The Evening critic., 1883-04-26
THE CHARACTER OF DAVID.
A Unique Report of an Eloquent aud
Intelligent Discourse.


In looking over lot of old papers few
days ago the document which follows was
unearthed. 1t was prepared fifteen or six
teen years ago by the reporter
of paper in this city of
which tho writer of this introduction
was then the managing editor Rev. DR..
Boynton was then the pastor of tho Con-
gregational Church here, and he had been
delivering series of very interest
ing sermons on biblical characters. The
character of David was announced as the
subject for certain occasion, and reporter
who had never before reported sermon
was detailed to report it. The result was the
paper which follows, which is certainly
reportorial curiosity. The report was never
published, but it was shown to DIR. Boynton,
who had hearty laugh over the manner
in which his subject was treated. 1t is
proper to add that the reporter made
marked improvement afterward, and be-
fore his death, which occurred few years
ago, became n very fair newspaper man.
But here is the report, just as it was handed
into the Office:
Services at COngreg egntionnl Church.
Last evening this church was we'll at
tended, and the sermon of Rev. DR.. Boyn-
ton, pastor. in which he treated on the life
of David, was listened to with much inter
est by his audience. The minister based
his remarks on part of the sixteenth chap
ter of the Book of Samuel, and presented to
those present the outlines of the clements
of the character of David before he was
converted, in other words, the raw mate
rial, with which the Holy Spirit first
wrought, leaving them to judge, after pre-
senting his own views on the subject, what
kind of man David was as originally cre-
ated in the likeness of God. The individ-
uality of David, he said, was perceptible,
as it could be in cities, mountains,
sections of countries or even coun-
tries. He was raised in luxury
and was the centre of attraction. He was
educated in the bold and beautiful scenery
of the mountains of Judea-that grand
grazing country, the mountains of which
abound in milk and honey. 1t was said
that David was fair of eyes, of ruddy COM
plexion, and had, by nature, magnetic in
fluence over those with whom he asso-
ciated. or with whom he came in contact !;
and, with all, he was very sociable. Dr..
Boynton could Imagine that David was the
leader of his bOyish companions and the
moving spirit of those around him. Early
he became a musician, and his music was
the sweetest. He was accustomed, in
youth, to manly sports, and states that he
slew both lion and bear with only the
rude implements of those days, which
proved him to be strong and hardy boy.
David was grand organizer, sweet poet,
an excellent singer, murderer an adul-
terer, and deceiver at times, and yet, it is
said, he was man after Gods own heart
The military exploits of David, as COM
pared with those of others of his day would
have given him high position in history
were it not for his brighter civil exploit
He was commander-in-chiefo of the armies
in Israel at 90 years of age. His magnetic
influence attracted to him hosts of men and
it was common to hear them sing, saul
has slain his thousands but David his tens
of thousands"
David was of tremendous temper; and
yet he was calm and decisive in all he
undertook. Saul called him STRIPPING,
and it was said that he had better be at
home feeding his fathers flocks and yet
he was found passing down the lines be-
tween the two great contending armies
daring to mortal combat any one Of the op-
posing hosts. He advises the men of his
armies to "Let no mans courage fail him."
and he afterward goes forth under the
scornful gaze of GOliah and Stays him with
stone thrown from his sling, saying at the
time, "The Lord has delivered me from
the beasts of the field, and the Lord will
deliver me from you
David turned the tide of the nations
destiny, and always proved himself an hon
orable and loyal man. He was master of
any character that he assumed. When in
command of his four thousand men he had
complete control of them and when he
found his life in jeopardy he played the
madman SO successfully that he escaped the
vengeance of his enemies. He was of a
kind and generous disposition, as was
shown when some of his staff officers en-
dangered their lives to procure him he'll
met full of water, for helpoured 1t on the
| ground as an offering to Almighty God,
saying that he could not drink the
| price of blood. AT another time, when
athirst and when water is offered
to him, he generously sends it to famish-
| ing and wounded soldier, remarking that
he could do without it better than could the
soldier. He arose in life against obstacles that
no ordinary mind could have overcome.
The force of his original thought and his
reliance on his God was wonderful, and in
all things his soul scared up in praise and
prayer to God. He was the founder OF
Hebrew literature as well as of kingdom
and until the last hour of time the songs oi
David will sound to encourage us, and we
will pass away with their sweet strain:
echoing in our ears with religious melody
| and harmony