The Washington times., 1903-10-03
Cbe International SUNDAY school Lesson
FOR OCTOBER 4.

private prayer and social worship. The
danger of active life, of the absorption
in business of the promotion of great
schemes, lies in the tendency TO neglect
the means of religion which should per-
wade all labors and every part of the
life" Israel without the ark stands
for what America would be without rev
erence for the Sabbath without the old
fashioned. square-toed honesty of the
decalogue, without the sanctity of the
home taught by the Bible. and without
prayer and worship. Take down the
church spires and all they stand for. and
you might as well haul down the flag"
Reinstating the Ark.
David. King of Israel. was a man who
put the proper valuation on religious
and spiritual forces in individual and
national life. David was a man who
guided his life by faith rather than by
things seen. David realized from what
divine source an individuals and a ma
TONS blessings, power. and salvation
come. David, now King over ali the
tribes of Israel and established firmly
in his capital at Jerusalem, recognized
that Jehovah had made him King and
prospered the nation through him.
Both in the spirit of worship and in
the spirit OF wise craftsmanship he de-
/ cided to bring the Ark of God up TO
Jerusalem. David wished to- have his
! government indissolubly united with the
national religion. knowing well that
each would be a support to the other"
J The record of Davids action in the
matter is told in the quaint language Of
the book of Chronicles of the Kings of
Israel. thus
David consulted with the captains Of
thousands and hundreds, and with every
leader. And David said unto all the
congregation of Israel: If 1t seem good
J unto you-and that it be of the Lord our
Goblet US send abroad unto our breth-
rem everywhere that are left in all the
land of Israel-and with them also to the
priests and Levites which are in their
cities and suburbs-that they may gath
er themselves unto us-and let us bring
again the Ark of God to us; for we in
/ quired not at IL In the days of Saul.
And all the congregation said that they
would do so; for the thing was right In
the eyes OF all the people"
The result was great revival OF re-
| ligion throughout all Israel. The people
| arose en- masse 20 accomplish the WORK
! OF bringing the neglected ark up to the
capital; 10000 chosen men. representing
i all the tribes, went as a kind of military
escort to the King and the Ark OF God
The ark was at Kirjath jearirn, near
the borders OF the land OF the Philis-
| tines.
Around the Ark of God the nation was
TO be indissolubly united. Religion Is
the strongest bond OF union among men
The most lasting fellowship between
men is formed around the affairs of Cod
| When a man is united by faith. love
and service TO God this very fact unites
him also in helpfulness and sympathy Il
all Gods children.
The Ark OF God invariably furnishes
a solid basis of peace. Indeed, there
can be no permanent peace apart from
this ark. Unless It's principles are ap-
piled to civil government, to commercial
I standards, TO public life. or TO the in
dividual conscience. no abiding peace (.
4 possible. The reason that the world Il
In such turmoil-nations ready to Fly a
each others throat5: wars and rumors o.
wars everywhere. communities In up.
heavai and tumult, business frequently