The Wilmington morning star., 1945-07-14
Sunday School
eSS on
Scripture: Genesis 11:26; 1920
By WILLIAM E. GILRoY, d. D

BY WILLIAM E. GILROY, d. D.
ABRAHAM is a work written
deeply into our American life and
history, for it was the Christian
name of the great and noble
Lincoln, who, in a tragic time o.
division and strife, manifested the
spirit of magnanimity W h c l.
characterized the original Abra
ham, the pioeer and Immigrant
of the Genesis story. =
The father and founder of thu
Jewish people, Abraham belongs t.
all of us, for Gods purpose con
corning him, stated in various
places, and spe ically il
Genesis 1878, was not only tia
through him there should be
come "a great and mighty ra
tion," but also that "all the ma
tons of the earth shall be blessed IL
him." ~
That is partially fulfilled pur
pose, but it still represents an I'm
finished work of God and man. Al
I write these words the representa-
tives of the nations are still in ses
sion at the conference in San Fran
cisco that is drawing to a close. L
is the latest effort Of the nations t.
establish peace, and its ultimate
.,,ccees will depend upon the ex
tent to which nations and peoples
are willing to. follow the pioneel
way that Abraham explored, ane
to accept and achieve the purpose
of God in giving to nations peace
prosperity, and blessedness, IN
stead of unhappiness and STRIFE.
ABRAHAM was the true and no
BILE type of the pioneer. He was :
pioneer in physical sense, travel
ling far from his early home ane
Its idolatrous surroundings O.
moon-worshippers to distant Pale
slime, where he could worship
spiritual God, according to nj!
faith and, conscience, and lay thu
foundations of race and nation
He made the great journey, witt
his possessions, herds and herds
men when travel was not easy
and he went out like all pioneer!
with the courage of one who die
not know what lay ahead. 'Hs
went out. not knowing whicher hi
went" Hebrews 11:8.
He was pioneer of faith. AL
pioneers in a sense are men O.
faith. If they did not have some
sort of faith they would not b
pioneers-for the pioneer is seek
ing something better, either fol
himself, or for some opportunity
to build on new foundations for to
morrow. He has a sense of destiny
Our American pioneers must have
had that, or they never could have
faced the dangers and priva
tons of the long trek across the
prairie and over the mountains
It takes faith to build for the flu
ture. The Christian pioneeH Nj
went westward knew the story O
Abraham, and they were con
scious that they were following il
his footsteps, and fulfilling SINH
lar purposes of God.
We shall see Abraham, in twt
lessons that follow, as man o.
unflagging courage, able and will
ing to fight, if necessary, but es
sentially a man of peace, willing
to forego his own interests, if he
can thereby maintain peace ane
good relationships. His story i!
among the supreme records o
magnanimity.
We shall see him as man of re
sourcefulness and effectiveness
with all the efficiency of inward
strength, able to take what seem!
the poorer land and the less .lus
cious fields, but able to make NOR
out of them than the self-seekinl
Lot, who chose what seemed tht
richer, and better-watered countr.
when Abraham gave him hi!
choice.
Faith, courage, and efficienc,
these are the marks of the mar
who makes the purposes of God hi:
| chief aiy,o and ooa1