The Tulsa star. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1913-1921, 1915-02-20


All Israel. Gods people, soon knew
that God was speaking through this
new prophet
!. No Help at Ebenezer w. I, ?. Eb-
enezer was that place where Samuel
later set up the stones Of commemo.
ration u Samuel 7.12l Here the az.
gressive Philistines overcame and put
to rout the 1sraelites. Israel had
sinned and needed correction (chapter
. 7:3; Ps l06:4O. AZ. 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 its back to the
enemy, because it harbors sin and
sinners in its ranks Josh. 7:12).
u. Seeking Help. w. SO. II Israel
really desired to know the cause Of
their discontinue they did not need to
30 far TO seek II. The trouble was that
they were not willing to see and own
1t a. Cor ll:3l). The reasoning
upon the part OF these elders seems
to be, Why have We, Israelites been
smitten by these Philistines who are
not Gods chosen people?' 1t was
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 II we regard iniquity in
our hearts the Lord will not hear u.s.
At Shiloh, Eli is caring for the ark,
and with the fatalism and superstition
that will govern the ungodly, Israel
sends for it that it may save US
". 81. The ark contained the tables
Of the law and was the symbol of the
presence Of God lex. 2j: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 IF the salt
hath lost its SAVIOUR" II Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark. nothing but
defeat and disgrace can be expected,
though the enemy may tremble ". 81.
The Phillstines 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 Phiiistines to fear. But God was
not on the side of Israel at that time.
The Philistines began TO exhort them.
selves. Their call ". 81 was a good
I one and was used later by Paul q Cor.
1913. For them not to do anything
was to be captured by their former
slaves. II they fought, they could but
die.
~. The Lost Battle, w. to-ft. God
would not succor his chosen people,
nor defend the symbols OF religion
when the spirit and heart OF that re-
ligion had departed (Ps. 7s $500.
| The two reprobate sons OF Eli we're
slain as a punishment for their sins
and In fullfillment of the word OF God
tchapter 2:12; 3:13. 1D. Their pun
ishment came in connection with tho
same holy service they had defiled
". The Death Of Ell, w. 1918. The
| aged Eli, now ninety-eight years old,
was anxiously awaiting news OF the
battle, "for his heart trembled for the
ark OF God" This anxiety was quite
unnecessary ". 49,. God can take
care OF his ark. Eli had reason, how
] ~ al
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 its various vicissitudes II found
an abiding place in the house OF Abin.
adab, whose son Eleazar was sancti-
fed to take charge OF It, Later IL
was taken to Jerusalem, and in the
meantime Shiloh passed into oblivion.
The Golden Text. That we learn to
do by doing is a fundamental prin-
eiple 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. 1t must be practiced in youth
II It is to give strength. courage and
comfort in old age. 1t is not a matter
of creed and formula but life; 1t is
not a convenience but a course OF
action that governs all OF life.
II 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
that brings up the parent. We need
TO accustom the child to virtue and
obedience, 20 teach him truth while
at the knee, that when he is old he
may not depart" therefrom. While
some children OF good parents 60
astray yet this is not the rule. A true
Christian atmosphere and spirit OF
service In the home, the Sunday
| h..