The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-27
THE suNDAY-scHooL LESSON.
For July 5,"Isrnel Asking for King,
II Samuel, will, 1-1OD.

Il Samuel, will, 1-1O).
THE CONNECTING LINK-The Inter
national Committee has turned back twelve
centuries and assigned lesson which was
studied in the Sunday schools of the coun-
try just fourteen years ago. For the re-
mainder Of this calendar year We shall be
engaged with the history of Gods chosen
people. To-day We shall learn the manner
by which change was effected In the clVli
government. In the year liyl b. I. Moses
set up a theocracy by divine directions. de-
livering a constitution. code OF laws; a
form Of worship. with ordinances OF an etu-
cational and spiritual character Under
Joshua his successor. that theocracy was
maintained in all its original purity anu anu
people were unable to appreciate what mad
been bequeathed to them and. through their
sins they came into much , trouble Q tba,7
from time to time Thus more than so
years passed away, in which disaster ana
prosperity came alternately to this waywaIru
people. 1t was about the year ITO b. =;
after many experiments. that a detrimental
purpose was formed to Try another system
Of administration.
time there presided over the affairs one
Samuel. a man of superior wisdom anu
goodness. who was greatly beloved ny a.i ~.
Sixty years before. when a mere child. ne
had been consecrated 10 the Lord by ms
mother. and shortly after he was called IN
a most remarkable way into the nish n; ST y.
became successor. and all his acts there
after were in justice to the people and IN
utmost fidelity to the Almighty. Wherever
he went reverence was shown. not only be-
cause OF his Office. but because of his excel-
lent character and public service. No man
for centuries had risen to such prominence
or had secured such warm place in the
affections of his countrymen- The name
Samuel was everywhere spoken with honor.
But old age came. and he was compelled 10
Law off many of his official duties. These.
as far as possible. were committed to MS
sous whom he made judges-thar Is. the
administration of justice (Deut. xvi. 81
followed in the time of Jehoshaphat gL
Chron xix, 81 as well as during the earlier
period of the judges Judges x. A..
THE WICKED SoNS-Uerses and 81
despite the promise concerning right train
ing prov. xii. 81 There are those who
will go astray under the best Of influences;
as Judas betrayed his Master These ex-
ceptions. however. do not annul the rule:
SO. though Samuel had given his sons good
when they were beyond his authority. They
were sent TO Beer-Sheba. fifty miles to the
south. There they took brides and per-
verted justice for reward. Joel and Abiaf
had been the names given them. the first
signifying that commands" the other
1.-The Lord is nv father In this way the
hope concerning the two whom God had
| given him. But. alas. he was doomed to dis
appointment The sons were unworthy of
offices. recreant to their trusts. wisked men.
| in whose hands government would be be-
trayed. the peoples rights ignored. and God
THE NATURAL REoUEsr-Verses 4
and 81 AS they beheld the venerable man
who must soon lay down his office. and
| It was not surprising that the people were
apprehenstve at the prospect of a change.
The necessity for some new order was felt