The Washington times., 1903-09-05

terrible example Of a man madly rush
ing against the thick bosses of the AL
mlghty's buckler TO his own destruction.
Let us not be high minded, but bear.
and humbiy see a brother in Saul. and
pray 10 be kept in the paths of obedi-
ence. which are paths of peace"
II is a question whether Saul was a
converted man or not. II he was a con
verted man, he certainly fell very low,
and lost all light and joy in his spirit
ual life Certain it is that Saul had
some of the operations OF the Holy
Spirit in his life 10 aid him officially in
doing his work for God as the King of
Israel. The extent that the Holy Spirit
works upon men in their unregenerated
state without bringing them to a living
faith in God is a great mystery. But
certain il is also that men, both in their
unregenerated state and in their regener-
ated state can fight against the Holy
Spirit in their lives. grieve him. and
cause him consciously 10 withdraw from
them Desolate. indeed, is the heart
where the Holy Spirit does not abide,
and where he has come and then with
drawn. Let him that thinketh he stand
eth, take heed lest he fall
Cowardice of Suicide.
The suicide, however miserable and
painful his condition, and however dark
and foreboding his outlook for the flu
ture. is a contemplate coward Suicide
is sacriIege, cowardice, and folly all
combined II is sacrilege because it is
an insult to ones Creator. The suicide
lightly values and despises the life that
God has given him. He makes himself
the judge OF that life instead of God
who has given 1t.
Suicide is cowardice because the per
son that commits it is afraid TO fur
ther face the ills of life. The suicide
generally gives as an excuse for his
unmanly deed that he could not stand
this or that misfortune, or this or that
shame and disgrace. or that he was
weary of life. Such an excuse is the
very height of cowardice. No truly
brave man could commit suicide with
such a feeling. Saul gave as a reason for
committing suicide that he did not want
to experience the torture and humilia-
tion that be would experience If he fell
into the hands of the Philistines. Saul
died a coward. II he had wanted to
die as a hero dies he would have brayely
drawn his sword and died in the midst OF
battle, falling with his face to the foe,
lighting until he expired.
Suicide IS folly. First because while
there is life there is hope. Matters,
however bad, may take a change for the
better any moment. If suicide is right
/ then whenever affairs in life go desper-
ateIy with us. and there seems no hope
! left We should take our lives immedi-
ateIy How foolish this would be. No
greater curse can come TO society than
an epidemic of suicide.
| Suicide is folly also because the
| suicider leaps from the ills of time heed
/ lessly into ills of eternity. Let every
man live as long as he can and leave
| his life to God as to it's length or brief
ness. except when duty calls him to lay
down his life upon the altar of a greal
principle.
David whom Saul prosecuted so long
forgave him, and laid beautiful poeti-
cal tribute OF appreciation upon his
| grave when he died
Jonathan perished with Saul because
| he was true TO him as a son until the
| last. Noble Jonathan.