The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1915-04-06
THE Unexpected CROWNS.
The International Sunday School Les
son For April II Is, "David ApO'nt-
,d King"-I Sam. CHI. III.
fBv WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)

ANOOOdN Az
may determine his destiny, or what
humble friends may introduce him TO
opportunity. The highest crowns
come unexpectedly and
pa id was out on the hills tending the
sheep when the sceptre and the crown
came looking for him.. ToWeil re-
minds US:
In life's small things be resolute and
great
TO keen thy muscle trained: know'st
thou when Fate
Thy measure takes, or when she'll say
to thee.
"I find thee worthy; do this deed for
me-?
This old story Of the amounting Of
David is one Of the which
the world loves. 1t is staged in the
second most sacred spot on earth n
little town of Bethlehem, five miles
below Jerusalem. Our i~maginatiOns
picture the notable professions that
have wendell their way toward this
little Judean town, whose name means
the "house Of bread" We see the
prophet Samuel, with his horn of cor
onation oil, travelling thither, think
ing, perhaps, of the other pilgrims,
Ruth and Naomi, who had embodied
one of the nations in the
same town of Bethlehem. Centuries
later we behold Joseph and Mary
%journeying to Bethlehem from Naza-
reth. Then we see the Wise Men
from the East on their camelS creating
a sensation in this humble little town.
Scholars recall the figure of st. Je-
rome travelling to Bethlehem to make
his home for years in "a grotto hard
by the birthplace OF Jesus, where he
translated the Scriptures into the Vul-
gate, which is still the version of the
Roman Catholic church. We see the
Crusaders lighting their way to Beth
lehem in the Middle Ages; and the
millions OF devoted pilgrim feet that
have since journeyed to the oldest
church in the world, which is built
over the birthplace of our Lord. Now
II streets of Bethlehem are echoine
TO the tramp OF armed Turkish sol
diers, as the central one of the three
military colnmoS struggle and strag.
n toward the SueZ Canal.
The Unfit Ma And The Fit.
Old Samuel was q sublime figure
rs he went down toward Bethlehem
His heart was heavy within him, bu'
still it was loyal TO its mission. He
had loved Saul like a son. Upon hin
he had conferred his hopes for a grea
era for Israel. He had rejoiced a
the kingly growth Of this man VIII,
was GODS second-best plan for tn
people. The real decadence and tn
apparent Self-exaltation of King Sau
slnote the heart OF the man Of God
lie who had Saul, had ais
been the messenger Of condemnatiO
and reinforcement.
The fidelity of Samue in decreein
the kings doom is really thrilling.
was brave enough to perceive that tn
worst service hat can be done an III
fit man is TO keep him in the plaC
wherein he has failed. Would thu
churches and organized Christian
in general had some of Samuels coul
age. No other institution is SO u
bered up with unfit office bearers. 3,
cause a galatinous good nature n;
beer substituted for Il resolute and il
%teligent purpose, Incompetent me
are retained in pulpits and in offiC
To the hurt of h kingdom of heave
The contrast between the decline
the Saul and the rise of Samuel
given a touch of the dramatic, b
cause IT was supposed that the e
trance of Saul upon the scene h;
eclipsed the prophet; but still We s
him sweetly and st~eadfastly at wor
saying to God, as in boyhood, He
am l." He was ready for the ha
tasks as for the easy. He wou
lead the people, or he would prOvi
them with another leader; he wou
anoint a king, OF he would denoun
nm; all according TO the comman
of Jehovah. The personality Of Sal
uel had assumed such proportions
the life Of Israel. that the elders
the town of Bethlehem trembled
he drew near. lest he should be [
bearer OF some word of punishment.
Seven Swapping Sons.
1t Is nqt ALWAYS necessary to I
everything one knows. Samuers r.
mission was leaked beneath the &C
ventional purpose of holding q Sc
ice of sacrifices for the city. &C,
cealment Of a good purpose for
good purpose is clearly justifiabl
The entire community had the be
lit of the prophets visit. all beca
of one OF its families. Many a &C
munity has since been simila
blessed. Samuel had been direc
by Coo to the family OF Jesse. NJ
he did not know. for GOD keeps &
His agents In the dark concern
the fullness of His
in this incident the truth shi