St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1907-07-06

his sons as judges in his stead. Bat
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 SO
loud that the elders were forced to
take action. They were loath to go to
Samuel with the matter and had at
last decided that they would go to the
accused judges themselves. Joel and
Ab1ah received them with seeming
c0rdiality and listened with feigned
surprise while the charges of corrup.
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
dam. What right had any one to
call in question the conduct of sen
of Samuel? Had not he been called of
God to judge Israel, and had he not
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 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 judg-
ment was given make special offering
Of gratitude?
In such manner did Joel and Abiah
make answer to the elders of Israel
and then abruptly dismiss them.
why exclaimed Joel, after they
had gone, zone would think that the
elders of Israel and not our father were
the head over Israel"
EYES," replied Abiah, sit is well to
have 1t understood who are in author
ity. Our father is growing old and it
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.
II think it were we'll 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 by
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.
What then can we hope for?" said
the elders one to another after they
had talked with Samuel and found
him unresponsive to their plea
"Whither 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
the number.
"A king! A king!" exclaimed the
others with one voice. "This is oul
hope"
Let us return, then, at once and de
mand that Samuel give us king II
his stead, so that when he is gone We
shall have one to judge US" urged
} the one who had first suggested {
king.
The answer to this proposition wa:
an enthusiastic acquiescelce, ant
{ soon they were again in the presence
. of the aged judge.
What! a king?" exclaimed Samuel
! in distress and sadness. why, Got
is your king. Would you desert him?'
NAY, but we will have king in on
midst to rule over US like the nations
{ about, for thou art old, and when thol
art gone, to whom shall we go?''
But the thing displeased Samuel
and the disappointment which he hat
felt when the complaint was mad
( against his sons gave place to deer
} err sadness as he realized that the ma
! ton was rejecting God who alone wa
I their king. And Samuel prayed unit
the Lord concerning this thing, an
the Lord said: "Hearken unto tn
voice of the people and make them
king"