The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-08-20
sCRIPTURAL TESTS.
ApostaOy Of Saul and Its LessOn-AHic-
tions Are For 0ur Good-0on-
science the Divine Aocaser.
NJ. q.

##@&s
M. y. cHUHCH.
Morning ermon Text: 2 Samuel
lie. The text is q part OF David's dirge
over the death OF Saul and Jonathan.
/ use the phrase with especial reference
to Saul, and TO his apostasy, which was
the real cause OF his disgrace and death
Let us consider the words.
/. AS an exclamation. An expression
OF surprise. Saul had been highly hon
ored, elected, anointed OF God. David
knew his history. Called out OF obscur-
ity, his heart touched, changed, and he
aturned into another man" and made
the first king OF Israel. None ever
hAd . better opportunity than he. The
first years OF his reign were good. He
" as brave and mighty In battle; . re-
for mer; and under his early reign bis
people enjoyed prosperity. But the
Saul chosen, became the Saul rejected.
The spirit OF the Lord came upon him,
but later, 1t is written, ''the spirit OF the
Lord departed from him." He bad
courage and faith before them Amonites;
fear and unbelief before the Philistines
He became treacherous and jealous, and
his jealousy nourished became madness
He was dangerously unsteady, tickle in
his bearing toward David; now, fierce
with rage; now melted 20 tears.
The most graphic picture OF his as
tonishing apostasy is in his consulting
the Witch Of Esdor. Il was remarkable
TO David who possessed the antipodal
virtues, that Saul could thus fall. How
sad indeed the picture Of al apostate
Lake q deserted house left to be pillaged
by tramps and vagrauts. Surely, az
Christ has said, ssthe last state OF that
ma lie worse than the first"
Q. AS an Interrogation. Howl
What has wrought this change, and
hurried on this untimely and igno-
minlous end? Has God changed his
mind? Does he love Saul less than at
first? No. 1t can be answered in one
observation-disclosures. Not OF the most
defiant and shameless type. 1t was in
the matter OF the spoils OF the Amale-
kites. / Sam. 10Th chapter gives it. He
went out intending 10 obey. His excuse
Tor d~isobedience was as good as could be
produced. It was q compromise. A
common sin, in politics, business, 60
ciety and religion; yet for this trans
gression, which incurred the Divine dis
pleasure, the glory OF the Lord departed
from him.
3. As o lamentation. Words OF gen.
uine grief. David's spirit was noble,
unselfsh, Christlike. Ii is o COM
mendable thing TO have genuine griei
over the mistakes and falls OF others
Too commonly, the weak brothers
alleged departure, is whispered about
with no word or admonition given to him
Rather than q deep sorrow, q significant
uhuckie over what seems to promise
q rare bit OF scandal. Is this the spirit
OF Christianity? "If o brother be over
taken in u fault, ye which are spiritua
restore such q one in the spirit Of meek,
ness; considering thyself, lest thou alsc
be tempted"
Your constancy or apostasy may thus
be tested, your spirit over the fall OF oDt
OF the Lords anointed.
PEsRYTERIAN CHURCH.
What is Gods purpose in affection
Let as ask. Our text answers: "Hs
chaslens US for our profit that we might
be partakers OF bis holiness" Heb. XII
1O)
First, look ut the idea of the Divine
Holiness. A grander, deeper, loftier idea
the. mind OF man has never attempted u
CONCEIVE or grasp. The Westministei
assembly OF Divines in drawing up thu
shorter catechism were AVID and pnz
zled when they came to define God
The committee on the shorter catechisn
appointed their youngest member I,
prepare an answer 10 the question
What 10 God" Feeling the response
bility OF his task he asled all TO join II
prayer with him for Divine wisdom amt
light The first sentence OF his. prayel
was afterward taken down and adoptet
as the committees reply 0 the question
awhat il God?n See QUESTION 4of shorte
cat0chlsm.
Notice, secondly, that God wishes i
impurt his holy nature to his intelllgen
creatures. BE 70 holy for ! am holy
Ii his command 10 the children Of men
Some OF the scientists OF to-day wouls
have us believe that in nature w %
only o struggle for life and the 'tsur
vival OF The iittest." But we see NOR
than this. We ace o struggle for the liz
OF other" constantly going on. SO il !
Code nature TO be self-imparting. @Got
% loved the world that he gave his onl.
begotten Son that awhosoever belieyetl
in him should not perish but have ever
IL -