St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-07-20

army atiu Hdu -S91HC UP ultOAs5 nv =
and enoamped az Miehnash, the per-
pie fleeing Before the advancing host
and hiding in the rocks and caves,
and the thickets and WheresoeveI
there was afforded shelter. In fact
many of the people became so panic
stricken as to flee across the Jordan
to the land of Cad and Gilead. And
King Saul had done the best he could.
He had given the signal throughout
the land calling the fighting men to-
gether and sought by every means totI
reassure the people.
At the very beginning Of the trou'
BILE, soon after Jonathan, Sauls son,
had thrown down the pillar of the
Phaistines which they had erected to
| indicate their rule over the country,
word had been sent to Samuel OF the |
critical condition of affairs and ne |
had sent back word that he would
| come within seven days. Day after
| day Saul had waited, each day find |
| irsg the numbers and the courage OF
his army growing less until at last
on the night on which We find him
| pacing back and forth before his tent,
! he has grown angry and desperate.
Then came the messenger telling OF
the final assertions, and the sudden
resolve to take matters in his own
hands. And then began struggle
| with his conscience which ended only
with the coming of daylight and the
assembling of the people in accord
ance with his command.
All night long he fought the battle
in his heart. He felt uneasy and
troubled at the thought of assuming
the priestly function and offering the
sacrifices which it was lawful only
for the priest to offer But on the
other hand, he argued, here were the
desperate exigencies Of the situation,
and what was to be done? And as
king was he not over and above all
others in the kingdom? Who was there
to dare call into question his acts?
Had not Samuel failed him? Why
need he longer wait on him? In fact,
all depended upon prompt action.
Thus reasoning in the pride and con-
ceit of his own heart, he forgot to
count God in as vital factor to sue
cess He remembered not that it was
safer to wait on God even to the very
brink of seeming misfortune than it
was to plunge forward trusting en-
tirely upon human strength and wis
dom, He belittled the thought OF
God and exalted his own position be-
fore the people, so that it seemed at
I,S1 n
authority were at stake, and that the
whole welfare of the nation centered
around his decisive action.
Thus it came to pass that with the
coming together of the remnant OF
} his army on the following morning
Saul was prepared with proud and
} willful spirit to make the offerings
which the people brought before him
, With punctilious care Saul per
formed all the sacred functions while
, the people looked on with admiring
) and approving glances. So intent was
Saul upon the task in hand and sc
) absorbed were the people watching
their king that they did not observe
) the quiet approach of a figure wrap
, ped close in his dark robe and NOV
J ing slowly, but watching intently the
, scene before him. Saul had JUS
. laid the bleeding sacrifice upon the
: smoking altar and had Surned TOWARD
. the people as though he would bless
= them, when 10 before him he sees
. figure that causes him to start ant
3 tremble At the same moment tn
. people catch sight of the new conner
3 and observing the familiar form, the.
. shout:
o Samuel has comet"
. Samuel" are the faltering word
. which drop from Saul's paling lips
. and he struggles to gain control @
. himself. He steps forward and So
. lutes the prophet deferentially, Blu
. Samuel. with an imperious gesture
. stops him, and in stern tones d.
o mands:
= What hast thou done?"
Because that I saw that the pet
. pie were scattered ffom me, and ths
thou earnest not within the days al
. pointed, and that the Philistines gait
20 cred themselves together at Micl
mash; therefore, said I, the Phi1fstine
will come down upon me at Gilga
al and have not made supplication ant
lie the Lord. forced myself, therefor
m and offered a burnt Offering"
as "Thou hast done foolishly," samu
m. replied. "Thou hast not kept the cor
ar mandment Of the Lord thy God, whic
Ut he commanded thee: for now woul
,is the Lord have established thy kin
dom upon Israel forever. But no
thy kingdom shall not continue;s tt
en- Lord hath sought him man aftt
!ui his own heart, and the Lord hat
LII commanded him to be captain ovt
ND his people, because thou hast not kel
re. that which the Lord commands
an thee"
And Samuel without further wo1
arose and returned to Gibeah, lea
ne ing Saul to ponder his words, the a.
nd full import of which only the years
us follow could unfold.
be-
I'd, DISEASES OF THE DECEASED.
he coIored Mans knowledge Might We
E&..1 Eau--FoA