The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-08-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
LESSON CONsIDERED.
Reflections of an Eievsting Character =
Wholesome Food for Thought = Study
ing the scriptural Lessons Inteiiigentiy
and Probably.

Wholesome Food for Thought = Study
ing the Scriptural Lessons Inteiiigently
and Probably.
The lesson for Sunday. Sept. /. may be-
found in Sam. II: 32-5l.
INTRODUCTORY.
We come TO the story of one OF the most
notable personal encounters OF all history.
Homer. in his generous periods descriptive
OF the meeting OF heroes and demi-gods In
the Trojan battle plain. never touched the
high mark OF either literary or moral sub
Unity To which this narrative carries US.
There was real dignity In this contest. We
eXecrate the French duel. we abominate
and abhsr the English priZe-ring. because
OF either the total absence OF adequate pur-
pose. or else the utter faseness OF the ap-
plication. But where. as here. great issues
are at stake, and great cause is TO be
served. the matching OF strength with
strength. and the acceptance OF
sort Of vlcarious tef and ordeal has
something in IL near akin TO divinity. The
Roman youth who for Rome's veal leaped
into the yawning chasm. John Maynard
VINO, 70 save the passengers OF his burning
vessel, chung in self-mmolation 10 his
pilots box. awakens in rs an admiration
little short OF reverence. It becomes wholly
reverence. at last and alone. when on a
tree outside the walls a Kingly Head drops.
and he who was wounded for our transgres-
sions-the Just Tor the unjust-meets and
conquers the giant Death.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
And David SAID David had come on
merely a civilian errand To the battle field
". 10, which was at "A point on the troub-
lous borders OF the land not far east OF
Bethlehem. His bold words about the in
solent Goliath ". 26) had been reported to
Saul, who. at his wits ends to break the
deadlock. now forty days in duration.
sent at once 10 him.-Fdu because of him.
The Douay version says, BE discouraged
in him" Gee Margin) We prefer. how
ever the King James translation as nearer
hn ffrtN. It4.aN - 80.
He may have been mercenary of the
Philstines, and one OF the relics or the
old Anakim. so frghtful always to
Israel Deut. 8: p. He was about
ten feet high. and belonged to family OF
gigantic men, all OF whom were slain by
David and his servants q Sam. 81: 22).
Saul said 90 Dduid. Saul had already met
David. but knew him up to this time only
as poet and musician Q7: 10. How
strange. then. this new development So
strange. indeed. that he does not seem TO
recognize him in his new character. or il no
does. the startling events Of the day make
revision of his conception Of the young
man necessary (see VS.. 55-5S), It must be
remembered that several years had prob
ably passed since David was for a season in
the royal court.--But youth. The word.
according TO the lexicon, could be applied
TO bearded young man of twenty. We
know from Sam 16: 49, that David had be-
fore this. shown himself 10 be remarka-
bly, strong and well-developed young man.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
TN seTUdnt ciU 90 and H0ht NTH this
Phltistsne The voice OF the champion of
the truth. The church Is waiting for such
proffer. Every age has its insolent Goialh
OF Philistinism: shall it not have also its
courageous David full of trusts in God?
TetZel was the Goliath OF work righteous
ness. and Luther. with his The just shah
live by faith" was the David VINO smote
him to the earth and put the whole OF Phil
istia TO CONSERVATION. Bunyan and Wes-
] ley and Knox aud Edwards were young Da-
vids in their day. May me mention in their
later spheres Of action, PHI lips, Cough.
Lincoln. Judson. Moody. Drummond? The
/ Davidic spirit is needed ever; contempt of
Satan, hope in God. God keep il large
and strong in the church and for the
church!
But come TO thee in the name of the Lord
OF hosts. That was holy boldness 1t defed
the sword because "a greater sword was
held: the sword OF the plrit. which is tho
word OF Cod 1t despised the spear be-
cause around about were the invisible yet
invincible spearsmen of tue Almighty. 1t
laughed at shield and javelin. for OF tho
omnipotent God IL might say: He is our
help and shield, His truth shall be my
shield and bucklor." TO those who go forth
IN the name of God there rs safety ane
strength. ~There"-that is. TO those dwell.
ing in the Zion Of full faith-"there brake he
the arrows of tho bow. the shield. and tbs
sword and the battle 1t is the secret OF
III %
Bishop Taylor's success in Africa. 1t is the
power that worketh in every true child OF
faith. Trust God.
For me battle is the Lords. Net mans.
but Gods. and hence we can call in all the
enginery OF heaven. The servant Of God
should not trou le him elf about he weak
ness of his own human arrangement. He
can rightly plead the promises OF God in
his truths behalf and call down all the
might Of the skies. . for the devout in
trepidity Of an Elijah on Carmell o for
faith TO believe that the battle is the Lords
and TO call upon the divine resourcesl Once
in while ptous courage startles us with
its appeal and wakes us to the magnitude
of the conflict and OF the forces enlisted in
1t. 1t was such spirit that arrested the
attention OF David Hume when Geo go
Whtefleld was closing one of his match
less proclamations Of the gospel. Pausing
moment the great preacher stamped W til
his foot. lifted up his eyes and hands to
heaven with the cry that thrilled the vast
audience as scarcely anything else could:
stop. Gabriell stop. Ga. riell stop ere you
enter the sacred portals. and yet carry with
you the news of one sinner converted to
Fire smooth stones. First. they were
right at hand; l. O., available; second.
they were easily carried and portabie:
third. they were designed to fly straight ut
the marx, definite, lnclsiye: fourth. thy
we meant TO bring down the object at
which they were aimed-effective; fifth
and last. every one Of them was enough
for all this il rightly cast: they we're
charged. as il we Q. with divine energy.
Let Us pick up five such stones out of the
heavenly brook which seemed TO run at
David's feet, stones which David used to
fight a greater oliah in lat r years. and
which are smooth and rouId for our own
use against the-giants that challenge ms.
There are many of them and we need not
err in taking the first we come to at { %
crossing of the brook. Q The Lord
knoweth the way OF the righteous ce-
lestial intercourse. Psalm l. And hero
David says in remembrance of that
blessedacquair tanceship.- Thy servant slew
both the lion and the bear q why do
the helthen rage?" Psalm ii. confidence
in the supe Tor might OF Jehovah. Says,
David of Coli, t.. Let no mans heart tail
because OF him." (9 Thou. Lord. art
shield for me. l will not be afraid OF ten
thousands of people, Psalm III. ell .ancs
on Gods help. He will deliver me-
David says here. (D Offer the sacrifi res
o. righteousness and put you trust In the
Lord" Psalm ~; trust ip the righteous
ness OF CHI Ist, says David h re, But L
como in the name OF the Lord OF hosts.
90 but thou. Lord. will bless the rioht-
eous: with tavcr wilt thou compass him aB
with n sh eld:" SIMPLE q pendence on the
grace Of Col. The Lord snvrth not with