The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-02-18

LESSON TEXT Samuel ii-l3 lS.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be ye doers OF tht
word, and not hearers only. deludlng you
own selves-James l:22 II. v.
The Philistines in the days OF Ell
overran Israel pretty much at will "a
ALI Israel, Gods people. soon knev
that God was speaking through thll
new prophet.
/. No Help at Ebenezer. w. I, 2. Eb
enezer was that place where Samue
later set up the stones OF commend
ration Il Samuel 7:12). Here the az
gressive Philistines overcame and pu5'
to rout the Israelites. Israel had
sinned and needed correction (chaptel
7:3; Ps. log: 40. Az. When Gods pee
pie neglect him they weaken then
selves and easily become the prey d
their enemies. Full often the churci
OF today stands defeated and dis
graced. nay even turns its back to the
enemy, because it harbonS sin AM
sinners in its ranks Josh. 7:1O.
u. Seeking Help, w. 3-9. II israe
really desired to know the cause q
their discontinue they did not need
go far TO seek 1t. The trouble was tha
they were not willing to see and owl
II u. Cor. 11:3D. The reasoning
upon the part of these elders seems
to be, why have we. Israelites. beer
smitten by these Philistines who ars
not Gods chosen people!" It was
absurd and unjust for them to have
to suffer We hear this same sOrN
Of reasoning today, whereas God woul
have us probe deeper and search our
hearts. for II we regard iniquity i
our hearts the Lord will not hear Us
At Shiloh. Eli is caring for the arb
and with the fatalism and superstitiol{
that will govern the ungodly. israe
sends for 1t that 1t may save us
". 81. The ark contained the table
of the law and was the symbol of thi
presence of God (Ex. 25:l0-22). Thei
trust was in the ark and not in ths
bOu vi tut arm OuSu 10 cfCi thS uei
ger Of Journalism in religion. To CARR
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 b
captured. The churches of our land
are the saving salt, but "if the sal {
hath lost its savour," II Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark, nothing bu
defeat and disgrace can be expected
though the enemy may tremble ". 81
The Philistines were strong enough
to smite because of the weakness o.
Israel. They recognized the shouts
and remembered the mighty deeds o.
Jehovah, which exploits would have
been repeated had, Israel truly turned
to God There was good reason fol
the Philistines to fear But God was
not on the side OF Israel at that time
The Philistines began to exhort then
selves. Their call ". 81 was good
one and was used later by Paul Il Cor
1919. For them not to do anything
was to be captured by their formei
slaves. If they fought. they could bu
die. Such fatalistic courage would
have availed but little, had God beer
with his chosen people at that time
~. The Lost Battle, w. 1o.tt. 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 a punishment for their sins
and in fullfillment Of the word of Got
(chapter 2:12; 1913, 14). Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy service they had defiled
These bad sons of a good father
abused their holy Office, profaned the
sanctuary and brought the true re
ligion into contempt with the people /
Eli was partly at fault but thesel
young men suffered the fate of those
who hate knowledge" and will moi
choose the fear of the Lord" and theif|
removal was blessing for Israe
which somewhat compensated for it:I
defeat. Doubtless the Philistine;
boasted when they took the ark from
the people of God, but chapters five
and six contain the record of thelf'
mistake.
~. The Death of Ell, w. 1918. Th''
aged Eli, now ninety-eight years old |
was anxiously awaiting news Of the.
battle, for his heart trembled for th'I
ark of God" This anxiety was quite
unnecessary ". 13). God can taxi
care of his ark. Eli had reason. howl
ever to tremble for Israel and hill
wicked sons. He is an illustration o
those indulgent parents who refust
to use discipline in the care of theifI
children A lovable character cannOl
atone for weakness nor will remonI
STRANGE, after habits are firmly fixed
take the place of bringing up the
young children Alright. ELS sons wersI
in positions of power, stepped in wick
edness, and his words we're ineffectua'
for they carried with them no note oII
authority. 1t is the careless. shifty, iDI
sincere parent who has no sense oII
the reality and authority Of God. oil
the persistence and penalty of snl
that is menace to the land.
The ark did not return to Shiloh II
After its various vicissitudes 1t found
an abiding place in the house of Abipl
adab, whose son Eleazar was sanctI
fed to take Charge of It, Later n
was taken to Jerusalem. and in theI
meantime Shiloh passed into oblivionj
Two bad boys from godly home