Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-24
For February 2ei L Kings a1;l-as.
Golden Text: "Taks heed, ana be-
ware of vetousness."-Luke 1915.
By Oh. MAaIoN MOH. HULL.

over a large territory, the resources OF
which could be poured into his Golfers; he
had married wealthy, for Jezebels father
was not only the king of that fertile and
rich section along the coast, with Tyre
the greatest seaport of the country, as
its capital, but he was also the priest
of Baal, with all the many requisites OF
the office, not a few in those days, as
now in the pope's office. Wealth and POI
sition were Ahab's-these should have
have satisfied him. But they did not
Like every covetous man, he wanted
more, even though it be just little.
And when he was thwarted in his de-
sire, like every covetous man, he became
very unhappy Ahab went of and sulked
over it; putting his face to the wall
either to keep his servants from seeing
him, or in pretended sorrow and grief
he sulked.
Ali the ugliness of covetousness! II
is the sin of the age. It is damning souls
of men all around us. The greed for gain
and gold makes men grind themselves
and their employees Men start out to Sc
cure competency for their declining
years, but long before they have secured
that the love of money has mastered
them. They no longer own some money
it owes them. 1t is their master; instead
of it being mastered by them. Jesus rec
great masterpiece Of theology and philo-
sophy the sermon on the mount, He lays
down as one of the fundamental princi-
pies that shall govern the subjects of the
kingdom that they shall not lay ur
treasure on earth The matter is not OPP
tional; it is mandatory.
There is but one way to beware of cove
tousness; but one way to control your
money, and not let your money control
you-seek first, first, first, the kingdom
of God and His righteousness. When the
interests Of the King and the kingdom
have the first place in ones thoughts,
purposes and plans, there is not much
danger of overaccumulation. Nor is there
any danger Of want "All these things
the ordinary needs Of a mans life-"shall
be added unto you;'' they that trust in the
Lord shall not want any good thing" Try
It, my brethren, If the money God has
loaned you is becoming your master In
stead of your servant
JEzEBEL. THE MURDERESS.
The rest of the story is familiar. The
wicked Jezebel, enraged that any one
should dare to refuse any demand of
the king, upraided Ahab for his weak
ness, and took the matter in her own
hands. She planned the death of Nabath
and all his family, so that his lands
of Jezreel were her dupes, probably ap-
pointed by Ahab. They were unscru-
pulous. With a show of justice, the
farce of a trial, sham of religious
fast to avert danger to the whole COM
munity because of some crime against
God and the king that remained unpun-
ished-this was the plan. Nabath was
to be given a prominent place in the
celebration; two bribed witnesses were
to swear he was the guilty party, and
that the crime was treason against God
and the representative the king. This
would mean the death of the whole fam
lily.
The plan was shrewd, cruel, wicked.
Goddess; but it was we'll executed. Ma
bath and his sons were speedily dealt
with, stoned to death; and the matter
reported to Jezebel. Ahab was as much
to blame as Jezebel. she had planned it
and had it executed; but Ahab had con-
scented to it beforehand by giving his
signet ring, setting his seal to the or
der.