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6 THE CHRISTIAN NATION. Vol. 69.
iding
his work."
food and conveyance for him during
"Behind the popular
rush for everything
new that is likely to take place, there is in the
minds of the leading men in Wuchang a decided
leaning towards Christianity. Striking
evidence of this was given by the meeting of
two hundred delegates held in Wuchang on
January i8th, to. discuss the formation of the
'Army of Heavenly Salvation,' under the auspices
of the Republican Government, presided
over by a Christian, representing General
Li, and at which many of the non-Christians
were as strongly pro-Christian as any of the
Christians whb formed nearly half the meeting.
The main idea of this proposed organization
seems to be the adoption of Christianity
as the national religion, with complete
freedom of religious belief."
"The outlook for the spread of Christian
teaching and the wider influence of Christian
truth, is most ho.peful. As already mentioned
above, there is a feeling abroad among the
people that with the change of Government
there must necessar'ily be a chaage of religion.
Ohe result of this wide-spread belief is already
seen in the large increase in hearers
in churches and street chapels, everywhere.
The people are coming in almoist overwhelming
numbers to hear the Gospel, and hundreds
are being enrolled as inquirers. Indeed, the
missionaries in many places find themselves
unable to cope with the large numbers that
are applying for dhurch membership. .Bibles
and Scripture portions and other Christian
books and tracts are being sold in large quantities.
In one city near Shanghai the Bible
colporteurs have found that many are buying
Bibles and Scripture portions in order
to learn how they must act as citizens of
a Repubhc! What opportunities such a condition
of things affords for the spread of
Christian truth, may be imagined. What.a
clarion call this is to the home churches for
a large increase in the number of workers
in this field that is already so white unto
the harvest!"
"The influence of the missionary and the
Chinese pastor will be greatly increased under
the new regime. The .local officials in many
places are already asking the advice of the
missionaries and Chinese pastors as to the
best methods of managing local affairs. This
fact is full of hopeful encouragement for us
while at the same time it is a source of danger
to our work; encouragement in that it affords
an unprecedented opportunity for the
entrance of the Gospel message; a source of
danger in that it opens the way for indiscreet
and designing men to work untold
harm to the cause of Christ. How important
it is that all the missionaries and native
workers should be like the man of Issachar
w'ho 'had understanding of the times to know
w'hat Israel ought to do.' "
W. J. McKNIGHT.'
^^^^ Sabbath School
Lesson VIII. August 17, 1913.
By the Rev. W. A. Aikin.
CROSSING THE RED SEA.—Exodus
13:17—14:31.
Golden Text. Before they call I wifl
answer.—Isaiah 65 -.24.
Psalms.—107:1-5. C. M.; 3:1-5. C. M.
76:4-7 CM.
Time.—B. C. 1491. Just following last
lesson. In the reign of Minetaph, son of
Rameses II.
Place.—(joshen and the district lying to
the south ofit toward the Red Sea.
The monuments of Egypt are silent concerning
the Exodus of the children of Israel,
and the destruction of the army of Pharaoh
in the Red Sea. But this is not strange.
On , the tomb of Napoleon in the ciity of
Paris may be seen the names of some of the
most illustrious battles fought by the great
general. But no mention is made of the battle
of Waterloo, although it is the most noted
battle he ever fought. It was for him a
great defeat. Thisj doubtless, is also the
reason for the silence of the monuments of
Egypt about the escape of the children of
Israel.
ANALYSIS AND COMMENT.
I. ISRAEL ON THE MARCH.
"God led the people about, through the
way of the wilderness of ihe Red Sea: and
the children of Israel went up harnessed out
of the land of Egypt." From the account
which the books of Exodus gives of Israel's
march out of Egypt, we note. 1st. There was
a great concourse of people. Scripture says
that there were six hundred thousand warriors.
This would imply, according to comnon
computation, a population of at least two
millions of people. This means that there
must have 'been a marvelous growth in the
population of Israel, even allowing for the
descendants of rtianyservants who came with
the sons of Jacob into Egypt and- were afterwards
incorporated in the nation.
2nd. They went out by the right way.
There were three possible roads for Israel.
The first was ithe northern roUte. This was
the route for caravans. But-it'was dangerous
for Israel to go this,,way, as the warlike
Philistines would resist their passage through
their territory. The second way was along
the great wall which Egypt had built from
the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. But
this was through the desert and would require
a constant miracle to sustain Israel and their
flo'cks. ThS' third, southernmost, "swept
across the wilderness between, the two arms
of the Red Sea." Mosps was fj^miliar -with
tbis road. No doubt, the road which Israel
was led to take, seerned to them the last
road they should take. I5ut God was their
leader and He knew that it Was best suited
for them in their .condition, at that time.
"He led them forth by the right way." Ps
107:7.
3rd. They went out in faith. There was
faith at least in the heart of Moses. "And
Moses took the bones of Joseph with him''
If the unburied bones of Joseph had not been
a common theme in the homes of the Hebrews,
Moses would never have known of the
request which he had made so many years
before.
II. ISRAEL UNDER THE CLOUD, i
"And the 'Lord went before them by day
in a pillar of a cloud.". This cloud signified
the abiding presence of God with Israel. By
it they were protected from the burning, rays
of the sun by day and given light by nig'ht.
At one time it removed and came behind
Israel so as to conceal them from the hosts
of Pharaoh. When Israel settled in Canaan,
it took up its abode within the Holy of Holies
in the sanctuary. The church realizes the
presence of God in a fuller measure now in
the constant presence of Christ,- the Angel of
the covenant, who became flesh and walketh
among the seven golden candlesticks. d
III. ISRAEL PURSUED. 1
"And the Lord hardened the heart of
Pharao'h, king of Egypt, and he pursued
after the' children of Israel." (jod's gracious
admonitions only increased the stubbornness
of Pharaoh'si will, and every opportunity afforded
him to show a kindness to the
children of Israel only increased the bitterness
of his spirit and the hardness of his
heart. The rays of the sun which call forth
life and vegetation in one piece of soil, only
make another piece of soil of a different nature
the harder. Thus the gracious offers
and influences of the gospel, which to one
person is the "savour of life unto life," is to
another, the one who resists it, "the savour
of death unto death." The plagues of Egypt
might have been a great mercy to Pharaoh,
had he been so disposed, (jod hardens the
hearts of men by sending them gracious admonitions
and opportunities to repent.
The hardness of Pharaoh's heart now being
ripe for judgment, he was led to pursue
after Israel with the chariots and horsemen
which formed the flower of his army.
Before noting the fearful outcome of this
mad undertaking, we must look at the event
next in order, viz:
IV. ISRAEL IN DESPAIR.
"And when Pharaoh drew nigh,the
children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and
behold the Egyptians marched after them
and they were sore afraid." If God be lefl
out of the scene, Israel was indeed in ar
awful plight. Before them was the Rec
Sea. On, one hand was an impassable rang«
of craggy rocks; on the other hand grea-^
fortifications confronted them. And behiffl
them the army of their dreaded ' fo€S, tin
Egyptians. Their position here represent!
the child of God when he is beset with spir
itual foes on £very side; when without an