Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, July 26, 1907, Page 4

st ————— R i i | I BEMIDJI BIBLE CONFERENGE Continued from First Page familiar and interesting to the Bible student. Then a leisurely, comfort- able horseback ride is planned across country. One ‘‘must needs go through Samaria.” He will be glad to sit by Jacob’s well, to visit - the tomb of] Joseph which is nearby, to spend a little time at Shecham, and climb Mount Gerezin, something of a task but abundantly worth while. He will be impressed by the marvelous beauty in the situation of the city of Samaria, and will regard with much interest the ruins of ancient public works. Nazareth, of course, will be visited and enjoyed, and the traveler will see in its loca- tion a most advantageous place for the boy Jesus to have grown up. And then, when he comes to the sea of Galilee he will want to sta;' as long as he can, and read the story of His life while there, and allow the sweet story to come slowly upon his soul while he takes that story in with such feelings of tenderness as never before possessed him as he read it. It was our privilege to see this fascinating lake—the real heart of the Holy Land—from four separate and distinct points of view, each im- pression deeper and sweeter than the one before thiswaspartly because, in any case, one’s liking for the little lake is cumulative, but more espec- ially because our impressions came by an ascending scale of vantage in the points of view. Our first glimpse of Lake Galilee was from the station at its south end, and over the adobe houses forming the village there. The time was toward evening, and we were looking through eyes that all day had been feasting upon the beautiful plain of Esdraelon and its adjacent mountains—our first eye- opener to the charms of inspiring Palestine. Inevitably the lake look- ed little, so very little. It did not seem possible that we were actually’ seeing its whole length; But we were. And the misgiving we were bound to acknowledge to ourselves concerning the sea of Galilee was exactly suited to recall, and I could not help recalling, the question once asked by people who had not yet felt the dimensions of the man of Galilee, “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” What could there be extraord- sary about such a man or such a sea? One could mark beginning and boundaries of both. Why tarry or why return? With a feeling that was half question and half sigh we went back to our train, and happily the unexpectedly splendid scenery thru the east-Jordan mountains to Damascus soon made a palimpsest of the superficial first impression of our cherished sea. Saturday evening our train brought us back to the same spot, the sky was clearer than it had been the other day and we came closer. Directly we were going in rowboats to Tiberias, the only town now of any consequence on the Lake, and some 5 miles distant. There was a little wind—only a low breeze but /snapping white caps flashed every where across the ruffled surface, as if the little sea would show its teeth just as a hint of what it could do if once its temper slipped the leash. We could readily understand why the boatmen hugged the shore; and the lake began to seem less insignificant. morever, already we were feeling the subtle uplift of the mountains. One accustomed merely to the relations of ordinary life can never accourate- ly measure mountain perspectives. And altho 681 feet below sea level, the setting of this pearl of waters is mountainous—I do not wonder that the Hebrew prophets were men of vision, were poets, were such passion- ate preachers of righteousness, and packed their sermons with such daring metaphors. Hereafter, when T help install a pastor, I mean to burn all the notes of famous ad- dresses for such occasions, and ring the changes on just one charge: “*Send your minister to Palestine— ‘Send your minister to Palestine Youill get value received. If there be any amagination dormant in a minister, there among those mountains and plains, and beneath that sky, and, soul flooded by these “"cenes where was made the world’s "peutest history, the imagination will not remain_dormant, but will crack its cocoon covering and get out into God’s out-of-doors and grow its wings. I do not wonder that Jobn, dwelling in the wilderness where the stern rocks were the daily, relentless reminders of the bared arm of the Almighty became a voice com- mending repentance. Nor do I " wonder that Jesus, speaking now only of those influences that wrought upon ment, and not forgetting that these can never account for Him, and that neither this nor any other scenery, however grand, has ever produced His peer,but reckoning them as itis our duty to do,—I do not wonder that Jesus who loved to dwell by the wooing waters of Galilee, loved the people so intensely, and without abating one jot or tittle of John’s de- mand for righteousness but rather deepening that demand filled also his message to the full with the com- passionate love of God. Next day was Sunday— the dear- est, sweetest Sunday of all our lives— Sunday beside the sea of Galilee! ‘There was perfect calm. The water was smooth as glass, as if the master anticipating our visit and prepairing for its joys, had laid upon the un- certain waters the command of his peace. We went across to Tell Hum, generally accepted as the site of Capernaum, nothing by the way where had been Magdala, the home of Mary Magdalene, then the plain of Gennessaret that sometimes has given its name to the Lake—the shore from which Jesus pushed out and spoke His first great stories of parables; looked up the wady to the Horns of Hattin where the sermon on the mount is supposed to have been preached; observed safed, the city set on a hill that cannot be hid; considered some ruins at the north end of the plain which - may have been Bettisaida, so even Capernaum instead of Tell Hum which is usually regarded as the site of the proud and privileged but blind city; took time also to observe the deserted east side of the lake, and recall scenes from the Gospel story identified with its localities; and after half a day of such interesting studies, turned again toward Tiberias but lingerirgly. It is here at the north end t.at the Lake’s dimensions are best appreciated. One can better understand that it is 13 miles long, and 6% wide, for here is the oval’s swell. Rowing slowly south on the quiet sea, under a mackeral sky, and near the shore there was made for our eyes a rare picture. The deep, rich green from the velvet hillside crept stealthily out upon the smooth surface of the water, and lapping up its glimmering sheen, and absorbing the soft light that filtered down through the gray clouds above, and mixing in mountain shadows, inter- fused and transmuted all into a picture in which one beheld the blended beauties of the land, the sea and the sky. Back of us was high Hermon, distant source of the sea, lifting and losing its eternal snows in the ordered clouds. And before us, far down the lake, was its outlet Him in His human environ Lord’s day, came a mellowing,mystic radiance from the presence of Him whom not.having seen we love. Who in the days of His flesh brought un- appreciated heaven to these ungrate- ful shores, and who, now, in the days of His Spirit, is everywhere the abid- ing, and in that hallowed spot, the abounding inspiration of the reverent and entranced beholder. President Hodgman then spoke on “Sunday School Suicide.” Why loss in attendance from fifteen years on? Sunday school granted an agency for good in the world. Notice the two sides: Credit sidle—95 per cent of our preachers come from the Sunday school; 75 per cent of our churches; 85 per cent of our converts; 95 per cent of our* workers. Debit side—Takes 10 per cent of Gur pastors time; takes 10 per cent of our parents time; takes 1 per cent of church funds; takes I per cent of time in seminary course; takes 1 per cent of church time. Reasons for loss: 1, youth of teachers; teachers are girls and boys; 2, lack of preparation; 3, lack of permanence; 4, lack of religious con- victions; 5, doubts about Christ; 6, doubts about punishment of sin; 7, doubts about lost souls forever; 8, doubts about efficacy of prayer; doubts about eternal life. Results.—1, insincerity; 2, incon- sistency; 3, flabby views of morality; 4, cringing servility to wealth and power;5,dishonesty and graft winked at; 6, lynchings (sympathy with them and the failure to practice that war is wrong.) Reasons for above conditions.— 1, false estimate of success.(Get there success.) 2, intellectual and spiritual unrest; 3, no love of souls. We must find today.—1, revivals; 2, true estimate of success; 3, grow- ing adult interest. This Morning’s Session. The morning session opened with Rev. A. B. Astwood of Big Falls, presiding. Rev. John Davis read the scripture lesson from Acts 27:9-25. Rev. F. Shimian led the prayer. ‘The morning session was opened by a talk on “Bible study in Ephesians.” Divisions. Doctrinal 1-3; appli- cations 4-6; great thought is the church. 1In the first three chapters are treated the blessings, the build- ing, the mystery of Christ. In chapters four to six, walk and war. fare discussed. We must walk worthily; not as Gentiles; in love, in light, in wisdom. In the matter of warfare, Paul speaks of our spiritual enemies and our armor, where now a beautiul . thing was happeningr. Bg some feat of refrac- tion, the light had obliterated the mean adobe village and the very land itself, so that it seemed as if the whole southern shore had be- come outlet, and the lake were mov- Study of Chapter 1. Verses 1 and 2, Salutation. 3-14 are one paragraph, 15 to end anothér para- graph. The blessings are the election, adoption, in verse 7; redemption, conditioned by forgiveness of sin in ing in Divine stillness and stateliness between the low hills out into a boundless ocean. Under the spel of such inspirations no one thought of saying ‘the Lake is little,’ nor did any feel again like asking” Is not not this the carpenter’s son?” but rather did hidden man of the heart, subdued now and tender, and rev- erent and adoring, breathe out the confession of presuaded Thomas, “My Lord and my God.” A few sentences more will describe our last and most lasting impression, as it was the dearest. In the after- noon, four of us, taking for guide and companion, a little boy, walked back four or five miles to Magdala, and climbed the very high, mount- ainous bluff that there overlooks the whole lake and surrounding country. We could not have had a better guide. What is there like the com- panionship of a child to warm the heart and open the mind to its largest susceptibility to spiritual impression. We were very happy in our little friend. His face was a feast for the eyes as his voice was a joy to the ears. Gentle-mannered, intelligent, trustful, he was a win- some Christian lad. We shall never forget his singing for us “Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so.” - He was 12 years old, such a boy as Jesus might have been, and found straightway his large place in our hearts. When we reached our summit of observation, evening was not far off. A blue haze was rising from the water, and everywhere the shadows were deepening, while upon our own spirits was falling the hush of approaching night. _And as we sat there at length in the gloaming, wordless and thoughtful, over all that upon which we were then look- ing, as well as upon every sweet ex- verse 11; heritage, verse 13; sealing unto God by the spirit. Last para- graph is a prayer for above blessings and knpwledge of Christ. Chapter 11.—The 19th verse to the end. The material used is dead, subject to sin, outcasts, enemies, etc. God transforms all this mater- ial. Chapter 111.—The church asa mystery; the Gentiles are fellow par- takers with the Jews in the blessings of Christ. The purpose of this mystery is the making known the manifold wisdom of God. Paul then prays for the cleansing by the spirit and for the conscious- ness of the presence of Christ. Dr. Pratt spoke on ' Fphesians also, and on Mark. His theme was, ‘Qualifications for Service.” The or- dained men of God are unto minis- try, the making of the church a great minister. Paul was well qualified. manner of - his conversion. Very unique. He was annointed. He was separated for a great work of God. See Mark 3:13, We find here points of qualifications. Jesus chooses whom he would. See the instances of Gideon and Elisha. The chosen ones came to Jesus. It is hard to find the right spirit filled men. Jesus had the same problem. We need spiritual, pray- Notice ing and God dependent pastors, Jesus ordained the men to be with him, See instances about Moses and Elijah. See, Jer. 1 Every worker for Christ should be the truth behind the truth spoken, We need this degree of Christain, Take time to be closeted with Christ. Prof. Selbye Vance of Lanes Semi- nary, spoke on Hosea, the central thought being found in chapter 6. Knowledge of God is" necessary to make man religious. Formalisnra great modern danger., Hosea might be called the prophet of love. ‘Even in his love for Gomar, he saw God’s providence, Hosea’s son was a message from God. Jezuel, the second son was really not his own. Gomar - had proven faithless, The third child was not his either. In his home life Hosea realized the distress of God. The people had proven faithless to him. He takes away their crops, sends them into exile, and they will return to a new betrothal; see Chap ter 2. 3 See Chapter three where Hosea goes out to buy back Gomar. The latter part gives a passionate picture of the moral and political degrada. tion. The great trouble is the people do not know Jeborrah, see sixth chapter. They play at repent- ance. Most people try to repent a beautiful eleventh chapter. In chapters 12 ‘and 13, further pictures are given.. - God loves his people but must punish them. Man’s forgiveness has a limit but God’s is endless. The three central things in this book are God-Knowledge, the people can know God-Repentance, the awfulness of sinning against God’s love. Prof. Vance’s sad address was scholarly and tender, bringing tears to the eyes of many in the audience. Court Adjourned at Grand Rapids. W. S. McClenahan, judge of the Fifteenth Judicial district,- spent last night in this city and left this morning for his home at Brainerd. The judge had just come from Grand Rapids, where he has been presiding at a very extended term of court for Itasca county, There were over 100 civil cases cases, to consider. After being in session more than tw o months,Judge McClenahan adjourned the term until October, when the balance of the cases will be disposed of. C. L. Lasher returned last night from Albert Lea, where he went to He has succeeded in putting in a first-class family theatre, calling it the “Family Bijou,” and his son Guy is now in charge. a few days before death. Read the] on the calendar,besides four murder, establish a moving picture show. {] B. F. MCDONALD PASSED AWAY HERE YESTERDAY —— Had Ailment of the- Heart and Had Been Unwell for Two Years--- ' WellsKnown Here. B. F..McDonald of Laporte, a well-known dealer ‘in lands, died suddenly at a room in the Remore hotel, at 4:30 yesterday afternoon, death resulting from heart failure. Mr. McDonald, who has not been really well for a year, came up from Laporte Wednesday evening, on a business mission. He did not feel well that night and yesterday and remained in bed. He was out of bed about 4 o’clock yesterday morn- ing for a while, and complained of feeling worse. He was given every care, but it was not thought that his condition was serious.” Mr. McDonald had a phone message sent to his wife at Laporte shortly after noon, calling her to Bemidji. The sick man grew worse about three o'clock, but revived toward 4. Shortly after 4 he was seized with a smothering spell and expired, the only person present in the room at the time being the nurse, Mrs. Newton. “Mrs. McDonald arrived on the train from Laporte at 6 last even- ing. The body of Mr. McDonald was prepared for burial ‘and this morn- g was taken to Laporte, where the funeral will'be held tomorrow. B. F. McDonald was 35 years old. He had been married twice, and had a child by each of his wives, For the’past two years he has been agent for the land firm of Crocker & Crowl of Minneapolis, and was considered one of the best men in the entire northwest. His present wife is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Dan Dennis of this city. Notice of Special Meeting City Council Tonight. You are hereby notified that a special meeting of the city council of the City of Bemidji will be held in the council chamber in the city hall of said city, at 8 o’clock, p. m., July 26, 1907. The business te be transacted at said meeting is as follows: The opening of a road from the M, & I. Ry. track east to the poor farm, and Grading and laying a sidewalk on the west side of Minnesota avenue from the Great Northern depot to Second street, and The granting of the right to the use of the streets of said city to the Danville-Carnival ~ company, from Tuly 30 to August 3, for carnival purposes. Dated July 26th, 1907. JOHN POGUE, Mayor. To all Aldermen City of Bemidji, J. F. Essler, local \agent for the Minneapolis Brewing company, went to Big Falls last evening. 50-Foot Lots For Sale Cheap Now is the time to buy property for a home _ TERMS EASY. JOhl‘\ F. Gibbo’ns, Agent Hardware, Tinware, Cut- lery, Mechan- ics’ Tools, Builders’ Hard- ware. Large Stock of Minnesota Lin- seed 0il Co.’s Paints, Linseed 0il, Glass, Yar- nish, Brushes. " Headquarters for Guns, Shells, Fishing Tackle and Sporting Good BEMIDJI, MINN. SELL THE CELEBRATED Universal Stoves and Ranges —— e We Buy Rjgh t Phone 57 lllllllllllllll ¢ Illllllllll!l!! If Our Goods and Prlces Please You, Tell Your Friends; If Not, Tell Us. We Sell R.lght. JAPS SAID TO BE INSTIGATORS Russian Paper Alleges Antl-Dynastic Movement in China, 8t. Petersburg, July 25.—The Novoe Vremya publishes details of an alleged anti-dynastic movement in Southern China, ascribing it to Japanese insti- ily preparing for the Manchu dynasty In China the same fate which has Just overtaken the emperor of Korea. Continuing, the paper says that in contravention to the suplementary provisions of the China-Japanese treaty of 1905 defining the reglons where foreigners, including Japanese, shall be permitted to reside, Japanese agents have worked their .way into the most remote- corners of the em- pire. ' The note of Japanese intrigue consists in assuring the Chinese that Japan is their protector against the natlons of the West and at the same time reassuring the Westerners that [Japan is their vanguard against the Chinese peril. The apprehensions of the Novoe Vremya regarding the. re- opening of the Far Eastern question are fully shared in Russian military elrcles, where the steady armament of China and Japan s viewed with alarm. This movement is regarded as primarily menacing to the remnant of Russian possessions on_the Paclfic, 'LOW TARIFF FOR COAL. Retail Dealers Will Ask Roads to Make Speclal Summer Rates. Duluth, July 25.—For the purpose of avoiding a coal famine such as threat- ened the Northwest last year the Northwest Retail Coal Dealers’ asso- clation passed resolutions asking the railroads to_establish cheaper rates on coal during the summer months, It is believed that this will encourage the inland coal dealers to lay in thelr supplies during the summer and there will not then be the usual rush dur- ing the late fall and early winter months, when the car shortage is pro- nounced. e —— JE N M M llllllllllllllll FLEMINGBROS.i I o Sole Agents for . Sharples M Cream Separ- ators, Roches- N ter’s Anti-Rust M. Tinware, Me- - Cormick Har- vesters, Deere = &Webber Farm — & Implements, W Reeves Thresh- M ers, Engines and Saw Mills, Barb Wire and Field Fencing. gators, who, the paper says, are bus- _ ¥ )