The Green Forest tribune., 1915-02-19
INTERNATIONAL. .SUNl6SC1O0L | LESSON (By E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of Sunday School Course Moody Bible In- stitute, Chicago)
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY q
THE DEATH OF BLAND HIS SONS

LESSON TEXT-I Samuel 4:1-13, IS.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.-James 1:22 R. "
 The Philistines in the days of Eli overran Israel pretty much at will All Israel, Gods people, soon knew that God was speaking through this new prophet.
 !. No Help at Ebeneze. w. i, 2. Eb- enezer was that place where Samuel later set up the stones of commemo- ration q Samuel 7:12). Here the az gressive Philistines overcame and put to rout the Israelites. Israel had sinned and needed correction Chapter 7:3; Ps. 106:40, 4D. When Gods peo- pie neglect him they weaken them selves and easily become the prey of their enemies. Full often the church of today stands defeated and dis graced, nay even turns it's back to the enemy, because it harbors sin and sinners in it's ranks (Josh. 7:12).
 II. Seeking Help, w. 3-9. If Israel really desired to know the cause of their discontinue they did not need to go far to seek it. The trouble was that they were not willing to see and own it q. Cor. 11:3D. The reasoning upon the part of these elders seems to be, Why have we, Israelites, been smitten by these Philistines who are 1nO absurd and unjust for them to have to suffer. We hear this same sort of reasoning today, whereas God would have us probe deeper and search our hearts, for if we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us. and with the fatalism and superstition that will govern the ungodly, Israel sends for it that it may save us" (v. 3. The ark contained the tables of the law and was the symbol of the presence of God (Ex. 25:10-22) Their trust was in the ark and not in the God of the ark. Such is ever the dan- ger of Journalism in religion. To carry the ark about Jericho trusting in Je- hovah, was quite different from har- boring the sons of Eli, yet thinking that God could not let the ark be captured. The churches of our land are the saving salt, but eff the salt hath lost it's savour;" if Hophni and Phinehas bear the ark, nothing but defeat and disgrace can be expected, though the enemy may tremble (v. 8. The Philistines were strong enough to smite because of the weakness of Israel. They recognized the shouts and remembered the mighty deeds of Jehovah, which exploits would have been repeated had Israel truly turned to God. There was good reason for the Philistines to fear. But God was not on the side of Israel at that time. The Philistines began to exhort them selves. Their call (v. 9 was a good one and was used later by Paul q Cor. 16:13). For them not to do anything was to be captured by their former slaves. If they fought, they could but die.
 III. The Lost Battle, w. 1o-1f. God would not succor his chosen people, nor defend the symbols of religion when the spirit and heart of that re- ligion had departed CPS. 7S:56-64). The two reprobate sons of Eli were slain as punishment for their sins and in fullfillment of the word of God (chapter 2:12; 3:13, IA. Their pun no in uyith O same holy service they had defiled.
 w. The Death of Ell, w. 12-1a. The aged Eli, now ninety-eight years old, was anxiously awaiting news of the battle, flor his heart trembled for the ark of God.' This anxiety was quite unnecessary (v. 13). God can take care of his ark. Eli had reason, how ever, to tremble for Israel and his wicked sons. He is an illustration of those indulgent parents who refuse to use discipline in the care of their children.
 The ark did not return to Shiloh. After it's various vicissitudes it found an abiding place in the house of Abin- adab, whose son Eleazar was sancti- fled to take charge of it. Later it was taken to Jerusalem, and in the meantime Shiloh passed into oblivion.
 The Golden Text. That we learn to do by doing is fundamental prin- ciple in pedagogy. Mere human words do not change character. Youth does not acquire purity of character by listening to beautiful statements about the virtues. Religion is not last re- source. It must be practiced in youth if it is to give strength, courage and comfort in old age, It is pot matter of creed and formula but a life; it is not convenience but course of action that governs all of life.
 It is not the turning in life's testing times. to those forms from which all life has departed.
 Parents today seem to be lax in discipline. Too often it is the child