The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-17


upon natural. ethical and logical condi-
lions. Samuel felt obliged therefore to
employ method that would be effective
with his hearers. He desired them to
know that, while the king had been d.
'vinely appointed by their request, and
hence entitled to their support as rep
resentatiye OF Cod they were neverthe-
les guilty Of great sin in asking for d
human monarch. To convict them Of wick
edness he proposed sign, one that would
be easily convincing. He would pray and
God would send thunder and rain, some-
thing unknown at that time Of the year.
the wheat harvest, which always occurs
In the dry season.
1NTERCEDING PRAYER.-Werses IS
and 1s) Samuel called on the Lord, who
cent thunder and rain as he had pre-
dicted. 1t is useless for US to speculate
concerning this occurrence Some will
say that there was no relation between
the prayer and the storm. that nature is
governed by inhexible laws. and that the
narrative Is not therefore to be received
as historical. But here Is the plain state
ment, and no amount OF denial or ollib-
bling Will expunge 1t from the record.
The effect upon the minds Of the pep
PIE was precisely what Samuel had de-
sired. They greatly feared even as Israe
did when the Egyptians were drowned In
the Red Sea. eek. xiv:31.) They recognized
the power Of God, and the prophetic char.
acter OF Samuel, and, what was most
important, they were convicted OF their
sins. Then came their confession, full
ana free, and they requested Samuel to
lntercede with God in their behalf They
even telt that they were unworthy to
Pleao tne1r own case at the throne Of
mercy. that an advocate was demanded.
one who had access to God. II WAS Ire
same spirit that animated Pharaoh. fFx.
lx;2a) 1ntercession is recognized under
ms d!spensation. q John v:1e).
ENJOlNED COURSE-(Verses 20 and
sl III. shall man do who has com
mltted sin and is sorry for II. The
answer is very plain-he must abandon
the evll which he has practiced. That
is all he can do. He cannot undo anv-
shlng. What has been once wrought
must remain forever, even though pardon
mas peen obtained But the future need
~. % stained with similar transgres-
SONS. Let the evil man forsake his 7y,av
and turn unto God. Isa., ly:7,) And So
on this occasion, when the people desired
lntercession, Samuel gave them whole
some advice which was very full Of COM
Tort. He directed them not to fear as If
some judgment was suspended over their
heads. Their confession had averted the
Il John, 1875 Then, as now.
penitence removed the guilt, and the God
OF all grace received back to his favor
those who had broken his law. Oh, what
words OF cheer are these! How well
calculated to bring the troubled soul TO
rest and enable 1t again with confidence
to begin the service OF God. And that is
Just what Samuel enjoined upon the peo-
pie. Forgetting the past. they were
urged at once to consecrate themselves
to life of obedience.
PROMISED CARE-(Verses % and o9.)
There is in human nature something
that looks beyond the earthly, the hui
man and the temporal to find support
nat is more enduring and trustworthy.
Al times this disposition may BIO over
come by the many attractive things In
life, but more or less frequently and dis
tinctly 1t will assert itself 1t Is strongest
when the soul becomes conscious. of i'll
desert, for then the penalty Is feared
and there Is desire to avert 1t. Samuel
all this He knew that the
men who had clamored for a king who
might defend them against enemies would
be apprehensive when they perceived the
wickedness OF their course; that they
would realize their danger and seek a
1t was, therefore, with great wisdom
and calmHess that. having awakened peni-
tence. he now attempted to fix their
faith in God, and to assure them that
His protecting care would be over them.
psalm. xciv:14) They were still the
Lords people. He had not cast them Off.
They might continue to trust Him.
tDeut., viis) Moreover, Samuel prom
ised to offer his prayers for them, There
was thus double reason for hope--tlle
of God and the intercession
Of the prophet.
REQUIRED WAY-tVerses "a and e5)
In the sixteenth century John Agricola
taught that the law was In nowse oblis-
atory under the gospel, and he became
the leader OF a party known ever after
Iii theological literature as Antnomians.
They claimed that the doctrine OF par
don released one from the necessity OF
good works and virtuous life, There
seems to have been men of this class in
the time Of the Apostle Paul. who op-
posed them by urging that forgiveness
Il Is probable that those Of Israel who
heard Samuel's words formed such an
opinion. They may have reasoned In
this way: I'VE sinned and repented God
forgave and promised to care for us as
His own, Therefore. sin is not SO serious
a matter. We are not required to lead
holy lives. If we sin again and again,
He will as often forgive and receive u.s.
That would be logical to some minds.
But Samuel put in a caveat here. "Only
fear the Lord and serve him." This was
required because of Gods goodness, the
way OF life suggested as a response to
divine mercy. Consider what he has
done and then know what ye should
do
CLOSING THOUGHTS. Freedom of
cholce is the glory and peril OF man.
He is expected and required to deter
mine What is hest and proper for him
/, IL piro,Ip, eft a noes and NTH. i...