The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-04

Samuel was doing. forget to care for
their own offspring.
The elders gave their motive in ask
ing for king away also by adding the
words: Like all the nations" It was
world mindedness. chiefly, after all, that
was moving them to make their great
revolutionary request. They wanted to
be in the fashion. They desired worldly
pomp and glory. All the paraphernalia
of courts and palaces and the show Of
military strength of kings attracted
them. The ever-recurring danger that
comes TO all republics and free peoples
is shown here-the desire of a more
snowy government. The danger to
free spiritual church today is a desire
on the part of the communicates for
more shOwiness in their worship and in
their church government. Hence the
homage paid TO bishops. and prelates
and the constant elaboration OF rituals.
Fashion is great tyrant. 1t is often
based on folly The haunts OF fashion
are not where the most earnest men and
the most spiritual Christians are found.
One reason why the children of wealthy
Christian parents turn out so badly Is
just because the talk and ambition OF
the family has been so steadily directed
TO fashion
Samuers Refuge
The sudden uprising of the heads Of
the tribes of Israel and the news that
they had to communicate to the now
aged but not enfeehled prophet evil
IDENTIFY both wounded and surprised
him-"the thing displeases Samuel"
Samuel's displeasure might have been
PersCnal-feeling that the people had
repudiated his long leadership over
h..V,
personal standpoint of loss and disre-
spect 10 himself, or it might have arisen
from a sense OF loyalty to God-feeling
that the people were rejecting their
divine king. At any rate. Samuel did
the right thing in his pain and per-
pleXity. He prayed. 1t is said that at
every great crisis OF the Church of God
in the world God has always had some
great soul who took the burdens of the
church 10 him in prayer-Moses, Samuel,
Elijah, Paul. etc.
Gods Answer.
God gave Samuel an answer in peace.
He must have astonished him by direct
ing him 20 grant the peoples request
He pointed out to him that the true na-
ture OF the peoples wish was deeper
than a mere rejection OF Samuel him
self: II was a rejection OF him.
II was Gods will first that his people
should have himself alone as their King,
but it was his viii, also that they should
have an earthly king also il they so de-
sired il. Provisions had been made for
this contingency in the laws OF Moses.
God desired the best for us, but II we
Will not have the best he grants us the
second best. and so on down.
God told Samuel to protest to the peo-
pie against the nature of their request
By showing the evils they were inevita-
bly, bringing upon their own heads for
asking for king. all of which evils his
tory has proven abundantly true
Samuel was the man for the hour to
carry tho new government into effect.
The greatness OF SamueTs character is
shown in nothing more strikingly than
/ that after finding the change had the
sanction of God he not only waived fur
Their opposition, but led the new move
ment, with calm wisdom, 20 a success
full issue" Il think that one of the
most maenanimous and majestic and he
roic deeds ever done in our worlds
story"
Samuel was the second founder OF the
J Hebrew nation. He inaugurated a new
era in the history of the Israelitish peo-
pie.