The National tribune., 1895-11-21

place. God made the choice. first. as to the
family; secondly y, as to the particular member OF
said family. Probably after the sacrifice, aud
Just before the feast. which. as a rule, followed
n sacrifice 1i: Isl the selection occurred.
Possibly no one but Samuel knew the object of
the selection. After the fral settlement of
the question Samuel may have confdentially
told David. We would suppose that such in
formation would have been given jointly with
the amounting. We how different was tho
decision of God from what that OF Samuel
would have been. The prophet would have
chosen Eliab on sight. There was in that day
great Difference for the first-born, originating
the right of primogenitnre And, then, the
splendid physique, the kingly bearing OF
Eliab, recommended him. But Samuel should
have remembered that, though Saul possessed
such qualifications. he made q very bad King.
8: 2; 10: %. The choice fell on David. the
youngest son, a shepherd boy, so insignificant
in Jesses mind that the father had not thought
to have him present at the selection. The
youth bad, however, fine personal appearance
Compare 9:2; 10: %.
Vas II Deccption'
Samuel was to go to Bethlehem for a pur-
pose. The object, real and main, was to
anoint David. IL certainly is not our duty to
tell everybody our business. 1t does not relate
to them. and, generally. they are not interested
in it. Only busybode, meddling persons, are
concerned in the affairs of others. Going on so
important n mission as that in which Samuel
was to engage, it was fit there be religious
service preceding the selection. If we have
several reasons for going to town, and We be
asked why there. we may have no objection in
partly explaining to the public, or to any in
quirer, our purpose or purposes. God Is sim
cere, and yet ho withholds from US many OF
His reasons for doing thus and thus. In fact,
it is we'll to rebuke the public clamor of iuquisi-
tiveness.
The business on which Samuel was bent was
of strictly private nature. All purposes
would be thwarted if it were publicly an
nounced-Saul yet living and full of hatred
that David had been anointed by Samuel as
King of the Israeites. Saul was not entitled to
familiarity with Gods plans. He had rejected
God, and had no right to information or con
fidental communications. We are set against
all unfairness n5inCerity, hypocrisy, but we
cannot SEQ reason for chasing Gods instruc-
tons to Samuel as to the sscrifce the an
ointment, with any underhandedness want OF
veracty. cowardliness. Concealment is not
necessarily deception.
Suggestions.
/. Grief over the errors Of one we have
loved-sorrow when any do wrong--is proper
feeling. Rev. J. NJ. Pullman, ID. D.. wrote:
Mourning for the living is often deeper and
sadder than mourning for the dead. For chose
who are only dead our mourning has alevia-
tions and even Inspirations they have simply
gone Gods way, we shall follow; we can con-
secrate their memory until they become our
good angels, reckoning US toward all goodness,
and radiating into our lonely lives sweetness
and light. But for the living who have been
untrue, who have broken faith, who have muir
dered tho love and trust that in our
hearts, who have cast themselves down from
their high estate and wallowing in the
mire, lost and yet alive-for these living dead
our mourning has q corrosive bitterness which
mere death never brings"
2. We should not grieve over the acts of
wrong-doer in any such spirit as to promise
right and loyalty. When mourning becomes
siding with eyil-doing, it should be chided
and checked at once.
3. Prudence-the use of expedients to facili.
tate the right in contest with the wrong-con-
cealment when exposure is sure to compromise
JUSTICES not deception in au evil sense but
wise adjustment Of means to ends.
A. Stop Offering excuses when ordered to any
duty.
5. Be glad to accept cordial invitation to re-
ligiOus services. V. 3.
6. Properly prepare yourself to join in the
worship of God-quiet the mnd-clean the
person-attire in goodly APPAREL thus show
ing due respect to the Object of alteration.
T. BE more concerned rs TO the real state of
mind and heart of your associates than as to
their material surroundings. Look within our
own hearts, and not inger on our adverse cir
cumstances. Lowell says GA Glance Behind
the Curtain ":
eve see but half the causes of our deeds
Seeking them wholly in the outer life,
And needless OF the eHcFeng spirit. world
~ Which, though unseen. is felt. and sows in
All germs OF pure and worldwide purposes"
Materialism is gross-grows wrong standards
makes too much of bulk aud appearance.
8. Let each on Sunday go to his class, in
something of the spirit of Samuel, to find the
young Davids. and to secure their services in
Christ's kingdom We can thus stir up their
ambition and set them to thinking of their
future mission in this life. Arouse noble pur.
poses.
0. The very choicest of Gods saints-the
noblest heroes Of His Church-have often is
sued from very humble circumstances.