Evening star., 1932-04-16

One of the greatest epochs in history
was opened when Abram stepped out
from the Plains of Chaldee to become
one of the central figures of all time.
He was rs years of age when he heard
Gods call. Most men would be think
ing of retiring at that period Of life, but
not Abram, who had become a friend
of God and suffered persecution for his
faith. The benefits of the flood had
almost been lost when this shepherd
came to believe in and have faith in a
spiritual God. He rejected the super
stition and idolatry of his age and
country. He could not do it without
becoming a martyr for the faith. His
communion with God encouraged Abram,
and God, who had failed to pass on the
true faith through the family OF Noah,
selected his friend, Abram, to become
the founder of new nation through
whom He would save the world.
1t was not an easy thing for Abram
to do, for he was attached to the rich
plains near Ur. and all the associations
of his family were connected with his
native land. His efforts to obey the
first call were hindered by the attitude
of his father, Terah, but with the death
of his father in Haran, God called
pires, and the future of the great Jew
ish race, has succeeded in preserving
its identity as a people throughout all
history because Abram heard the call of
God to become a pioneer for religion.
His descendants have organized the
world for the sake of the three mono
theiStic faiths that are worldwide in
their fellowship, Judaism, Christianity
and MohammedaniSm.
Abrams Call
Loyalty and love for his father had
detained the friend of God at Haran
The call demanded sacrifice that tested
Abrams faith. The command Get
thee out of my country. and from thy
kindred and from thy fathers house"
reveals three cumulative expressions
The exploration of that land by the
modern archeologist with his spade has
thrown much light upon the country
that God summoned His friend to leave,
so that we come to know something of
the high civilization of Ur and the land
of Abram. Without doubt in the mind
of modern scholars the early inhabi-
tantS of the country were SummerianS
to whom We can trace much that is at
the root not only of Egyptian but also
of Babylonian and other nations art and
thought" Abram was in all probability
wealthy citizen of Ur. which was a
prosperous city before the flood, and
was influenced by the civilization and
culture of the Summerians. With all
of its wealth the demoralizing tendency
of idolatrous nature worship demand
ed that Abram be separated from the
close association with its abominable
practices.
The OrientalS have always been great
lovers of their relatives. Abram was
asked to leave all that an old man
would hold dear, but the call had an
assurance attached to it. In place OF
the country, Abram was promised new
land that God would give His friend.
For the loss of his relatives he was
assured by the Lord that Il will make
thee a great nation, and l will bless
thee, and make thy name great; and
be thou a blessing" God did not ask
Abram, any more than He does us, to
make a sacrifice for Him without be-
slowing upon him a reward greater
than his sacrifice. Abram was moved
to become the first pioneer for faith
in history believing that one result OF
his efforts would be to link the atti-
tude of men to him, as the source OF
their prosperity. In Christ Jesus there