The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-03-20

son for March 21 is Jonathan and
His Armorbearer."- II Sam. 14:1-46.
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
"somebody said it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That maybe 1t couldn't but he would be
Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried.
So he buckled right in, with trace of
On his face If he worried. he hid It.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did It.
History loves Jonathan, because he
himself was a great lover (of which
more in a later lesSon) and because he
dared to do the deed that daunted his
father and his soldiers. This is a hero
tale from IsraePs history. Intrepid
Jonathan and his armor-bearer per-
formed a feat that would have won
him an iron cross or Victoria Cross
if done in the present war. These two,
by a single brave strtagem, an i'm
possible achievement, put to rout the
PhiliStines and won a great victory
for Israel.
It was a dark day with Israel. Many
years had elapsed since the brilliant
conquest of the Ammonites by Saul,
recorded in last weeks lesson. A new
foe had come up from the West, al
most irresistibly. The Philistines,-
whose name by the way, is perpetual
ed in the present title of the land,
PaloSIlne-a mysterious p6OpAS rum
over the sea, and possibly from Crete
had settled on the maritime plain or
Canaan. They first appear in the time
of the judges, and continue in history
until the Christian era. Their power
increased steadily, until this great
battle with Israel, inspired by Jona-
thans valor. For time prior to
this the Israelites seem to have yield
ed to their suzerainty, even having
been disarmed by them. as the Arabs
and Druses and Macedonians were
disarmed, few years ago. by the
Turks. Saul had trouble with these
militant people throughout his reign,
but hie successor, David, conquered
them The monuments abound in
contemporary illusions to the Philis-
tines and their five ruling cities. At
this very hour, strife is being waged
between Turkey and Britain over the
ground along the Mediterranean where
often the Philistines fought.
The Valedictory of a Prophet.
Two events stand out between this
thrilling story of JOnathan's feat and
that of his father, which we consfd-
cred last week. One of these was
Samuel's valedictory, delivered before
the assembled nation at Gilgal, down
on the Jericho plain. In it he form
ally and regally surrendered the lead
ership of the nation TO the new king,
and gave an accounting of his office.
He called all the people to witness
that he was free from faint OF graft
or self-serving. Here am 1" he cried
in the phrase which is most charac-
teristic of him: was there anybody to
witness against him? A brave man
standing on his clean record chal-
1enges admiration.
All the thoughts of grand old Sam
uel were thoughts of his people and
their God. His parting words were a
summons to loyalty to faith. AS Gods
advocate he pleaded with them to re-
member Jehovah. Then, as he went
mt q
would serve as an intercesSOr. More
over as for me, far be it from me
that 1 should sin against Jehovah in
ceasing to pray for you: but will in
struct you in the good and the right
way" Often the post of greatest
power is the place of prayer. One
sometimes wonders whether, in these
grave days, Christians are praying
constantly for the nation, the Church
and all mankind.
Second of the notable events re-
corded prior to the days lesson is
Saurs sin in offering to sacrifice be-
fore his waiting army, without larry
ing for the prophets appearance, as
directed. He treated the sacrifice as |
a mere formality, to be gone through /
with, and in his vanity, he did not /
the priest. For this disobedience, and /
failure to wait before God COM /
manded, Saul had to hear the dread |
news that the Scepter would pass from /
his hand and house; he would not be /
the founder of IsraePs royal line. Like |
many a man since, Saul lost his king /
ship by putting his own plans ahead /
of the clear word of the Lord.
A People in Panic.
So it was a gloomy company, and |
a small one that waited with Saul at |
the stronghold of Geba, across a deep /
ravine from the Philistine garrison at !
Michmash. Terror had been driven +
into the hearts of the Jews by the t
istines. Some were hiding in caves
and ravines and in the wilderness. !
Others had abjectly cast their lot with /
their conquerors, becoming vasSals. 1
Jonathan. Dark and desperate indeed |
was the outlook for Israel, for that |
worst of all calamities had occurred,
the hearts of the people had grown
fearful. The heroic spirit seemed to be i
dormant, or to have disappeared.
This discouraged nation needed a /
tonic of heroism and faith. Sarah X !
Bolton has some stirring lines that |
carry the message for such times:
Il like the man who faces what he must,
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer,
Who fights the daily battle without fear.
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering
trust
That God is God-that somehow, true and /
His plans work out for mortals; not tear
Is shed when fortune, which the world
holds dear,
Falls from his grasp; better with love a |
crust
Than living in dishonor: envies not
Nor loses faith in man, but does his best.
Nor even murmurs at his humber lot,
But, with a smile and words of hope gives |
Zest
To every toiler He alone is great
Who by life heroic, conquers fate"
When Courage Has Brains.
There is a place in the annals of /
his time for the man who possesses |
both bravery and brains. Courage I
is commoner than wisdom. Jonathan /
seems have had hnth to q "a re. do