The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-31

GOLDEN TEAT.-Nan 1OOketh O0 the
outward appearance. hist the Lord
1~okesh IN the heart--l Sam. 1851.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
Samuels errani- Sam. Ola
ne lnct--....--......--..-i sam, 4e-s, =
Ire inspect.on-... --.-.l sam. lo.e-4"
The amounting sam. i..ll-ls
David and Saui.-.-........i sam. is.lt-95
TINE--Prc baby about los Is. {.
LACE.--Ramah. Bethlehem and CT
bean.
NOTES AND COMMENTS
We think none the less of Samuel
for taking 10 heart so keenly the dis
appointing failure of Saul. He
mourned for him as for an only son.
His grief seemed 10 cut the nerve Of
his public ambition. How long he did
nothing about il. we do not know. Ii
may have been years or only few
months.
| But he was finally aroused to take
action for Israel's future. The
dynasty Of Saul must soon end. Who
should succeed him? Twelve miles TO
the south of Ramah lay the famous
town - Bethlehem. the home Of Jesse.
III, grandson of Ruth and Boar His
fine family of eight stalwart sons was
doubtless known 20 Samuel. whose
judicial journeys for many years had
given him a wide acquaintance One
morning. under divine impulsion. the
old prophet took his own horn Of So
cred oil and walked 10 Bethlehem.
His arrival causes surprise and fear
at Bethlehem. Apparently his visits
had been infrequeut in his later years.
and only some momentous errand
could have drawn him from his quiet
retirement al Ramah. The people
trembie as they think how the old
Puritan prophet treated his enemies.
and half suspecting some UNPUBLISHED
criminal among their number. they
ask: "Comesr thou peaceably ?"
Quickly he allays their fear and quiets
all suspicion: announces laconically
his purpose to sacrifice. and bids them
prepare themselves and join him.
.Sanciify yourselves" Wash your
persons and put on clean clothing
Geikie.
The sacrificial rite having been at
tended 70. Samuel now devotes himself
10 the business which was the real
cause Of his coming He goes 10
.1esse's house and interviews his sons.
Each youth is measured by the lofty
standard Of the divine ideal for the
kingship. Eliab. the oldest. is in the
full strength Of robust manhood. At
first thought the prophet j. inclined 70
accept him and look no further But
bis disinely -ins pired second thought
warns him not 10 trus TOO much in
outward appearance. The memory ~
the handsome Young Saul haunts him.
He turns away. He scrutInizes the
faces OF six more Of Jesse's sons in
turn. searching for kingliness in char
actcr- None " them meets Jehovah's
requirements
'Goodiy 70 look upon" Something
in Dayid's face and manner befokens
the boys developing possibilities. Re
ing youthful and untraired. he was
the more susceptible 70 Samuel's in
fnencc. Early youth is the time for
amounting for cne's life mission.
Then Samuel anointed him
in the midst Of his bre,hren:" The
ceremony was not understood by the
brothers. They little dreamed the Of
Ace intended was the kingship Prob
ably the prophet revealed his full pur-
pose 10 David. and what deepening
effect II must have had upon the
young mans life,
4 strange malady had attacked the
king-a species Of insanity or perhaps
only violent dependency. induced by |
his growing evil temper. This distem-
per was found 10 WELD 70 the soothing |
effect 81 music. and the young shep- |
herd musician from Bethlehem was |
brought 10 court 10 charm into good |
hnmored sanity the king whose sue
cessor he was destined 20 be. Here he
soon became favorite. and in due |
time he was made the kings armor.
bearer