The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-11

THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Samuel X, 17-27-Ju1y IL, 19O3-SauI
Chosen King.

II &c q fascinating picture of primitive rural
life The son of a rich Penjamite farmer is
rounding up the stock which has been allowed
to Craze at large. Tcilsome and vexatious WORK!
At the suggestion of his servant, who also tur-
nishes the gift which etiquette required, the
Young man turns aside to the town where the
seer lived Meeting the village girls at the COM
mon fountain, they inquire for the prophet.
They are hidden to hasten, IL they would see
him before he begins the religious festivities OF
the day. The seer and the searcher tor LOST
asses meet and the latter, with his faithful at
tendant is given the seat and portion of honor
That night. the fiat roof of the house. the
most retired portion of an Oriental home, the
patriotic and devoted prophet poured out ms
soul to the rustic hero, the predestinated King
No doubt he dwelt upon the national perils and
how to avert them. He kindled new passion
patriotsm-in his young auditor. Then began
that change which contaminated on the
morrow, by means of which a farmer was meta
morphosed into King.
The secret JUNCTION, official salute and triple
| sign are given and Samuel and Saul separate.
As a further preparation for his high calllng'
1 the untutored youth seeks school OF the propn-
cts own founding and familiarizes himself with
| the triangle of Hebrew education, Mosaic law,
! inspired poesy and sacred music. The change
of character and occupation. SO unlikely ana I'M
exnected gives rise to the proverb, lis Saul also
among the prcphets?"
On the very of his immemoral victory
Samuel assembled Israel to publicly and officially
| renounce the power which he lad welded so
long and faithfully. This was the public ratitca-
| ton of what had been done in secret The same
| process which marked Achan as the onender and
| Matthias as apostle designated Saul as King.
| The element of chance was stricken out and
| trickery forcstalled by superhuman guidance.
| The ordeal for Saul trying in the last
| degree. He could have no doubt of the outcome
| Of the lot-castng. The responsibilities OF an Of
| flee so novel in Israel bore down upon him like
q food-a natioral decline to be stemmed. inva-
| sion to be resisted. public morals to be reformed
| No wonder the inexperienced youth MD himself
| in the camp baggage 1t was game Oh niue
| and seek, but the seekers were successful; mo-
ment later they led the King-elect into the pres
ence of the national assembly. 1t was a crisis
| hour i'm Hebrew history. Would he accept?
Would the civil Legislature approve the choice :?
The patent righteousness of spirit, the heroic
physique, gigantic stature, ruddy countenance,
piercing eye. all predspose in the candidate $
favor, and the ratification is proclaimed In the
proverbial greeting to the King. True, there
was a recalcitrant minority, a base element that
hoped 10 make merchandise out of their opposi-
| tion They withheld their homage and their
token OF fealty but the person OF the King was
| nrovided with a body guard loyal and alert.
| The statesmansh.p of Samuel shines with in
| creased luster at this instant. He does not sun
at the slight put upon him and his Judgeship
| He is bent on his countrys veal he knows
| that limitations be put upon the monarchy
while still plastic, which cannot be when once
n becomes set he Is conyersant with the oil
vine restrictive rules relating 10 kingship. re-
cor,ied By Moses. He announces them III ths
| hearing of the King and the Assembly. Boti
parties consent To them transcript Is MADE
and deposited among the national archives Thu
! safely launched upon the stream of historl
The nrst constitutional monarchy known to man
, THE TEACHERS LANTERN
: Israel needed a King. well as wanted one
0 nm, their need grew of their inhdeiIty Z
TIE divine plan and principles OF government
.rh.sr sin consisted not in asking for a visible
central and temporal representative OF power
Inn, In their getting into such state as to max
: monarchy Indispensable
!, uaa they cultivated religion in heart and home
\ | ,e.n faithful in public ami private services an
cbsved God in The matter OF their relations {
> "a. heather there would have grown up in Ca
: nam an ideal republic. characterized By miller
!. r,., righteousness and its concomifants. peac
and joy. This was possible But IN II isra