The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-08-08
International Sunday School
 Lesson
5EEnasTEH HIneaTga1 1IIIHaIH HHNIIEII
Third Quarter. Lesson VI. 1 Samuel S5-As. August Q, 1908.
 DAVID AND GOLIATH.

DAVID AND GOLIATH.
 Philistia and Israel confront each other once more. at a point So often the scene of battle as to be called the bloody bound ary." On this occasion the aliens are the fortunate possessors of giant champion. Goliath Is iinaaI descendant of the Ana kim, who in this very neighborhood four hundred years before. had stricken the spies with such terror. Twice a day this ani- mated fortress moves out beyond the Phil- istine iine and from beneath the brazen dome of his helmet there rings out his in- sulting challenge.
 The degenerate condition of Israel is painfully apparent. Saul has forfeited the divine favor. He can not expect provi- dential intervention. He tries the human expedient of offering larEessss to the hero who will accept the challenge But the kings fear is contagious. For forty days no one appears to pick up Goiiath's gaunt- let.
 Just ten miles away. on those rough Ju- dean steppea rustic lad tends his IeW sheep" Fidelity to his homely taAk mas aevsioped noble traits. loft on a sttlly night" he drinks deep of the theoeraue snirlt He believes in the immanence OF God in Israeps affairs He keys his harp to victory. His courage is tested oy per sonaI encounter with the ravenous Toes ot his flock. Nor is he altogether 2 rusuS He has been time or two at ehe roya1
 
 appointed a court esquire.
 Hut it never occurred to David as oeing beneath his dignity to turn errano-ooy aho carry some cheeses. bread ana p~fonee corn down to his brothers at camp EhAt Rsthieheuatte lad, with his ten cheeses, was tha 9reatest acauisItion the host of Israel ever had His envious brother thought him out of his sphere, and ordered him back to the flock But from that moment he was never to go back. Ebao was as m capable of understanding David. as the brothers of the Messiah were of under standing David's greater Son Not love or adventure. not desire for personal aSsrand- iEemsnt, quiekened his pulse or prompted hia auestions No i'll tempered criticism dashed his spirit. The Lerd's honor was at stake. He would fain vindicate it.
 A moment later he is ushered into saurs presence He seeks to cheer the despon- dent monarch. His self-confidenes ss toned with modesty 'couragei thy servant ac- eepts the challenger" It Is pleasant 10 find A kindly touch or two in the outre character of Israsis first king Saul de- precates Davids danger when Some~h4s : reassured by the narrative of his successful encounters with the wild beasts. he clothes him in his own beautiful costly. ana in- vincibie arm0T. ,.,. wearing armor in contest in which there could De no measuring of strength wtth strength, but out of courtesy to the king' and to demonstrate the tnfeasioiltty. ne ai' lowed himself to be panoplied. Tn nom snt it was seen that the only quality by which he could hope to wtn-namely. dex- terity-was lost. The nimbie shepard wa. hopeiessiy fattered. He moved slowy Ano awkwardiy; he would DC dasneo 70 ue@tn if he came within Tsasn or NoA@NH "S~' er's-beam spear. ,.,. Now without an ounce Of armor' Witn- out A weapon save his crude sling, lsraei champion moves out beyond the ine su.o, ., | Hu HfDhFnkNm. l tr Jehovah is absolute. Purest patriotism 1 hurns in his heart He will shriys ms na' tton of disgrace and his God or diShonoI' | By hls deed this day he VIII stlr ms M hatIon | S,,n[ in letharEy His confidence Of victory | Is based upon the purity of his motive. the | iustnesa of his cause. the wickedneSs oL | bia foe. the power of Jehovah. But "ith ali that he takes the utmost care m the
 ai.st,on of his stones; his practfced eye sess to 1t that they are of right size and shane: he weighs them with skllItui hand; he takes care to have enough 0 oI thnn He does what is expressed in our r,oAarn phrase of keeping the powder drv" The shepherd lad challenges our sduiYation He is not Israefs hero only but the worlds hero and Gods hero. An ever-lnereasing cloud of witnesses look down upon this historic incident so Niyialy as- nitched and are thrilled and inspired by
 rn advance of the Philistine line stands .hat l,vIne tower. incased in brass. Hi' armar.haarer holds his shield. round and b,a ztCs like the sun. Aloft his spear risss Itte tEa mast of an admiral, torrent oi curses and epithets pours from his brazsF throat. when he sees the foeman, so un worthy, advancing. he lifts his visor fl .ortempt and throws back his head fl dsrIsivs laughter. It is Dsvids opportunity Tyia ding whirls In air. There ia the whi | of the speeding miHsile. The aim is cor reet. the momentum sufficient. A shudde | ~oea through the giant frame. With | crash. that living tower falls Co earth The giants armor becomes his metalli coffin.
 The TeAehers Lantern.
 l y4Ssa~ prtneiefea move before us in thl