Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-08-29

NOTES. lion or bedr.-Palestine
was in those days densely wooded, and
the land abounded in these beasts of
terror.-Helnet Of brGSS.-The Egyp-
tians and Assyrians wore brazen he'll
NETS that were of somewhat artis-
tic workmanship; they were adorned
with resets; they had crests of different
curved patterns on top, and many had a
scarf of mail, that hung from behind,
broad enough to protect the neck
Coat Of mda.-These were patterned
after the scales of fish. The material
was generally bronze. Only the rich
could afford such protection. 1t may
have been in this early day an addition
al emblem of sovereignty in Israel, and
Saul may have had the only one
Sling.-This was the favorite shepherd
weapon. Its use was exceedingly an
cient. The armies of Assyria had their
singers as well as their bowmen. 1t was
the favorite weapon, also, of the Egyp-
tian common people. 1t was a long
leather strap or woven string, broad in
the middle, where the stone went, with
a loop at one end to prevent its leaving
the hand in action The man that
bare the shield.-The shield was high
enough, when resting on the ground, to
protect the whole man. 1t was made of
leather, wood, wicker-work or of BRASS.
Probably it had a braZen boss and strik-
ing decorations or embrOideries of some
kind on it. 1t was so heavy that it
always needed special bearer to keep
it in place and t. carry it to protect his
lord. And it came to pass oChen the
Phjlistine Grose.-The plain language is
that David took the giant entirely off
his guard. Perhaps he had pushed back
his helmet to get better look at this
boy before him. David had the advant-
age clearly in weapons if his aim were
accurate. But he was trained to the
greatest proficiency with the now de-
spised weapon Judges Xxx, 16). 1t was
the pistol then against the pike With
a steady eye David could not help but
conquer an enemy who, weighted with
armOr, could never reach him.
INSTRUCTION.-Atfi first sight it seems
to be battle between the weak and the
mighty that is portrayed. Let US briefly
see if that is entirely true to fact.
First, Goliath was vain glorious and
boastful. David was cautious and had
a contagious faith. The bully is the
greatest fraud that men tolerate Re-
lying on his size or loud voice, or a sub
lime use of epithetS of abuse, heterrifies
a whole neighborhood. Let a man rise
up and meet him with eye unfinched
and the battle is half won. This Phil
listine of over nine feet hight terrified
by his very bulk and voice an army.
None dared even meet him. The strip
ling advances in the assurance of vic
tory, because the Lord has helped him
so far and will not desert him in this
instance. The boy approaches with his
whole nature alert to his foes weak
part. A moral victory has already been
won. To stand up against an evil that
saps community, boldly to take the
right position an any simple or intricate
question of righteousness, is TO score a
moral point. If one presents face to the
enemy another will. The first may not
always succeed, but many, each stimu-
lated to action, must carry the day.
But David had military genius be-
yond his years, while Goliath held to
stolid tradition. David tried the armor
of his day and wisely put it off. He was
cramped by unused conditions. Goliath
fought in the usual weapons, which were
practically unassailable to a cudgel at
least; and he trusted to their efficacy to
carry him through. Now David knew
one weapon well-that was the sling.
He could probably hit a hair at fifty
PAGES. 1t was his rifle. Why not use
it? Every one has weapon peculiarly
his own with which to fight iron clad
giants. 1t may be tongue or pen.
Then cultivate it and use it as supreme
gift. 1t may be the art of teaching, or
honesty in making barrels. Who knows?
The quality of action which has been
proved successful and natural is the one
to use.
But David was not above trying other
armor first. There are lots of pig head
ed people who never will try anything
but their own way. Their way may not
be the best, and again it may. He that
yields to wise advice has good right
then to fall back upon his own methods
of action if the other is unsuccessful.
The story is told of boy in the country
who saw in his dream a banner with
these letters on it: "P. c." OF course
it meant preach Christ" he thought,
and he prepared himself accordingly for
the ministry. His first parish was sad,
failure, and in despair he
told his dream to his deacon. 'Oh,"
said the worthy man, you made great
mistake. p. C. means 'Plow Corn not
Preach Christ" The man afterward
became a conspicuous success as a
farmer.
The contest was between God and
AStarte and Baal. 1t still exists; but the
enemies have changed their names. We
have rum, polygamy, tobacco and eovet-
BUSINESS to contend against. There are
the low politicians, idols that are hostile
to Christianity. A David must arise to
blot these evils out by the might of
Christ-like personality and untrampled
courage.
The Phillistine had his head cut off
with his own sword. The weapons of
the evil always betray them. The armOr
of God, when scientifically put on and
used, can never suffer de-
feat.
THAT ADVANTAGEOUS
Old woman described in the nursery bal
lad, who lived upon nothing but victuals
and drink" and yet "wOuld never
be quiet" was undoubtedly troubled
with chronic indigestion. Her vlctuals,
like those of many other elderly persons
whose digestive powers have become i'm
paired, did MT agree with her. This was
before the era of HOstetter's stomach
Bitters, or some one of her numerous
friends and relatives would undoubtedly
have persuaded her to try the great spe-
q. arad hill