause to rue
the day when she hardened to the
voice of fear. rather than the voice
of courage and faith.