The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-05-06
The International sunday School
Lesson FOR May . 10 The Friend.
ship Of David and JonsthAn."-
Sam. en-. 20.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS

An ancient Are that has warmed
cold hearts through 30 centuries IL
the glowing love OF David and iona
than. These two pulsing spirits that
became one in noble passion. LEFT
this mortal sphere long. long ago
before ever Greece had risen 20 pow.
er. or Persia had begun her world
conQuests. or Alexander the Great
had dreamed his imperial dreams.
or Rome had come into existence
II was 2.500 years before ever Amer
lea Was known 20 exist. Nations.
cities, institutions and great men
have risen and fallen and been for
gotten in these 3.oos years: but the
love OF these two young men is stin
living force in the world
Consider the wonder OF a.: $4,000.
200 persons OF all ages. conditions
and races, scattered over the whole
earth. are today studying. and being
inspired by, the story OF this master
friendship. Unreasonable Is the
progeny OF love that has been be
gotten by this union OF true hearts,
Thus the world reveals. by the value
which II places upon a single story
~ friendship. that IL agrees with
Robert Browning
-For life. with all Il yields OF JOY or
woe.
And hope and fear.
Is Just our chance o the prize OF
learning Love-
How Love might be. hath been. in
deed. and is.
Young David was a shepherd-min.
strelsoldier. He had won victories
over Goliah. over the Philistines-
and over the hearts OF the people.
But the jealous hear, 81 selfa6sorbed
King saul was full OF bitterness.
hate aud murder towards him. The
rud4y young hero had been obliged
TO fee from one OF Saufs ats OF
madness, and had taken refuge with
Samuel. the prophet. when the king
followed him thiiher. and fell under
the spell OF the man OF God. David.
doubtless by Samuers advice. re-
turned TO Gibeah and sought out his
friend Jonathan.
Two Heroes Who Were Not Rivals
Everybody honors brave man
And the greatly brave are also mag
unanimous. Petty persons cannot
brook a rival. but truly noble spirits
are above this feeling. Jonathan
was a hero: he bad proved II by his
brilliant exploit at Niehmash. Da-
vid was a hero be had proved IL by
his battle with Goliah, The Uo
valorous young men. a. kindred spir-
its. warmed 10 each other. They
made a covenant OF friendship for
\ life and death. exchanging robes and
perhaps blood also, after the usage
OF the time.
An. he chivalry and romance OF
youth, Blessed are the days before
calc ulating self-interest lays its
throttling clutch upon the nobier pas
sions. when love appears TO be as !,
IL greater than thrones or praises or
personal welfare. Only two young
men could have covenanted so roy
ally as David and Jonathan. The
saxes OF the court. whose heart
fires had burned out until they re-
NAMED a heap OF cold. gray ashes.
thought this alliance foolish and i'm
prudent and dangerous. They had
loss their highest wisdom and Wis
ion. which perceives that nothing
else matters except love and honor.
The Germans have q provero. III
you love me, and I love you, that II
all o, life" David and Jonathan
reached their height In this passion
Of friendship that was great enough
10 consume the dross OF suspicion
and envy and personal advantage.
Their common love meant more TO
10th OF them than the plaudits OF
the people or the occupancy OF the
throne OF Israel
On the Plane Of Possibility
Great friendship IL not possible 70
small spirits. Only high souls. cap
able OF sacrifice and service. can
know friendship In It's truest as
poets. Hero hearts. like those OF Da-
/ vid and Jonathan. answer 20 each
other a. deep unto deep. There IL
no plane for friendship like high
service
One who has looked widely and
deeply upon life observes that the
surest. sweetest friendships be has
seen are among those engaged In
some sphere which calls forth the
noblest passions. SO fellow soldiers
who have shared the vicissitudes OF
war together make steadfast
friends. In the missionary circle
friendship at It's bes, Is beautifully
illustrated. Student ties last through
life. casting the sacred mantle Of
idealism over all the later years.
The friendships made In Christian
service are sweet and exalted and
abiding.
A man who had attended a bril-
liant banquet OF famous persons In
New York was connding 20 a friend
that. after all. 1, has been a superb.
cial and unsatisfactory association.