We left America last June for our new field of labor in Switzerland. At the Switzerland camp meeting, held at Moudon in July, the German and French fields were separated, in order that better work might be done. The writer was chosen as president of the German part. However, immediately after this meeting I left Switzerland to attend the Union Conference held at Friedensau, Germany, and during the fall accompanied Elder Conradi to Russia, attending their general meetings, and visiting many of their churches. The Lord greatly blessed our work in that country.
In the meantime, Brother and Sister Voth had arrived in Switzerland from America, and upon my return we began a series of meetings in Basel. God has blessed the work; fifteen have been baptized, and seventeen have united with the church. In December we held our first general meeting. Elder Conradi was with us to give all possible assistance.
Our conference has about two hundred members, paying a tithe of nearly sixteen hundred dollars a year. We have five organized churches, two ordained ministers, one licentiate, two Bible workers, and eight canvassers. All the work has to be carried on with the sixteen hundred dollars,—surely not a very large sum,—but we are all of good courage, knowing that it is the Lord's work. We must have a new tent for our summer's work, and hope that our people in America will remember us with donations. Doors for work are open everywhere, and as far as freedom in preaching is concerned, we are just as free as we are in the States. How long this will last, we do not know. There is a constant drawing toward Rome. The Swiss Bundesrath recently sent an official congratulation to Pope Leo XIII upon his anniversary. Some of the people are indignant over it, but others look upon it as the right thing.
We are glad that the Lord can use us in his cause. Surely his message to us is true, which says: “I have sore heartache as I think of the work in Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Where there are one or two men struggling to carry forward the different branches of the cause, there should be hundreds at work.”
May God put it into the hearts of his people to say, “Here am I, send me.”
J. T. BOETTCHER
Rudolf Str. 48, Basel, Switzerland.
St. Kitts
By S. A. Wellman
SANDY LANE.—The series of meetings which was begun here in January is still being continued, and many are interested in the message presented. Quite a number have expressed themselves as convinced of the truth, and some seem to see the necessity of obedience, yet people move very slowly in this place. Besides, there is scarcely an individual who is not dependent upon some one else for his daily food; so it means more to them to observe the Sabbath than to those in the States, who have had the advantage of an education, and are able to do for themselves.
Early in February we began to print some tracts. Already the orders for the first number have reached fourteen thousand copies. We expect that there will16be a call for even more than this, as we have not yet heard from all the islands. Our people have taken hold very heartily to support this work and to distribute the tracts. We are planning to scatter thousands of these little leaflets in the islands of this group. It is perhaps the only way that we can reach and warn the people on some of the smaller islands.
After the distribution of the tracts there will be calls for ministers. Nearly every mail brings appeals from islands where our tracts or books have been circulated. All these fields are ready for the harvest. The longer we delay, the more difficult the work becomes.
S. A. WELLMAN.
School and Evangelistic Work in Geneva
By B. G. Wilkinson
GENEVA.—It is now five weeks since we opened our school in Geneva. Our public meetings in the city have been in progress for three weeks, and two have already begun to keep the Sabbath. Some evenings the hall is filled.
Our students get the benefit of these meetings, and are being trained to hold Bible readings and meetings, besides attending daily class work. They earn part of their tuition by canvassing in the city. We expect that these young people will develop into workers for this field; and if our school is a success this term, we may open one in some more needy place next year, thus combining public meetings and school work.
We made urgent appeals to the churches, and they gave most liberally, some out of their poverty. Some of the young people give evidence that they will be ready for work next year; but we do not have any one for Spain or Italy. Some one should enter these two fields soon. B. G. WILKINSON.
The Lake Union Conference
By E. R. Palmer
THE first session of the Lake Union Conference convened according to appointment, March 27, in the South Side Church, Chicago.
The five States included within this union were well represented by delegates, as follows: Michigan, 19; Ohio, 11; Indiana, 16; Illinois, 18; Wisconsin, 23; and there were seven delegates at large, making a total of 94. Elders A. G. Daniels, A. T. Jones, W. A. Spicer, and S. H. Lane, and the writer, were present as representatives of the general field.
Elder Moon, president of the Illinois Conference, assisted by the members of his committee, and the brethren and sisters of the Chicago churches, with much care and hard work, made convenient and comfortable arrangements for the entertainment of the large number of delegates and visitors who were present.
At the time of writing this report, the conference is still in progress; and it is proving to be one of the most encouraging meetings of the union conferences held thus far. While there have been some difficult questions to deal with, the Lord has given complete victory, and strong, aggressive decisions have been reached. From the opening day, the meetings have been given an educational rather than a business mold, and the work has been positive and progressive, rather than negative or conservative.
Thus far, only the States of Wisconsin and Ohio have presented their reports. Elder William Covert reported for Wisconsin. During the past year, eighty-five persons have been employed in that State, fifty of whom were paid from the tithes, and thirty-five were paid salaries from their earnings as teachers, physicians, etc. In the ministerial work, five churches have been raised up and organized, and there are three unorganized companies. Five hundred students have been enrolled during the year in the denominational schools of the State. Nine of their workers were sent to Berrien Springs College during the winter term. The sanitariums at Madison and West Superior have done excellent work. The conference has been enriched both in spirit and in store as the result of a strong missionary policy. The following paragraphs from Elder Covert’s report tell the story of their liberalities and the results:—
“A number of workers have gone from Wisconsin to other fields of labor since the last General Conference. Of these Elder Reinke and his wife have gone to New York; Dr. Godsmark to Louisville; Elder J. N. Anderson and his wife, and Sister Ida Thompson, to China; Brother and Sister J. V. Maas to Argentina, to engage in school work; Sister Anna Nelson to Tahiti, as teacher; Brother and Sister Pearl Moon to Honolulu, as teachers; Prof. J. E. Tenney, Professor Rowe, and Sister Winkler to Graysville, Tenn.; Miss Starks to Indianapolis, Ind., as teacher; Miss Edwards to Bowling Green, Ky., as teacher; Miss Stevens to Minnesota, as teacher; Miss Snow to the Haskell Home, Battle Creek, Mich., as teacher; Miss Cook to Berrien Springs, as teacher; Brother J. W. Beardslee to Walla Walla College, as teacher of music; Miss Grace Kellogg to India, as self-supporting Bible worker. Just now Brother Hartwell, by invitation of the General Conference, is going from our tract society department to fill the office of secretary and treasurer for the Canadian Union Conference, and Brother John Isaac goes to Ontario to labor in the German language. Brother Brandt, of Milwaukee, is going to England to engage in the canvassing work. A number of students who went from Bethel Academy with Professor Tenney to the South, have been placed in the work: Brother George Crawford, as teacher at Hatley, Miss.; Miss Phynia Smith, as teacher at Birmingham, Ala.; Miss Minnie Hall, as teacher at Elkwood, Ala.; Miss Horning, as teacher at Louisville, Ky.; Brother Andrew Mikkelsen has connected in labor with the publishing house in Nashville, Tenn.; the Grobe sisters have been sent to Florida. Our school is again filled with young people who are in training for the harvest work in the wide, wide field.
“We have paid from the tithe the traveling expenses of Miss Thompson to China, and of Miss Nelson to Tahiti, and are paying their salaries in these fields one year. By donation we have raised between $400 and $500 to help in the work in Tahiti, a like sum for Brazil, have $110 for Argentina, to help in the school work, and $150 for China, besides the regular donations which will be reported through the tract society.
“Our tithe is $3,780.70 more than last year’s; and the tithe of our tithe has been paid to the Lake Union Conference, and the second tithe to the General Conference was $2,320.22. We have paid $500 to the Foreign Mission Board, and $500 to Emmanuel Missionary College for salaries of teachers, and $425 traveling expenses and salary of Miss Thompson to China and Miss Nelson to Tahiti, making a total of $3,745.22 paid out of the tithe for work abroad, in addition to the tithe to the Lake Union Conference. This leaves a balance of $35.48 more than last year’s tithe, besides what has been sent outside the State. Our workers have had a small increase in their salary, and all are paid up to date, and some money is left in the bank.”
Elder A. G. Haughey, president of the Ohio Conference, reported an addition of five new churches, and three unorganized companies with a membership of two hundred. Four of these new churches have sold their quota of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” Ohio has sent seven laborers to needy fields, and has paid their traveling expenses and their salary for the year. The tithes have increased three thousand dollars, and their offerings one thousand dollars.
One full day was devoted to the publishing and tract society interests, and the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” These important lines of work were considered with a spirit of courage and determination which denotes a better future in the Lake Union Conference. The attitude of the delegates toward the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” was such as to lead every one to feel that that battle has actually been fought, and the victory won. Many of the leading ministers who had never sold a large book before, and who had previously been able to convince themselves that they could not, told how the Lord had blessed them personally, and enabled them to sell from twenty to two hundred copies.
The following resolution was unanimously adopted by a rising vote:—
“Whereas, The Lord has given us a great and good plan in the sale of ‘Christ’s Object Lessons’ whereby all the people of this denomination may be enlisted in personal service; and—
“Whereas, We have abundant evidence that God is fulfilling to us his promise of a fourfold blessing; namely, a blessing to all who take part in the service; a blessing to the cause as a whole; a grand deliverance to all our schools from debt; and an opportunity to render a great and blessed service in behalf of the world; therefore—
“Resolved, That we express our thankfulness to God for the revival of this good work, and for the success thus far attained; and that we proceed immediately to perfect our organized effort, and press on with renewed energy until every book has been sold; and that we endeavor to complete the work by the first of June.”
A full day was devoted to the Medical Missionary Department. Dr. Paulson, with a fine corps of the Chicago workers, also Drs. Edwards and Farnsworth, and others, presented before the17delegates a graphic picture of the practical work of love being done by the consecrated, self-denying laborers in this department. Reports were presented, covering the work and business management of the medical college, the Life Boat, the Life Boat Mission, the Life Boat Rest, and the Working Men’s Home. The financial policy of these missions and institutions was tersely stated by Dr. Paulson in the remark that they raise their money by three means: saving, earning, and begging. He said, “The easiest way to get a dollar is to save it, the next easiest way is to earn it, and the next is to beg for it. All three means are legitimate, but the third is fitting only after the first and second have been practiced.”
The reports of all the medical workers were inspiring, and revealed a self-sacrifice and devotion on the part of the laborers, which we have evidently not fully understood or appreciated.
The results of this conference will surely be felt. The laborers in different departments will be able to grasp hands more warmly and assist one another more effectively than in the past.
E. R. PALMER.
South Africa
By W. S. Hyatt
CAPE TOWN.—There are many evidences of prosperity and the blessing of the Lord in our work in this field. Our little conference of less than four hundred members is using six thousand five hundred copies of the Sentinel, and this paper is paying its own way. At the present time we have a workers’ class in connection with the college. This is very much like the conference schools which are held in America. We are studying how to canvass, give Bible readings, and administer simple treatments. We have fifteen in attendance, and all are enjoying the work. We will begin to canvass for “Christ’s Object Lessons” soon.
We need more laborers in South Africa, and are praying that the Lord will put the burden of the work into the hearts of his people. We are glad that a few have responded, and are fitting themselves for service.
Our schools are doing well. At Uitenhage, Brother Edmed has just dedicated a church and opened a school. At East London, Brother Tarr has organized a church, and several were baptized. Brother Freeman has started a school in Basutoland, and the work is onward there.
Realizing the need of the power of the Lord in our work here, a few of us are meeting together regularly to consider the needs and to seek the Lord for wisdom, that the message may go forward in this field. W. S. HYATT.
General Notes
THE church at Alma, Neb., has been strengthened by the recent addition of one family to their number, through the labors of Brother N. P. Nelson.
A REPORT from Decatur, Neb., states that several have been added to the company there, as a result of meetings held by W. B. Hill and G. A. Kirkle.
REPORTING from the vicinity of Big Bend, Kan., Brother T. Godfrey states that “a number have taken a decided stand for the truth, and a number of others are on the eve of obeying. A Sabbath-school of eighteen members has been organized.”18
UNDER the labors of Brother Roy F. Cottrell, at Vienna, N. Y., three persons have been led to accept the Sabbath of the Lord, and a good degree of interest is shown by many others to hear the truth.
AT Monmouth, Ill., eight adults and four children have recently taken a stand to obey the truth. Brethren William Lewsadder and F. W. Wheeler have had charge of the work in that place.
A REPORT from Minnesota, district four, states that “a company has lately begun the observance of the Sabbath near Grey Eagle, as a result of meetings held by Brethren Peet and Francis. It looks now as if a church would soon be organized here, and a church building erected.”
THE following good report is made by Brother George L. Budd, from Eddy, Minn.: “The company at Roseau have been some time without ministerial help, so we thought we would try to help ourselves. Our Sabbath-school convention was a source of much encouragement to us, for we all had to take an active part in the work. I have been improving my spare time this winter holding Bible readings, and am glad to say that the Lord has greatly blessed in the work. One family has taken hold of the truth, and others are greatly interested.”
FROM an interesting report furnished by Brother E. A. Chapman, we gather the following items relative to the institutions of Avondale, Australia. There are four institutions located on the Avondale estate; namely, the school, the health retreat, the Avondale Press, and the food factory. All these are quite thoroughly equipped, and all have experienced prosperity during the past year.
The first term of the school opened January 7, indications pointing to a good attendance for the coming year. The school is well equipped with teachers of experience and consecration.
The health retreat enjoys an increasing patronage, and is rapidly getting free from debt. All who go to the retreat are delighted with its atmosphere of friendship and Christian courtesy, and its influence has led several to accept the truth.
The Avondale Press is the youngest of the four institutions, but has been busy with work the past year. It is on a good financial footing. Three regular monthly journals are issued by it,—the Union Conference Record, the Herald of Health (which will hereafter be called the Australasian Good Health), and the Joyful Tidings. Besides these publications, the truth is being sent out in the Polynesian languages, and a considerable amount of commercial work is done. The missionary paper, Joyful Tidings, has been circulated to the extent of over 125,000 copies. Most of these have been circulated in New South Wales.
The food factory has been struggling with many difficulties, but the outlook is now more promising. Distributing headquarters for the foods has been established in one of the busy centers of Sydney, and the business shows a steady monthly growth.
Greater New York
By L. Johnson
FOR over a month the writer has been laboring among the Scandinavians in Brooklyn and New York. There has been no Scandinavian minister there for several years, until about two months ago, when Elder C. Meleen came from Pennsylvania. The work was started in Brooklyn by Elder J. F. Hansen, and a church was organized in January, 1894, with twenty-two members. Since that time many have accepted the truth and joined the church, and although quite a number have moved away, and some have joined the American churches in New York, yet the present membership is fifty-nine, among whom are representatives of all the Scandinavian nationalities as well as of the Finnish nation. It has been difficult for the church to find a suitable place in which to hold meetings. They have moved from one hall to another, having occupied twelve different places since the church was organized. These halls were generally beside or above a saloon, which often made it very unpleasant; and therefore when an opportunity presented itself for them to buy a little church, they gladly accepted it. The church the brethren have bought is a wooden building, twenty-six by forty-five feet, and is located on Nineteenth Street near Fifth Avenue. It was built by the Jews, who sold it to the Danish Lutherans, of whom our brethren bought it for $3,050. There were two mortgages on it,—the first, $2,000, and the second, $750; but those holding the last-named mortgage agreed to reduce it to $550 if paid at once. In order to do that, however, our brethren had to borrow some, and by painting the building and making a few changes, they have incurred an expense of $250 more. It is now a neat little church, and is the first building owned by our people in Greater New York.
Greater New York is a needy field, having about seventy-five thousand Scandinavians. There is a good opening for labor, and our brethren show a willingness to help both with their means and by personal efforts. They have been selling “Christ’s Object Lessons” since it was printed in the Scandinavian languages (one sister has sold twenty-two copies), and they are going to push the work with greater enthusiasm till they have done their part. About one hundred persons daily visit the vegetarian restaurant that Brother Rasmussen has on 170 Fulton St., and I cannot but think that some of them will accept the truth for this time. They seem desirous to learn.
Brother Meleen and the writer have been holding meetings in the church or in private houses almost every night recently, and the Lord has blessed us. Some are interested. I have also visited the Scandinavian brethren in Worcester, Mass., and in Youngsville, Pa.
Sabbath, March 22, we held a union meeting, and the church was dedicated. Elders Haskell, Franke, and Warren spoke to us. It was a good day. One hundred and fifty dollars was donated to the church. May the Lord bless his work in Greater New York. The brethren have become very dear to me, and I feel much interested in the work. May we all be faithful to the end, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
L. JOHNSON.
Missionary Work in Union College
By Milton E. Kern
EARLY in the school year it was made plain to the students that the best way to become missionaries is by doing practical missionary work. We have an excellent mission field in the city of Lincoln and its suburbs, with the country adjacent to College View.
The question of time for the work has been an important one, and yet while those students who most desire to do this work are the busiest in school, they have found some time, and without exception feel that it has been time well spent.
Besides the regular work of sending out our literature and doing correspondence work with those to whom periodicals are sent, a large number were organized into committees on various lines of work which we could do here at home. One committee had charge of the work of getting the message before the people of the surrounding country; another had in view work for the convicts in the penitentiary; a third, canvassing and paper work in the city of Lincoln; another, work among the young people's societies in Lincoln; another Sunday-school work in the city; and to still another was given the work of visiting the libraries and reading rooms in and about Lincoln, and offering to supply them with our periodicals during the year. The Scandinavian and German students have had their special work, and other students who have not worked on any of these committees have had work in College View.
There seems to be a growing realization that the Lord has left every one his work, and that when a Christian is born into the kingdom of God, his work is born with him; and wherever he is, there the life of Christ will manifest itself in loving service.
The library committee were surprised to find the different libraries glad to receive our periodicals. The Signs, Sentinel, Instructor, Good Health, Missionary Magazine, and the foreign papers were used in this work, one or more copies being left at each of the following-named places: Cotner University (Disciple), Wesleyan University (Methodist), Lincoln Library, State University, State Capitol, Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. reading rooms, and the Dr. Baily Sanitarium. Besides these periodicals, we have given some books to these libraries, and expect to give others. The committee on paper work in the city is doing a good work, visiting from house to house, and also leaving copies of the Signs in hotels, barber shops, and other places of business. Lincoln was worked last summer in connection with the meetings held by Elder Luther Warren, and many people are inquiring into the truth.
The German students and teachers have had good experiences in Lincoln, giving Bible readings and holding cottage meetings among the Germans. Recently one of our canvassing brethren, who is in school, accompanied by one of the German teachers, spent Sabbath and Sunday in his former territory, about twenty-five miles from here. The Scriptures were studied by inquiring souls almost night and day during their brief stay. The Scandinavians also have been greatly encouraged in their work at Havelock, the suburb in which the Burlington car shops are located. They have found work among the Scandinavians very profitable, even where workers of other denominations are said to have failed in religious meetings.
The correspondence work which the society has done has received quite a ready response, and some encouraging letters have been received.
Elder Daniells's recent visit was a helpful season to the college. The message of consecration for service was brought home to us with convicting power.
We have heard from some of our schools concerning their missionary societies, and should be glad to hear from others. We have some great problems to solve, and need help from one another. We desire to have in mind definite results, and work these out by the best methods available, trusting in the strength of him whose work it is.
M. E. KERN.
Nebraska
By GEO. H. SMITH
DISTRICT 3.—As a result of a five weeks' meeting at Red Cloud just after the week of prayer, twelve persons accepted the message. Brother Orrin Hall assisted in the meeting. Brethren and sisters, let us not weary in sowing the seeds of truth. We shall reap if we faint not. GEO. H. SMITH.
Donors to the Relief of the Schools
The Total Cash received on the Relief of the Schools Fund up to March 22, is $39,598.06.
Donors to the Relief of the Schools
NAME
AMOUNT
Joseph Gumbs
$ 1 00
Rose Paulus
1 00
Central America Mission
13 80
Mr. & Mrs. S. L. Kellogg
1 10
Mrs. W. H. McMilliam
1 45
W. W. Prescott
25 00
S. M. Babcock
5 00
Mrs. E. Calkins
50
Mrs. Nettie Reynolds
2 00
A. T. Simons
2 00
Ellen Sabin
5 00
Carrie Lauwill
1 00
C. C. Kinzer
5 00
A friend
5 20
E. Squires
2 00
A. Newell
10 00
R. C. Clary
25 00
Sara Harlan
6 00
Milton Harlan
6 00
Fritz Guy
10 50
Mrs. L. A. Shockey
5 00
F. T. Ashbaugh
10 00
Mrs. J. F. Pearson
5 00
Mrs. W. J. Goodwin
1 00
Morris Rees
3 00
A. M. Maxson
1 25
N. H. Armstrong
1 00
Mr. & Mrs. C. E. Giles
2 00
M. E. Dennis
2 00
Edwin Wood
75
Mrs. F. A. Hill
2 00
Stephen Kellar
1 00
Clarence Crisler
10 00
Various donations
45 00
R. E. Bliss
16 00
C. C. Morris
2 50
B. Dickens
25
E. Beaman
5 00
S. J. Pines
10 00
M. J. Myers
5 00
M. Jorgensen
1 00
Wm. Booth
1 00
C. E. Payne
3 00
Eastman estate (part)
97 00
E. Zeidler
5 00
H. J. Crippen
2 00
R. E. Brazier
6 25
E. S. Healds
5 00
L. Leroy
2 00
O. F. Curtiss
2 00
R. L. Freeborough
2 00
J. W. Horner
5 00
G. W. Barker
1 00
S. W. Hitchcock
10 00
I. H. Archer
2 50
Fritz Guy
5 00
Pearl Bascom
1 00
The Proving of Israel, Ancient and Modern
By Percy Tilson Magan
It has been the fate of every Christian body to degenerate from the principles of its founders. Succeeding generations of every church have gradually lost the life, the power, and the godly energy and heroism of their forefathers in the faith. The life and deeds of the Roman Catholic Church of to-day are not as were the life and deeds of the apostles and members of the early Christian Church. There has been “a falling away”—a degenerating.
Compare the Protestant denominations of our own times with the brave men and women who were their founders. Think of Wiclif, Huss, Jerome of Prague, Luther, Melancthon, Tyndale, Wesley, and Roger Williams. Then contrast what these men did and dared for the cross of Christ with what those professing to follow them, and who are named by their names, are doing to-day. Here also there has been “a falling away.”
Seventh-day Adventists are confronted with the same danger of having “a falling away;” in fact, there has been a falling away on the part of many ever since the Minneapolis General Conference in 1888. At that time the precious light of righteousness by faith was given to enable us to do the work of the third angel’s message. The Holy Spirit was given not for an opiate, but for a stimulant—to stimulate work. By many, however, it has been taken as an opiate by which to avoid doing Christian work.
There was a time when, if the question were asked at a camp-meeting, “How many know that their sins are forgiven, and that they are accepted of Jesus Christ?”—there was a time when, if this question were asked, it meant a great struggle for most Adventists to answer it in the affirmative. To-day a large per cent of almost any company of Adventists will answer that question in the affirmative without any struggle at all. But the answer in most cases means but little. It has degenerated into a form, a mere phrase of the lips. There is no living Christian experience beneath it. People are rocking themselves to sleep with the idea that if they simply say they believe their sins are forgiven, this constitutes righteousness by faith and acceptance with God. The precious gift of Christian liberty has degenerated with many into a wretched Shibboleth. The term “righteousness by faith” has become with some a sort of supposed miraculous password into the kingdom of God.
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works: can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
One period of Bible history illustrates this principle very clearly. The generation of Israel which went into the land of Canaan knew what it was to have a practical, working faith. They knew what it was to go out to war under the direction of the Lord of hosts. Once the Jordan was crossed, Canaan was entered, but not subdued. Within its borders dwelt a powerful race determined19to oppose the invasion of their territory. The various tribes, often at enmity with one another, were now knit together by a sense of the common danger. Fortresses scattered everywhere, “cities great and fenced up to heaven” helped to make their country well-nigh impregnable.
When God gave the plan for the taking of Jericho, every man in that vast host, except Achan, carried it out to the letter; and in exactly seven days from the time that siege was laid, the city was in the hands of the besiegers. They were thoroughly drilled in the science of doing and daring in actual struggles and conflicts for the King of kings. This generation had a practical experience in warfare for God under the direction of the Lord himself. Besides this, they knew what it was to be hewed and trimmed and squared by the hand of the Most High. Experiences like that at Ai were not pleasant; but they cleansed, purified, and toughened the fiber of their characters.
The victory at Beth-horon resulted in the subjection of southern Canaan. Then the tribes of northern Palestine allied themselves to resist the hard-fighting and all-conquering Joshua. But it was of no avail. He fell upon their camp near Lake Merom, and “the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them . . . until they left them none remaining.” City after city was taken, and Hazor, the stronghold of the confederacy, was burned. The war continued several years; but its close found Joshua the master of Canaan; “and the land rested from war.”
