Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1907-07-10

had done with the result Just set forth
in the opening OF our story
Some years before when Samuel,
increasing years made ii rore and
more burden to go about and dis.
charge the duties of Judge. he had ap-
pointed his two cons, Joel and Abiah.
to aid him in this work. and had es-
tablished their headquarters at Beer.
sheba, while he continued to dwell at
hannah. This arrangement at first
seemed to give entire satisfaction. but
the people OF Israel loved and honored
Samuel, whom they recognized as the
one chosen OF God to be Judge and
prophet cFer the nation, and they viii.
ilngly acknowledged his right tv name
his sons as judges in his stead. But
as time passed and it was found that
Joel and Abiah were not men after the
integrity and uprightness Of their IA
Their, but that they let money influence
their judgments, the dissatisfaction
grew. until at last the murmuring had
become SO bitter and the protests 20
loud that the elders were forced TO
take action. They were loath 10 20 to
Samuel with the matter and had at
last decided that they would go TO the
accused judges themselves. Joel and
Abiah received them with seeming
cordiality and listened with feigned
surprise while the charges of corr up
ton were being made They at first
Indignantly denied that they had been
guilty of wrong-doing, but when the
indisputable proofs were shown. their
manner had changed to naughty dis
dain. What right had any one TO
call In question the conduct of n son
OF Samuel? Had not he been called of
God to judge Israel, and had he lot
appointed them to their office? Were
they not entitled to their living? and
had they done more than receive re.
Enumeration for their services? Did
not Doth parties to controversy have
to bring their offerings before the case
would be considered, and why should
not the one in whose favor the iudg.
ment was given make special Offering
of gratitude?
In such manner did Joel and Abiat
make answer to the elders of Israel
and then abruptly dismiss them.
Why exclaimed Joel, after they
nad gone. "one would think that the
elders of Israel and not our father were
the head over Israel"
Yes replied Abiah, 1T is well tc
have 1T understood who are in author.
ity. Our father is growing old and 1t
Will not be long before the sole respon.
sibility of judging Israel will rest
upon our shoulders. 1t therefore be.
hooves us to look well to our place
and authority"
And what think you, will our father
say when the elders go to him with
their tale?" asked Joel
Il think it were well If we too
went to our father and presented our
side of the case. He will be slow to
believe evil concerning his sons" Abb.
ah replied, confidently
Then let us go at once" urged his
brother
The next day Samuel was visited bv
the elders of Israel. but not until after
his two sons had seen and talked
with him, giving him their version OF
the affair, and preparing him for the
coming of the elders
the elders one to another after they
had talked with Samuel and found
him unresponsive to their plea
Whittier shall we look for judgment
when Samuel, who is old. is gomez"
Would that we had a king like the
nations about U.S. exclaimed one of
the number.
a king. A king" exclaimed the
others with one voice. This is our
hope"
Let us return, then, at once and de.
inand that Samuel give us a king in
his stead, so that when he is gone we
shall have one to judge us" urged
the one who had first suggested a
king
The answer to this proposition was
an enthusiastic acquiescence. and
soon they were again in the presence
of the aged Judge
What! a king?" exclaimed Samuel
in distress and sadness Why. God
is your king. Would you desert him."
Nay, but we will have a king in our
midst to rule over us like the nations
about, for thou art old, and when thou
art gone. TO whom shall we COZ"
But the thing displeased Samuel
and the disappointment which he had
felt when the complaint was made
against his sons gave place to n deem
or sadness as he realized that the ma.
ton was rejecting God who alone was
their king. And Samuel prayed unto
the Lord concerning this thing. and
the Lord said: "Hearken unto the
/ voice Of the people and make them
king"