Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-02-28
Lesson text | Samuel 1911.

own cues. 1t was great thing, they
thought, 10 have taken the Israealtes'
god away from them, but their 10Y was
short in duration. The city which re-
celNed' 1t was soon tormented with
sickness and trouble and the ark was
moved to another city where the same
thlng occurred-whereve the ark was
taken there sorrow and distress
reigned. These superstitious heather
were not slow TO conclude that they
were visited by the wrath Of an angry
deity and the connection was plain to
them between their troubles and the
captured symbol Of Jehoval. The ark
Whlch mad been Of no assistance to
Israel when they attempted to use
IL unWorthNy was powerful to wreak
dlsaSter upon lsreal's enemies So the
people OF Ph'listia made what they
considered an honorable offering Of
peace To the outraged god ana sent II
back to It's own country by means OF
new oN-cart drawn by unWorked
COWS and unguded by mans hand.
Ihus II was, after seven months cap
uNlly, the ark Of the covenant reposed
az kirjath-Jearim in the care of
EIeazar the priest where 1t remained
untll King David brought it to Jerusa-
lem, twenty years later.
samuel Leads Reformation.
Now We come to the time when the
l'AA''' ~ VI Nllt NuuuB man 6dlluel
began to make itself relt in the land,
when the power Of a master mind and
a clean life reached out and took
hoId or the nation, when the chosen
prophet Of the Lord entered into the
great work for which he had been
consecrated from before his birth. The
iSraellles were worshipping strange
gods, lmiratng the superstition and
corruption of the people around them.
They had barred themselves out from
the blessings of Jehovah There is
never room in the same place for the
true God and the false gods-he is
jealous God and demands a singleness
OF loyalty. But Israel was waking
once more to realization of its folly.
and "all the house Of Israel lamented
after the Lord This was the psy-
Geological moment for the evangelist
that genuine sorrow that precedes
cpcnlance-and Samuel was prompt
10 SleZe the opportunity. His procla-
nation was "lt yC do return unto the
lord with all your hearts, then put
away the strange gods from among
YOU, and prepare your hearts unto the
Lord, and serve him only" The re-
sponsc was almost unanimous and the
people not only declared their loyalty
but gave proof of it by their conduct.
Then it was that Samuel called a
great mass meeting at Mizpth, where
he made intercession with Jehovah
for his people.
The Watchful Enemy.
Buf the Philstines heard Of this
great revival going on at Mzpeh and
set to work quickly to break it up.
1t was no part of their purpose to
allow this people to get together and
renew their allegiance. unite their
forces ana receive new inspiration of
courage. They must be kept humble
and sHbservient divided I'm faith and
purpose and deficient in courage. SO
theS gathered up their fighting men
ard set ont to break up the meeting
The lsraelites were scared and begged
Sauuel to pray harder. Samuel made
burnt Offering to the Lord and while
he prayed their enemies were cone
tronted lev -. terrific thunderstorm
that sent Shem back homeward in a
pauckN condition. Then the men of
lsraoi t""S courage andpursued after
slayiU ;hcn as they ran. So Samuel
NSrhoi 'h" place of the Philistne
defeat win the stone "Ebenezer."
saying "'Ithcrt" hath the Lord helped
us Ana this was the end OF PhiHe
'-JjUp oppression and the beginning
~ a '"ng era of peace and prosperity
Under his administration, Cuiminats
ing IN 'hc protest against the Judge
meuts "f Sauuels sons which proc
resulting IN 'hC coronation of Saul.
only PiouS When In Trouble.
Wc have seen how the Israelites
ml5iudged the purposes of Jehovah
when they. sought to use the symbol
of his power in an unworthy manner.
They failed 10 understand the differ
onCr between a spiritual diety and
the material evidence of that diety.
They had not regarded Gods worship
until they found II convenient to bor-
row his power to help them out OF
bad place Just like an ungodly man
who has no conception of reverence
for Jehovah, yet calls upon God to
give him success in Las pans or Sc
cuity from his enemies. Gods help
only comes to those who Btncerely
Worship him, not those who ignore
hH In their hearts and lives and yet
expect his assistance whenever they
choose To call for it, We often make
unworthy uses OF good things, as did
Israel I'm the battle or Aphek. How
often are mans church connections
dragged into the mire of a political
contest, as though his honesty, ability
and integrity were not better eViden-
ceS of official fitness than his name
ON the church book. How often does
the family denominatlonal affiliations
determine its social status, as though
Gods house should he a recruiting
office for the hosts OF those who wor-
ship at the shrine Of wealth and pride.
The best OF Gods gifts to man may
be prostituted to base uses, but the
blessing Of God does not go with those
who misuse them,
Put Away Strange Gods.
Samuels first requirement OF the
people was 10 abolish their idol wor-
ship. not In form a.ose, nut In fact.
m they really desired to return to
Jehovah. II must. be with all your
hearts" No halfway measures would
count, but on absolute reformation
was necessary. Whenever we would
get right with God we must uncon-
ditIonally come to his terms There
is no virtue in conceding the right
eousness and justice Of God and OF
The necessity OF his help before your
soul can be saved. The devils know
ali this. and tremble the demons
cried out what have we to do with
thee. Jesus, thou son Of the most
high God?" II is not enough to be-
lieye. unless that belief bears fruit IN
conduct. II was not belief in Jehovah
that reformed lIsrael, but the whole.
hearted desire 10 return to the Coo OF