The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-12-28
DJSOBEDTENHE

There is a chapter in the Old Tesla
ment which may be pro6tably pondered
in our day, when men are so hayward
and so impatient of all restraints that
oppose the qualification of their desires,
even when those restraints come with the
sanction of the Holy Volume itself. 1t
Is an uncommonly defiant age-the age
we live in-defant of all that sets itself
above the dignity and supposed claims
of humanity; ana we may note in the
temper of our prevailing science and
among our men of letters peculiarly re-
bellious spirit against the authority OF
the supernatural. There is a feeling
that mankind have reached their major
ity, and may, with Comte and the Posi-
tivist school, who remanded theology to
the childhood of the world, put away
childish things.
Even inside of the churches there is a
disposition manifested to have ones own
way, and to oppose ones own judgment
or will to the teachings of the pulpit !;
and to resent any attempt on the part of
the pastor to make religion too serious a
business. Men allow themselves all sorts
of excuses for indulging in what pleases
&heir fancies, and resolutely refuse to
ascertain the truth, if it appears uninvit-
ing, with the idea that if they follow God
in sort of vague way, they will escape
all responsibility.
Here is Gods command in some matter
plainly laid upon them; it may be in the
way of requiring more of their time for
religious duties; it may be in the way Of
a silent appeal for higher and more
earnest Christian life; it may be in the
way of forbidding the indulgence in some
worldly practice; it may be in the way
of demanding more of their worldly
goods; it may be in the way of demand
ing more conscientious methods in the
conduct of their business; but they will
not obey; they obstinately and doggedly
go their own way; they look coldly upon
all who would demonstrate with them or
attempt to turn them into better path ;
they call them puritans; they say life
was given us to enj joy; and on one pre-
text and another they reconcile the
Church and the World-God's ways and
their ways.
But God will not be Knocked; the very
fountain of love, full of all gentleness and
compassion, to those who wish to hear
him, he is consuming fire to those who
undertake to deal with him in a refrac-
tory or intractable spirit. 1t would be
valuable thing if all men could learn out
side of the school of experience the lesson
that God will not be triAed with; that
ehey may deceive themselves, but that
they cannot impose upon him that his
mind is infinitely more acute than theirs,
and that he reads their most secret
thoughts with lens that brings out all
motives in the full blaze of day. We
aave not space to expound the chapter
which follows, but we say, it may be
probably read by q great many people.
Some of them will say, The CENTRAL
PRESBYTERIAN is sour sort Of paper to
be publishing this sort of matter; per-
haps it is from their standpoint we be-
Lieve that God is tenderness itself; but
we believe at the same time that he left
this chapter to instruct us that he is a
God that will not brook any audacious
insubordination. He will not tolerate
any sort Of foolishness-no maudlin SEN
timent; he requires honesty, frankness,
hi obedience that is free from every sort
cof crookedness.
AS literary composition, also, the
chapter before us is exceedingly fine
Row wildly the figures Of Saul and Sam
ned stand out and how exquisite is the
Language made use Of to describe the in
cidents Of the story
l SAMUEL XIV
Saul sent 10 destroy Apalek.
L. Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent