The Washington times., 1903-09-26
FOR SEPTEM Der u.


ancient people to have remained free
from kings. but they were not worthy OF
such high freedom. God sometimes
grants mems foolish requests as one of
the best ways of showing them how
foolish they are. Just as, when in the
wilderness they begged for meat. he
sent them quails as a punishment. SO
now he gave them king in his
anger He said TO Samuel. they have
not rejected thee. but they have re-
jected me-" Their dissatisfaction was
more significant than observation-disclosures
with the leadership of a man. but it was
dissatisfaction with God" The elders
had rejected God, by forming their own
plans before consulting God; by forget
ting what God had done for them: and
by deliberately choosing to be like in
their government the idolatrous nations
around them. God saw that the hearts Of
the nation were so far removed from
him that only the bitter experience of
their own will could show them their
need of God. They were giving UP free
government, close contact with God. and
strong compulsions to national purity,
and taking in exchange despotic gov
eminent, partial alienation from God.
and ever-increasing temptations to the
idoltary of the nations they chose to
initiate. II was like Esau's bargain
birthright for pottage."
The Jews were asking for heavy pun
ishments which they needed. GOD will
not force any man to take his yoke. II
men persist in desiring a heavier one,
he will often grant their desire" When
one way fails, God in his mercy tries
another What the Hebrews did not learn
under Moses and the judges, they might
learn under the kings. God wanted to
| give to all succeeding time an object
lesson in the folly Of worldly ambi-
tons"
But God warned Israel Of the folly and
evil OF its choice. So he by hundred
methods and voices warns every shines
of the evil of his course.
The Character of Samuel.
samuel, the prophet was the pivota
character of the hour. He wisely ant
ably conducted the nation through II
transitional period from pure theocra
cy under the leadership OF king, whic
made him the second founder OF the ma
ton. a statesman in Jewish history onl
second to Moses himself in importane
and greatness Samuel was raised VI
to be the leader OF the Hebrews in thei
transition TO form Of government Xix
that OF the nations around them T
accomplish this transition peacefully
and still maintain the authority Of Je
hovah. was a great task.
samueTs character is one OF the pures
and noblest depicted in all the Bible
He was almost a blameless saint froI
childhood 10 an old age, life that COY
cred almost a century. He was Dor
about 1850 B. G. and died at the age {
ninety. about four years before Sau
Samuel as he grew up. became estai
lished as a prophet-priest, and all Il
nation came to honor him and look
him for leadership
One OF his glories is that he was tn
q founder Of the order OF the prophet
Before his time prophecy had been spas
modic. With him began a regular SUI
cession Of prophets, continuing till aft
: the captivity. The priests had beeou
degenerate. and the prophets were r
formers as well as preachers. The
were instructed and held together by Il
7 institution Of schools Of the prophets
, and they became a mighty power 4
good.
Samuel was true to God and true
5 the people until the last. He prayed Il
d Saul as the new king, and felt not OF
5 scintiils of jealousy at his prominenc