Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-04-09
DAVID CROWNED KING
WHILE HERD|NC SHEEP
Scene Was Staged in Second Most
Sacred Spot; Unsought
Honor
NOW OVERRUN WITH SOLDIERS
International S. S. Lesson is
David Anointed King"
= | Sam, Ch. lo
VOW OVERRUN WITH SOLDIERS
BY William T. Ellis

Nobody knows what particular deed
may determine his destiny, or what
humble friends may introduce him to
opportunity. The highest crowns come
unexpectedly and unsought. David
was out on the hills tending the sheep
when the sceptre and the crown came
looking for him. Lowell reminds u.s.
In life's small things be resolute and
great
To keep thy muscle trained know st
thou when Fate
Thy measure takes, or when she'll say
to thee,
1T find thee worthy; do this deed for
me-?
This old story of the amounting of
David is one of the romances which
the world loves. 1t is staged in the
second most sacred spot on earth, the
little town of Bethlehem. five miles
below Jerusalem. Our imaginations
picture the notable professions that
have wended their way toward this
little Judean town, whose name
means the "house of bread" We see
the prophet Samuel, with his horn
of coronation oil, travelling thither
thinking, perhaps, of the other pill
grims, Ruth and Naomi. who had
embodied one of the nation's ro-
hem. Centuries later we behold Jo-
seph and Mary journeying to Beth
lehem from Nazareth. Then we see
the Wise Men from the East on their
camels creating sensation in this
humble little town. Scholars recall
the figure of st. Jerome travelling to
Bethlehem to- make his home for
years in grotto hard by the birth
place of Jesus, where he translated
the Scriptures into the Vulgate, which
is, still the version of the Roman Cath
olic Church. We see the Crusaders
fighting their way to Bethlehem in the
Middle Ages; and the millions of de-
voted pilgrim feet that have since
journeyed to the oldest church in the
world, which is built over the birth
place of our Lord. Now the streets
of Bethlehem are echoing to the tramp
of armed Turkish soldiers, as the cen
tral one of the three military columns
struggle and straggle on toward the
Suez Canal.
The Unfit Man and the Fit
Old Samuel was sublime figure,
as he went down toward Bethlehem.
His heart was heavy within him, but
still it was loyal to its mission. He
had loved Saul like a son. Upon him
he had centered his hopes for a great
era for Israel He had rejoiced at the
kingly growth of this man who was
Gods second-best plan for the peple.
The real decadence and the apparent
self eXaltation of King Saul smote the
heart of the man of God. He who
had crowned Saul had also been the
messenger of condemnation and de-
thronement.
The fidelity of Samuel in decreeing
the kings doom is really thrilling.
He was brave enough to perceive that
the, worst service that can be done an
unfit man is to keep him in the place
wherein he has failed. Would that
churches and organized Christianity
in general had some of Samuel's cour-
age. No other institution is so cum
bered up with unfit office bearers. Be
cause a gelatinous good nature has
telligent purpose, incompetent men are
retained in pulpits and in office, to
the hurt of the kingdom of heaven.
The contrast between the decline
of Saul and the rise of Samuel is
given n touch of the dramatic, be-
cause it was supposed that the en-
trance of Saul upon the scene had
eclipsed the prophet; but still we see
him sweetly and steadfastly at work,
saying to God. as in boyhood, Here
am l." He was ready for the hard
tasks as for the easy. He would lead
the people, or he would provide them
with another leader; He would
anoint a king, or he would denounce
him; all according to the commands
of Jehovah. The personality of Sam
uel had assumed such proportions in
the life of Israel that the elders of
the town of Bethlehem trembled as