The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-01-15

PARIs.-The Rev. DR. Edward b. Thur
Der preached sermon in the American
church here which has attracted consider
sable attention, His subject was David as
Rnler; or, From Sheepcote to Throne
tshe text was taken from l Chronicles
HNilsT; Thus saith the Lord of Hosts. /
MUpK thee from the sheepcote, even from
following the sheep. that thou shouldst be
r1ler oyer My people Israeli" DIR. Thur
4 FTsr said:
IWhata great distance from the pastures
IN l3ethlehem to the throne in Jerusalem.
The Contrast between the shepherd boy
and The King Of Israel is one Of the mar
vels which human history presents us. 1t
Is Certain that no one is able to bridge
such distances without the Intervention Of
ASSISTING conditions and forces. There
must be acting factors in the life if the
great results are secured. A man becomes
a debtor to SO much, to his environment,
to favoring conditions, to friendly agencies,
and sometimes to seemingly. adverse cir
.cumstances. His own powers are stimu-
lRtea, directed and assisted toward the
Ned that is to be reached.
M {lhe American Revolution had some
thing to do in advancing Washington to
hls position in history: his early educa-
ton, his ancestry, his religious feeling, the
people among whom his lot was cast, were
ALL factors in his career. The French Rev
Qlution was the great opportunity which
the genius of Napoleon could seize and util-
1ze. Many man fails to come conspicu-
ously to the front because the times are
not ripe for dramatic career.
The wise man studies and understands
how varying factors may be made to con-
T1lDute to his progress and welfare. He
GENES to know how much depends upon
!. the interest and services of one whom be
bmav seek and serve, and who may seek
IN And serve him.
David's open soul called a multitude of
agencies into service, for his career and
their employment made his history posi-
bile. and gave to it that peculiar color and
variety which charm us.
The stars smoke to him. and through
him they speak to us, as his thought and
feelings are reported in the music of the
salms. which have been such solace and
inspiration to multitudes since his time.
The fields. flowers and forests, the streams
land scenes of Mature bird and beast, had
Nneir mart in the poetry he felt and ex-
JAessed in literature that will last as
~ vas language endpres His friendships,
that ideal one with Jonathan, his associa-
tions with all classes and conditions of
men: give us unique and interesting per-
sonality
Yor cannot understand David until you
take into consideration the nature of the
tendencies within him, and measure the
degree Of the influences which entered
into the formation of his character and
career ThPre is large mixture of con-
NIastinc and contradioting tendencies in
Mm. These are manifested through the
years Of his eventful history. He was like
n CITY that is being builded. The original
flow. marshv n'aces must he drained and
filed up. ROUGH maths must give place to
well naved streets, rude huts will be su-
perseded by well constructed houses, pal.
aces and public buildings; Che crude and
inartstc will be replaced by the work of
architects and artists before the city can
become beautiful and healthful
THROUGH al the period of construction
there will be present the contrasts and
contradictions that mar and qualify the
glory Of the city. There are two things
that would be anparent to a candid critic
that progress is beinc made, and that the
issue Of endeavor will be sure and salts
factory.
This contrast is presented through the
course Of David's life. If we look at some
features which come before us conspicu
.ously we will judge him severely; if we
llolS at others we will say how admirable!
and at the same time we will perceive that
his way is onward from the sheepcote to
the throne, At times David is as humble
as child that feels his weakness and
need, and yet stands before his father, that
he may be taught and led, and again he is
as naughty as man who counts no one
Ibis superior. He upholds truth and right
Business as essential to manhood, and then
knder the influence of fear he deceives
4tfIing Achish, who has hefriended him. He
.-shows wonderful spirit Of forbearance
and forgiveness toward his enemy, Saul, |
and then he puts his friend Uriah to the |
peril Of certain death. His love for iona.
than is wonderful ard ideal, and then he
yields himself to degrading loves He
of selfshness, sensualitv, pride and the
evil of wrong life, if he was to become
"a man after Gods own heart"
We would miss all, however, unless we
knew about the sovereign influence which
Jervaded. arranged, employed and directed
into and contributed toward David's ca
reer Without this dominating influence
Jerusalem would rever have been related
with Bethlehem. We must also remembe>
that the fr1ition of great character would
have been impossible without the presence
bear in mind even the divine power did
not contradicbthe choice of David or force
his voluntary action. God dealt with him
* d free and intelligent soul. He was
Failed to enter into partnership with God,
y I'd he in turn prayed that God would be
With him. He cried out for the living God,
as the thirsty land cries out for the life
giving water. that it may blossom as the
rose and rejoice in the beauty and bounty
'of fruitfulness
It is with such an Interpretation and
qualification that we listened to, and un-
derstand. what is intended when God is
represented as saying, 81 took thee from
the sheepcote, even from following the
sheen that thou shouldst be ruler over My
6eople Israel" God entered into and in
Aerested Himself in David's life, even as
He would in our lives God directed and
utilized circumstances, made use of envi-
ronment, employed the stars that spoke to
David soul was in the blue sky of Pal
.estine. and amid the clouds that at times
darkened the heavens and pervaded with
His purpose and power all the forms of