Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-07-30
WHEN FORTUNE SOUGHT A BOY.
The International Sunday School Les
son for August 2 is, David Anoint-
ed at Bethlehem Sam. IS: 1-13.
BY WILLIAM T, ELLIS.

By l.. ELLlS. 5@%4
One mans failure is another mans.
opportunity for success. The short
comings of one are a summons to an
other to be ready to take his place.
Saul had missed his chance to be a
great king, and the founder of lsraeIs
first dynasty. That meant a crown
for somebody, somewhere in the
Kingdom. Even Samavf seemed to
overlook this fact: Saul's failure had
bowed him low in grief, for his hand
some protege and for the nation. But
grief may not sit too long in its
ashes; the worlds work needs doing.
History moves IN, regardless of pri-
vate or public griefs. Samuel's bust
ness was not to look backward toward
the fallen monarch ~(fallen, although
still preserving all the pomp n ap-
pearance of royalty; even as a tree
stands for a time after it has become
dead at the hearth but his business
was to take his horn of oil and go out
to seek another king. The sent man,
the Lords messenger, has a large
place in the economy of God.
Eight Sons-Which One?
In Boston there Is a big building
from which issues n of the greatest
periodicals in America. The stranger
speculates which Of the men who
pass through it's doors are the editors
and authors; nobody would suspect
that the quiet, Insignificant little man
who occasionally slips in and out,
like a modest mouse fearful of intrud-
ing, is the most widely read and pop
ular writer, of boys stories this gen
Grafton has known. The average
visitor would probably light upon, as
of most Importance, one of the POM
pous and we'll dressed under clerks.
Similarity l knew one of the greatest
newspaper editors in America, who
was not half self-conscious and i'm,
posing as the Office boy. You cannot
pick out the great men in a crowd by
their looks. A London young man OF
fashion was persuaded to go to a din
ner of authors. His report was, 81
can conceive Of a man who had read
a book wanting to see the author, but
I can't conceive of one who has seen
the authors wanting to read thelr
books"
That is where Samuel Numbered. He
was told that the person whom he
was to anoint king was one of the sons
of Jesse, of Bethlehem, Jesse being
the grandson of Ruth and Boaz. The
new dynasty was to be a stored line
Samuel naturally supposed, wheI
Eliab, the Oldest son, and a counter
part of Saul for good looks anc
inches appeared before him, that here
indeed was the man to wear the pur
Pile.
But Jehovah passed by Eliab. HI
tarried to give Samuel a lesson which
he needed, and which is still sorell
needed by a generation which spend:
SO much of it's substance in self-adorn
ment. Jehovah seeth not as mai
seeth," came the reminder; with 1T:
implied suggestion that "vox populi'
Is by no means always "vox Del.
Gods favor does not go by men!
majority vote. The admonition con
tinued, Zine upon line'-"man looketi
on the outward appearance, blu
Jehovah looketh upon the heart" |
isn't the kind of clothes you wear, TN
sort of house and neighborhood IL
which you live, the job you hold, thu
ancestry you boast, or the cast Q
your features that makes you some
body; the divine standard of human
worth is the state of the heart. TIL,
person whose heart Is right with Go,
need not be greatly troubled abou
anything else.
The Overlooked Lad.
So, in succession, all seven o