Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-12-05

battle, and ere long David found his
strength waning. Realizing his ad.
vantage, the Philistine drew himself
together for a final thrust, and would
have pierced the body Of the king
Trough and through, had not Abishai
Just at that critical and perllous mo
maDt rushed In between David and
the Philistine and with one well-di.
rected blow pierced the joints Of the
giants armor and struck him to the
heart. Then Il was that the men Of
David's army vowed that their king
should not imperil his life again I'm
battle.
After the first shock of realization
that the infrmities Of age we're creep
Ing In upon him, David rave himself
up TO a more complacent contempla-
ton OF the situation, AID found more
and more delight In reviewing the
events OF his past life. SO that what
he lost OF present activity he nae
up by living over 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 IL SEEM
ed to him MS though he was 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 n day. Before, I
had viewed the Incidents of my life as
separate events, but now as l look
back upon the long way over
which I have come, II 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 It must be. And now that |
think Of 1t, have been conscious of
God as a ruling factor in my life ever
since that eventful day when the
aged prophet Samuel visited my fa-
Tiers home in Bethlehem, and they
summoned me from the fields where I
kept watch over my fiocks. Wonder.
ingly and timidly I came into the
presence Of the great prophet, but his
smile and kindly words treasured me,
and then he spoke the words which |
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. l
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
elsewhere"
The king paused, and her as Ma
than made no response, he continued,
meditatively:
And now all Of life is behind me,
instead OF before me. as 1t 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 p%rovidences of God and
could understand that he alone can
keep. he alone can deliver, he alone
a prosper the trusting soul"
why not try?' asked the prophet.
placing his arm aff~ectionately about
the grizzled form OF the old man and
looking into his face with earnest
glance.
But how" David asked, eagerly.
Has the hand forgotten its cum
ming SO that the harp that cheered
thee on the hillsides with thy sheep
Is silent? Nay. 1 know It is not, for
I see thou hast 1t with thee. And
has the heart ceased to sing its
songs of praise to its God? Nay, I
know 1t has not, for did not | hear
thee but yesterday singing Of the
Lord as thy Rock, and thy Fortress.
and thy Deliverer? May 1t not be
that out OF the fullness of thy heart
thou shalt yet give thy people a mes
a g which shall cheer and encourage
them in the worship and service Of
the God whom thou dost lover"
"Oh. that ! might" David exclaim-
ed. 1T would be a glorious tribute to
the Lord who has dealt so won
drously with his ervant. Yea, and
I WILL" he exclaimed, with sudden
purpose. David may be too old to
go to battle, but his tongue is still
able to recount all the goodness and
power and glory of the Lord"
Amen, and amen," rejoined the
prophet.