The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-12-06


Ibxtds. "a ~ ~ nesl1 1pu11 ~
Strength waning. Realizing ~ a4
vantage. the Palestine drew himself
together for . hnal thrust. and would
have pierced the body Of the king
through and through, had not Abishai
Just at that critical and perilous mo
n1ent rushed In between David and
the Philistine and with one well-di-
rected blow pierced the joints OF the
giants armor and struck him t the
heart. Then 1t was that the man Of
Dayid's army vowed that their king
should not imperii his life again In
battle. e
After the first shock Of realization
that the infirmities OF age were creep
ing In upon him, David gave himself
up TO a o complacent contempla-
ton Of the situation. and found more
and more delight In reviewing the
events of his past life. So that what
he lost OF present activity he made
up by living owe again the stirring
incidents of his career.
During these days OF contemplation
the place TO which he loved best to
go was the Tabernacle, where 1t seem
ed to him az though he wal sitting
at the feet Of God and learning all the
lessons Of life over again. Thus the
figure OF the aged king vending his
way to the Tabernacle became a IA
miliar one.
How wonderfully the Lord has led
and used me-" he exclaimed to the
prophet Nathan one day. Before,
had viewed the incidents of my life as
separate events, but now as / look
back upon the long way over
which have come, it seems like one
complete whole"
But where God is In the life, Is Il
not always so?" asked the prophet.
Yes" replied David. simply, II
think 1t must be. And now that r
think OF it, ] have been conscious of
God as a ruling factor in my life ever
since that eventful day when the
aged prophet Samuel visited my IA.
Tiers home In Bethlehem, and they
summoned me from the fields where I
Kept watch over my fiocks. Wonder.
ingly and timidly l came into the
presence of the great prophet, but his
smile and kindly words treasured me,
and then he spoke the words which I
have never forgotten. And he poured
upon my head the amounting oil"
His voice ceased, but after a mo-
ment of silent contemplation, he con-
tinued: Called of God and anoint-
ed for his service. All, the joy and
ecstasy OF that hour. l feel it yet,
As | went back to my sheep there
was a new purpose in my service.
ceased TO worry and fret over the
narrowness and humbleness of my lot,
understanding as | did that God had
called me and that in his good time
he would open the way for my service
The king paused, and then as Ma
than made nc response, he continued,
meditatively:
And now all of life is behind me,
Of before me, as it was then.
and what do | see? Only the GER
tainty of the fulfllment of all and
more than God had promised. And,
oh, that my people could see with me
The marvellous providences Of God and
could understand that he alone can
keep, he alone can deliver, he alone
prosper the trusting soul"
why not try" asked the prophet,
his arm affectionately about
he grizzled form of the old man and
cooking into his face with earnest
But how" David asked, eagerly.
Has the hand forgotten its Gun
ling so that the harp that ,cheered
hee on the hillsides with thy sheep {
S silent? Nay, l know 1t is not, for I
e thou hast it with thee. And
las the heart ceased to sing its J
ongs of praise to It's GodY Nay, / s
NOW it has not, for did not I hear
hee but yesterday singing OF the {
Iord as thy Rock, and thy Fortress, |
nd thy Deliverer? May 1t not be
hat out Of the f~ullness of thy heart {
hou shalt yet give thy people a mes. d
age which shall cheer and encourage I
hem in the worship and service Of q
he God whom thou dost lover {
"Oh, that / might David excIaim.
d. 1T would be q glorious tribute 10 D.,
he Lord who has dealt 30 won. d
rously with his servant. Yea, and :
WILL he exclaimed, with sudden :
David may be too old 10 i
o to battle, but his tongue " still G
to recount all the goodness and
over and glory Of the Lord" I
Amen, and amen" rejofned the 4