Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26

polygamist. So. amid laughter and
song. culture and drink. wealth and
immortality they moved on rapidly to
oblivion through their life of sin.
God was not unmindful Of His peo-
pie. He had promised Adam that the
seed Of the woman would stamp the
with Noah because He saw in the
descendant of Seth "a man. whose
family tried to walk in His way. per-
petually calling upon His name They
refrained from building cities, because
they were looking for the "city that
hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God" They were deficient
in the practices Of the society Of their
day, but they were pure in their fam
fly life, benevolent in their dealings
with their fellows. trying to do Gods
will. When the waters Of the deluge
covered the world, Noah with his fam
lily rode upon waves in triumph, be-
cause He had obeyed Gods word. The
way Of salvation Is along the pathway
of faith and obedience.
The Triumphant Faith.
The washing Of the earth with
the waters of the food was not suf-
ficient to cleanse the world from sin.
Abraham to leave Ur of the Chaldees.
The man Of faith was a friend Of God.
whose sole possession in the promised
land was the grave in Hebron. The
pioneer pilgrim was Il missionary of
the the faith wherever he erected his
altar and pitched his tent. His life
won the friendship of the kings who
Joined him, when he decided to follow
the mighty warrior, who had cap.
tured his nephew. Lot. and made way
with the spoils OF the cities Of the
f1ict with a pure heart and came out
with an undeflled soul. returning to
the conquered kings their goods and
the captives taken from their cities.
His generosity and hospitality to the
strangers brought him the promise OF
a son, whose birth appeared to be
humanely impossible. He pleaded for
Lot and the threatened cities in vain.
Isaac, the son Of promise. was
peaceful man. digging wells, planting
crops. moving on in face OF possible
contention. God approved his peace
full methods, prospecting him with
great crops and multiplying his fiocks.
Jacob deceived his blind father and
obtained the fathers blessing, as well
as the birthright of his elder twin
brother. Driven by his deception
away from home, he retraced the
pathway to Mesopotamia which Abra.
ham had Travelled, filled with fear and
dread. His dream at Luz filled him
with the realization Of Jehovah's
presence, so that he was comforted
during his exile and trying days by
the realization Of Gods presence His
victory upon his return IN prayer with
the Lord and his brother, Esau. re-
vealed the Transforming power of
faith
Joseph. the beloved son OF Jacob,
was the hero of our last two lessons.
We saw in the thrilling dramatic
events Of his career that he was a
man of providence. Tragedy and tri.
umphs appeared to promote his prog
ress. Loyalty to his religious convic-
lions gave him victory over circum-
stances. when his brothers sold him
into slavery. 1t helped him when he
was unjustly committed to prison be-
cause he was faithful to his social and
moral obligations. His faith sustained
him in the dark hole" and helped
him to be called into the nations lead
ersh1p. when one whose dream he had
interpreted recalled Joseph's power
and recommended him to Pharaoh as
the man Of the hour. It guided him
In preparing the granaries, developing
an intensive cultivation of the crops,
buying and transporting them during
the period Of plenty
His faith sustained him when his
own brothers appeared in Egypt seek
ing food for their family and fiocks.
1t called for great strength Of char
acter on the part Of Joseph to conceal
his identity and test his brothers. who
had sold him into slavery. None knew
the truth Of the lessons golden text.
I'VE know that to them that love
God all things work together for good.
even to them that are called accord.
ing to His purpose" better than 10.
seph. He recognized Gods leadership
through trial, trouble, temptations fit.
ting him by the experience Of the pit.
palace and prison for his place of
power. When Judah had proven by
his plea, and he knew from the con.
versations Of his brothers that he
heard that they were changed, he
made himself known to them. By
providing a place for his father and
relatives in Egypt, Joseph became the
agent of God, who brought Israel and
his sons into Egypt. In this he is the
connecting person between Genesis
and Exodus. All the other heroes of
faith, whose careers and characters
we have considered. have demonstrat.
ed the truth Of the golden text
-