The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-06

faith. Seeing the devotion of
Ruth in her decision. Naomi glad
" accepted it. The two widows,
nerhaps pennileSs and unattend-
ed, set out on foot from Moab
around the southern end of the
Dead Sea to Bethlehem in Judah.
At last they reached their desti-
nation. The arrival of Naomi was
told from house to house and her
old-time friendly deeply sympa-
thized with her in her sorrow and
penury. No doubt they reioiced
that Ruth had accompanied her,
and many a good word was said
for the fair young Moabitess in
her new home. Though the re-
ception of the two widows at
Bethlehem must have been cordial
and a generous hospitality ex-
tend them, they must, of course,
depend as far as possible on their
own laborS for support. Hence
Ruth's request of Naomi for per-
mission to 20 into the fields of
barley now being harvested and
glcan after the reaperS. Naomi
agreed and 50 Ruth went bravely
and industriously to her new task.
Thus we have the oft-painted pie
turc of an industrious young wo-
man of noble family who in mis-
fortune and poverty set her hand
to the first honorable task open
her. 1t was. moreover, the FIRST
step in the happy romance that
followed.
FAITH is FAITHFUL
& Faith Is Faithful in Need.
1--WE will return with thee-they
lifted up their voice, and wcpt.
Naomi was going home. Ruth
knew she ought not to 90 alone.
The duty of daughter-n-law
was upon her. She did what con
science babe her and she did
right.
(2D Faith Is Faithful in Love.
Ruth clave unto her" A true
heart clings to noble ideals. The
strands of a pure love need not
be cut or unwound. Ruth loved
Naomi and wanted to be with her
CD Faith Is Faithful in Sep
aration. "Thy sister-in-law Is
gone back" Ruth could not live
in both Moab and Judah. She had
to make her choice between them
She had to give up much, but she
gained more.
(4) Faith Is Faithful in Fellow.
ship. "Whither thou goest, | will
go" Life is measured not so
much by the distance we travel
as by the direction we go. Naomi
was going the right way. Ruth
knew it and went with her.
81 Faith Is Faithful in Loca.
ton. Where thou lodgest, | will
lodge" 1t was a choice of per-
son. not of houses and lands. Bet,
ter be a companion Of pennies
Naomi than Moabite princess
Environment counts. To be in the
wrong place is not to be right.
(6J Faith Is Faithful in Asso,
sociations. Thy people shall be
my people" We are helping OF
! hindered by our companions
They lift us up or drag US down
Orpah sank out Of sight while
Ruth shines today. Why?
CD Faith Is Faithful in Con.
secration. "Thy God my God
Ruth was genuine convert. She
gave herself without reserve tc
! God. That was her supreme
choice. And never did she regret
| it.
/ (S) Faith Is Faithful Through
| Life. "Where thou diest, will
die" Ruth was not going tc
! Bethlehem on a pleasure trip OF
even a temporary mission of duty
to Naomi. She went there to
spend the rest of her life.
CO.. Faith Is Faithful in Pur.
pose. "She was stedfastly mind,
ed" We ought to go where we
can be most useful. That was the
way Ruth went. And that is the
path for us.
GO) Faith Is Faithful in Des
tiny. ITO go with her" The Mo
abites shy her faith in Jehovah
her devotion to Naomi, her mid
esty and virtue in relation tC
Boaz, and her singular nobility
of character was fitted to mother
the noble son born to her-Obed
the grandfather Of David the
King, and in the ancestral life OF
Jesus Christ the King Of kings.