The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-06-27

by all. Yet no enc resorted to riot or
revolution. dangerous method at any time
u is TO the credit of Israel that peace
able and orderly solution was proposed
he elders. the heads of families and those
VINO ny reason OF age and ability had been
chosen as leaders. gathered in popular
Ssembiy unto Samuel at Rarlah. then his
nome They came out of all the tribes.
probably summoned together by some one
wno had reputation and confidence. thus
forming kind of national council. TO make
grave and deliberate request. Make us a
MFG they said on coming together. an
event which had been anticipated centuries
ms was a noble testimony to the in
teSrity and public spirit of Samuel. mani
rest conviction that he would do right when
called Hpon to lay down his power for the
succeed him
THE DIsPLEASEp PROPHET Verse 81.
nave been presented TO support this re
qut st. The nations round about had
HiISs, and the Israe.!tes desired TO be like
tneil. The ;itseaee OF 4 t.inG gave them
an appearance" OF .aseTicIisy in the eyes OF
h.i2hbo:S. who assumed naughty bear
ing towaFd them. Besiies. the Hebrew
tiots "yie :Eoie or less jealous of each
other. There was need OF strong CEN
tral power 10 weld the parts Into one whole
ioF the good OF all against outside enemies
ANA yet Samuel heard the request with dis
pleasure II seemed TO he a condemnation
OF himself and Of. his administration. He
had devoted himself to the good of his
country Il Sam. XII. go. he had taught
them, established schools. led them back
prosperity. Ingratitude. distrust of their
leader. seemed 10 Turk il the request. The
proposal seemed to De against the interests
of the people. 50 dear to his heart. II dis
appointed his hopes his splendid ideal of a
holy people. self-ruied. subject only TO the
king of heaven. an example 10 the world
Of what God would DO Fer his own. was not
10 be realized.
THE DIVINE COUNSEL. oversees and 81.
Samuel was not man to choose his own
way or TO trust his own Judgment in a time
of trial Accordingly he carried this per-
picking subject 10 the Lord. Just what every
man of faith should DO. prov. iii. 81. Prayer
Is the mode Of relief for every troubled
heart; The answer on this occasion re-
solved all doubt concerning the course to
be pursued. God assumed all responsibility
and gave counsel % his servant embracing
to be granted. a King was TO be Amounted
and monarchy established. Some have
from the beginning. that God intended to
give Israel a sovereign. and would have
done so a a future time in his wisdom.
But this is hardly probable. because. second,
he assured Samuel that the people were
rejecting not the prophet but God. that
they were unwillingly to live under a pure
instance was in harmony with all their
conduct zen. xvi. s., from the time when
they were brought out of Egypt: This
statement must have relieved Samuers
THE SOLEMN ~PRoTEsT-Uerse 81
However. the request was granted by
minds OF the elders the impression that
they Were acting wisely. There were phases
of the subject which probably had not re-
ceived due consideration The monarchy
would have its disadvantages and perils
and these ought to receive attention in ad-
vance. A statement OF them was due IN
fact from an experienced and venerable
statesman who cared for the future Of the
naticn. King might be very valuable
which had been delegated to many. and
using those powers for the defense and
prosperity of the people. But he might
prove to be wicked and then the land would
groSn under his tyranny or suffer by his
folly. So the Lord directed Samuel to make
a solemn protest to the elders and explain
pointed to rule. 1t will be seen that this
was done Verse IL. but the record is be-
yond our lesson.
THE FAITHFUL REPoRT-Cverse 1O)
says He was as faithful as when he bore
the message to Eli. q Sam. Iii. 1s) He
ton. but he led the new movement with
calm wisdom. The two seemingly antago-
nistic traits. zeal for reform and patience
for compromise and mediation, were united
in a remarkable degree in the character Of
this good man. Stanley suggests that his
training from childhood to habits of obedi-
this almost unprecedented change in con.
duct. II required much self-surrender and
humiliation 10 take Gods words instead Of
his own in shaping a policy for the State. to
step aside from what he had believed to be
right and proper and allow and even pro-
mote another course for the sole reason tina {
God had ordered II. He seemed to say:
THY will be done. not mine Acts xvi,
~ Let God have his way in the nation
and let all his servants be content.
THE CLOSING THOUGHTS.-1. A good
man, as public servant is blessing TO
any people. By his character we'll as
by his counsel he becomes the center OF
wide-e xtended influences that promote the
general welfare. 2. When such a man is
about to be removed from office by death
or otherwise it is therefore natural that
men should be apprehensive and that an eff
fort be made to prevent the trouble that
may result. Still. il IS mistake to sup
pose that under such circumstances God is
not able 10 care for his own or to doubt
that he will do so. If men only put their
trust in HIM. 4. II, however. confidence in
Gods keeping power is partly lost and re-
lance is placed upon human Instrumental
ties and measures there is even greater &C.
casion to look to God for guidance and
help, assured that he will not refuse even
then to instruct and bless. ). 1t is there
fore best FOR 4 good man. a leader of
men. to ask wisdom of God whenever they
discover that others are proposing plan
of action which seems to be unwise. 6.
While showing men the consequences of
| their deeds it is often wise to allow them
| to choose their own way.
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