The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-17

mtSG udu USCu lViu1ioNs Wv wv NiA'
Therefore he ran to the PROSTATE Phil;s-
tine, and drawing out his great sword
from its sheath, David emote of his
head and held it up that all might see
that the giant was dead indeed. A
mighty shout went up FROM the men Of
Israel as they realized the truth, while
fear seized upon the Philistines and
they fed. pursued by the lsraelitish
host. who cut them down by thousands
as they few for shelter to the fortified
cities Of Gath and Ekron.
David seems to have taken no part in
this slaughter. His work was done
when he had slain the champion in
single combat. Taking the hugh head
of Goliath by its CORY locks, the shep-
herd boy went back across the brook to-
wards his tome. Abner. Israel's
general, took him thus, and carried
Rim before the King. Is it SO that the
King did not recognize hisformer harp
ser and armor-bearer. Had q few
months Of pastoral life and the change
Of clothing from the soft raiment of
them that are in kings houses, to the
rough garment of the shepherd. made
such difference in his appearance
that he failed to recollect him ? At
any rate, the King said to him.
"Whose son art thou, young man :?
And David answered, Il am the son Of
thy servant Jesse. the Bethlehemite, and
so would have goue on back to bis home
and his sheep, but it was not so to be.
1t was here and 90 account of tbs that
the ..soul of Jonathan was knit 10 the
soul of David. and Jonathan loved him
as his own soul" !" And Saul took him
shat day, and would let him 60 no more
home to his fathers house, and soon
set him over his men Of war, fitting
reward for his gallant deed in the
sKing'aeyes; but it was the potent oc-
cssion Of much Of the suffering that
Dayid had to endure 10 after years. 1t
nsime, my comrades and brethren, to
fnrn, from this description to few of
the practical lessons which the incident
teaches.
s AIlof as, my friends, are engaged in
spiriituallxarfare, in the sight of God,
aadiuspsesence of spiritual hosts, the
.armiesxoss heaven and of hell who to-
gether constitute the great cloud Of Wit
nesses that encompass rs around. All
of us are soldiers-unless wee are
shirkers-either of the Lord Of Hosts
or of His and eur adversary, the devil.
Whatever may be the Divire purpose
in putting us here, aud allowing ussso
live, no man can deny that his breast
is a battlefield where TWO opposing
forces meet, and where they seldom rest.
We are conscious of the voice OF God
within us, 7pealing to and encourag-
ing us to do the right, speak the truth
and follow that which is good; while the
same voice warns us against and en-
treats us not to do the wrong. nor speak
lies, nor follow after evil. We are con-
scious also Of a something within us that
urges the other way, that puts evil and
wrong.doing before US often 10 beautiful
and attractive lights, that persuades US
sometimes to pretend that the pleasures
Of sin are enjoyable, aud therefore that
ills vain tosserve God, or to follow any
other course than that which our appe-
tites and passions dictate, or our iocll-
nations and wishes solicit. But it is
worthy of notice that when We listen to
the divine Voice and and obey, We have
peace, and chat when we.turn away,from
or refuse to heed it, while yielding to
the other voice calling US to sio against
God, there is no peace. This constl-
tutes at once both our mora! response
billy, and is the. theatre OF nearly all
the battles of tue soul that We have to
fight.
Not only SO, but there comes to meet
each one Of us. in mortal combat, IN
presence of this great cloud OF witnesses.
and of the Lord of Hosts, our rightful
King; mighty giant. armor-clad and
boastful-our besetting sin. in one.
he takes the form of love of power-and
then we CALI him Ambition. In another
he takes the form of love Of money-and
then we call him Avarice In another
be is tyrant, dragging the soul IN sen
sual sin, obedience to depraved appe-
tites, slavery to aeshly lus's. making its
victim a corrup.er Of the characters
of his associates, poisonous ezha-
lation taiutipg the moral atmosphere.
and spreading its loathfulness Oh all
around. In another he is Envy-jeal-
ousy. hate. malice gaugrenous ulcers
on the soul, that unless purged or cut
out and east away, are as certain to eat
out the life of the soul. as gangrane is
sure to poison the blood and destroy the
life of the body.
Knowing this to be SO, how shall we
.od urago;l With