Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-07-20
1flisfellaneous.
From the Young Peoples Mirror
David and Jonathan at the Stone
Ezel.

One of the most beautiful and touching
examples of the fidelity and endurance of
true friendship, is recorded in the first book
of Samuel, wherein is given an account of
the c0uenant between David and Jonathan
a covenant having not particle of selfish
ness in it. Although Jonathan was a royal
prince, the sou of the King Of Israel and
heir apparent to the throne, and David was
the child--a younger chld-of Be,hle-
hemite shepherd, yet the love of Jonathan
did not recognize the difference in rank,
which now places an inscparable barrier
against coalition of affection between a
prince and peasant. The Sacred Record
says, that as soon as David returned from
Staying Goliah, "the soul of Jonathan was
knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan
loved him as his own soul. Then
Jonathan and David made covenant, be-
cause he loved him as his own soul. And
Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that
was upon him, and gave it to David, and his
garments, even to his sword, and to his
bow, and to his girdle."
From the beginning, prophetic thoughts
of Davids advancement seem to have occu-
pied Jonathan's mind and in this act of
dsrobing himself and clothing the young
shepherd with his own garments, he seemed
to imply resignation of all his future pre-
tensions. How different was the mind of
Saul, the king. When he heard the Jewish
women extolling David because he had slain
his tens of thousands, the kings Jealous
wrath was aroused, and he said, "what can
he have more but the kingdom % From that
day forth, Saul determined to kill the young
conqueror of the giant Philistine, but JON
athan was Ike guardian angel between his
father and David, for his vigilant friendship
never slept Several times he saved David's
life; and when David finally determined to
take measures for his own safety against
Saul, they consulted together, renewed their
covenant vow, and Jonathan declared unto
David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth,
will ever do it for thee"
Jonathan out of filial regard for his father
was slow to believe that he was really con-
tempating SO base thing as taking the life
of David. Yet David was well convinced
of the fact, and dared no longer trust his
life in the power of the king. 1t was there
fore agreed, that at the feast of the new
moon, David should be absent from the
kings table, and then Jonathan would prob
ably know the mind of his father. 1t was
agreed that David should be absent three
days, and then return and hide himself by
the "Stone Ezel."* Jonathan was then TO
90 out and shoot three arrows, as if he shot
at a mark If he told the lad, "Behold
the arrows are on this side of thee, take
Them" then David was to be assured Of
Saul peaceable intentions but if he said
"Behold the arrows are beyond thee," ther
David was to hasten away as soon as posi-
BILE. The latter condition was necessary
and after many afectionate embraces, they
"kissed one another and wept one with an
other, until David exceeded" Then il
great grief the two young men separated.
We cannot too warmly recommend oul
young readers to turn to the seventeenth
chapter of Samuel. read this most interest
ing narrative, and then strive to cultivat,
the same pure sentiments of attachment t,
eaclrother. And wisely did the founder
of Odd Fellowship incorporate this touch
ing narrative into their superior ceremonie
as the basis of instruction in the perform
t"The stoue Of Eel" was direction for the travele
and served the purpose Of the guide post Of the present day