The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-30
International SundaySchool
 Lesson

resrth quarter. Lesson TX. Judges
 XVI, 21-31.
 December 1, 1907.
 The Death of Samson.
 Tn that New Testament Hall or f'ame' the eleventh chapter of the Epistie of the Hebrews, between the Tablets of Barak and Jephthah. hangs one to Samson. His historicity has never been successfully impeached. He can not be dismissed as solar myth, al though Samson may mean solar. Ef- fort may be made to discount him by affirming that he lacked serious relig- ion and patriotic purpose; that his supreme motive was ignoble, being ap- parently only personal revenge, and that his warfare was only that Of a guerilla, never rising to the dignity of q planned campaign against the en- emies of his country. It may be said, if one chooses to say 1t. that Samson was never more than dimly conscious of the national and religious vocation or Israel
 However all that may be, this rude popular tale will never lose it's subtle charm. It was evidently taken down from the very mouths of the people, and has been described as a self-con- tained narrative by a single hand. Its reproductions of the crude manners of far-off age are fairly photographic tis a quaint and evidently faithful narrative of customs. knowledge of which would without 1t likewise be lost.
 The angelic annunciation to the wife of Manoah reminds one of the New Testament parallel in the life of the Virgin Mary. only in the former instance there are two communications instead of one. The simplicity and di- rectness of the story wins the readers heart from the beginning. One stroke suffices for the political situation or the times. It describes the Philistine dominance of Judah and Dan for twenty years in punishment for their fnfidefity to the covenant. The parent age of the deliverer is dismissed with similar brevity; man of Zorah. of the Tribe of Dan named Manoah and his wife: the angt-ic visit, and finally the birth of Samson.
 The storie5 of Samson's wit ana prowess which follow are among tns treasures of antiquity. They interpIe! a crude and remote age as no material souvenir could possibly do. They are so panoramic that one fairly sees the Hebrew Hercules killing his non anu afterward finding the honeycoihp ,n the carca ass--from which he makes ms rude riddle. The marriage customs ana rough domesticity of those Iar-on times pass in review upon these s, G cinatfng pages As from phonosraph come the sarcastic sayings ana e tne mocking laughter of this brawny wit of an elder age. r
 The comedy and tragedy in human life has an exhibit in the person ana career of Samson. It is one more lin- age of gold and clay. The latter con fessedly predominates in the imposS.- ble fusion. Traits. noble and ignople, are mixed. Opposite characteristics are matched with corresponding deeds. few Bible characters, admit of more ex- tensiye allegorizing than that or sam son. The ieonine jaws Of civic wrongs are to be torn asunder. Good may DO recovered from the wreck or the ue- throned evil--as honey came rom the eater. Gates, bars and posts or hoary tablishments, and unamenable fran- chises are to be as completely removed as those of Gaza. The immanent Dl- vine Is still the hiding of power. ana it is the privilege of all to reel the moving of the spirit of the Lord as Samson felt it before every deed or prowess Power is never. irrevocapiy lost. Samson's locks grew again. Al the last he was strong enough to pull a heather temple down. The career of Samson was vivld object lesson to Israel TOT thousand years and was evidently de- signed to be such. The honor ana gam of good percentage and the elements which constitute it are set forth in the pious examples of Samson's father and mother. The immanence of God in per- sonal, family and national life is ac- centuated. The dangers of -irreligious affiliations are portrayed. The story | can not be easily relegated to the cu- | rious. but comparatively unimportant | realm of folk lore. The strength of | it's hero is still in it. It is inspira- tional 1t begets courage. 1t kindles I |
 Analysis and Key. 1. Samson in the Hall of Fame. l
 Historicity; no, Solar myth"
 Attempted discount of character
 and deeds, 9. Ckarm of the Story.
 Photographic.
 Preserves Manners and Customs. | 3. Annunciation.
 New Testament parallel.
 4. Contemporary history.
 Philisti1e Dominance.
 Parentage of Hero.