Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-29

Golden Text: My son, give thine
heart; and let thine eyes delight in my
ways Prov. % &c.
The only time in the history of the world
that pure democracy prevailed was during
tie period of the Judges when every man
did that which was right in his own eyes
and it was Il miserable failure. This was
particularly true of the last part of it, when
Eli was the judge. Eli himself was godly
man in some ways, but he was flabby. He
was not man of heroic deeds; there was
no victory over IsraeFs enemies during his
judgeship, there had been under the other
Judges. He was fifty-eight years old before
he began to Judge Israel at ALL and then
his pricstly office rather OyershadOWed his
other functions.
During his time of service Israel got
farther and farther away from God instead
of closer to Him, until at last the word of
God became very precious; there was no
open vision in those days. There was no one
to whom and through whom God could reveal
His will to the people. The chief reason
for this condition was the life of Ellis two
sons. IIopEni and Phinehas They, had been
put into the Priestly office by their father,
according to the custom of the day; but
their inheritance was their only qualification.
They were thoroughly ungodly men, and were
using their office for their own selfish ends
and qualification rather than regarding it as
Il trust to be used for God They were
guilty of greed and of lechery. Their con-
did the cause of religion incalculahle harm
Men became disguised with religion when it
was associated with injustice and upright
| eousness. And this, of course, had its effect
on the nation. Such ali example on the part
of the priests was followed by the people
until the whole moral tone of the nation
was lowered Church officers particularly
but also all other officials, have grave
responsibility. Their lives are necessarily
outstanding, and the nations level is deter
mined largely which their lives are lived
No wonder the word of God was precious IL
those days and that there was no oper
vision!
Eli was particeps criminis in this, be
cause he knew how his sons were living
and instead of kicking them out of office
simply gave them mild re5uke.
Answered Prayer
| Some years before this there lived MAI
| at Ramah, few miles north of Jerusalem
namyd Ellianah. He had two wives, one OF
| whom had children and the other was child
| less. PeniIaE never ceased to chlde HANNAH
| about this. for she was jealous of E,kanab'S
| greater love for Hannah. Every year whel
| they went up to ShilOhr, about thirty miles
| northeast of Ramah, TO worship the Lord n
| tie yearly sacrifice, peninab made IT mor'
| unt on,fGrtabIc for Hannah.
1t was Il great source of grief TO Hannah
for it was a disgrace for a woman to Dc
| childless: 1T was considered as curse OF
| God. Flkanah did all he could to comfor
| her, and asked her one day if lie were moi
better to her than ten sons; but she woulC
| not be cOmforted.
For years she prayed FOR son, but NJ
! child came: until one year at Shiloh il
seemed. as if her heart would burst in it.
| great Gesirc. She could not even utter hel
| petition it was 50 intense!
Eli saw Il woman over there just moving
| her lips, but saying nothing. He though
| she was drunk. and rebuke0 her severely
| Had he had Il little more tact, little more
| spirituality, Il little more of the gentlenes;
that a spiritual leader should have possessed
| he wouldn't have rebuked her at aid. H.
| would have been truer to his office had III
| rebukeG his sons and not rebuked Hannah
| She accepted the rebuke patiently, ant
| then told him she was not drunk, but pray
| ing for son. To his credit, he apologizet
! and then added his prayer to hers for TIL
| blessing she desired.
1t was long DELAY, but the answer t.
| her years of prayer at last came. About {
year later, little boy was born to her ant
| Elkanah, whom she named Asked-of-God, O
| Saumel.
| Had God answered her prayer at first
| she would have gotten oGly son; because
! of the delay. she got not only q son but
! prophet. faithful priest a judge. maker
| of kings. The delay too fitted Hannah t.
| become the mother of such son, for /
! was cue so Hannah's training of Samue
| during the first five years of his life tina
| he became the, man of God that he was
Don't be discouraged if your prayer fol-
| something has not been answered. Delay Il
| not denial: the answer will be far better
SNhAN O~SAA -
| once.
I Tho Cali of God
When lie was weanCd--at five years OF
| more--Hanrah true to her promise, Drought
|. him to. the temple Of Shiloh and left him
| there as loan to God. From time to time
she brought him new clothes she had made
biz from child he grew mp in the temple
| as Il servant Of Ell. .
J The conduct of Hophn and Phineas mus
| Have :dissnsted him as he grew oldeE ant
| realized what a child could of their I'm
/ gOdlE~li Instead of being contaminated
| by them, it must have made him more de
! termiped not to be like them.
| .Sqmuel's duties we're these flat small
| boy could perform. He kept the lamp burn
| ing; he opened AID crossed the doors of tht
| temnle; he ran errands for Eli, and wa
! subject TO his call when lie neeGed him.
| One night lie and Eli were beth sleeping
! it was nearly morning, when Voice called
! Samuel" Instantly the boy was awake
| and at Elis side. Here am ~, he said
| Eli diSclaimed any knowledge Of it, an
| must have thought that Samuel was dream
ing. Three times this occurred, when Ell
| TO him. Samuel did not vet know how
| God would communicates with men. O.
! course: he knew about God, hut he had no
| learned t. know God but he had not Learned
|, TO know Goo individually. So Eli instructet
| him to say. Speak. Lord, for thy servan
hearnth,' if there should be repetition o
| the VOICE.
| 1T wis repeated. This time the voic
! said. samuel; Samuel Indicating TIL
| urgency Of the case. TO which lie replied
! Speak, for thy servant heareth, He die
! not say, Lord" for he was not sure who's
stoodT-fhe Cambridge Bible says eth
| uel realized now as never before that h
| stood i'll the presence of God, that it wa