The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-26
LESSON STORY.

Our lesson is illustrative OF Sam
uel's work as a judge in recalling 1ne
nation from lapsed state, reviving its
courage and devotion, and enaoing IL
to throw off it's oppressor's CALLING yoke.
Soon after the date of tie last lesson
an army of the Philistines came into the
country and joined with the lsraeiltes
near the place afterwards known as
Ebenezer. The battle turned against
Israel. and the Israelites in their oes-
peration sent to Shiloh for the ark OF the
covenant, hoping that its presence
might enable them to prevail against
their assailants. But the battle still
went against them. Thirty thousand OF
the Israelites we're slain; the ark was
captured by the Philistines, and the
two sons of Eli. Hophni and Phinehas'
were slain. When the news OF this
overwhelming disaster was carried TO
Shiloh and was received by Eli, now
ninety eight years old, he fell from on
his seat backward bg the side OF the
oate. and has neck brake and he died.
The historian tells us that the ark was
taken to Ashdod, one of the cities OF the
Philistines. where it's presence was
disturbance to the idol Dagon. The ark
for the space of seven months. was
carried hither and thither among the
Philistines, and its presence everywhere
alarmed the superstitious idolators,
until, as a means of safety to them
selves, they returned it to the lsraelites.
The ak thens remained at a place
eight miles west of Jerusalem, called
Kirietbjearim, about twenty years.
Meanwhile the Israelites groaned under
the yoke of the Philistines. The salts
faction received by the voluntary return
of the ark, the symbol of the Hebrew
nation, was no doubt real. But the peo-
pie were as yet apathetic toward their
national ideal, and continued hopeless
in their CALLING bondage.
Then the authoritative voice OF Sam
uel the judge was heard, commanding
the people to put away their idols and
their corrupting worship of the Ashta-
roth, and prepare their hearts for the
service of Jehovah. Serre ham only:
and he aciHtdelirer you ont of the hand
of the PhilistineS. A revival, which
was a true reformation, ersued. Then
the children of Israel did put dacay the
Baalina and the Ashtaroth, and serued
the Lord only
L. Samuel Prays for the PeO-
ple.--vs. 5-S.
The prophet sent message to all the
the scattered tribes Gather all Israel
to Mizpeh. and aciH pray for you unto
the Lord. The summons was to all the
tribes, that there:might be an assembly
representative of all Israel.
Mispeb, of Benjamin, "a watchtower,"
was some lofty place in the tribe of Ben
iamin commanding a wide range of
country. An eminence about five miles
northwestern Jerusalem, now known as
Neby Samwil, seems to fulfil the requisi
tions, and is now generally regarded as
the site of the ancient Mizpeh.
Acc .edited representatives of the PEG.
pie came to theIWatchtower in response
to Samuels CALL The contrition of the
people was. by two signs, made mani
fest. Water was poured on the ground
before the altar. a symbol of Israels
conservation to Gods service. AS the
"water spilled upon the ground cannot
be gathered up again." SO Israel now
professedly gave itself to the Divine
leading, without thought of rebellion
or reluctance. The other sign Of Israel's
humiliation was general fast; which
means abstinence from customary food
and pleasure in token of deep sorrow
for unfaithfulness to God.
While the people were in this state Of
humiliation and contrition Samuel as
sumed authority as judge and began
preparation for heroic resistance to the
Philistines. Samuel Judged the people
of Israel IN Mizpeh.
That such proceedings should escape
the vigilance of the Philistines is not to
be expected. There was soon heard by
the Israelites the alarming news of the
approach of Philistine army. 1t was
evidently the design of the oppressors to
bring the rebels to account at once, and
punish Israel again for its insubordina-
ton.
1t need not surprise us to read of the
Israelites that, when they heard of this
approaching army, they acere afraid Of
the Philistines. There we're some symp-
toms of panic among them. But it is
hopeful to read of the Israelites. not that
they fled before the foe, but braced their