Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-02-19
LESSON FOR FEBRUARY q
THE DEATH OF ELlAND HIS SONS

LESSON TEXT Samuel 4:1-1s, IS.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be We doers of the
word. and not hearers only, deluding your
own selves.-James 1:22 r. ".
The Philistines in the days of Eli
oVerran Israel pretty much at will
Alk 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 commeme-
ration q Samuel 7:12). Here the ag
gressive Philistines oveTcame 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 it's back to the
enemy. because it harbors sin and
sinners in its ranks Josh. 7:12).
II. 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
1t q. 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
:. ~,
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.
! (v. 81. The ark contained the tables
/ of the law and was the symbol of the
presence of God eek. 5:1e-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 its SAVIOUR" II Hophni and
Phinehas bear the ark, nothing but
defeat and disgrace can be expected,
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. good
one and was used later by Paul Il Cor.
1913. For them not to do anything
was to be captured by tlleir former
slaves. If they fought, they could but
die. Such fatalistic courage would
have availed but little. had God been
with his chosen people at that time.
Ill. The Lost Battle, w. 1o-1f. God
would not succor his chosen people,
nor defend the symbols Of religion
when the spirit and heart of that re-
ligion had departed Cps. 7S:56-64).
The two reprobate sons of Eli were
slain as a punishment. for their sins
and in fullfillment of the werd of God
(chapter PIP; 3:13, 14). Their pun
ishment came in connection with the
same holy servics they had defled.
These bad sons of good father
abused their holy Office. profaned the
sanctuary and brought the true re,
ligion into contempt with the people.
Eli was. partly al. fault but these
young men suffered the fate of those
"who hate knowledge" and will mot
choose the fear of the Lord" and their
J removal was blessing for Israel
which somewhat compensated for its
defeat Doubtless the Philistines
boasted when they took the ark from
, the people of God, but chapters five
! and six contain the record of their
J mistake.
Nv. The Death of Ell, w. 1918. The
aged Eli. now ninety-eight years old,
was anxiously awaiting news OF the
battle, ''for his heart tFemb1ed for the
) ark of God" This anxiety was quite
unnecessary (v. 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
q children. A lovable character cannot
;. atone for weakness nor viii remon
e STRANGE, after habits are firmly fixed
take the place of bringing up the
young children Alright EMS sens were
in positions of power, STEPPED in wick
; edness, and his words were inenectua
d for they carried with them no note Of
e authority. It is the careless, shifty, in
sincere parent who has ne sense oi
' the reality and authority of God, ol
G the persistence and penalty of sin
that is a menace to the land
The ark did not return to Shiloh
After its various sicissitudes it fount
\ an abiding place in the hssse of Abin
G adab, whose son Eleagar was sancti
a fed to take charge of it. Later L
u was taken to Jerusalem, and in tht
meantime Shiloh passed inte oblivion
Two bad boys from a gesly home
ruined not only themselves, but theil
/ father and his family. and their home
e town as well.
2 The Golden Text. That we learn t,
Is do by doing is fundamental prin
IS ciple in pedagogy. Mere human word
Al do not change character. Youth doe
not acquire purity of character b,
listening to beautiful statements abou
the virtues. Religion is not last re
e source 1t must be practicea in youtl
n If it is to give strength, courage AM
4 comfort in old age. 1t is not matte
n of creed and formula but life; it i
not convenience but a corrse o
action that governs all of life.
1t is not the turning in hfe's testin
"a | times. to those forms from which a.