The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-06-18
THE RIGHT WAY,
Or the Gospel Applied to Intercourse Be-
tween Individuals and Naions.
BY REV. JOSEPH a. COLLIER.
(Continucd.)

Owing to the general distrust upon
this subject, and to the few efforts
made to obey these precepts, we can-
not point to as many proofs of the Sc
curity of the right way as might be
desired. There have been instances,
however, in which its fearless practice
has been rewarded by exemption from
imminent peril. One of the most
beautiful and affecting of these is re-
lated of David, l Sam. chap. "a. He
had been for long time pursued by
Saul, who was eager to take his life.
From place to place his enemy had
hunted him like wild beast, but with
out success. At length, having been
Informed that he was in the wilder
ness of Engedi, he went there with
three thousand men, intent upon his
capture and destruction. While upon
this mission of hate, he providentially
turned aside into cave in which Da-
vid and his men had concealed them
selves, and there slept. Here was an
excellent opportunity for David to rid
himself of his foe. Hc might have
reasoned thus: "My life is in peril.
If | now slay him, / shall thereby
save myself If 1 permit him to live,
will he not employ the life which !
spare in comprising my destruction? :?
Will not my forbearance expose me to
yet greater injuries?n His sense Of
duty, however, prevailed over his fears,
and he cOntented himself with cutting
Off the skirt of Saul's garment, for an
evidence that he had been within his
power; although even for this his
heart afterwards "smote him." When
Saul had arisen and departed, David
followed him, presented himself before
him, and assured him of his kind feel
ings and desire for his welfare. What
was the result? Did that bitterest of
foes seize this opportunity to crafty
his hatred? No; the fiery enemy sud-
denly became the humble suppliant.
Melted with conlrition, saul lifted
up his. voice add wept," and said to
David, "thou art more righteous than
+, for thou hast rewarded me good,
whereas / have rewarded thee evil; :.
wherefore the Lord reward
thee good for that thou hast done unto
he this day." He then predicted Da-
vid's future triumph and royalty, I'M
plored his mercy towards himself and
his seed, and went home without so
much as lifting finger against him
for whose blood he had SO long thirst
ed.
There have been many other i'll
stances in which Il similar treatment
of enemies has resulted in like man
ner. These have principally occurred
class who have been the most
in modern times, for
their obedience to these preccpts-the
Friends, or Quakers. Most nobly have
they cXcmplilied and vindicated them.
Enibodying them as Il distinct and
prominent feature of their creed, and
accepting their most literal interpreta-
ton, they have boldly put them in
practice upon the most trying occa-
ssions. The remarkable success which
has attended their efforts, is Il suili-
cirnt answer to the objection under
Well will ii be for the
church and the world, when all Chris
tians shall heed the lesson which has
thus, for two centuries, been practical
~ unfolding before them.
During the Irish rebellion of lI9S,
the peace principles of the Quakers
were put to the scverost test. Viewed