The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-05-01
In the Religious World
thor I'll IT, ----
his name was much set by.


Every knave is half a fool.'' runs
the proverb which explains the tactics
of police the world around. Wicked
ness betrays itself. Saul recklessly
began to make plots for the -destruc-
ousy now had thrown off all masks.
He even preached to Jonathan the
subject of killing the hero minstrel.
That wise and chivalrous young man
restored his father to reason for a
time, and effected a reconciliation be-
tween Saul and David. But another
great victory over the Philistines by
David Infatuated the jealous king
afresh, and again he tried to pin
David to the wall with his spear.
Desperate Saul then plotted to slay
his son-in-law while he slept; but
David's wife had wind of the plot, and
let her husband down through the
window, even as Rahab saved the
spies, and the Christians saved Paul
at Damascus
Michal put the household image-for,
blink it as we may, it nevertheless
seems to be true that some form of
idolatry still persisted in Israel, and
even in David'S househo1d-into
David's bed, and covered it to repre-
sent him. This foiled the hunt for a
little while, and David made his es-
cape; but Saul was doubly angered
over the deception. So the kings son
and the kings daughter both in turn
delivered the man whom they loved
above their own father.
The Hero in Flight.
David fled to Samuel. at Ramah.
showing wisdom in his choice of a
refuge and counsellor. Doubtless ad-
versity turned him to religion, even as
the present war is creating a spiritual
mood in all the nations engaged. At
was hard for David to understand;
that God was making great man of
him; and for greatness there Is no
school like adversely. Hardy plants
grow in hard soil. In the abstract, we
all know that God means we'll for us:
blessed is he who can say, in the midst
of disbursement and difficulty, "I
know I am in the hand of God. He is
doing something with my life. I can
not understand what, but 1 can trust
Him"
The royal fact about David, as he
here enters upon his hard, rowing, out
law life, is that he kept faith with his
own honor. Saul might kill him but
he could not conquer him. E. s. Mar
tin puts the lesson we'll:
Far better to fall with face toward the
At one with wisdom and my own worn
Than ever to come to see myself prevail,
when TO succeed at last Is Dut TO rail
Mean ends to win and Herewith be con-
tent
Save me from that. Direct Thou the
event
AS suits Thy will: where'er the prizes go,
Grant me the struggle, that my soul may
grow"
Far removed from the peaceful life
Of a shepherd was this turmoil and
danger and atmosphere of conspiracy
and enmity. In all this, a benign
Providence was but sending IsraePS
future king to necessary school, Next
he was to have a time apart with the
man of God, wise old Samuel. There
he saw deeper into the meaning of
Like an invisible wall of spirit
which foes could not penetrate, the
atmosphere of religion so protected
David that the enemies whom Saul
sent to attack him were one after an
other converted, even as has recently
occurred in revival meetings. Saul
himself was overcome by the spirit of
God in SamuePs presence. God has
wonderful ways of caring for those
whom he is preparing for special
service.