The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-20
Dec. Fl, 1902: L samuel VIII 21a-
Samuel the Judge.

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON

Those were pitiful days in Israels history Inc
curtain palace Of God, the tabernacle was re-
moved His golden throne. the ark, was Sc
ouestered in a private residence These visible
conditions were symbolical Of the inward state
of the nations heart. God was dethroned' MS
worship suspended. Israel was not only captive
10 Philistia, but, worse and incomprehensible as
IL may seem. Israel was captive to the loros
many and gods many of Phiiistia-
Hope centered around one person. He was
known TO all Israel because OF his continuous
residence in the tabernacle at Shiloh from his
childhood worshipers from every quarter had
seen him there on their repeated visits to the
sanctuary. The very continuity of his service
gave him prestige. Having never wavered MN
self he was qualified to call others TO stead
fastness. Since Joshua's day there had been no
such lofty personality among the Hebrews. Yet
he was no man for military exploits. The weap-
ons OF his warfare were not carnal
He awakened the dormant religious sentiment OF
his people. not in an instant. but by continu-
Gus and faithful ministry of twenty years. The
saline quality of his own character the light OF
his example. forth to change the corrupt
and dark conditions of society. His own charac-
ter made his ministry a transcendant success.
No word he spoke failed
At the call of such man Israel could not
but assemble in religious convocation. His voice
was the voice of God. So the tribes went up to
Mizpah, the very place where, score OF years
before they had suffered their overwhelming
defeat and had had their palladium, the ark.
taken from them. On that high and rocky
plateau the watch-tower from which the land
was unrolled beneath their feet like raised map.
from the sea to the trans-Jordanic mountains.
stood the nation before Jehovah, who had
brought them in with a high hand.
thorough going reformation had preceded the
assembly. Israel had sought God with all his
heart He had shrived himself OF Baalim and
Ashtaroth and affirmed his purpose of serving
God only. The assembly was for the purpose of
publicly ratifying this VOW and confirming Ii
with visible sign.
Samuel the Lords blameless servant-devoted
to him from birth-stood forth a noble type OF
the mediator yet to come. He presented the peo-
Plies confessions to God, and made intercesson
for them. He performed in sight of the people
a striking symbolic action. first in long series
OF such acts on the part Of the prophets. From
an earthen pitcher. filled at neighboring foun-
tain. and held aloft. ne poured the water out.
AS II fell in crystal drops ii well represented the
tears of penitence which Israel had already shed
AT this sign all the people said, I'VE have sinned
against the Lord"
In the very midst of this significant and peace
full service, Israel is terror-struck by the APP
proach of his inveterate enemy in battle array.
The Hebrews faint from fasting. exhausted
by the strong emotions. unarmed. In their ex-
tremity they throw themselves upon the pity
and power Of God. AT their request Samuel
keeps right on at the religious services of the
hour lie spreads his hands TO heaven and
ceases not TO pray.
The supreme act before the shock Of battle Is
the taking OF a sucking lamb. emblem OF the
nation newborn In righteousness, and burning
IL entirely on an improvised altar. and by an
improvised priest. The smoky cloud in which
the nations sacrifice goes up 70 God is met by
his own cloud from above. OF which his
flaming presence and awful voice strike terror
into the Philistine heart.
The rout Is signal. All the defenseless Israel
ties need 10 do now is to themselves with
the weapons the Phllistines drop from their
nerveless grasp. and pursue them. This they do.
In the Joy Of victory the giver OF victory is not
forgotten. The memorial stone with its praisefuI
legend is set up. And night drops her pail over
the slain.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
There Is great advantage to the cause OF re-
Iigion from a godly life lived continuously In
community. A Christian gentleman recently
died who for ffty-four years was ruling elder OF
the Presbyterian Church. and for hfty-two years
oficiaIly connected with the Northern Bank OF
Kentucky. His life is a demonstration that there
Is no ircompatibility between serving III. Lord
and being diiigent in business Though not given
to argument. he was q defender OF the faith.
His silence was eloquent. His life was srgu-