The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-02-19
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY Fl
THE DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS.

LESSON TEXT Samuel Alb, IS.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be we doors of the
word, and rot hearers only, deluding your
,wn selves.-James 1:22 r. V.
The Philistines in the days of Ell
overran Israel pretty much at will.
ALI Israel, Gods people, soon knew
that God was speaking through this
new prophet.
!. No Help at Ebenezer, w. I, 2. Eb-
enezer was that place where Samuel
later set up the stones of commend
ration Il Samuel 7:12). Here the ag-
gressive Philistines overcame and put
to rout the Israelites. Israel had
sinned and needed correction (chapter
7:3; Ps. 1O6:4O, Az. When Gods peo-
pie neglect him they weaken them
selves and easily become the prey o.
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 it's ranks Josh. 7:12).
u. Seeking Help, w. SO. 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 Il. 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
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 If we regard iniquity in
our hearts the Lord will not hear US.
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 u.s.
". 81. The ark contained the tables
of the law and was the symbol of the
presence of God lex 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 \ "if the salt
hath lost it's SAVIOUR" If Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark, nothing but
defeat and disgrace can be expected
though the enemy may tremble ". 81.
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 ". 81 was a good
one and was used later by Paul Il Cor.
1913. 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-11. God
would not succor his chosen people,
nor defend the symbols of religion
when the spirit and heart of that re-
ligion had departed FPS. 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; 1913, 1D. Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy service they had defiled.
w. 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 ". 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 its 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
II it is to give strength, courage and
comfort in old age 1t is not matter
of creed and formula but a life; it is
not convenience but a course of
action that governs all of life.
1t 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 1t is the child
that brings up the parent We need
to accustom the child to virtue and