The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-25


- covenant by the children OF Is
4 was a beautiful thing. BY It we
asiYe their fidelity to Jehovah
ID. logically. their degree Of pros
n ity and national greatness. Yet
the more modern mind this rever-
he for "A material thing has held
that is both erroneous
- mischievous. In all ages. how
4sr, pcoplo have been disposed to
lard, q material symbol as the
~ thing, 5nd to overlook the es-
,tial lessOA which It was intended
4,convey. Tn ark was not God. The
4hthen had carved images which
;Ay worshipp cd. To the Phihstines
ID ark was the Israelites' God, just
Rival OF their own deities. II was
ID intended that the Israelites
build sink to the level OF paganiz-
~ the worship OF Jehovah by deity
8 the sacred pledge, OF his pres
If'he ark was the reminder OF the
'zkenant God had made with his
Xbple. As such, 1T remained sacred,
"a the degree TO which II was re-
Med and respected measured the
7<gree TO which the faithful were
ssed. Even Obed- Edom, a pri-
&e citizen TO whom was entrust-
III the care OF the ark after the
list fateful attempt to take 1t to
tusalem. was wonderfully biest be-
bise he gave the ark shalter and
&pect. But the shadow is not the
Distance. and the ark was only n
nbol of Gods care for his people.
n the early days OF humanity child
Ne peoples required material and
Bible types on which to base their
thception-pf spiritual things. They
~ not takI kindly to the abstract
.hv knew and understood only
Athey could comprehend with
&tural senses. The great world
sspiritual things was a sealed book
them with a few exceptions. Piety
Nuired something humanity tang
Ne on which to base its confidence.
EThe same may be said OF other
Umbols which we rightfully observe
9TH conscientious reverence, but
hich many wrongfully dnvest with
uagined supernatural character.
Ne bread and wine OF the COM
Einion are reminders of the slain
Ia the use of them in a sacrament
an Acknowledgement OF our OBJ
Eation to him for his vicarious SUI
1ing for our sins-divcsted OF Its
niritual Significance the elements
e merely bread and wine, purely
kAtesiai objects. The same Is true
baNGsm--water Is n material sub
tnce nd not vested with any
iritua1 I'M iiciency, but as public
shdge oIIMur acceptance OF the
ngms OF AlINvation and regeneration,
&c ordinance becomes a holy thing.
Me benefit which we obtain from
''ss, observance OF ordinances de-
'' Aupon our state OF mind. No
as ever saved or rcScncrated
because he was baptized or
Ok OF the Lords supper.
sThe chief lesson to be derived
om this chapter is the necessity
putting God first in all our per-
tnal motives, both as regards our
Its as a private citizen and in what
Yer official capacity we may be
klled to serve. David's great anxiety
MS not the security of his throne
le esteemed that to be Gods bust.
w
tr was that the nation over which
y ruled should get right before
pd. He assumed n religious direc'
bn of the nation. that the people
light see that their prosperity and
}tional safety lay not so much ir
kngs and armies as in conscientious
Helity to Jehovah. He rightfully
tgued that II the masses were de-
btedly following the God of Israel
ie problems of political admins
htion would be few and easily
lived. His anxiety was greater fol
le welfare OF his kingdom than fol
pwer and glory to himself.
In these days we properly abhol
hything which savors of a union oI
hurch and state. The experiences OF
,story have shown us conclusivel,
lat neither n government dominat
| by a religious organization nor 6
sligion dictated and controlled b,
bliticai forces is conducive to hu
Ian happiness and prosperity. W.
Ike every precaution to insure ever.
ltizen complete freedom to hold ant
factice whatever religious belle
.ay seem good to him. conditioned
: that his belief and practice shal
ASstrain the freedom of someon,
y beliSf is different. 1t follow
j. ly, HIkn, that no one set o
> ..-holdiiW to any certain religion
reed should be permitted to contro
ar political forces. else they woul'
ctate a method of government tha
ould destroy tbs liberty OF con
innces. We do not wAEt to hav
if religion prescribed to US BY lay
N political expediency.
Yet this does not do away witt
tae fact that the kind of govern
ent which is inspired by religious
ot' sectarian--mctives Is the on
ost productive OF prosperity, o
HnysicaI and spiritual welfare, Of so
Gal and economic happiness. Th
Rlution OF all international. socia
olitical and economic problem
E only possible through a uni
,rsal rule OF conduct based o
.ligious motive. Israel propspere