The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-10
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)

King.'-I Sam. CHI. 1s.
(BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.)
= Nobody knows what particular deed
may determine his destiny, or what
humble friends may introduce him to
opportunity. The highest crowns
cbme Unexpectedly and unsought.
David was out on the hills tending the
sheep when the sceptre and the crown
came looking for him. Lowell re-
minds us:
In lifes small things be resolute and great
To keep thy muscle trained; know'st thou
81 when Fate
Thy measure takes, or when she'll say to
thee,
= This old story of the amounting of
David is one of the romances which
the world loves 1t is staged IN the
second most 5acred spot on earth, the
little town of Bethlehem, five miles
below Jerusalem. Our 1maglnatlons
picture the notable professions that
have wendell their way toward this
little Judean town, whose name means
the 'house of bread" We see the
prophet Samuel, with his horn OF
coronation oil, travelling tnltner'
grims, Ruth and Naomi, who had en-
Bodied one of the nations romances
in the same town of Bethlehem. Cen
turtles later we behold Joseph ana
Mary journeying to Bethlehem from
Nazareth. Then we see the Wise Men
from the East on their camels creating
q sensation in this humble little town.
Scholars recall the figure OF st.
Jerome travelling to Bethlehem to
make his home for years in a grotto
hard by the birthplace of Jesus, where
he translated the Scriptures into the
Yulgate, which is still the version of
the Roman Catholic church. We see
the Crusaders fighting their way to
Bethlehem in the Middle Ages; and
the millions of devoted pilgrim feet
that have since journeyed to the Oldest
Church in the world, which is built
over the birthplace of our Lord. Now
the streets of Bethlehem are echoing
to the tramp of armed Turkish SOL
diers, as the central one of the three
military columns struggle and stray
gle on toward the Suez canal.
The Unfit Man and the Fit.
T. Old Samuel was sublime figure,
as he went down toward Bethlehem.
His heart was heavy within him, but
still it was loyal to it's mission. He
had loved Saul like a son. Upon him
he had conferred his hopes for great
era for Israel He had rejoiced st
the kingly growth of this man who
was Gods second best plan for the
people. The real decadence and the
apparent self exaltation of King Saul
srnote the heart of the man of God.
He who had crowned Saul, had also
been the messenger of condemnation
and dethronement.
The fidelity of Samuel in decreeing
the kings doom is really thrilling. He
was brave enough to perceive that
the worst service that can be done an
unfit man is to keep him in the place
wherein he has failed. Would that
churches and organized Christianity
in general had some of SamuePs cour-
age. No other institution is SO cum
bered up with unfit office bearers.
Because a gelatinous good nature has
been substituted for a resOlute and
Intelligent purpose, incompetent men
are retained in pulpits and in office, to
the hurt of the Kingdom of heaven.
The contrast between the decline
of the Saul and the rise of Samuel is
given a touch of the dramatic, because
it was supposed that the entrance of
Saul upon the scene had eclipsed the
prophet; but still we see him Sweetly
and steadfastly at work, saying to
God, as in boyhood, Here am L" He
was ready for the hard tasks as for
the easy. He would lead the people,
or he would provide them with an
other leader; he would anoint a king,
or he would denounce him; all ac-
cording to the commands OF Jehovah.
The personality of Samuel had as
sumed such proportions in the life of
Israel, that the elders of the town of
Bethlehem trembled as he drew near,
lest he should be the bearer of some
word of punishment.
Seven Swapping Sons.
1t is not always necessary to tell
everything one knows. Samuels real
mission was cloaked beneath the con-
ventional purpose of holding a service
of sacrifices for the city. Conceal
purpose is clearly justifiable." The
entire community had the benefit of
the prophets visit, all because OF one
of it's families. Many a community
has since been similarly blessed. Sam
uel had been directed by God to the
family of Jesse. More he did not
know, for God keeps even His agents
in the dark concerning the fullness of
His purposes.
In this Incident the truth shines
clearly that God 10 interested in fam
lilies as well as in individuals ana ma
tons 1t is we'll to get q good grip on
Gods units of value. From the bless
ing of Abraham and his seed down to
the present day. God has shown a spe-
cial interest in families. To make a
God-fearing family is successful ca
reer. The other day met q man on a
train in Texas who took seriously the
business of raising a son. He told me
how homesick both he and the boy
had been for each other during his
brief. absence at q convention. That
man wisely looked upon his work of
raising crops and cattle as merely in
cidental to the training of a boy In
this great task of serving society by
building noble homes the woman's
part is even greater than the mans.
In the family of Jesse there were
seven strapping sons. One after an
other these handsome big fellows, all
OF king stature, were passed before
the prophet. None Of them were in
dicated, however, by the Inner Voice
as the candidate for royal amounting
The stock Of big fellows had slumped
in Israel about this time. Saul had
been king of that sort, head and
shoulders above his fellows
AT length the people weres getting
the idea that THE minds the meas
ure OF the man." and that physical
qualities are of secondary Importance.
One daX in q San Francisco hotel I