The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-14
DAVID AND JONATHAN.
THE INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY
SCHOOL LEssoS FOR TOMORROW.
Interesting Interpretation Of the Subject
by Rev. Edward l.. Pell-Ths
Lessons Deducted.

december lJ.-DaY1d ana Jonatnaus-
1 Samuel XIX, 32-42.
No amount of talent can take the place
OF training. That man was never born
who did not need to 20 TO school. We
may not need the education which comes
from learning books, but We cannot do
without the education which comes from
learning life. David, the musical shep-
herd boy, was pure gold: but he was only
a lump that needed to pass through many
4 process before he would come out
vessel unto honor, sanctiiieo and meet
for the Masters use.
We have seen him In the fields. watch
ing over his sheep, unconsciously prepar-
ing himself to shepherd greater and
nobler flock communing with Nature
and with Natures God; developing tat
ent for music and a boidness 10 race
bears Thus far the work has gone on
well, but he is not yet ready Tor the
place to which God has called him, Al
though he is already anointed.. Between
the hatred of Saul and the love OF Jo-
nathan he is TO be still further nodded
and chselcd, and II will be interesting
TO us 10 watch the process.
IL was natural that Saul should hate
David. For some time the king had been
conscious that he had lost something,
ana when he met David, he felt that the
youth had I'm him what he himself had
lost. The Spirit of the Lord had depart
ed from Saul, and entered into David.
Then. too, Saul had won the admiration
OF his people. because he looked every
inch king; But this youth was fast win
ming the love OF the people because he
was loyable and admiration is not worth
naming where love Is. More than all.
the women had begun to sing the prais-
es of David more than the praises OF
their king-a prophecy of evil which even
as blind man as Saul had become could
not mistake. What effect did the king )
hatred have upon David? 1t helped to
hold him down. II threw him on his own
resources. IL threw him on God. IL de-
velopcd all his powers of defense. Things
had been going too smoothly with the
ruddy youth. He had been called out
OF the sheep-fold lie had been given
place I'm a kings court. He hsd found
a place in the hearts of the people. lie
was about to become the son-in-law or
the king IL had begun to look as II
there was 40 limit TO his advancement
The hatred OF Saul came in his way,
hndered his progress. gave him time 10
think. sObered him. BUNDLED him, ana
taught him that life was not the pain
OF roses It had seemed. And then TO
be IN danger OF ones life, 10 have all
the props knocked out at once-how it
puts q man 20 the test, how IL drives
a man to his God Already the youthful
shepherd realized as never before his
own need of shepherd, and there was
waking no I'm him that spirit which would
vet voice itself I'm the immortal Shepherd
Psalm.
While Saul was chiscling on one SIDE,
Jonathan was molding on the other.
We see the mind of the great Artist in
the ARRANGEMENT by which Jonttb IN $
soul was knit to the soul OF David III the
very nick Of time. lie comes 10 keep
David's heart sweet. To struggle alone
I'm the world to he in peril OF MS me-
10 have men hunting him down as a
wild beast would have been too much
for such a heart left TO itself II would
have grown sick and discouraged, or
else il would have grown hard and cold
and cruel. Jonathan was sent to keep
the affections Of the youth az sweet and
tender as they were when he lived IN
the fields
Like attracts like. We know much OF
Jonathan when we learn that he was ia
vid's bosom friend, and that ne tel IN
love with him at first sight. And we
learn much OF David from what we see
of Jonathan Jonathan's soul was KNIT
to Davld's because the two souls nad
much In common. A loving heart - a
magnet that draws every loving heart
within it's reach.
Our lesson story gives us glimpse Oh
the two men as they stood alone IN 'he
field thinking that no eye was upon theth'
saul was bent on killing David. iona
than was bent on saving him. lie had
lust defended David at the kings tapie'
and barely escaped his fathers JaNeiin.
And now he had come TO tell his friend
of his danger. and to send him away.
The story Is fun OF tenderness and beau
~. A young man stands in the midst
of field practicing with bow ana ar
row. He shoots and little lad at ms
side runs to find the arrow. by ana by
the practice is over and the lad IS sent
back 10 town with the artillery. Ana
as soon as the lad was gone, David arose
ont OF a place toward the south. ana
fell on his face toward the ground, and
hoved himself three times; and they
kissed one another. and wept WIN one
another. until David exceeiad.'
There Is incalcuablc wealth IN sucn
friendship As Bacon says. 1t WORKS
t,yo contrary effects. for il reloublth joys
and cutteth griefs in half IL sirenslh-
ems US with strength akin To that
which cometh down from Heaven. Bless
ed through all time is the man VINO
mas a Jonathan for his frlond. blessed
through all eternity is the man who mas
Jesus for his friend
EDWARD l.. PELL.