The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-06-25

strange land as punishment for
their persistence In sin and, as with
all OF Gods plans, the matter OF
punishment was not so much In view
as the hope that they would realize
their errors and determine 10 start
anew with a new enthusiasm for the
God OF Abraham. The prophet was
given To understand that he might
expect coldness and resentment, and
even persecution, because he would
not as they thought let we'll enough
alone, but persisted In reproving
them for their sins and urging them
to turn and renew their allegiance to
Jehovah, but he was instructed that,
as long as he kept true to his mis-
sion ,pt warning them, whether he
found any response or not, he would
have delivered his soul and could
face God with clear conscience
Where Responsibility Ceases.
The mission of Ezekiel was one
OF warning, and when the warning
was delivered his responsibility
ceased. II rested then with the
hcarcr-if he heard and needed the
warnings OF the prophet then IL was
well with him individually, but IL
he turned n deaf ear to the prophet
and continued in his sin, then IL was
his TO bear the consequences and the
prophet was exouerated. A good
Lesson to our modern reformers may
he found here--his entire work was
one OF warning-not OF coercion
his Job being to see that no one failed
to hear the warning, and the indi-
vidual being held responsible for
whether the warning had effect or
not The modern prophet Is In
clined 10 want to take n different
plan-first TO warn and then. II the
warning Is unheeded, to themselves
administer the penalty or have the
processes of the law to handle the
cnse. God made man a free agent
they conceive that no man has the
right to his own mind, but must be
| subservient to what some doctor of
divinity says they must do. The
right way to do, II you conceive your
brother is In error, il to give him
friendly and repeated warnings, and
| II he heeds not, the responsibility
is on his own head and your soul is
delivered"
Gods counsel laid definite, per-
sonal responsibility upon Ezekiel.
The experience that so impressed
him with Gods presence and in
structed him in the things that
should be done prepared the way for
the commission that impelled him to
work or feel forever the guilt of a
shirker. II have made thee a watch
man." one who has seen from the
heights what is coming and who
must bear the responsibility OF tell
ing others. He must warn two
classes of people-those who have
been continually wicked. and those
who were once righteous but had
backslidden. God lays the same re-
sponsibility upon us today. Those
who have had the high privilege of
knowing Gods revealed will and OF
experiencing the riches of his grace
are thereby made responsible for the
welfare OF the people about them
While EZekiel's first ministry was to
| teach Gods presence. not only ir
the temple. but with his people in a
strange land; his second duty was
to teach the responsibility of each
individual to God both for his own
welfare and for the welfare OF all
whom he could reach. And the mes
sage we should TEACH Is the same ii
essentials: Seek ye Jehovah while
he may be found; call We upon him
while he IL near. let the wicked for
sake his way, and the unrighteous
man his thoughts; and let him re-
turn unto Jehovah. and he will have
mercy upon him; and TO our God
for he will abundanhy pardon"