Our text is found in connection with a paragraph of peculiar weight and sublimity. The Israelites in all their wanderings had a high regard for the Levites. They formed the tribe of Levi, which filled a most important place in the life of the Israelites. The entire nation and government was permeated with their influence. They were the officers and teachers in the synagogue, or Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the center of Hebrew life. All the encampments of the Israelites was made around the Tabernacle. This tent was God’s dwelling place, and whither the Israelites moved, they followed the Tabernacle, it was not only their guide but their guard. When on the march they carried it with them, and when they were at rest they set it up.
It is worthy of note that the Israelites always had a high regard for their women. These women were thoroughly identified with the history of this people, and often filled prominent positions. The influence and power of the Israelitish women is well worth careful study that we may learn some valuable lessons therefrom. Miriam was very closely associated with Moses and Aaron. Deborah was a mighty leader of her people. There were many prophetesses such as Anna at the temple. The wives of such men as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob exerted a great influence over these men, for they were women of fine judgment, and highly developed religious characters. The wife of Abraham was always with him for “better or worse,” through good and evil report. She was faithful and efficient as his life-companion. She did not live with him for ornament or social distinction, but for what she could contribute to his happiness and success. She made her life, his life; her destiny, his destiny.
On this occasion of your anniversary, I take this opportunity to call your attention to the direction in which you are pitching your tent. We cannot stand still. We choose the place of our tent today, and we will have to choose the place where we will pitch it tomorrow. Whither are you going and where are you to pitch your tent? How important these questions. You are here tonight, with your tears and affection, your sympathy and smiles, not for show, but that you might hear the Gospel, and let the world know that you are moving in the right direction, and that your tent will be pitched nearer Heaven. You are here, as wives and mothers and sisters, to do your part by the men whom God has placed you with, and to do your part by the children whom He has given you. This is what the Gospel teaches and your works and teachings, your by-laws and Christian characters, as a noble band of workers, all prove that you are pitched tonight about the Tabernacle of God, and that when His tent moves you will follow it. Moses tells us that at the commandment of the Lord the Israelites marched, and at the commandment of the Lord, they pitched their tents. The cloud of His presence was a shadow by the day and a light by night. They were safe with this Divine Leadership.
In the same way He deals with us. He is still present, although not in the visible cloud, to shade us and give us light, but He is present in and through Jesus Christ who dwells in our midst. He will look after you, mothers and sisters, who with tenderness and care will lead our girls and young women away from the dens of vice and sin, from brothels of debauchery and licentiousness, into the paths of virtue and holiness. You will teach them those lessons of dignity and character, and teach them the spirit and works of our blessed religion, which will bring them unto God and make them wise unto salvation.
“Isaac pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there.” He had a reason for so doing. We find that a jealousy had sprung up between Abimelek, the Philistines, and Isaac and his followers. They could no longer remain near neighbors. The Philistines had filled the wells which Abraham had dug in his day, and in many other ways they were annoying the righteous heart of Isaac.
So there are jealousies today that spring up among God’s people, and they cause a great deal of trouble. These troubles must be settled in some way, and the example of Isaac is now and always before us. You will not wait to carry out the purposes of such evil passions, but will cause your heart-tent to be pitched in another direction.
You have adopted the Lily for your name. It grows in the valley. It is the symbol of Christ. It represents beauty and purity. Christ taught us, consider the lilies, how they grow; they grew in their loveliness under the sunshine and showers which God sent them. They fulfilled their mission. The Master told us that Solomon, in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these simple little flowers, and so it was, the heart may be so arrayed, but not the body. The lily is an emblem of the purity of God Himself. You have chosen this name. “The lilies of the valley,” as your name and title, and it should make you as the hand-maidens of the Lord, tender, pure, strong, noble, Christ-like; no anger, jealousy, hatred, and like passions should be permitted to dwell in your hearts for one moment, and my advice to all the members present, is that you should go into this or some other similar society, for these dear sisters have pitched their tents in the valley of Christianity, and not only that, but thank God, they are dwelling there. Yes, they have pitched their tent in the valley among the lilies. They are humble and meek. They are willing to do the little things for God and humanity. They are willing to be his humblest servants. They have planted the lilies in their hearts. They are living like the lilies, I trust.
I compliment and congratulate you for the splendid work which you have done during the year just closed. Your faith is proven by your works, and your works are the fruit of the Tree of Life. We shall know the tree by its fruits. You are devoting your time and energies to God along new lines of thought and service, and new fields of usefulness are opening up before you. It is always the case when God’s children are earnestly seeking to do his will, He will lead them into greater fields of usefulness. I bid you Godspeed. The army of God is hard on the march. There are many trials and tribulations, but God is our Captain, and He will lead us to grand victories.
Abimelek and the Philistines have gone to their place. Moses, the servant of God, was succeeded by Joshua, and Joshua, by another as leader, and so God has been marching with His people through all the ages, leading them from one victory to another, into the very land of Promise, on the other side of Jordan. Study the history of God’s people, follow the example of these illustrious leaders, do not fear, do not fret, but ever march along the Highway of the King. Ever take the name of Jesus with you. Pitch your tent always in the valley of Christianity and toward Heaven. Always dwell in the right place, and move in the right direction, and at last you will wear the white robe of the righteousness of Jesus Christ your Lord. Let this passage of Scripture be closely inscribed on your hearts, and Grace be unto you from Him who was and is and is to come.
“Unto Him who hath loved us and washed us in His blood, and made us kings and priests, unto God the Father, to Him be glory and dominion now and forevermore. Amen.”