The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-08-20

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David and Jonathan
Great souls by instinct to each other turn.
Demand alliance, and in friendship burn"
Addison: 1.-The Campaign"
The kings son was fascinated with
the shepherd boys deed of prowess
There he stood, in the royal presence,
a self-oblivious hero, his hand clutch
ing the CORY locks of his dripping
trophy. He had slain the Gothite
monster, and, singlehanded, turned
the tide of battle; but with modest
composure he answered Saul's ques-
ton as to his origin, freely admitting
his humble parentage. His heroic
and patriotic spirit was transfused
with piety. He had done this deed
as unto the Lord. He had adventur-
ed with fearful odds against him, but
in the buoyancv of a faith that APP
pretended victory. He would avenge
Jehovah of his insulting adversary,
and then, if he willed it so, go back to
his little flock on the Judean step
pes.
Such lnodesty, piety, disinterested-
ness could not but arrest the atten-
ton of the most sluggish and unob-
servant. David's noble spirit bloom
ed like fair lily on the reeking dung
hill of Saul's sordid court and camp.
Jonathan was struck with consuming
admiration. He had found his fell
low. His own dauntless and devout
heart was mated. The ideal friend
ship which then sprang up was root
ed in a common theocratic faith.
Both believed in Jehovah and the
immanence of his government in Is
eral. The mutually of their faith
accounts not only for the origin of
their friendship, but for its phenom-
email strength and perpetuity.
1t was a graceful and significant
act when Jonathan clothed David in
his own princely raiment and girdle,
and armed him with his sword and
famous bow. By so doing he meta
morphosed a shepherd boy into a
courtier, ready to appear in royal
presence. To this day, however, in
the Orient, these gifts of clothing,
ornaments, or arms from ones own
person are considered the highest
tokens of friendship. 1t has also
been considered a seal of friendship.
Thus, for example, Edmund Ironside
and Canute confirmed their covenant
with each other by exchanging gar
ments and arms.
Jonathan's affection for David was
severely tested. 1t seemed to be in
hopeless collision with the spirit of
tilial piety. How could the fathers
hated enemy be the sons chosen
friend. Again this intimacy seemed
inimical to his personal interest. 1t
required of him the surrender of his
right to the throne. And this prince
of Sau's royal house was no effemin-
ate weakling, predisposed to evade
an honor environed with dangers.
Jonathan skillfully traced and resc-
lutely kept within the tangled bound
airy lines of apparently conflicting
duties. He saw that his fathers envy
of David was groundless. He refused
to aid him in making away with his
rival. He pleaded for him so well as
to extort from Saul promise of
safety for him. When the promise
was broken, he warned David of dan
ger. AT the same time he gave his
father indisputable evidence of his
fidelity. He fought for him and died
with him.
Again, while Jonathan recognized
his prospective right to the throne
after the order of human law, and
was conscious of his ability to reign,
yet when the theocratic purpose that