ISRAEL AND THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

Southland Times, Issue 20010, 26 October 1926, Page 9

ISRAEL AND THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE.

To the Editor. Sir, —British citizens the world over, who believe in British Israel identity, will follow the proceedings of the Imperial Conference with a special patriotic interest, if such a term may be applied. The stage is set and the civilised world is a deeply in-* terested audience, but that section of our citizens who have realised the British Israel truths have an inside knowledge from behind the scenes, so to speak, and because of this, theirs will be a specially’ patriotic interest.

Keeping an open mind, we see the British Imperial Conference in session. As a starting point, let us bring the lost ten tribes of Israel into view and trust to a mutual recognition later. Israel’s blessings were to come to them in tlje last days (this Christian era) —Gen. 49-1. They were comprehended in the Abrahamic Covenant, “By myself have I sworn saith the Lord . . . because thou hast not withheld thy Son, thine only Son, in blessing. I will bless thee • • • I will multiply thy seed as the stars in heaven and as the sand upon the seashore. Thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies and in thy seed shall all nations of the earth be blest”—Gen. 22-7. And, later, repeated to Jacob when God called him Israel, “A nation and company of nations shall be of thee”—Gen. 35-11. This was an over ruling covenant and was unconditional. The Mosaic Covenant, with the people 430 years later, was conditional on obedience, but was within and subject to this over-ruling covenant. Israel fell to idolatory and was punished, but the Abrahamic Covenant was not affected. The punishments as predicted were all fulfilled in Old Testament times. There was a new Covenant of Grace through Christ, the “last days” begin with this Covenant—Heb. 1-2. The mission of God’s people Israel, as set out in the prophecies has its source in and is comprised within the Abrahamic Covenant, which was not annulled and stands good to-day. The Jews, as distinguished from the ten tribes, has never been lost, their career is easily followed through the Scriptures. Isaiah 3-9 says, “The show of their countenance doth ‘witness against them.” They have retained their identity as a people, have no national land, no constitutional government, mix with all nations but adhere to none. To-day they number about twelve millions, but what about the ten tribes of Israel ? They are a great people in the world to-day, if God is true to His promises. Where are they? “Bible Student” has put this question several times but cannot elicit an answer.

We, who hold to British Israel teaching, see Israel to-day assembled at London by its representative men, in conference. “I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them”—2 Sam., 7-10. That place is an Island Home, north-west of Palestine (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea). The British Isles alone, answer to this locality. At the Guildhall dinner, those present included “representatives of every dominion, colony and protectorate in the Empire.” “I will give thee the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession”—Psalm 2-8. Lord

Cave, toasting the Empire, described it as “a league of nations such as the world has never seen.” Israel was called “the chief of nations”—Jer. 31-7. Mr Amery felicitated the chairman on being present at such an amplification of Imperial friendships. Mr Mackenzie King (Canada) responding, spoke of the “spiritual bonds” uniting the Empire, “not geography but unity of heart and mind . . . which no foreigners understood.” Mr Bruce (Australia) said, “the creation of the Empire was not in any sense due to Governmental action, it was established in the face of many Governments’ intense opposition.” Mr Bruce struck an inspiring note when he said fhat “victory was won in the Great W r ar by the men of the whole Empire, not of a part of it, and by men of every society.” “Thou art my battleaxe and weapons of war, for with thee will I break in pieces the nations”— Jer. 51-20. Lord Birkenhead, representing India, said, “India’s administration was conducted by the English, but it spoke 222 languages” (“I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance”). Lord Birkenhead continued, “Britain was the trustee of India’s proud, sensitive and deep-seated civilisation which, if Britain left would dissolve into anarchy.”, (God’s commission to Israel, “To undo the heavy burdens let the oppressed go free, break every yoke—ls. ,58-6. Mr Coates said, “The conference should aim at a self-contained Empire . . . Britain’s future opportunities will be within the Empire and not in the old foreign . fields.” (This can well be because there is within the Empire as promised—Deut. 23, 13-16 and 28, 4—mineral wealth, the raw material and the food supplies.) Can anyone of average discernment, reading between the lines, fail to see the Hand of God in the destinies of the British Empire? “There’s a Divinity that shapes our ends, rough hew them how we will.” In closing, I will repeat the question: Where is that great people Israel to-day? They have a king, because God’s promise is, “David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the House of Israel”— 1 Chron., 28-4; Jer. 33-17, 20, 21. In these verses the promise is sworn to. There are a great people somewhere, bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. The world is small. Where are they?—l am, etc., BIBLE STUDENT.