The Indianapolis journal., 1903-10-03
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Oct. 4, 19O3-II Samuel ", 1-12-David
Brings Up the Ark.

In that restoration of the Hebrew monarchy
which David effected with consummate skill the
re-enthronement of Jehovah was the last step.
The theocratical character of the government
was to be acknowledged in the most conspicuous
manner and by a most significant act The gold
en- ark, which recognized as Jehovah's
throne, was to te set UP in state in the new
capital of the reunited kingdom.
The matter was submitted to general con-
vocation OF the people gathered from the whole
territory, from the sands of the desert to the
SHOWS of Lebanon. Thirty thousand attended
some coming distance of $50 miles. 1t
peoples parliament, like those which used to
gather on the banks of the Rhine. The Kings
motion was carried with enthusiastic unanimity.
1t was splendid religious awakening-a re-
vival far-reaching in its effects.
But the irreligion of seventy years bore it's
deadly fruit in the very midst of this national
reformation. This neglect and consequent ig-
norance of the law led to a fatal error. A right
thing done in wrong manner There was
only one way to carry the ark. The Levites
with averted faces, were to thrust the gold-cov-
cred rods through the golden rings on the sides
of the ark, and, having enveloped 1t In its cur
tains, to lift 1t to their shoulders But both the
ark and the law had been long neglected that
this minutely prescribed method was entirely
forgot.
The cart and the oxen were the adoption of a
heather expedient. 1t led TO a familiarity with
the sacred palladium wholly out of keeping with
the very object which il designed to con-
serve. That object was the deep impression upon
the national mind of the absolute holiness of
Jehovah. The method of conveyance discounted
the sanctity OF the ark 1t made 1t scarcely
more than military trophy gracing a triumphal
procession on a national gala day.
This must be corrected, the sanctity of
the ark restored, and this contempt breeding IA
miliarity rebuked. Some never-to-be forgotten
lesson must be given in the sight of all the
people. The stumbling oxen gave the op-
portunity. The costly, lovely, significant
shrine topples and is the point of falling I'm
dishonor and ruin upon the earth In direct
obedience to the explicit command of God with
which he and all others ought to have been IA
miliar, UzZah puts out his hand, catches the
ark and sets it Alright upon the cart. That is
merely the elimination of a process which has
been wrong from the start. and the whole of it
is the inevitable outcome Of a half century of
irreligion
1t is not that one act-which any person near
est at hand would have done-not that which is
punishable. The irreligious familiarity of the
checked by awful judgment Uzzah is a SUBJ
sttute in suffering. His offense is no greater
than that of King priests and people His
death is designed to be exemplary
The triumphal procession is changed into n
dead march. No one is in doubt as to the cause
The spot became sadly historic ground and bore
Its significant name for generations David cried
In grief: How shall the ark come 10 me9,
That was the question he ought have asked
T.
lay would have been avoided. It is distinctiveIv
said that of Jehovah hled the King
from that hour. 1t filled the nations heart as
well.
Israel put probation three months
Scriptures relating to the ark were searched
There further question to how the ark
to be carried. In the ninety days IL rested
in the home of 0bed-Edom his phenomenal pros
perity standing evidence the blessing
the ark could be to the entire nation IL properly
shrined IN their reverential care.
new home-bringing of the ark is now at
tempted 1t is done exactly according to the
mount. The priests and the Levites sanctined
themselves for this service. And the Letites
the ark of God upon their shoulders with
the slaves thereon Moses commanded ac
cording to the word of the Lord
Trained choirs chanted antiphonally the noble
hymns which Davlc had composed Tor this occa-
sion There were superb orchestral interludes
AT stated intervals the procession halted 10 offer
sacrifices to Jehovah, and the King, in the &C.
stasy of religious joy. executed a rhythmic dance
playing his accompaniment and chanting
one OF his own hymns.
So this noble shrine-not entirely unlike the
shrines of other nations, perhaps, but certainly
and infinitely SURPRISING them In Significance
came length TO appropriate resting place Be
hind the mystic veil IL stood. reverenced and un-
harmed. four hundred years. II enshined a trim
ity of truth-the divine presence. the divine law
the divine mercy. What heather shrine how
ever like 81 in workmanship. will for one mo-
ment compare with II In spiritual loftiness of
meaning?
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
This sad and startling incident teaches the i'm
portance OF an implicit observance OF the divine
method. to its minutest details. David acknowi-