The L'Anse sentinel., 1907-09-21

few Jebusites that he should trouble
himself concerning themf and what
was the city which they held that he
should desire 1T So he reasoned.
and sought for satisfaction in the
things which he had obtained.
But within the inner chambers Of
his heart there were voices whisper
Ing words of condemnation. While
there remained q spot within his
realm which he had not conquered
was he really king? While there was
q people who dared to cast defiance
in his face and repeatedly annoy and
distress the people whom he as king
had sworn to protect and cherish was
he performing his duty? Could he re.
tain the respect and confidence OF his
| people and his army II he failed to
master the Jebusites and gain posses
sion Of their stronghold! Such were
the Questionings which troubled
him from within; and from without
there came the fresh protests Of the
people of Judah whose possessi ons
| were near to Jerusalem.
| What use for ~ to plant our vine
yards and to SOW our fieIds n these
| Jebusites are to descend upon US In
the night and take away the fruits
Of our toll? And when we pursue
them they find refuge within their
stronghold and cast ridicuIe upon u
from the walls
Such was the last bitter complaint.
and David found himself asking the
question whether he could turn deaf
ear to their pleadings? Could he re-
| fuse to put forth effort to help? To
be sure 1t seemed ike difficult task.
| but ought he not try? But the failures
Of the nations about to conquer the
place gave him little confidence that
he would prove more successful In
any attempt he might put forth.
But you can try" came the clear
voice of conscience from within. "Vic.
tory belongs to the Lord, and he will
not fail the one who putteth his trust
In him." he added half aloud to him.
self
| Yes" continued David to himself.
as the reused confidence within made
him see more clearly his duty in the
matter. "Yes. 1t is reproach upon
David that such stronghold should re.
main unconquered. What an ideal
place that would be for the placing
! of the tabernacle of the Lord, that
God might have his dwelling place
there. II God has given us the land
| did he not wish and expect that we
would take this place. as well?"
| One noble thing about David was
that as soon as he saw his duty clear.
| ly he did not delay action. For him
realize that it must be met II he re-
| mafned true to God and to his nation,
was all that was necessary to bring
| him into action. For this reason
that very night orders went out to
/ the army to be prepared for an early
start upon the morrow, when they
would go up against Jerusalem.
The order created some little dis
| satisfaction, but this was quickly dis
| PEELED whehn David himself appeared
| clad In his armor and declared his
purpose to lead the army in the diffi-
cult and dangerous task which lay be-
| fore 1t. But as they came beneath
| the steep, lofty precipices with which
nature had surrounded the place they
sought by every device to scale some
point and gain admittance to- the
| place, they realized more forcibly
| than ever what task lay before
them. And to add to their discom-
fort. the lame and the blind of the
| Jebusites were gathered upon the
walls and nailed upon them, saying:
Except ye take the lame and the
blind ye cannot come I'm hither."
| Then we win take the lame and
the blind" David muttered under his
breath. The seeming impossible shall
become possible with Gods help. The
enemy itself has told us the way we
shall enter the city.
And with that determination taken.
David ceased the efforts at scaling the
walls and directed his men to search
the secret underground aqueduct
which supplied the city with water.
saying unto them:
'Whosoever getteth up to the gut
ter and smiteth the Jebusites and
the lame and the blind. that are hated
OF David's soul, shall be chief and
captain. go.
And thus encouraged, the ascent Of
the precipice was made and the gate
of the city quickly opened, 80 that
David entered in triumph the place
whoch had dcfied him.
And David dwelt In the fort and
called II the city OF David. and as
he sat contemplating the victory from
the heighths Of the city, he ex-
claimed: '}@
Il never knew before that Judah
and the land of Israel were SO fair.
What would the kingdom have been