Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03
Chr fireman.
Sunday School Lesson Notes
BY REV. J. o. SHERBJRN.

portion Oh nlelOlJ "hioh s''S' "S - r
of an honest endeavor on the part OF
Israel to return unto God. The sore allie
ton which they suffered in the loss OF
their priests and the ark of God did not
avail to make them penitent. but years
of fopprehension BY their enemies and des-
,i,u,ion of Gods favor did. The desire to
return unto God seems to have mad It's
origin among the people. A sense oil the
loss and shame which ungodliness brings
has often been the beginning of reform.
Just how Samuel bad spent the twenty
wears since Eli died we are not told, but
we may be sure he had sought to bring
the people to sec their folly, and turn
from it. 1t does not appear that he went
at the work with that iron handed zest
which characterized Gideon and some
O. her rcformers, but he evidently wrought
to turn the hearts of the people unto God.
1t is evident from chapter 3: 19-2l that
God spake by Samuel. Moreover it is said
that God let none of his words fall to the
ground. This expression may have two
interpretations; either it means that every
prophecv he uttered came to pass, or that
his teachings were effectual upon the
hearts and minds of the people. Probably
both ideas are united in the declaration; ;
his prophetic words cane true and his
instructions were not lost upon the people.
Our lesson opens at point where the
people had become generally anxious to
turn unto the Lord. Samuel proposed
test by which it might be known whether
they were sincere and determined in the
matter of reform He required that they
put away every false god and worship
Jehovah only. This requirement may
seem so fundamental to US that it needs
not even IA statement, TO be understood
by all but idol worship had Il strong hold
upon those who had fallen into it; and it
was considered possible to have the favor
of God and still keep their idols about
them. 1t would he rash to say that there
is no remnant OF this false and pernicious
idea to-dav. If America would turn
indeed from all her idols we might witness
in our time restoration vastly more
marked than that which followed the
abors of Samuel.
The people having put away their false
gods, Samuel called general gathering
of all Israel unto Mizpeh. The alledged
purpose of this assembly was that he
might intercede for them. The location
Of Mizpeh was in the territory of Benjt'
min, near the spot where God had forsak-
en- them 1t was also near to the place
where Samuel had his home as we find by
the 18th verse. AS the ark of God was
away here was no natural rallying place
for the people, as there had been before at
Shiloh. So Samuel really called them TO
meet him at or near his dwelling place.
One part of his ceremony after their
coming together had caused some dfficul.
ty among expositors. 1t is said that they
drew water and poured it out before the
Lord. Just what was the significance Of
this act s not quite clear. Among many
suggestions, one rather curious, but per-
haps as likely as any to be the true, is
that this was a symbolof Israel's condition
bereh of the divine favor, like water
spilled upon the ground, bopelessly gone.
1t would appear that the service OF II
penltential nature in which the people
were engaged lasted some time; for while
they were together, the Philistines heard
of it, collected their forces and went
against them. Their assemblage was
looked upon by their masters somewhat as
public gatherings in Ireland at the present
time are looked upon by England.
1t was indicative that the national
spirit was yet alive among the oppressed
Israeltes. 1t is not strange that Gods
people were afraid when they thought OF
meeting again they old conquerors. They
were doubtless poorly prepared for war,
and they had good ground for fear that
their sins had shut them out from the
divine help which had been their salvation
in former times. Hence they turned
trembliEgly TO Samuel ana besought him
saying Cease not TO cry unto the Lord
our God for us The offering of the
young lamb as whole burnt Offering wa,
a fit symbol of the new born people giving
themselves wholly unto the Lord. The
Offering was extraordinary in severa
respects. 1t was not, in form, either Tho
regular sin offering, or the peace offering
neither was Samuel acting as regular
priest The priesthood failed when tn
sons of Eli were slain. But Samuel, n
the acknowledged prophet Of the Lord ant
leader of the people, took it upon himse
in hese urgent circumstances TO act Al
priest and present an Offering unto God
The Lord was pleased with his conduc
though it may have been without forma
sanction, for his prayer was heard, anc
while The enemies of Israel were jus
ready to set upon them. God thunderet
against them and discounted them. TAX
the victory and release from bondag
which God gave TO Israel as type o
what he is ready TO do for all who turl
penitentIy unto him. Their enemies wer
driven back; they were permanent
subdued; God restored to his people wha
they had lost during their years OF bon
dage; and the people were permitted t
commemorate their deliverauce by
monument erected at the place. Anothe
proof of Gods favor was the fact ths
they had peace with the Amorites who hat
so often harrassed them on the oppost
side fIom the Philistines. After this Tim
Samuel was the recognized leader @
Israel until Saul was made king, and a
the days Of his lie he acted as judge
Atdlferent points in the land he met th
people and judged them. This doubles
meant more than the mere settlement {