The Detroit times., 1915-05-14
{ BY WILLIAM 7. ELlIS.l

AoF WILLIAM v < GNf@sN
A certain number OF sess are
rood for a dog: they keep him from
thinking too much about being a
eos" says David Harum Another
putting o. the same principle Is Mrs.
Whitneys famous sentence The
best cure for little worries Is real
trouble" still another aspect OF the
case Is IN the old epigram. oar
enemies show us what Ve ought to
be. our friends. what We NAV be-"
Evidently there Is a proper place
n the Development OF character for
enemies, else there would not be so
many OF them provided. One Is de-
Eyered from morbid self-complacen-
cy and introspection by a fev vigor-
Gus enemies. They are an educa-
tional force In life. Woe unto you
when all men speak we'll OF you"
Our lesson today has TO be with the
training given David by his mics.
King Saul being the chief.
II vas q wonderful university into
Which David entered when he vas
driven out from home and friends
and position. In the stern school OF
outlawry. he learned lessons that At.
ted him for the throne. BY having
TO guard bis own head. he was disci-
plined for the protection OF his peo-
PIE. The qualities OF leadership. re-
sourcefulness and coolness In dan
ger were acquired amidst the alarms
CT fugirive's life.
Perhaps II more OF our young men
had to fend for themselves amid
primitive physical perils, IL they
were freed for a time from the all
Unfolding and enervating carr OF our
paternal civilization. ne should have
Q sturd.er type Of manhood People
who prevail over pioneer privations
always prove sturdy characters Our
steam-heated. observation-disclosures,
law-girt and fully policed manner Of
lIfc Is not an rnmixed blessing II
takes hard circumstances 10 develop
hardy souls.
Old isrseFs Robin Hood
Whoever loves q tale Of adventure
should know this narrative OF Dav.
Ids experiences while fugitive
from King Saul Many OF the allu-
,ions OF the New Testament and OF
general literature are Incompetent
slbie without familiarity with this ro-
mantle chapter OF David's life II
was then. when hungry. that he ate
OF the sacred shev-bread from the
tabernacle. and obtained from the
priest the sword OF Goliath. II vas
then that this brilliant leader Of
men pretended &c be crazy. in order
70 escape from the court OF Ach!sh
king OF Gath. II vas then that a
host rallied to him in the cave Of
Adullsrn, an episode frequently used
as figure OF speech. for every one
that vas in distress. and every one
that sas in debt. and every one that
zss discontinued. gathered them
selves unto him"
Crowded with vivid episodes We
these years OF flight Ehen the mad.
ly Jealous Saul, growing moro petu.
liant and suspicious and unstable
every day. pursued David constantly
Even the family Of Jesse we're not
safe In Bethlehem and David provid
ei for them over In Moab, the home
Of his greatgrandmother Ruth. We
recall how he and his 500 saved the
town OF Keilah. only 20 have It's IN.
grateful people willing 20 surrender
him TO the pursuing king Verify
David learned in sorrow what he
taught in song"
There we're brighten incidents. OF
| course; as when Jonathan sought
him out In the wood Of Ziph. and re
newed their covenant OF friendship
II was In these days that the loyalty
OF his two followers risked death "a
bring him a drink from the well a,
Bethlehem. And beautiful Abigail
pho af,erward became Davld's wife
showed that woman IL the natural
rniftress OF the art Of diplomacy. BY
placsting David and his band vher
her fool husband. Sabal, had Offered
them a deadly afront There wal
the loyalty OF Abishsi. who dsret
penetrate with David into the YER
center OF Saul's sleeping camp. am
who, for his chiefs honor. voult
have made sn end OF the royal pur
suer. Hard times had David. but II
them all he proved himself more o
man than King Saul. That, afte
all 10 the real success. 90 that sir
eere spirits shun ease, and ever cry
With the poet,
Grant me the struggle, that m
soul may grow"
Where The eones Were Brswsd.
have been reading Kiplins'
eariy letter. OF travel. and tracin
IN them the originals OF persons an
pieces and scenes IN his later nctioI
and poetry, His experiences wer,
the stun OF which HE literature 4