Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 1907)
NAOMI'S SACRED TRUST A STORY OF THE PERIOD Or THE JUDGES IN ISRAEL By the "Highway and Byway" Preacher (Copyright, 11W7. Iy tho Author, W. B. KtLon.) Scripture Authority Ruth 4:13-17. oooooooooooooooooooooo oooo SERMONETTE. The Messianic, Line This beautiful story of Ruth traces for us the genealogy of David, who established the kingly line from which sprang the Christ, the promised Messiah of the Jews. Note the large part which faith plays here. Faith which stirred In the heart of Naomi In the far country of Moab and drew her back to her God and her people. Faith bringing to Ruth's heart a vision of a 'better life, and giving her the courage to forsake all that she might find a place with God and God's people. Faith making them both faithful and patient during those early days of bitter trial and poverty after their return to Bethlehem. Faith leading each step of the way through the darkness of their loneliness and grief. Faith reaching out so hopefully, so delicately, and yet so boldly and laying hold of the right to the claim of kinship. Faith Inspiring to modest and gracious acceptance of the ex alted position to which the alli ance with Boaz lifted them. Faith finding its ultimate and joyful triumph in a son and heir whose coming was to add Its link to the Messianic line around which the thought of every devout Hebrew parent centered. And let us contemplate how this pathway of faith led step by step In so wonderful and beautiful a way up to the com ing of the Christ, who came not only as the perfect exemplifica tion of the purity and holiness of God, but as the perfect ex ponent and expression of that faith which was to win the ulti mate and glorious triumph over sin and death and the grave. All that this world has ever had from God has come along the pathway of faith, yea in the very beginning it was the faith of the son of God, the second person of ths Trinity, which brought the universe into being and created the earth and all that is therein. This pathway of faith can be traced through the Bible from Genesis to Reve lation. It has been the slender thread on which has hung the fate of the human race, and it is still the only medium of ac cess to God and the one element which, If absent from the human life, makes all other virtues and attainments of none avail. "This is the victory that over cometh the world, even our faith." It was faith which could lift a Moabltlsh woman from the midst of an alien and heath en race to become the great grandmother of David, the an cestor of the Christ. Think of the Divine honor which thus came to Ruth because of faith, and then consider how much of God's blessing may be yours through faith in the Son of God. oooooooooooooooooooooooooo THE STORY. tiftOD hath been good to us, indeed," J responded Boaz, to the happy words of gratitudo which Ruth, his wife, had just spoken. "Yes." continued Ruth, "Ho hath given me thee" looking up with lov' ing glance Into tho face that bent over THEY'RE MOSTLY LIKE THIS. Beautiful Faith of Woman In the Man She Loved. "People think that because I am a woman," said Mrs. Hetty Green, "I can bo imposed on; but usually they find out their mistake." Sho was talk'ng about a lawyer wherein sho had disputed her lawyer's hill, and this topic naturally led hor to tho topic of women's trustfulness. "Thero's a case in point," said Mrs. Green, smiling grimly, "about a young and pretty school teacher. Sho once asked her class for an original defini tion of the word 'wife.' '"A wifo is a rib,' said ono little girl. " 'Wives aro guiding starB,' said an other. " 'A com'tfter,' said a third. "'An inspiration,' said a fourth. "Altogether tho definitions were rather prosy and commonplnco, but finally a child of 11, Bmiling archly, said: '"A wife is a person for a man her "and nov Ho hath given mo a son and thee, too," sho added, eag erly. A sound camo from tho other sldo of tho rooni, where tho aged Naomi was busy nbout tho household cares, which sounded much like a sob, a .1 cnuscd Ruth to look in that direction. "And thoo, too, mother," sho added, hastily, while n shadow passed over her face, and was gono again as the baby cooed and reached up Its littlo hand and touched her chock. Sho burled her faco in tho littlo ono's clothing, as she pressed him to her breast, nnd when sho lifted her faco again sho Bald, appeallngly, to her husband: . "And I want our son to bo named after thee, my husband. Cannot It bo so?" Again tho half-suppressed sob sound ed from the other side of tho room, followed this tlmo by a choking voice, which said: "is not Naomi to bo consulted In tho naming of tho child?" "Why, mother dear, I had not thought to shut you out, I had not thought that you cared," and ngaln tho troubled shadow crossed her face. "Will not tho Lord, who hath given us tho son, also in His own good timo give us a namo for him?" asked Boaz, tastily, anxious that no suspicion of disharmony should exist between the two women who had been so close to each other in love nnd sympathy, and who had rejoiced together over the coming of tho babe and had planned so earnestly for his future. "Yes, we can wait," both women re sponded in the same breath, and there the matter rested for tho timo bolng, but in tho heart of each tho troubled thoughts which had been there since the coming of the babe remained. Neither knew just how tho feeling arose, for there was no spoken word, but each became conscious of a jeal ous solicitudo over tho child; each was utterly consumed with lovo And ambition for the child, and each felt a personal prldo and triumph in him. And as tho days had passed, Ruth had lavished her lovo and attentions upon the child, had talked of her plans for the child, and, without realizing It. had scarcely given Naomi chance for a share In It all. How the old woman's heart yearned for a sense of owner ship and proprietorship In tho child. How her eves feasted themselves unon "tho face and form of the babe, and followed with a great hunger In her eyes every move that the, little ono made. The mother became conscious of this and the thought had flashed through her heart: "Sho wants my baby for her own." And then had come tho climax, as Indicated in tho opening conversation of our story. From that moment, whon tho whole situation was revealed to the heart of Ruth, there began a great struggle in hor heart. It was her baby. Yes, her heart welled with gratitude and lovo as she remembered how It was through the loving, helpful Influence of Naomi that she had come to know the true God nnd had found entrance to a now life that now had opened up to her seemingly in all its rich fullness and blessing, and yet, as sho hugged her baby close, sho would say over and over to herself: "Ho is mine." And Naomi, as sho hovered about mother and child, and sought in tender solicitude to minister to them, by quick intuition became conscious of tho state of Ruth's heart and it came as a great and cruel stab at her own heart. This babe that had como like an answer from heaven that the name of hor dead husband might not bo cut off in Israel, and forever shut her family from hope of being in the fa vored line of the promised one who should be a leader like Moses; this babe whom she felt belonged to her In a peculiar way; this babe whom sho felt Instinctively was destined to bo- come great in Israel was sho not to have special charge of him? Was she not to have the direction of his mind and llfo as she alone, a devout mother In Israel, was able to give it? How sho wanted to pour the wealth of her devotion to God into that littlo life as to find fault with when things go wrong.' "'Good!' cried tho pretty teacher, laughing. 'Good! That is tho best definition of all. Tho best, tho truest. "But that afternoon on the way home from school, tho littlo girl whose definition had so pleased, tripped de murely up to tho teacher and said: " 'Are you not going to marry that tall, handsome young man I see you with nearly every night?' " 'Yes,' said tho teacher. "'Well, then, if my definition of a wife was true ' " 'Ah, dear, with us nothing will over go wrong. He says so himself. " Cause for Indignation. The littlo fellow Arvld is tho son of our coachman and Is so unwelcome a caller around Jennie's kitchen that tho other day tho girl slammed tho door in his face. A few minutes afterwards the tiny Swede was heard telling the incident to a neighbor, indignantly ex claiming: "Why, she shut the door right in my looksl" Chicago Tribune. it unfolded, that It might provoa llfo pleasing unto God. Thus in tho hearts of theso two' wo men tho strugglo went on. But with Ruth tho conflict was es pecially florco, for tho natural Inclina tions of tho mothor heart woro plttod against the higher and better self. Sho was conscious of Naomi's peculiar claim upon tho child and of her special fitness to have tho, 'enro and training of him. But how could sho yield tho plnco Bho wanted to occupy to hor son, ovqn though It was to ono whom sho know could fill it bottor? So sho asked herself over and over again, and was still asking, tho question on tho day appointed when tho neighbors and friends had been summoned to tho presentation of the child beforo tho priest Ell. In fact, after all tho guests md arrived, .tho question wns still un answered. Tho baby was still In hor nrniB, whoro, with feverish solicitudo, sho had kept him, as though fearful that to put him down was to lose him. All through tho ceremonies she held lim, and now has como tho tlmo when ho shall bo named. It 1b her right to namc him, and sho can call him Boaz, as sho had expressed her wish to do. Sllenco has fallen upon all tlio glad, expectant company. All eyes turn to Ruth and wait for hor to speak. The conflict rages fierce within hor brenst. Will she speak, or will Bho give her baby up? What shall sho do? Sho must do something. They are all waiting. Shall she let tho solf- lsh claims of hor own l?art dictato; or shall sho ylold to tho dear Naomi? Sho rises to hor feet, tho precious baby still in hor arms. Sho advances across tho floor, the baby still hugged close to her bosom. Sho turns, when in tho center, and moves swiftly to- wards Naomi. Sho reaches tho old woman's sldo. Sho stoops and, open ing her arms, sho places tho precious baby In tho arms of tho mother-in- law, whllo a great and glorious light Illuminates her 'faco. A glad note of approval sweeps over tho company, and tho women said unto Jaoml: 'Blessed bo the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kins man that his namo may bo famous in Israel. And he shall bo unto theo n restorer of thy life, and a nourlshor of thine old ago; for thy daughter-in-law, which loveth thee, which Is bettor to thee than seven sons, hath born him." And thoy called his name Obed, and Naomi took tho child and laid It in her bosom, and she becamo nurso un to it. Consecrated by Royalty. Tho emperor's groat bell In tho Ca thedral of Cologne was consecrated with great pomp. Twenty-two cannons taken from tho French were assigned by the Emperor William for Its manu facture. It was cast by Andreas Hamm Frankenthal, and more than 5,000 pounds was paid for the casting. It bears an inscription, recording that "William tho most august em peror of the Germans and king of tho Pruesians, mindful of tho heavenly help granted to him whereby he con ducted tho late French war to a pros perous issue, and restored tho German empire, caused cannon taken from tho French to bo devoted to founding a bell to bo hung in the wonderful ca thedral, then approaching comple tion." A likeness of St. Potor, tho name patron of the church, Is on tho side, beneath which is a quatrain in tho stylo of tho medieval conceltB, praying that, as devout hearts rise heavenward at hearing tho Bound of tho bell, so may tho doorkeeper of Heaven open wide the gates of tho ce- lestial mansion. On the opposite side is inscribed a sextet In German. Sum day Magazine. Fish Welcome Comina of Storm. Tho weather has a noticeable effect on fish of all kinds. Fishermen will tell you that trout become electrified with enercy before a storm. As if in Joyful anticipation of a feast, sharks disnort nlavfullv about shins befoio a i hurricane rises. i Ducks Prey on Swallows. This curious story of ducks and swallows is related by a correspond ent: As he was passing a farmyard ho saw tho ducks catching and eating swallows. Ono duck was swimming in the pond and caught a swallow skimming above tho water. With con siderable struggling and holding tho swallow under wuter the duck ate tho bird. Another duck that was on soft mud also caught a swallow and eventually ato it, but only aftor a longor struggle, aB It could not hold tho swallow under water. An Ambassador's Butler. Tho practice of tipping is not entire ly bad; the recipients at least derivo some benefit. A former butler of Mr. Choato, American ambassador to Eng. land beforo Mr. Reld, has built a largo hotel on tho coast on tho tips ho re ceived from visitors to tho American embassy, whoso servants mako more monoy than those attached to other embassies, chiefly because of tho num ber of wealthy Americans who vlBlt tho ambassador and scatter tips with traditional generosity. THE NEW INSURANCE AGENT. He Comes in With the New LewPaul Morton on Hie Opportunity. The new Insurance law of tho Stato of Now York has opened up a promis ing field for both men and women with brains and energy In tho sal.o of lifo insurance. Tho law now provldoa standard forms of policies, each of which practically bears tho hall mark of the Stato of Now York, and this now order 'of things has established tho sale of llfo insurance on a correct basis. Tho prohibition against rebating and extravagant allowances to agents has driven out of the business the old type of insurance agent, who in many cases virtually bought business, wltH large rebates, instead of selling It. His placo ia being taken by profes sors, lawyers, school teachers of both sexes, and others, who And that being a life insurance ngent under tho new system offers greater reward than tholr previous vocations. Tho law has reduced commissions but all of the commission now goes to the agent. Llfo insurance is something thab ovoryono needs and undor the pres ent system its sale is being conducted with becoming dignity and propriety. Paul Morton, president of tho Equita ble Life Assurance Society, has taken the lead In building up an agency or ganization that is In keeping with tho demands of public sentiment, and the standard he has set for his company. Ho says: "We want new agents, both men and women, but none except en ergetic, nblo and .truthful people need apply. For such there is a splendid opportunity." Mr. Morton's policy of Injecting new and vigorous blood into the agency force of the Society is meeting with success in all parts of the country. Her Answer. "Now, children," said the kindergar ten teacher, "I have explained to you how many trees give us food, in the way of fruit, and in other ways. You remember that I said man taps the maple trees to get maple sirup. Where does the tapioca come from, then?" "I guess," said Olive, after a pause, "that you tap the oaks, don't you?" Judge. Starch, like everything else, is be ing constantly improved, the patent Starches' put on the market 25 years ago are very different and inferior to those of the present day. In tho lat est discovery Defiance Starch all in jurious chemicalB are omitted, while tho addition of another ingredient, in vented by us, gives to the Starch a strength and smoothness never ap proached by other brands. A Counter Irritant. "Have you made arrangements tn prevent fraud in tho olection?" "No," answored Senator Sorghum; "I couldn't quite manage that. But I've done tho next best thing to dofcat the opposition's iniquity. I'vo mado ar raneemonts that'll mako their fraud so insignificant by comparison that It won't bo noticed." No Time for Extras. Tiny Sistor (rushing Into big sis ter's room) Please hurry, Lulu; Mr. White is downstairs. Lulu (very grandly, while sho dabs her face with the powder puff Very well, dear; I'll be down. Tiny Sister (nervously)--Oh, please don't wait to shave! -Woman's Home Companion. Dishes for your table! In every 25c family package of , Quaker Oats you will find a piece of finest American china, either . cup and saucer plale or bowl, etc. The oatmeal in the package is the finest in the world and it costs no more than inferior brands. CHICAGO If you want a delightful surprise buy a package of Quaktr Wheat Brrfes,new and delirious. SAHARA GROWING DRYER. French Observer Says the Oeeee Are Shrinking and Will Disappear. C. F. Gautler, a French explorer, is , authority for the statement that the) Sahara is continuously bocomlng drier to such an extent that the oases are) perceptibly drying up and will disap pear altogether in a relatively short time. Ho quotes historic records and physical signs to show that springe wore at one timo more plentiful than now, and that tho extont of the patches where vegetation flourishes were much greater evon 60 to 100 years ago. As the climate of the region has un dergone no change in perhaps thou sands of years, he believes that the disappearance of the water must be duo to purely mechanical causes. He considers that It is due to the con tinual advance of tho great sand masses to tho north, thus forming an impenetrable barrier against the ita torshod of tho Atlas mountains. N. Y. Bun. Laundry work at home would be much more satisfactory if tho right Starch woro usod. In order to get tho desired stiffness, It is usually neces sary to uso so muoh Btarch that the beauty and fineness of tho fabric Is hidden behind a pasto of varying thickness, which not only destroys the appcaranco, but also affects tho wear ing quality of tho goods. This trou bio can bo entirely overcome by using Defiance Starch, as it can bo applied much moro thinly because of its groat or strength than other makes. An Artist. "Tho man who painted that spurious picture was an artist, at all events," said the connoisseur. "I don't know about him," answered Mr. Cumrox, ruefully, "but the dealer who sold It to me was." ALLEN'S FOOT EASE For Hot, Tired, Achlnft, Swollen Feet. ALLEN'S rOOT-EASE eiMVll NAI INTO YOUR to Allen's Foot-Ease, a powder. It cures painful, smarting, nervous foot and in growing nails, and instantly takes tho Btinjr out of corns and bunions. It's tho proutOHt comfort discovery of tho nge. MnkcB tight or now shoos cosy. A certain euro for sweating, callous nml hot, tired, aching foot. 80,000 toHtimonials. Try it to-day. Bold by all Druggists and Shoo stores, 25c. Don't accept a BittntUute. Trial paokago FREE. Address, 0aVt LoRoy.N.Y., n uim7.TrT u.s.a. vrcuuinc unn buuto ignaiure. PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR USINISS B WHITMORE USINESS COLLEGE Book-kMpInf , Shorthand, andBoiiMM Uouraat. IWioi poauion., uia wai pUaaant work for roans ton ana wnmra uiri aoiay Bian now. llatca. riU A. R. WMtmara. Mi.. tacanH Wo PartUalara Catalog. " "wt" O&ts (Jmpaivy if