The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-02-22

amusing experience recently winch al
rativc. II was not Gods purpose to
have his people destroyed but like all
other peoples. they had TO learn iunda-
mental lessons in government and IN
religion that only experiece can teach.
This period in the national history OF
the Jews corresponds somewhat to
our Colonial epoch Then thirteen
Struggling colonies. all more or less
law unto themselves. maintained a
prccarious existence Rough and ready
Justice was the order OF many from
tier settlement. and our hardy an
ccstor OF that period did that which
was right in his own eyes. and when
interests clashed then primitive war
fare resulted All stable governments
have that period to pass through, and
we can see the process being worked
out today in Mexico.
Now let us pass to a study OF that
great hero OF the book OF Judges,
Gideon. He lived about two centuries
after Joshua. His land was under the
cruel domination OF the Midianites, a
confederation OF the people of the east.
who invaded Palestine and. we are
told. lighted like grasshoppers on the
rich valleys and fruitful fields. They
were as voracious as the terrible To-
Gusts to which they were likened. and
the Israclites had to flee to the noun
tains and caves Tor protection from
these marauders. The oppression SUI
fered by these people must have been
unusually bad for we read. And Is
rael was brought very low because OF
INDIAN; and the children OF Israel
cried unto Jehovah
In every national emergency the
man is found who can meet it. eide
on is the man for the INDIAN emer-
gency and he proves his genius as a
leader in a unique way. After being
by several signs. that he
was really Gods chosen instrument
for lsraels redemption. he calls to-
gether his comrades to the common
cause. He erected a standard blew
trumpet. and patriots began to arrive
Soon he had thirty-two thousand men
too many for his novel scheme
ind he began to weed them out. First
lie proclaimed. whatsoever is fearful
md trembling, let him return. And
wenty and two thousand proved they
we're not equal. or worthy of the high
inns OF Gidcon's revolution. But ten
thousand and even ten hundred were
90 many and by rigid selective test
II but three hundred were eliminated.
Tow Gideon was ready for the task.
'ever was an army given such
icaponS to hght with. Here his
'onderful originality asserted itself.
pitcher. a torch and a trumpet
hese were the weapons for each man
that most of INDIAN in
he darkness OF night. three hundred
,Solute men with torches concealed
! their pitchers and trumpets ready.
'aited the signal to attack Gideon
ounded his trumpet. the signal agreed
pom. and three hundred trumpets
lew simultaneously. the pitchers
ere broken. the torches iared and
shout as effective as the famous
,uthern yell. For God and Gideon.
mote the air. and struck terror to
ie hearts OF the cncirclcd Midianitcs
he battle was won before a sword
as drawn.
The lesson OF Gideon" said the
idge in closing. is a lesson which
,achcs the supremacy OF the old
me virtues OF courage and faith in
cd. But Gideon also teaches us that
fighting the hosts OF sin one may |
ell adapt his weapons to meet the |
nergency in the most effective way.
oday there Is a call tor leaders like
ideon, fearless. faithful and original.
Getting new situations with new
eapons Both church and Slate need
adership ike this"
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