The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-09-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
ENTERTAINING DISSERTATION ON
SERIOUS SUBJECTS.

Do IOund IN sam. ~: l-l3.
INTRODUCTORY.
David's life may be divided into two main
PORTIONS his kingshp and his preparation
Tor the kingshlp. Each OF these is diVisiDe
into two minor periods The first numed
into David's kingship in exile ana his king
ship on the throne; and the second, into his
preparation as shepherd and his prepa-
ration as a courtier. The next two lessons
Will have TO do with that portion which
concerns the exile king. as the last two have
had reference 20 the shepherd prince. The
lesson which we take up to-day introduces
US 10 that intervening seYen~ycars OF court
and camp life. the second part OF his prepa-
ration Tor the rulership and in one phase
the beginning OF his. kingly reign. That it
was period oil temptation and trial is evil
dent That out OF the temptation and trial
David came like silver refined in the fire is
likewise manifest Who can tell how many
of the precious Psalms were born Of these
crucial daysl
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
And DaUid ded When Michal let David
down from the window OF the palace 19:l2l
his protracted career as "a fugitive was be-
gun.--Fronl NatOth. meaning Dwellings,.
probably the prophets school. Saul had
gone TO seek him here. but with his atten-
dants was cast into a sort OF religious costa
sy, thus enabling David again 10 escape.
-BeJore Jonathan. Sauls son, always
David's bosom friend since the encounter
with Goliath QS:D.- What hare 4 done?
AT last nc breaks his apparent reticence,
thus far. and demands an explanation:-
See6eth. present participle "heeps seeking
ny hUe. This was now Sauls sixth at =
tempt to destroy David. Thus: Twice with
the JaVelin, QS:lD third time by sending
him on perilous errand against the Phil
istines. 1929 fourth time by instigating
ms son and servants TO kill him. Q9:D u
Nth time by sending messengers TO his
couch, Q9:1D and now by u royal expedi-
ton against him. Q9:22).
God forbid. A strong Hebrew negation.
-Ihou shalt not die. As the eldest son
OF the king he could speak with some au-
thority.-But that lee tciH shelo it nee. Lit
orally, And nolc uncOrer NINE ear. Jonathan
was scarcely less COMPLIANT of Saul than
OF David. He was loyal 10 the best inter-
ests OF both.-Hide THIS thing from me.
Being the one especially involved. since It
was his heirship that Saul esteemed TO be
threatened. he might be supposed TO know
What was planned against Dayid.-U is
not so. The verbatim rendition of the He
brew is clearer: not Il, i. O., the thing" Just
mentioned
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
He seeketh nny tve.-ThOu shalt not die.
OF two things the Word and the Spirit as
sure US. There is that which seeks our
lives 10 destroy them. There is that which
seeks our lives TO save them. Christ speaks it,
as it is intended here. almost in one breath
tribulation. but be- OF good cheer; / have
overcome the world" 1t is interesting 10
study the little word through in the OPEN
ing verses OF Peters second eplstle. First
OF all there is the corruption that is in the
world, through USL 1t IS the lust of the
world that in reality works corruption in
US. seeking our lives. But there on the
other hand, is our escape from this corrup-
ton by faith which is obtained" through
| the righteousness Of God and our .Sdpio1
lag lrigf 4 I,,sy s.H
but through ChTists Righteousness we are
saved. And that We may be convinced OF
this we have not only grace and peace "mul-
iiplied unto us but life" and that life the
very life OF God, assured us through the
knowledge OF him that hath called us TO his
orn glory and virtue. And yet think OF this
How shall We escape IL We neglect 30 great
salv atom"
Why should ny father hide this thing from
nnef Our mediator is Christ Jesus. AL
! things have been delivered unto me OF my
/ father. and no one knoweth tho Son, save
I the Father. neither doth any know the
Father. save the Son, and he 10 whomso-
/ ever the Son willeth TO reveal him" Matt,
1 IL: 20. And that same all-knowing Son
/ says again, All things that L have heard OF
my Father L have made known unto you
John 10: l0). Christ Is indeed our elder
/ brother. He is with the Father now for our
sakes. He ever liveth"-as il this were the
whole purpose Of his life and Intercourse
( to make intercession for u.s." This ex-
/ plains for US that closing passage of John s
/ first epiStle, in its way as much of a Reve-
lation as his last letter. written TO the seven
churches; The Son OF God is come and
hath given us an understanding, that we
may know him that is true Naught OF
Gods grace and beauty is hid from the
Son. naught is withheld from those who are
in Christ.
Whatsoever thu soul desireth ,oiH erer
I do ii for thee. Here is the test of true
friendship-loyalty 10 each others desires.
When two friends have come to such an
understanding OF each other that they be-
gin each TO do what the other is known 70
desire. then friendship has reached. in
human degree. its perfect work. And there
are some devoted souls who take ioy in
just this, the anticipation of each others
wishes. Birthdays remembered in quiet
ways, old fancies recalled, half-expressed
desires answered with the consummate art
OF love. Christian. you and / have Just such
friend at court. One who "sticketh closer
than brother" who understands our de-
sres afar of and is quick to do them fol
US. 1t is TO such a relation that John refers
when in the closing verses of his first epis-
I tie he saws. IF we know that he hear us
whatsoever we ask We know that we have
the petitions that we desired of him." That
! is. ii we know that we have Christ IA oui
friend at the table OF plenty. then we neeC
| have no doubt as 20 the things we have
need Owe know that we already have the
things desired. And this" MS John say.
just above, lis the confidence that we have
az HIM" Having Christ we have all things
That thou mdyeSt 90 IN peace. Why not
Having such an advocate and friend before
the kIng, and that king not as was Saul
hostile, but reconciled and gracious. the
Christian may we'll go in perfect peace
We have, "a DR.. Gordon has pointed out 81
gracefully. two advocates FOR the mante.
nance OF our two-fold life" IF any mar
sin we have an advocate with the Father
Jesus Christ. the righteous" He shall
give you another ddrOcate that he may
abide with you forever. even the Spirit o
truth" And so you need not fear for los:
in heaven since your lives are hid with
Christ in God" nor for earths Tapine-
neither shall any man pluck them out o
my hand" Hear that "lamentable voice
sounding down into the subterranear
depths OF old Babylon: 20. Daniel, servant
of the living God, is thy God, whom thoJ
servest continually. aole TO deliver thee
from the lions?- And hear the reassurinl
response ringing cheerly blck, 20. King
live for ever My God hath sent his angel
and hath shut the lions mouths, that they
have not hurt me-" Christian. with such
God for vOu. svch Christ Nth you, with
such spirit in gou, thou mdyeSt 90 a.
peace.
Next Lesson--David Sparing Saul
Sam. "a: 4-l7.
HFSRy-So Won asked old Growlel