Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1903-11-05
International Sunday School Lesson
November I Is David and Absa-
iom, II Sam, is, 1-12.
BY WILLIAM il. ELLIS.

y
BY WILLIAM Il. ELLIS.
This story is not laid in Washing
ton, but in Jerusalem. True, it is
quite similar to other stories made
familiar to us by dispatches from the
national capital; but that only shows
that there is nothing new under the
sun, n that politics three thousand
years ago on the other side of the
earth did not differ materially from the
politics of today in our W land. There
were the same willy, self servers, ana
the same oily seekers after votes and
supporters, and the same crowd of foot
ish ones ready to desert to the stand
ard of the man who is the best mixer"
n freest with his promises and cor
diality. The monotony of goodness
gave this perfumed prince, Absalom.
with his dashing ways and ~ingratiat-
ing assurances, an opportunity to over
turn the righteous reign of. his father,
just as they say that Taminany stands
a chance of returning TO power in New
York because the tickle public cannot
he trusted to stand by simple integrity
and honesty. This lesson story is q
stud in citizenship. as we'll as in sacred
history.
A SEQUEL TO SIN.
The narrative links itself to that
black chapter in King David's life
uc ~ Ic lcIl W duullCTI ana IluI-
der. He had repented of his sin, and
had been forgiven and restored to
Gods favor. but still he had to suffer
the consequences. Gods mills cannot
be stopped. Now. as Nathan had
prophesicd, the penalty of his trans
gression was coming upon him. One
son. Amnon, had committed a terrible
sin for which he should have been put
to death according to law. David was
loy in thic and two rc lnt.r 1, hc.-
lom, another son, avenged his sister
lamar by foully numbering Amnon.A Alb
SALON. hen fed into exile TO his moth
er's kindred, at the court of the king
of Geshur. Then, after many years,
through shrewd old General Joab, i've
brought the king to consent to his re-
turn to Jerusalem. Here he abode for
two years before he was permitted to
see his fathers face. But all the While
he was plotting rebellion.
A FOP OF LONG AGO.
Absalom was the dandy of the Old
Testament. He had all the faults of
an exquisite who was fully aware of
his own e~Xceilencies. From heel to
head there was not a blemish IN his
beauty-although he had plenty inside.
His hair was Il marvel of luXuriance
and beauty, and his chief point of van
ity. There was poetic justice in his
pSilAS huii5Cu ny u. M OliG
In all Israel was so much praised as
this handsome, wealthy idler.
In his case was illustrated the pro-
verb that The devil tempts "A busy
man.. but an idle man tenpts the
devil" Given good looks. plenty of
money. nothing to 10, and lack Of
strong moral stamina, and any young
man can escape the shipwreck of char
acter only by a miracle. These present
days of great wealth are breeding many
Absa1Oms, Who, IKE thrS One III Ufu,
sheer at virtue as "slow" and unfash-
ionable and respect no laws except their
own desires. David's sorrow over Alb
SALON. strikes a responsive chord in
many an American fathers heart, who,
too late, realizes that While he has been
engrossed In other affairs his son has
been playihg the fool. IL not the knave.
THE POLITICIAN PRINCE.
Filial respect and loyalty had no
place in h heart of this selfish dude,
He had no thoughts higher than Absa-
lom's hair, and for this it seemed to
him that a crown would make the best
ornament. So. by posing. parade and
pretense. and all arts of the politician
he set about stealing the hearts of
Israel. He pointed out the weakness
of the administration and ingratiating-
ly suggested how much better he would
do in his fathers place. We smile as
we read the story, so familiar Ices 1t
sound, forgetting that we are o. fire.
quently led astray by the same tricks.
A man become a politician, selling his
manhood and self respect for the sake
of votes, Is a sight as sorry as it Is
common. More than once l have been
stirred by the speech Of n certain re-
former whose tongue of fire, as he fear
lessly n eloquently spoke the truth
as 1t had appeared to his vision. made
one think of SavonarOla. But l have
since seen that same man, a candidate
for Office. Snug and smiling and hail
fellow well-met' with everybody that
he might win vOtes! And l have seen
a noted minister of the gospel, whom l
had been reared to honor, when he be-
came a candidate for ecclesiastical Of
flee. sit silent when his vote was re-
quired on a grave doctrinal question,
because, forsooth. he was afraid that
IL his convictions were known he might
fail of a majority Of ballots! God pity
all who, in the train Of Absalom. stul-
tify their manhood for the sake of
cowardice or self-interest.
THE CROWD OF DUPEs.
Every fraud. no matter how ridicu-
lous. ran have a following. Dowieism,
~theosophy and Christian Science are
proofs of that. No demag0gue or char
1atan need lack for dupes. David. bluff
OlO WaTTlOTs WIS no pOlltlcldu. ne mac
brought peace and prosperity to Israel.
Still. the multitudes were willing to
forsake him, their true and tried leader,
and lawful MnS. for the sake of this
godd-looking young blatherskite. They
wanted to be on the popular side. More
people go to the devil by running with
the crowd than in any other way.
What will not men do for popularity's
sake? A light-headed minister will
advocate l~ynching. a legislator will ia
Their every sort Of wild and foolish leg
i~slation, young men and women viii
sacrifice the dearest ideals of youth
and all for the sake OF following the
multitude. It does not detract from
the blame due to the Absaloms to sa,
that they are made possible only b,
the foolishness of those who follow
them.
the CLOAK or RELIGION.
In pursuance OF his plotting, Ahsa
lom found It necessary to go to Heb
ron to set up his banner and rally Tho
rebels to 1t. He secured the king
permission to go on the plea that h
had a solemn VOW to pay. He was ne
1.-The first nor the last to make religion
a convenient cloak for his r~ascality
He was a conscious and designin:.
hypccrite; there are many who ar
such un3onscivVsey' Rut tn nan whe