Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-02-08
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
JETHRo's CoUNsEL-Exodus,
1S.1-27.
Golden Text-Bear ye one an
others burdens, and so fulfill the
law Of Christ.-Galatians, SO.
BY REV. HUGH t. STEVENSON.

Democracy is OF God. Here in this
weeks lesson the student will study the
germs Of republican Institutions which
have developed until today there is being
framed at the peace conference league
Of nations. the foundation Of which is
being erected upon the doctrine Of DEM
he outlined the need and principles of a
political organization for Israel. The
tribes had been united by the conflicts
which they had been compelled to fight
with the Amalekites, who tried to bar
the way toward the mountain Of God
When Joshua won the victory after
a hercely disputed contest Israel
reaped the benefit of the conquests,
self-confidence had no place in the
hour of victory since it had been
secured only through the blessings of
God. 1t is a lesson which our own
nation needs to learn in this hour
lest we forget the source Of our VIC
tory, which was due to His blessing
and love for freedom and democracy.
the seeds of which He implanted in
Israel through Jethro. when he
visited his son-in-law shortly after
the arrival of the Hebrews at Horeb.
The priest Of INDIAN was not used
view with Moses. who related to him
the story of Jehovah's marvellous de-
liverance Of Israel from Egypt, he
acknowledged the inferiority of all
tribal gods and publicly praised and
worshiped Jehovah as the true God.
The public Offering by the gentle
priest of the burnt Offering and its
complete consumption by fire syn1
bolfzed Gods acceptance of Jethro's
whoie-hearted conservation to His
service. The sharing of the sacrifices.
which were peace offerings, in a com,
mon meal by Aaron and the olders Of
Israel with Moses and Jethro was
more than family gathering or so-
cial function. 1t symboIized the for
nation of the league of friendship
between the tribes of Jethro and Is
rael, which lasted through all of their
future history. The eating Of the
bread was token Of not only their
alliance but also recognition that
the reality OF religion could exist ont
side OF Judaism. One of the first
proofs OF the friendship was seen IL,
Jethro's recognition of how yaa
Moses was overburdened.
Moses had demonstrated extraor
binary ability as leader of Israel
Jethro. who Understood from his
personal experiences as desert sheik
some OF the burdens and RESPONSE
bilities entailed in solving the ner-
picking personal problems presented
by pitiless people. who never ston to
consider in their demands The
limitations of their leaders nhvs,caI
powers. noted the tremendous strsin
and tax OF strength with whinL
! Moses performed his work. The ex.
haustion OF both physical and No.
vous energy may have caused the
outbreak of anger with which he
brought forth water from the rocL
The energy OF Moses could not kear
I'D the constant task of laying dow
definite, permanent rules (statutesl
| and directions tlaws), for he Iackad
time and strength to consider tsa
/ number of cases. many of which r me
have grown out Of the victory nvay
| the Amalekites, that were presented
\ to him at the daily sessions when he
publicly heard and decided their
| claims.
II the calamity Of the great ,eaa.-,.
| breakdown was to be preventaS
Jethro saw that the work should he
divided and some Of the author;tw
delegated to others. He. Therefore
advised. subject to Gods approyaI
! that Moses share his work with men
| who were fitted by their religious
| Of life to aid Moses in the work or
| civil and political organization Of
Israel In this proposal is the germ
| Of modern democracy. The suEges-
| ton of Jethro appealed to Moses
/ for 1t provided not only q method by
| which justice might be secured for
] the people. but also allowed him, by
| sharing his task with efficient men.
time for still greater work. Is priest
Of the people to represent them be-
fore God and Is . prophet to instruct