The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-02-19

| word, and not hearers only. deluding your
own selves.--James 1:22 R. v.
The Philistines In the days of Ell
overran Israel pretty much at will.
All 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 commemo-
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. 106;40, Az. When Gods peo-
pie neglect him they weaken them
selves and easily become the prey of
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 its ranks Josh. 7;12).
IL. Seeking Help, w. SO. II 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
1t Il. Cor. 11:31). 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?" It 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 II 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 1t that 1t may save us"
| w. 81. The ark contained the tables
of the law and was the symbol of the
presence OF God eek. 25:10-22) Their
trust was in the ark and not in the
God OF the ark. Such is ever the dam
ger Of Journalism In religion. To carry
the ark about Jericho trusting in Je-
hovah, was quite different from har-
boring the sons of Ell, yet thinking
that God could not let the ark be
captured. The churches of our land
are the saving salt, but 'if the salt
pt,notns 49,. ~ s.pl- -.
dasoat and aisnnaoo 800 ~ $4,000
thorah Az ana7,,u 80 :, tror,hIn ~ Of
M, ~ s ' y. K
e. sn,,ta hooauso " - az n,ns,,r vnoe 80
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 phillstines tn fear But God was
not IN The side ~ Taraal 81 tbot ti,na
The Philistines hogan n exhort them.
selves. Their call " a. was a eood
one and was used later by Paul n Cor.
1913. For them not to do anything
was to he captured NV their former
slaves. If they fought, they could but
die.
III. The Lost Battle. w. 1o.11. God
would not succor his chosen peonle.
nor defend the symbols Of religion
when the spirit and heart of that re-
Iigion had departed Ups. ~. 1904.
The two reprobate sons of Ell were
slain as a punishment for their sins
and in fullfillment of the word OF God
(chapter 2:12; 3:13, 14). Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy service they had defiIed.
~ tn. p..+h - En- an, 1910 Tba
aged Mi now ninetv.aiebt wears oId
was anxiouslv awaiting news ~ tba
battle "for his heart tremblad for the
ark Of God" This anxietv was unite
unnecessary ~ 1a1 God can tata
care of his ark. Ell 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.
Tho art- ala not rotrrn ~ Shi,ob
After ~ vor;ous vicissitrdas a. sound
on ob,d,ns nIoca q, ,ba horso 80 Ah,n-
adah whosa 80, rs1aa,or r,ss sarati.
ead - tsta charga 80 q Iatar q
u,aa tsLan - Iar,sa,or, 80 - az
moortima sh;,oh rassad ;rto a,,Iiv,or