Newspapers / The Courier (Asheboro, N.C.) / Jan. 14, 1915, edition 1 / Page 7
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GOV. CRAIG'S MESSAGE THE STATE'S PROGRESS RE T1EWED EUROPEAN WAR'S BTFECT ON BUSINESS LAMEN TED AN APPEAL FOR STATE WIDE PRIMARY LAW RAPt INSURANCE COMPANIES To the Honorable, the General Assem bly of North Carolina: The last two years has been an era of substantial progress. The ener.-y Of the state lias been manifest In her industrial and social development. Agriculture has Improved. Trade and manufacturing has Increased. The European War has depressed values, and depressed business, but already conditions are improving and the de termination and intelligence of the people are prevailing over unexpected disaster. The sudden tall In the price of cotton resulting from the closing of the markets by war, and our un precedented crops, have caused a shock that demoralized business, and discouraged enterprise. The present crop falls short of its expected value by millions of dollars. This calamity has fallen heavy. It has brought dis aster to many that are industrious and worthy. The president of the United States and the secretary of the treas ury have demonstrated that the ad ministration at Washington U in syrn- pthy with the producers of the coun try. They are exercising and are ready to exercise all the powers of the federal government for protection against untoward disaster. But no power of government can defy world wide economic conditions, and any plan to valorize cotton or to compel all the people by legislation to buy this staple at a price above its market value, is in my opinion unsound mor ally and economically, tmd must re sult In failure and disappointment, whether attempted by the federal gov ernment or by the state government. We have been blessed with years of advantageous circumstances, and will triumphantly overcome this reverse. If the present unfortunate situation can demonstrate to our farmers the necessity of diversifying crops; of producing meat and bread at home the present misfortune will result to our permanent good. Within the'lnst two years the prin cipal differences between the people oiiil the railroads as to transportation of merchandise have been adjusted For years our people suffered from ad verse discrimination and excessive rates. While we did not secure on in terrtate rates the reductions to which we were entitled, the best available adjustment was made. By this a sav- ing estimated at $2,000,080 a year on interstate commerce was secured. But of far greater consideration is the placing of our enterprises on a friend' ly competitive basis with the enter prises of the'State of Virginia. Indus tries heretofore attracted to Virginia will remain with us. Our towns and cities feel the impulse and the people will ultimately be benefited Charges for the transportation of freight within the state liave been fixed by a commission appointed by the Governor in accordance with a statute of the last General Assembly, The railroads .have applied the re duced rates fixed by the commission. Intrastate commerce will be encour aged to the welfare of all sections of the state. Tile people huve accepted the judgment of the commission as wise and just. A strop;; and determined public sen tiuient brought about these adjust men'.s. The sovereignty of the people was asserted. They will deal firmly Anil jtiitly with u.i .oi;..vy carriers. and it is fair to ray that the railroads have come to recognize the controll ing power cf the people and uae manifested tin earnest desire to con duct the transportation business as public servants in harmony with the peoples' will, and the peoples' rights The railroads and the people are now at peace. But a firm and just control must always be maintained. I tr;:ajai.L to the Gene:..: ..asc-tv... j for careful consideration the reports of the different departments of gov ernment and instil utions of the state. You will see from these reports that our state institutions, educational an eleemosynary, are performing with efficiency their respective functijiis, that tke various departments ot the state government have been admin istered with ability, economy and" hon esty. As provided by law, these de partments and institutions have been thoroughly audited and Investigated by competent experts, and in the hon esty f their conduct they are above reproaidi. There are problems of grave Import ance that confront this General As sembly and as commanded by the Consttiutlon, I submit to you my views and recommendations on some of the questions that you will consider: The Farm. Our Department of agriculture is do ing effective work. The encourpg. mer.t to better farming, the improve ment ! rural conditions by the im provement of schools, of roads, of san itary catditions, by circulating libra ries, by farm demonstrations, by scien tific teaching, and by every feasible means'rhotld be the fixed purpose of this General Assembly. Eighty per cent of eur (eople live upon the farms. Their destlnj and The destiny of the state ad of all of the people of the state la all occupations is largely de termined by conditions that prevail in rural communities. Thence eometh our strength, and thence the crop of men. Revenue and Taxation. The ra venue for the last two years has met all the obligations of the state. There is a small balance in the treasury ubove all demands. This fact must be gratifying to this Gen eral Assembly, and to all the people, for it fs the first time in many years that this coudition has existed. Our revenue system, however, is far from satisfactory. The proulem of taxation is always difficult and vital. The gov ernment must be economically admin istered. No extravagance has existed in this state,, and none should be tol erated, but we must provide revenue for all appropriations and necessary expenses. With the state as with the individual, the elementary rule of bus iness Is 'to live wi'.hiu your means. North. Carolina has ample resources with which to meet all her obligations. Within the last- decade the value of all real property has enormously in creased, and personal wealth has been multiplied. We cannot repudiate the obliga- tkns ot Christian civilization. Now that the land is yielding bountiful harvests, now that the stagnant towns of the last generation have grown Into cities of increasing wealth, now that indnstry is triumphant, now that des tiny is unfolding to us in grander rev elation shall we in this day of our strength not fulfill the duties of a progressive state? We must support our institutions of learning to increas ing usefulness. We should listen to the appeal of the Confederate soldier, and to those stricken In mind and body. We must provide for th im provement of our rural communities and for aggressive work lor. the pre vention ot disease and fw the conser vation ot health. In thiB new century, when southern ideals fcave lieen sre stored to the union, when southern statesmen have oume again to places of power, when the future keckoos tc renewed effort aafl life, Forward Is the order. Property Not Assessed. The fault with our fiscal system Is that we do bM assess our property for taxation. Real estate, and espec - ially unimproved real esta.e, nu real i.er(.se a control over this monopoly estate held Tar speculation, have been j juat B OUT Corporation Commission greatly undervalued, and most of thet,pXt.erT.jKes control oer the railroads personal property has not been listed at alL It should be understood thut J the quadrlenuial assessment will be j Jor tha purpose ot lowering the rate j of taxation, and with the oetermina- j tion of securing a more equitable and j a more comblete listing uf taxable property. A graduated tax on inheri - tanees shoiiKl be increased and it should be collected. Our cltizess do nrrt refust to return their properly for luxation because they desire to take advantage of oth ers, but -for the reason fiat they do not desire nat other men and other comnauniies shall take advantage of theta and oi their -communities. The propery has not nriii equally assess ed for taxation, and for this reason Mien are acsaated 'ky purpose to un dervalue property, and tOTtfuse to list ttheir solvent credits. They would be willing to submit to square deal, but desire to prided .ttemselves against .inequality. The jiersonal property 07 the aver age man carnot be concealed. The securities of the wealthy can bo con cealed. The average citizen pays his tax: the wealthy often escape. The Tax Commission should be cbithed with tion in all of our business experienc e, plenary powers to r-v force the listing The people fchould have a voice in of till property for taxation, and to en- this contract. The Insuran'-e Comnrs force the uniform an 1 jt'st valuation j gjrr.H r should have the power to rep ot ail property. Every citizt-n should I resent them, an I to s: ''!; for thm. bear the bcr.ic.is cf govercment laj Every armament a'-vi;usr s-.its p;p-f propvrtion to hii; abilhy. This policy should be carri'-'d ou! with unalter able t'.eterminntioii. On a subject related 1o the nuances, 3 re; . n, mend fir.'.t th Cle-.e.-al As semb'y ivi re the State Treasurer to give as his suie--y for the laiil.Titl discharge of the iuth-s of hib oiiice a bond executed by one or more -surety companies, and thut this bond be paid for by ihe state; t.iat :b Treasurer be allowed to put out at intern;: all available moneys in his hands. This would yield to i lie state ai: in com of many thousands of dollars a year. Pr'rtry EltM t;o". It is clear that the people of the state :!etnand of the General Assem bly a law providing primary elections tor the nomination of candidates. TIn-s demand is in accord with the spirit ot the age, and lias already found legal exuression in all the suites of the Union with tew exceptions. The dem ocratic party, the republican party, and tbe progressive party in state convention assembled declared that: such a law. The democratic party iu convention assembled declred that: "We endorse Ihe principle of the leg alized statewide primary for all' nat ional, state and judiciary officers, and we pledge the party to the enactment of such a law as will make this prin ciple applicable to all political par ties." The members of the General Assem bly hold their commissions with the pledge to all the people for this re form. This Is democracy, it gives to the people the legalized machinery that provides the opportunity for every citizen to participate in the nomination of candidates, and in the selection of the public servants that must administer the government. Po litical conventions and party alleg- ience urge the citizen to vote for the nominee of his party. He should have a voice In their selection, otherwise, the great majority really has no voice in the administration of public affairs that are of vital interest to all. The means should be provided for the fu.l and free exercise of this right .The primary should be established y law, and protected by law, und the crim inal law shall dc-o.1 firmly witn iraue and corruption. Our selection.? must be (jure, and our nominations mas;, v.. by the full and fair exprc, -. : of the popular will. Aliusi m have i-oaie-time-i been practiced under sys..-.is not adequate to present conditions, these abuses must be eradicated and pro vided against. The safety of the sti-.to demand it. The preservation of con fidence in popular government de mands it. The ol.'.teatioa for V.U fms danietal reform is with this General Assembly and with lUi wiy now in power. Irri-rnne. The law regulating fire insurance should be amended. The Tate of in surance which the people of the state must pay and the rules regulating the insurance business are now fixed by the South Eastern Underwriters' As sociation. This monopoly controls the Insurance of the South. There is no competition. The protection from fire of our homos and families, of our property and industry is a ne cessity. We must have Insurance, and we must take this insurance un der the present law, from a monopoly exercising its powers unrestrained by law. We paid last jear J3.733.690.17 in premiums to this monopoly. There was paid to the people of the state in compensation for losses by fire $1,- 679.2S0.77. We paid to the companies constituting this monopoly more than $2,1)00,000 la excess of the amount re turned for losses. This $2,000,000 was n'ot all profit, for the expense ot oper ating the business is considerable. The ilast General Assembly appoint ed a 'committee to investigate the working of these companies as affect ing the people of North Carolina. This committee found that rates are not uniform, and In many instances too high, and (that the rales of insurance are not equitable and jutt. I send to you the report o! this committee, However, this may be, Gils monopoly Is a putJ'ic service concern. The jTisurance DennrTnent his been fclily managed and wisely managed ?y tha Insurance Cour.niissioner. He . BpPjs more power that he may serve jy,p people tmorc- ePcetlreSz, and ex- I lna other publiv service corporations of t!he State. The individual citizen has not tbe power ti deal with it on eriuiil terms, and to assert his rights. He must accept t'tv- terrriH proposed or be deprived of no-- essrrj protection. The State alone win deal with this J monopoly, and the state will be der- elect In her duty if she allow these corporations to fix insimnce rates .Ted to control wlthmit supervision the insnram-e business, by tl.elr own ar bitrary and unlimited power. The IJpnenal Assembly should con fer upon the Inpurance Commissioner .the power to fix .maximum rate;, and provide by statue .for reasonable r.i!?s and for uniform .rates on each class of property. At present the South eastern Underwriters Asaociatlou, the. representative of the conbiued insu rance companies of the south, hss the power to fix the terms of the con tract between these companies and the people .of the state. Millions of Dollar are Involved in this contract, and if this monopoly, representing foreign corporation, treat the people of North Carolina with justice and equity, it constitutes the one c.icep- i vision and ml cf i-i"!'-sn, h-r been made arjainst ti e c;::i rol of ev ery monopoly. Th.t fa lacy cf oil !:a--been demonstret";! by lo;.-ic or ox pi-rieace. llir1 peop'e h.-. iy of goo.i ey are au erial pros; ; -lie nt. AVc r: ye. The necess that tl: for me advuiu peasahlt t.u-t.." ii in! ;'ur socia bn'iding rno:-e highways thau ev; expending thereon i Ms oi ut'i.iir.- It Ins been estiincud by from t.-.irty to torty jor J-M: ry spo"t en ; ".' V cvperts ti:;. milt Oi il : lively sneaking vr.s;ed or mis President Wilson at thu reel ing of the Americ.-.n Road Cor Atlanta, said: "As important if, the matte: viding additional fundj n.;.y K.l. lllfc-f in i roads, and of better mabiUmauce ol roads already constructed." "It is clear," continued he, "that we a'u not getting the resulis we should have." This General Assembly should es tablish a Highway Commission com posed of experts, or of men who would make a study of this improvement. They should direct the expenditure of all road money, and they .should tee that maintenance ets as miuii atteu- tion as construction. Forests. The General Assembly should pro vide for the pro, e nun of our forests against ravages by lire and comm.ir- cialisni. The forest3 provide the nr.ns that water the crops. They s.ipply and conserve the streams that turn the wheels of industry. The failure to save from rut hires destruction our magnificent wooded areas, will work an irreparable dn:at,e to ourselves and to our posterily. The lumberman is now denuding the mountains mow ing down their luxuriant covering, ns Ine reaper mows a field ot wne.at. After him sweeps the conflagration. turning the once magnificent slopes and peaks into vast desolation of blackened ruin. We cannot expect tho lumberman to sacrifice his indivi dual interest to tho public welfare The Htatc mu3t exercise her pover by proper re ,';.,;; ion to save the lorests and ill. iv.. ; i- servo to the sute taw priceless heritage. Stctc's Prison. The State's Prison lias been man aged with economy, hou' s;y and busi ness ellicieacy. The report of Ihe s.i periiitenujnt trr-usniiited to the Gen eral Assembly shows I he condition of iia Prison and the operations in which the Prison lit a born engaged. It shows a balance to the Prison's credit above the cost of maintenance. Ana in this ;u -o-.?ut the cu. ait-is of the state have dono much work on the Hickory Nut Gap Road and on the road iu Mjdljon County for which the Prison has no credit. Some years ac.o the state gave as- sistanee by convict labor to certain j railroad companies to enabla them t-i construct railroads to ron'.o'e and dif ficult pl.u-es not provided With rail way transportation. These coavicts could have been hired to do wor-k of the same kind at the r.ite ot J1.50 or $1.75 a day each. The appropriation j of convicts wr.s the equivalent to the . appropriation of money out of the ! state treasury. As direct eompensa-'. tion for the labor of the ir'uoners, the state has accepted, in accordance with legislative enactment, stock in rail-1 road companies that Inn no ma"ket value. The state has appropriated a value hi these convicts to these rail- Toatd companies, raalixing that the stock taken in payment is probably worthless. The real compensation to the state is to develop rich and inac- cessible sections inhabited by a por- i in the crop of men. We should have tion of our citizenship desiring and upon our statute books a law forbld deserving the facilities of communica- j ding children of tender years to work tlon and transportation with other i in mills or factories, and limiting the portions of tho state. In this way the s-tnte has aimronriated as evidenced by stock: To to Elkln & Alleghany Ry. Company. $193,500.00 To the Watauga & Yadkin Ry Company To the Statesvile Air Line Ry. Company 18,000.00 5S S00.C0 To the Mattamuskeet Hy Co. 99,765.00 To the Transcontinental Air Line'Ry. Company .. .. 17,200.00 Making a total of $387,05.00 And in addition to the above amounts $21.56i,59, for which stool; has not yet been received, making in all $40S,829.59. These convicts have been appro priated under statutes vesting tlv power and discretion in the Governor and tiie Council of State, to decid-i when such convicts should be appro printed. All of these statutes shouh' ue amended so as to clothe the boar.', of directors of the State's Prison with this power and discretion. This pow er does not legitimately belong to the Governor and the Council of State. It does legitimately belong to the Prison Hoard. The Governor and the Coun cil of State cannot In the very nature of the situation exercise the power with a thorough knowledge of the af fairs of the Prison and a comprehen sive view of its necessities and opera tions. The Prison Board should havo entire charge of the Prison, and all convicts committed to the Prison. The statutes In their present form impos. Incongruous duties upon the Governor and Council of State. This is no long er desirable cr advisable, but is an unwarranted interference with th" Prison Board in its management o.' ho Prison. Public Health. The State Pcard of HcM'h has efii- iently n :"n 'iy its a i et'r LMprOv !7d provided il a bene l.-i.-nt work. nH-iry conditions nr ; deparl me" t si, on! Th cca.iair with inert hi : el; -sent il woi ir i; lit 3 mi l f -r th; l:e;-'il!l of .all the i ': ;-:t-. T'j'jci culor T'n pri I ':;- iu - .ii ulo 's is must "rY;:s. ? wna t iiner I 1 Ni-r-h Cct ria.ncil tha Dlintt it has b'n;; ;s.. cria.ru e'sjhleP'l tholl iHIld ni -ivlo i, rt :ims jf this cisc.is-'. Many m it of whom w? -l-i not l vow an ever presom e'.i; i:c ta.n abroad at. neoa day, and one - f all the !",(:! in ;he s!:ite a e vie ban It i; Mcniro'-e ws rs'ablishod in r- iponr.n to the ill mar:! that someMiiiu irust ho uor.e tor l.-ie ;i,ll'cte '., and t. jsiop the Kivusei oi the pl-itrnn. In my vf pro- i opm'on tinis Institution with Its pres be IV" rnl scope ;:nd efficiency is liiterlv in- I capable ofleaimg enectively with the I situation. As an institution for the purpose of I'dncaJlng people to care j for t.'iems?es, and disseminating l'i;tow!edge of th'- disease, it cannot b- as t-lt'ectivt as could a bureau t stablished for the purpose of sending literature to e.w-v perst.a in the state Known to be nf l.'v'.f l. Such 1 re could presen ths- st. W. ton nt: re ia'tl li.rently to the. j-opie, and with more eli'.cavy than could be dru.e by a few patienls who pre lorturstitt enough to secure admission to the small r-tab-lirhment at Mon!r There are now about ninety patients in this institu tion. It is most humanely Mid most obly managed. Yet, it is altogether inadeiuate to deal with this stupen dous proposition that fo vitally ef fects the people. It has done good in individual instances, but there are thousands In tho state who cannot gain admittance, and who will desire admittance when its efficiency Is recognized. This institution can never care for those entitled to admission. On the present plan, the whole revenue of the stale could not meet the ae- 1 your task with lidelity nnd coara-e. mand. It Is one of the highest obli- and may you be guided by the wisdom nations of the state to deal with this j and sustained by ihe strength vouch disease, to do all possible to prevent . safe to all who are steadfast in the It, and to cure those who have it. I j resolve to do ri;;ht. hope th"! this General .Assembly can I I.OCKK CRAI'l. work out a privtie-il pietliod that will Governor of North Carolina, be cSectiv?. : Jamiir;- 7.h. 1915, . . S Ths State's Institutions. I fcm v.is."!el that it would bo econ I omy, a.id good business that all the j instilnthms ot ths slate with the ex-j I cap, on of the State's Prison, should I I bo put under the management of one hoard of not more dan the members, j This bourd should have charge of, ar.d ' direct super i.sion of the business J management o iheae institution. I : am satisiied tint such a sysleni would i j save to tlievst;ite thousands of dolun every year mil, U the uencr:v . s sembly, should not see proper t adopt ; this piew. I recommend that the Gen j eral Assembly shall direct that the ! Governor require that each state ii. ! stitution shall make to him In such form and detail as he may prescribe. manaRement and con- ,, . ,,,, ,,... at all times a clear insight into the workings of our irstitut'ons, and ac complish much in the w:iy of economy and uniform business e'I'.ciency. Child Labor. The last General Assembly enacted a statute compelling the attendance of children upon the public schoo'.-). This statute should be enforced. The child cannot work at manual lalxir to advantage, but his mind is eager tor knowledge and most retentive. Ins character is responsive to culture, ine factory is l.o place f r the child. The i dnigery of toil is not h'.-s rightful in heritance, before his hones are hard, i or h's muscles are firm. If we grind ; the seed corn, there will be a failure hours of labor of those who are of sufficient age to work. This law should provide that women shall not work at night in the mills. Mother hood should not be condemned to such services. And this law should be vitalized with safeguards for Its enforcement. If. In our most progres- i sive centers of industry ana tnrirt, me family cannot live without the work of children and the drudgery of worn en, then our civilisation has broken down, a:id is a failure. I commend the mill men of North Carolina for the humane spirit with which they have cared for the health and education of their employees, and the children of their employees. Western Training School. The General Assembly should ear nestly consider the establishing of ad ditional training schools for teachers for the western part of the state. V are paying out large sums to teachers who by reason of circumstances and lack of convenient schools of proper character and facilities, have not been able to equip themselves effl ciently for their work. Salaries paid for Inefficient teachers must result In a more serious loss to the state than salaries paid for inefficient work in any other business or profession. W must create facilities which are con venient and within the reach of those who must teach the children of th state. A splendid and well equipped school has been established In the east. For a number of terms the leg islature has considered a school for the western section similar to that established at Greenville. The west desires this school located at some convenient point within reach of many counties r.ot yet provided for. Many superintendents have brought to my attention the absolute need of such a school. I earnestly recommend that a school similar to tho school at Green ville ha established at some point ia th- western p-rt of ihe stale. hi,!c:l i- serve ne peopi in ni.n. io -:.:. it world result i:i the inri ;rn;!i' . h -;.e-fl to .-!, )i-,);;Ie aii'l s-';.;::. i; e o:r in-i--!'. -c-,i;il as well .s i,ki' ri.:l develop. Admin'stratio-i Ofcrer-j ioulJ poi.ited ta. t:u Give'rir If. ia ol.cd". re to tlie ev; hi At- 'iv's'i"s of ail vide primary n-i'hn of sift ii al par: .-.-::o- : io r th. '1 ot;i v. ii.;..: . .. eminent, of the a-; id c, l l! U'; is for I h -ll! I he ti-' n (-onsi!) of tliose whom they i:iti'l,ii-"iitly select. now an i t'Vs Hem be Hover 't all of 1 the S; ' ;; (',:--: r. n-fc-i'i t. If clothe ) nppo: Asseaibly shcal with tile power to a. mi:iis!ra! ive nfTii-i;-":-! ercpt ihos,. p;-me t in t'o-i. it wa'ihl a i colli pi : : iniriiense bene'-t. I'r; si'id: "Put nil your e-: iinl in ( ii !:!, and -v.:: . is that ii.is'n-t.' Governor to a ii.r.-ie extent is 1 hi sponsible for the affairs of !o istr-ition. Gi e him the rower lect the men th-'' shail dir effairs. Hold bim responaii;! will be rc--i :k- :, ti:,.. poo t thus: ad he es' will ihe terms cf the prr cf thi s ;o..:;: ifi-s wo! nt iiii'tttniieiiis 1 of conre no: lie al'l'ei ted. They are a'l able : ml faithful servants. Their nnnc-hrm.-Tit by the Giiiernor would unify the n.l ministration and increase the ca dency of the government. You com? as the representatives of the people to write the statutes of a states pressing forward to nohier itchievinii nts. Y'o hoi; to you for ;!i policies tint will direct us in tli way of subst.nitiai pro-rers att.l enumra-.e to renewed e;.er;;y. You will tier-" :-m LESSON 3. SKLLi-iKS, g iiirict'ir of S u nil ay School Cou LESSON FOR JANUARY 17 TiiE CALL OF GIDEON. L.KSSON TF.XT-Jmlges 6:11-13, 33-10, reail i-iitire cliiiptt-r. (tOI.PKN TKXT-Rt-ssed Is the man whom thou cli'iosi-sl. - 1 s. i-4. We have before us now the fourth aposnsy an-l serv.fiae ol Israel, one which seems to have affected chiefly the four northernmost tribes (v. 35). In nrepo ration for the call and work of Gideon, the sixth judge, "the chil dren of i.-iiael cried unto heaven, ana God sent unto them a prophet who en couraged th air Pagni raun in jeno- ah and turned thorn back to him (o:l-10). The now impoverished and overridden Israelites, who had enjoyed prosperity after their former deliver ance, had again done evil and must first judge their ein and obey the voice of Jehovah before they could receive message of hope and deliverance through one of Jehovah's prophets. . ; God's Call to Gideon. j Gideon in Prayer, vv. 11-13. That the "angel of Jehovah' was a mani festation of Jehovah is clear from a careful reading of verst 13. There the first use of the word "lord" is not cap italized, whereas in e second in stance it is car'tallzed This angel was a foreshadowing o. the Incarna tion in Jesus of Nazareth. He is clearly identified with Jehovah (see Judges 2:1, 2; Gen. 16:10, 13, R. V.). It was thus that Abraham saw "my day" (John 8:56). "The angel of the Lord" at ho time appears after Jesus came, as the revised- text shows. The no madic Mldianites brought ruin to Is rael as the bitter fruit of its sin. Then was uttered the cry for relief (Ps. 130). The father of Gideon is passed by, for he was a worshiper of Baal (v. 25); They who bear the vessels of the Lord, those through whom he works, must have clean hands. God's call to Gid eon came to him (1) while he was alone, as he was threshing wheat in the hiding place of a winepress, for he dare not thresh in the customary open place of a threshing floor. This call came to him (2) as he was faHh-j fully performing his duty, that oiiia nearest his, hand (v. 11, Ex. 3:1, 2; Luke 1:8, 9).' - II. Gideon In Doubt, vv. 13-16. Gid eon's thought must have been one ofj amazement as well ae of doubt. His; question, "Why then is all this befal len us?" was a most natural one and' one that men even now are asking' when they are in great trouble. Suf fering and misery are not all to be laid at God's door, though he permit it, but chiefly at the door of sin (Ps. 77:7-9; Isa. 49:1, 2). It Is possible that Gid eon had not yet recognized his heav enly visitor (cf. v. 21). The name' Gideon means "Hewer" or "Treefeller" and indicates, as all eastern names do, something of his personal character or appearance. Hence the significance of v. 14. The Lord in tho person ot thf rnpel looked upon him and said, peeing ail of his natural Qua'-ifi'-alians, but with t';o emphi sis upon the "I" "Go in thy might . . . have not I sent thee?" Gideon W?s the Agt"t. IM. Cicieon Assured, vv. 33-3.". Gid eon's first act L-iMii .- r.s.-yrvd of this heavenly c(.inmnn! alion was one of ;hi; Cvv to l,-l-- v the a' 17-2 IV r.-t! pV s second one Till d o- er-' t!u:-l.y fi.-Ti-cf .:;;. I und on hitn 'jt ill en ace ".t ii'.'i.ii him ''ins: ptonr-cd 1 i.; death I'roia s .cms io ha V a ; 'A i he i:lul ii 1 ;' cr become ",':'i r.vers (w. coiitiuci-ce. ft he i-o:.,:iuinity, n he erected ( v. ; Gidi is one man d to fuvihi-r ;-.:,i-.r to .' ri bu i. o I v. IV. Gidson'e Cat geon s-cid tin". In , vv. ;-40. Spur- pulpit to preach without trembling, rr.d Chleon would have been mm'a tian human, even niter asm aihiin hia iirmy. Imd lie N-n i.bsolul ely free i'ri-ri doubls. Y,e iioul,j never jlace an "if" before any of Cod's promises, and bs'.'s rrp!i;-..-.:,.f,., those ol his dry when they denia tided a "si,'n" (won derl, but Gidcou proved his heroit;ii in part by hi caution. Gideon was afraid of himself but was sure cf God One,, assured of God's leading be waa viPtig to lead 300 'men against tha omt helming force of his enemies. If yiin a oci'ir.rid was a weakness Gad u'..ii w.in it witn marvelous patience a id tenderness, just-as he condescends to Irert our weaknesses. The verv lira of the -nuton is at stake, everything do- pi mis, upon . .cit on success or failure Caution and cour-ige are never far apart. Camion i- tho soul of courage Tho fleece suggests a "figure of for lorn Israel;" the dew, the presence of he Hcly Spirit. In the old dispensa tion the dew rested upon Israel while others were dry. In this dispensation Israel is dry while the dew ot God rests upon the nations. "When God calls lift your bouI ia jtrayer and follow in the direction it leads. Ae you lift your soul before God it will wax or wane. If it wanes, abandon it; if it waxes, follow it. though all hell attempt to stay you.." -V. B. Meyer.
The Courier (Asheboro, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Jan. 14, 1915, edition 1
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