The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-07-10

''''.,'.. Hll'hf Is q. llFl- 1904 iJsshcr).
. NTl;N Samuel was born al RI
, man q few miles northwest OF Jerusalem
ana There for the most OF his life he mad
we center of his admi Illustration. frol
, winch he made wider circuit as flee
ana as teacher Of religion
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
Inc country was but little large
than Wales, and. like II, "a land O
mountains and hills. skIrted through
us whole length by the deep-lying Jor
dan valley on the east. and the harbor
less coast Of the Mediterranean on IN,
west The lay OF the land gradual,
developed different qualities. and mad.
natural barriers between tribes. where
the means Of communication were SC
difficult and rare"
The twelve tribes were OF one blood
one religion, one language. and one
history. but there was little OF the
solidarity Of a nation. The social unit
was the tribe Each tribe had its own
political organization. They were
loosely held together. and sometimes
! broke out into open war
The people were an agricultural PEG.
pie. unframed in the arts of war.
lovers OF home and OF peace Their
wealth consisted in fiocks. grain fields
and vineyards. Hence they were ex.
posed 10 the raids of their warlike
helghbors, as the Lowlanders Of Scot
land were TO the forays OF the High
landers. The people lived in walled
villages for safety. WI ''e their outIy.
Ing fields. vineyards and pasture lands
were exposed.
Their enemies were warlike and on
every side. always more or less hos.
tile The warlike commercial Philis.
tines lined the western shore with It's
rich plains The Amalekites on the
south, and the desert tribes on the
east OF the Jordan were ever seeking
whom they might devour
The government was kind OF re.
public. The organization was at
best exceedingly primitive" Ere
quent reference IS made to the men
OF the town" Gas for example Judg
go. 6. %. 26. ct seq. suggesting that
most matters of public interest were
decided by council including all the
free men Of city.
The Transition Period.-The condi. |
tons that tended TO unity we're central |
lied in Samuel. Graetz History OF the |
Jews. volume l. furnishes an excel
lent account OF which the following is
a summary:
l. Samuel himself. the most strik.
Ing figure of the nation. was in him.
SELF strong unifying force.
,. Samuers irresistible eloquence for
a revival of true religion found a
powerful response in many hearts.
3. He travelled the whole land. ap-
pointed public meetings. and an.
10 the multitudes the les
sons revealed TO him by the spirit OF
5od. Year after year he called to-
sether the elders OF the people. At
Ramah. his residence. frequent meet.
ngs OF the tribes took o'ace.
T. Al divine services Samuel offered
sacrifices, introducing the use OF
'tringed instruments TO arouse de-
Iout feelings. and added a new ele-
nent. songs OF praise. Samuel. the an
'estor OF the celebrated psalmists. the
ons OF korah. was the first who com.
'osed songs OF praise for divine
ervice.
o The tribe OF Judah, who. during
ne entire period OF the Judges had
OF taken the slightest share in rub.
e events, was now driven by the in
ursions OF the Philistines TO unite +,
nth the other tribes They brought
n accession OF strength and religious
ctiyity.
6. IL must be noted that lust at this !,
cried lsraels greatest enemies. the .
were transformed into a
inglom. !.
V 6. But tho thing displeased II
amuel.' l. IL was the choosing Of N
he second best" when the best !
as possible to them Hence II was
great disappointment TO Samuel
is long life OF teaching and training
nd not accomplished its purpose.
hey refused their high privilege OF {,
ing unlike all the nations, the chosen v
'ople of God the means OF blessing a
nations NJ
So Esau battered his birthright for F
mess of poitage nj
?. II was a rejection Of God V. 7 re
hey have rejected me that I should NJ
I reign over them" II is quite prob. r
lie that they half consciously want. III
king. because they were tired OF ne
wing their prosperity depend on CT
cir good behavior The leaders IN
d chose for them could succeed as
ly when the people turned to God. .
i the king might not press them so y.
rdly. but conquer by his skill and =
yanizing power. pc
-. The people refused TO ODE, ~
r. ". to hearken unto-'the voice OF az
muel" They simply were not good ..
Dugh TO have the best government. &c
Practical Points
Ike the Israelites. we are tempted =. 70
insist on our own Wills and choices -
We are apt 10 look too intently and -.
too exclusively the evils I'm orr
as did the Israelites.
The life OF faith. which relies on an =
'een arm. and hearkens to the law -.
an unseen king Ia dif7r,ft 81