The Washington times., 1903-09-26
By the REV. JOHN \. LYLE.
REVIEW.
EENEurHr-
The National Change.

ErEzEdT0
The National Change.
Many nations as we'll as individuals
I ecome FESTIVE under the old order Of
things. whatever the nature OF that
order may be. and desire change"
without clearly conceiving what the log
icaI results Of the proposed change"
may be.
There is charm TO many parties and
factions in political. social and religious
life in the mere word change"
Such a fever for a change in their
governmental life came to the people OF
Israel In the time OF Samuel, the prophet
and Judge, who was the successful and
upright leader OF his people for many
years. But finally, during his admins
tration of affairs, the heads Of the tribes
came TO him and said Give us king
The question was a sign Of a degen-
crate manhood and degenerate faith in
God. What the nation needed was not
stronger government, but stronger men;
not more king" but more man" The
Israontes in their degeneracy asked for
that very thing that the American peo-
pie have learned positively TO refuse---a
king. The question was whether the
government OF the Israelites should be a
pure "theocracy"-a spiritual republic
where God should be the only King, an
invisible though an ever-present and &C
cessibls one. or a monarchy" In which
the people should be compelled to obey
the mandates Of some earthly potentate.
II was an unwise national aspiration,
as the acts of subsequent ungodly and
tyrannical kings amply proved. as the
ration became plunged by them over
and over again into one disaster and
misery after another
THE demand for a king was only ar
excuse to get away from the leading
strings OF the Almighty, and have
greater freedom.
I'VE make the same excuse ourselves
Men have set up reason as their kint
because they did not want to feel tina
they we're living under the eye of God
Others set up science as king. The!
think that by reducing God TO princi
pies and laws the sovereignty of
personal God will be done away with
Some of us try to get away from Co
by putting humanitarianism in tn
place Of religion. We would Ike Z
substitute social reform for regenera
ton. and sign checks for keeping tn
commandments. Many a woman ha
said. I have only time for my hom
duties. and they come first She stay
away from church to turn the ice crear
freezer for the Sunday dessert, and o
prayer meeting night she tucks an
frills her children's skirts. But let u
be sure that, whatever else we give
first place in our lives. the motive
not like that of Israel-a desire {
break away from God, who is to
straight Laced and Puritan for u.s.
The elders had a good deal TO SO
for themselves when they hankeree al
ter king We all have just the sam
thing to say for ourselves, when y
banker after something more solid tina
Gods promise TO give us an unseen pro
lection and guidance. And we are ju.
as really rejecting God in this banker
Ing as the elders were. We cam,
have two objects of trust, and cling
the Invisible means TO let go the III
seen"
God answers the peoples prayer f.
a king. When men are not prepared I
disposition and character to receive II
highest and best blessings from God, I
grants them in his wisdom and goodnei
the next best, and so On down. 1t wou
have been the best blessing for God