The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-11
International SundaySchooI
 Lesson
Third e4asser.. .Ls..e. II; .o1s ssanueI X.

Ehhru 4uareer.. Lesson III. lSamueA As
 E-25. July IF, 1908.
 It is fascinating picture of primi- tive rural life. The son of rich BenJamite farmer Surrounding up" the stock, which has been allowed to graze at large. Tiolsome and vexa- tious work! At the suggestion of his servant, who also furnishes the gift which etiquette required, the young man turns aside to the town where the seer lived. Meeting the village girls at the common fountain, they in- quire for the prophet. They are bidden to hasten if they would see him before he begins the religious festivities of the day. The seer and the searcher for the lost asses meet. and the latter. with his faithful attendant, Is bidden to feast, and given the seat and portion of honor. That night on the fiat roof of his house, the most retired portion of an Oriental home. the patriotic and devoted prophet poured out his soul to the rustic hero. the predestinated king. No doubt he dwelt upon national perils. and how to avert them. He kindled a new passion-patriotisn1- his young auditor. Then that change, which was consummated on the morrow, by means of which a farmer was metamorphosed into q king.
 The secret unctien and ofIicial salute and triple sign are given. and Samuel and Saul separate. As a further pre- paration for his high calling, the untutored youth seeks a school of the prophets own founding. and fami- iiarizes himself with the triangle of Hebrew education-Mosaic law. in- spired poesy. and sacred music. The change of character and occupation, so unexpected and unlikely. gives rise to a proverb.
 On the very scene of this immemorial victory Samuel assembled Israel to publicly and officially renounce the power which he had yielded so long and faithfully. This was the public ratification of what had been done in secret The same process which marked Achan as an offender and Matthias as an apostle, designated Saul as king.
 The ordeal for Saul was trying in the last degree. The responsibilities of an office so novel in Israel bore down upon him like a 1ood,-a national decline to be stemmed, invasion to be resisted. public morals to be reforned. No wonder the inexperienced youth hid himself.
 It was a game of hide and seelx.'' but the seekers were successful. A moment later they led the king-elect Into the presence of the National Assembly. It was a crisis-hour in Hebrew history. Would he accept Would the Civil Legislature approve the choice?
 The patent ingenuousness of spirit, the herioc physique, gigantic stature. ruddy countenance. piercing eye. all predipose in the candidatNS favor. and theratifcation is proclaimed fin the proverbial greeting to monarch. True, there was a recalcitrant minority. a base element that hoped to make merchandise out of their opposition. They withheld their homage and their token of fealty. But the person of the king is provided with body guard loyal and alert.
 The satesmanship of Samuel shines with increased luster at this instant. He does not sulk at the slight put upon him and his judgeship. He is bent upon his country's veal. He knowns that limitations can be put upon the monarchy while still plastic, which can not when 1t once becomes set. He Is conversant with the divine restrictive rules" relating to the king ship recorded by Moses. He announces these in the hearing of the king-elect and the assembly. Both parties con- sent to them. A transcript Is made and deposited among the national archives. Thus is safely launched up- on the stream of history the first con- stitutlona1 monarchy known to man.
 The Teachers Lantern.
 Isreal needed a king as well as wanted one. But their need grew out of their infldelity to the divine plan and principles of government. Their sin consisted not in the mere asking for a visible. central. and temporal representative of power, but in their getting into such state as to make the monarchy almost indispensable.
 Had they cultivated religion in heart