The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-02-24
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles X. Meyers.

February 2S-Samuel the Victorious
Leader | Sam. /. 3-l1.
We have another lesson on the great
bible prophet AMI leader, Samuel.
| This time he appears as the YictOri-
GUS leader. under the direction OF God
to help overthrow the power of the
idolatrous Philistincs who We're entic-
ing the Hebrews into bad ways. To
well understand this lesson we will
OF the Hebrews at the time we are con
| siderins.
| Those who fea,l the lesson talk Of
last Sunday will remember that it was
recorded how the Hebrews We're de-
| feated in battle by the Philistines
even after the former had brought
| from its place TO the battlefield the
sacred ark, hoping that its presence
would turn the tile and bring victory
from defeat. 1t viii be remembered
that the comment Yves made that the
Hebrews went to God for help. but in
the wrong way. | will add a little his
tory as TO the ark just here. 1t was
captured by the Philistines and put
for safe keeping in one of their heath
en- temples. Over night it was found
that the great idol Of Dagan had fall
en- over toward the ark. Then the
people were afflicted sorely and they
found the ark was a source OF trial to
them. They therefore placed the ark
on q wagon, attached oxen and drove
them into the land where the Hebrews
l. hf, = no
sacred ark was in the hands OF its
friends.
While the ark was again with Is
raei the Phiiistines We're still Cypress
ing and things began to look dark for
the Hebrews. This state OF affairs
went on for over twenty years. The
lsraelites began to lament and plead
to God for help. This was an encour-
aging sign The Hebrews of old We're
sinners before God the same as people
are now who disobey Hin. We will
see the steps the sinners Of Old took
to right themselves in Gods sight.
and maybe this will help the sinner OF
this day along the same line.
The Hebrews OF CHI went TO one rec
ogniZed us a godly man in their midst
and consulted with, him as to what
could be done. The first verse of our
lesson tells What Samuel thought. 1t
is related OF the great evangelist, Sam
Small, that he said the first step to-
ward a better life was to Quit your
meanness." Now Samuel gave about
this advice by saying Put away the
heather god which SO many OF you
are worshippins, prepare your hearts
unto God and serve Him only" That
was not so bad for direction. was it?
Put away your sinful practices, get
your hearts right with God and serve
Him.
The Hebrews We're in mood to lis
ten aE'l then came together at a place
named Mizpeh for Il great religious
gathering. Samuel renewed with all
its dignity the sacred service of the
Jewish ritual in the presence OF the
people. Moreover the record says
that Samuel Prayed before the Lord"
on behalf of the people.
Their enemies. the Philistines,
heard of the great gathering and
thought this favored time to admin
lister another crushing blow. They
marshalled their troops and advanced.
Times had changed since the battle
when the ark was taken. Then the
Hebrews were wicked people having
no claims OH God for special deliver
ance. Now they We're a united God
fearing people. Their leader was not
the wicked sons of Eli, but the great
nrol,hat SomueI raiipiouS revival
had taken place, and the supernatural