Charlevoix county herald., 1907-12-07

AAou oohC uuIy oOu hOt
to-day be seeking my life and the
| kingdom"
Vain regret is poor comforter, and
so 1t was that David found only har-
assment for his soul in living over
again his life in memory. His mis-
takes and sins rose up before him.
lie recalled the beautiful boy Absalom,
his fair countenance and noble bear
Ing, and he remembered the pride with
which he had watched his physical
and mental development He had not
been conscious then that the influence
OF the mothc~ Maacah who was a
daughter of the king of Geshur, was
strong enough to turn the heart of the
youth away from the true God, but
now 1t was all plain to him how the
taking of wives from among the
princesses Of the heather nations
about had led to all manner Of evils,
not only in his own family, but in the
nation as well. Absalom had not the
fear OF the Lord before him, and he
knew now that he had failed to help
his son by precept and example to
know and serve the true God
Surely he exclaimed again, "they
Will remember my charge to deal
gently with the young man. Gladly
would | give my life for him. Oh, that
he were restored to me that l might
help him into the right way. Gladly
will forgive him all if he will but
turn and serve the God of Abraham.
and Isaac, and Jacob"
His musings were suddenly cut short
by the cry of the Waterman upon the
tower far above his head
"A runner, my lord the king!" he
shouted.
"Cometh he alone?" anxiously in
quired the king, for if so, there be
tidings in his mouth"
Yea, he runneth alone" was the
reply, and then after a moment pause
he added, excitedly: Behold, l see
another man running, and he is also
alone"
IF that be so, he also bringeth It'd
ings," calculated the king, and rising
from his seat he paced back and forth
in nervous expectancy.
Me thinketh" shouted down the
Waterman again, that the running of
the foremost is like the running of
Ahimaaz the son of Zadok."
God be praised" cried David, che
is good man, and bringeth good It'd
ings."
And without waiting to hear more
he hurried through the gate and al.
most ran in the direction of the man
WI In, 1o;,
The sight of the king caused the run
ner to redouble his efforts, and as
he drew within hailing distance, he
shouted
"All is WE'LL"
And then as he came near to the
king he fell upon his face to the
ground, exclaiming, as soon as he
could catch his breath:
Blessed be the Lord thy God, which
hath delivered up the men that lifted
up their hand against my lord the
! king"
The king leaned over eagerly, and
hastily, almost rudely forcing the man
to his feet, demanded, hoarsely:
rs the young man Absalom safe?"
a blank look Of confusion over
spread the countenance of Ahimaaz,
but he managed to stammer:
when Joab sent the kings serv-
ant Indicating the second runner,
who was now drawing near), and me,
thy servant, / saw a great tumult, but
l knew not what it was"
Impatiently the king thrust him
aside and fastened toward the Sec
ond runner, who as he drew near,
! shouted:
"Tidings, my lord the king; for the
Lord hath avenged thee this day of all
them that rose up against thee"
The king lifted his hand with an im-
patient gesture, demanding with in
| sistent voice:
us the young man Absalom safe,
Tell mel Is the young man Absalom
safe!"
All, what tenseness in that voice!
How the body of the king fairly
shook with the anxiety which surged
within.
And Cushi answered, letting his
voice fall almost to a whisper. as he
realized the mood of the king:
THE enemies of my lord the king,
and all that rise up against thee to
do thee hurt, be as that young man is"
The kings face blanched, the light
died out of the eyes, his limbs shook
so that he could scarce stand, and
then with cry Of anguish he turned
and retraced his steps to the city's
gate, wringing his hands as he went
tottering along, and crying in an
agony of despair:
"Oh, my son Absalom, my son Alb
SALON.! Would God had died for thee,
o Absalom, my son, my SOM"
The Lesson of the Flowers.
Opn Of tho fret douare 70 bIoo,,, ~