The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-07-18
Sabbath School
Lesson III. July io, 1908.
SAMUEL WARNS SAUL AND THE
PEOPLE.
q Sam. ~
Lesson Portion, verses 1925.

i
we'll known from my youth. ] appeal
to God for my integrity"
The people at once answered, Your
record is clean"
Then solcmnly he calls God and the
rev king 10 witness once more that
the people have absolved him from all
wrong, and again they answer in the
same way.
Then Samuel rehearses the history
OF the nation from the life oi Egypt I'M
Ill that hour. His object was 10 show
how always God had been sufficient
King and sure defense when the peo-
pie obeycd his law. Ii was only when
they forgot God that he sold them into
the hand OF their enemies. Now
comes the lesson.
THE VERSES.
vs.. "a points out the king He was
their king Tor three reasons: !. Their
choice ,. Their desire. g. Gods
concession.
Here is thing to ponder. How
God yields to the desires OF men.
Mans way was not the best, but God
saw how great was human limitation
and granted what his people desired.
God is more willing to grant, often,
than we are 10 ask. When we ask let
rs make sure that we ask Alright.
VS.. u. This is too evident to need
much explanation OF course, II the
peoplc continued obcdient 10 God they
would continue following him. II is
only another way 81 saying, il you are
wise YOU will continue to obey God.
II IS strange how the very best OF us
still need admonition to obey God.
The presence that is most surely al
WAYS nearest to us is God, and that
fact is what We most often forget. We
have not improved very much upon
the ancient days.
vs. * This is 4 solemn warning
based upon the experience OF the past
|, is wise To- remember history, II is
wise 10 keep in mind what sin has
done in the lives OF those We have
known God visits the penalty OF sin
upon the head oi the sinner. That law
is unchanpeabc
Vss. 10. y. Here comes a singular
thing. Samuel thinks he must give
the people an ocular demonstration OF
tie truth II what he has been saying.
God considers that you have acted
rrovc II | will pray TOR a tornado. II
will mean ruin 10 your wheat crop, hut
YOU must learn how wicked you have
been" p g.,
ucl'S eye was trained. lie saw the
signs II the coming storm He could
make no more effective use OF this
event in the natural world than to
II, al
act 81 God to convict the nation Of It's
sin
We have ceased ~ believe that min
Stcis can pray Tor earthquakes and
cateclysms and secure them, but there
arc time; when it does seem as II aw-
iul disasters in the world OF nature are
special manifestations oi God against
sin.
VS. ~. 10 Samuel prayed 'or the
clccaic -, rm II burst upon the pco-
rlc in Jury Probably II was only
local The wheat crop ni the whole
c1untr" was not destroyed. but II was
where the assembly Was held. and ter
r,r took possession ui mems hearts
They rarrd on Samuel 20 pray God
that tncy night not die and they CON
ics,cd their sin
We mus, remember tha, ,h', wa,
orly q chili-natiuu 1t was a crude and
supcr,,itiuus age Fear made them
pcntcnt The nation, that know God
best are Not now persuaded by terror,
though Paul did saw he had 90 per
suadc men by the 'crrur- OF the Lord,
which he knew
some people. however. ,,ill must he
scared into the Kingdom of God ii
they ever enter I.
VS. COS These verses contain
two form, The first /, N parcn'hcSls
ard charges the people airc,h with
their committed wirkrdncS,. but urges
them not Ia cease from their newly
formed purpose The way Ia follow
God now wrs under the law 90 the
king The other form oi address be
gin, IN vel So 20 with two words. Fear
not" and then is continued n verse
p, Tor the Lord will no, iorsakc."
In verse - the prophet gives the
reason for hs confidence. T. God has
too great regard for hi, own great
name; He hath chosen YOU ior his
very own
Verse q. In This j, Samuel, grac-
iouS reply 10 the request ni the people
that he should pray Tor them. To stop
praying would he sin Md | will do
more will teach the good and right
way There ;s perfect picture NJ 4
good Sabbath school teacher Such a
teacher never ceases 10 pray ior his
pupils. never ceases to teach the good
and RICH, WAY Never forget that.
vs. II The last cNhpriariun 81 this
wonderful lay Here are the two tests
oi character. fear and service Fear is