The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1907-06-21
had done with the result inst 60, fort,

increasing years made it more and
more burden to 60 about and AZ.
charge the duties of judge, he had an.
hunted MS two cons, Joel and Abiah
u alu MIN in this work, and had es.
&. IdOllSned their Headquarters at Reer-
sheba, while he continued to dwell At
Nahidh' This arrangement at first
seemed TO give entire satisfaction but
Cne people of Israel loved and honored
samuel whom they recognized as the
one chosesn of God to be Judge and
prophet over the nation, and thew will
nhsly acknowledged his right TO name
MS sons as judges in his stead. But
dS tlme passed and it was found that
joel and Abiah were not men after the
integrity and uprightness of their ia.
IheF' put that they let money influence
'"elr judgments, the dissatisfaction
grew, until at last the murmuripg had
oecome SO bitter and the protests 81
loud that the elders were forced r.
take action. They were loath to 60 to
samuel with the matter and had at
last decided that they would 90 to the
accused judges themselves. Joel and
Aolah received them with seeming
cofulallty and listened with feigned
surprise while the charges of corrup.
llon were being made. They at first
Indignantly denied that they had been
sullty OF Wrong-doing, but when the
lndlsputable proofs were shown, their
manner had changed to naughty dis.
ualn. What right had any one to
call IN question the conduct of a son
OF Samuel? Had not he been called Of
God TO Judge Israel, and had he not
appointed them to their office? We're |
they not entitled to their living? and
mad they done more than receive re.
Enumeration for their services? Did
not both 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.
meht was given make specia! Offering
of gratitude? .a
IN such manner did Joel and Abiah
make answer to the elders of Israel
and then abruptly dismiss them.
Why exclaimed Joel, after they
mad gone, "one would think that the
elders of Israel and not our father were
the head over Israel"
Yes replied Abiah. 1T is we'll TO
have it understood who are in author.
lty. Our father is growing old and it
will not be long before the sole respon.
slbility of Judging Israel will rest
upon our shoulders. 1t therefore be.
hooves us to look we'll to our place
and authority" ..'. .' -.-.
And what think you, will our father
say when the elders go to him with
their tale?" asked Joel.
81 think it were wen if we, too,
went to our father and presented our
side of the case. He. will be slow to
believe evil concerning his sons" Abi.I
ah replied, confidently.
"a Then let US go at once" urged his
brother. ........ .... ......
The next day Samuel was visited by
the elders of Israel. but not until after
hrs two sons had seen and talked ,,
with him, giving him their version of
the affair, and preparing him for the
coming of the elders. -t....'1.r
What then can we hope for?" said
the elders one to another after they J
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 king like the
nations about U.S." exclaimed one of l
he number. {
"a king! A king" exclaimed the
others with one voice. This is our Z
nope" s..t .... ..n. .. i
Let us return, then, at once and de. =
nand that Samuel give us king in ,
lis stead, so that when he is gone we =,
'hall have one to Judge, U.s. urged y.
he who had first suggested a ="
Ing sg# ssr 5EhL q,
Z The answer to- this proposition was u
n enthusiastic acquiescence, and "
DON they were again in the presence =
f the aged judges ......,, d
"Whati a king?s exclaimed Samuel, 0
n distress and sadness. =, Why, God y
5 your king. Would you desert him." "
Nay, but we will have d king in our -.
lidst to rule over, US like the nations n
bout, for thou artsold, and when thou :.
IT gone, to. whom SHAH We, goT Is
But the thing displeased. Samuel, Il u
nd the disappointment which The had q
et when the complaint was made ,
gainst his sons gave place to deep. a
+ sadness as he realized that the ma. IL
on was rejecting God who alone was "
heir king. And Samuel prayed unto Id
ne Lord concerning this thing, and
le Lord said: ''Hearken unto the &c IL,
oice of the people and make them a u
ing" Ga. a.. .... -.t; ..a.. NJ
Ill
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