The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1907-12-06
battle, and ere long David found his

battle, and ere long David found his
strength waning. Realizing his adj
vantage. the Philistine drew himself
together for final thrust, and would
have pierced the body of the king
through and through, had not Abishai
just at that critical and perilous mo-
ment 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 it was that the men OF
David's army vowed that their king
should not imperil his life again In
battle.
After the first shock Of realization
that the infirmities of age were creep
Ing in upon him, David gave himself
up TO a more complacent contempla-
ton OF the situation, and found more
and more delight in reviewing the
events Of his past life So that what
ne lost OF present activity he made
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 1t SEEM
ed to him as though he was sitting
at the feet Of God and learning ALI 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 l 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 500" asked the prophet.
Yes" replied David, simply, Il
think 1t must be. And now that I
think of it. have been conscious of
God as ruling factor in my life ever
since that eventful day when the
aged prophet Samuel visited my ia
theirs home in Bethlehem, and they
summoned me from the fields where I
kept watch over my flocks. 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 COLI
tinued: Called OF God and anoint-
ed for his service. All, the joy and
ecstasy of that hour. l feel it yet,
AS l went back to my sheep there
was a new purpose in my service. I
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 then as Ma
than made no response, he continued,
meditatively:
And now all of life is behind me,
instead of before me, as it was then,
and what do l see? Only the GER
tainty of the fulfillment 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
can prosper the trusting soul"
why not try?" asked the prophet,
placing his arm affectionately about
no eyri1z IF al
looking into his face with earnest
glance.
But how?" David asked, eagerly.
HAS the hand forgotten it's cum
ming so that the harp that cheered
thee on the hillsides with thy sheep
see thou hast it with thee. And
has the heart ceased to sing it's
songs of praise to it's God? Nay,
know it has not, for did not l hear
thee but yesterday singing of the
Lord as thy Rock, and thy Fortress,
and thy Deliverer? May it not be
that out of the fullness of thy heart
thou shalt yet give thy people a mes
sage which shall cheer and encourage
them in the worship and service of
the God whom thou dost love?"
''Oh, that l might" David exclaim-
ed. ct would be glorious tribute to
the Lord who has dealt so won-
drously with his servant. Yea, and
1 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
prODhpt