The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-19
International SundaySchool
 Lesson
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Third Quarter. Lesson XII. septem- Der 70. 1908.
 REVIEW


 Third quarter. Lesson XII. septem-
 Der 70, 1908.
 REVIEW.
 Here are pictures. vivid and aecu- rate. of scenes. incidents. and persons. of manners and customs in far-or age. Entirely aside from their sa- cred character. they would he Of high est value and importance. It Is as If one was observing the making of the fountain out of which flowed the two streams. Judaism and Christianity. which have affected the human race moro than any other. When to the bare historic worth of these ancient annals Is added thcir ethical and spir- itual significance. these writings are admitted to have a value tht can hard ly be exaggerated.
 This particular epoch witnessed an ever-fatefui event, namely, the radical change in the form of government. The loose aud headless tribal federa- ton was on the point of dissolution. while the growing wealth and de- fenseless condition of the people was a temptation to invasion. Samuel was the cavour of Canaan In this crisis. He effected a bloodless revolution and at tho same time announced the con- stituttonal limitations under which the king might reign. Having prepared the way, he stepped aside for his sue eessor with dignity only paralleled in latev days by Washington. Thus the first constitutional monarchy of which there Is any trace was launch ed upon tho stream Of history.
 It Is a fascinating picture of prim- tive rural life. The son of Q rich Benjamits farmer is rounding up some stock which had been allowed to graze at large. He Is guided to the home Of the prophet Samuel. who makes him his guest, kindies his patriotism by an all-night interview upon the housetop. and ends by amounting him. Thus the farmer becomes a king.
 An opportunity was soon afforded to prove the worth of monarchy in gem eral and King Saul In particular. In- stantly, with the abandon of patriotic her0ism Saul stepped into the breach and proved himself a courageous and skiliful commander. To Samuel the hour seemed opportune for the more complete proclamation of monarchy and tho settlement of the incumbent upon his throne. This Is done in the national assembly at Gilgal.
 The glory of Saul's early career can not be successfully depreciated. He was patriotic and coura geous. He lived modestly and avoided the luxury and ostentation of monarchy. But at lenEth the flaw revealed itself. The iron rust came out upon the marble. He asserted his will against Jehovah. He planned a spectacular triumph" In hopes of settling his tottering throne. Saufs Nemesis. Samuel, stood in hIs way and taxed him with disobedience to God. The triumph Is spoiled. Ban ners trail, paean changes to dead march. and Saul begins his descent to hell.
 The scene changes. A feast Is pre- pairing in the prosperous home of a Jewish shiek in Bethlehem. Samuel was the guest of Jesse. A forgotten shepherd lad waS tending his fathers sheep on the rough Judean steppes. The last is first. He who was not even bidden to the feast at all was called to the head of the table. The prophet consecrated him with holy oil to sacred function, then publicly unnamed. When tiie hour of corona tion came, kingly ofiice was matched with kingly character. The manifold and imperative exactions were met by a versatile character developed and inured to endure those exactions
 Philistia and Israel confront each other in battle array. The aliens have gigantic champion. Twice a day the animated fortress moves out hevond the Philistine line, and from beneath tne orazen dome of his helmet rings his insulting challenge. shepherd boy brings some chseses to his broth CTS camp It is the turning-poin In the life of the boy and of the nation. He picks up Goliath's gauntlet. He goes to the conflict, not In the cumber- some armor of another, but in shep- herd attire, which offers the least pos- sible impeachment to his dexterity. His courage Is unbroken. His trust in Jehovah Is absolute. Purest patriot ism burns in his heart. He will shrive his nation of disgrace and his God of '1ishonor. In his enthusiasm he for gets not what the occasion requires of him. At the right moment he delivers the carefully selected missile with pre- else aim and deadly force. With crash the living tower falls to earth and the giants armor becomes his metallic cofln.
 Saul Is like a high tower under mined. Envy and jealousy are the sappers and miners who have honey combed this otherwise noble char. acter. He topples to his fall He Is in frenzy at the praise given to David and openly, and later by de-