The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-05-06
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
Especially Prepared for The Republi-
can by DIR. U. S. Wright.

SUNDAY, MAY 9.
Eli and His Sons. l Samuel PIP II;
4:l-l8.
The wages of SIN is death; but the
free gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.
UNPARALLELED DISASTER
On the broad coast plain hardy sailor
folk settled and established the Philis-
tine confederacy which gave its name
to Palestine for these are two forms
of the same word. Five great cities
were the centers about which they were
SO strongly organized as to threaten
Egypt's power and to dispossess Dan
forcing the tribe to seek a new home
in the extreme north. Pressing east
ward they met the Israelites moving
westward and conflict was inevitable.
The period of the lesson finds the two
expanding races facing each other upon
the high plains of Ephraim which each
claims by the right of the strong tho
Israel builds her basis upon Abraham 8
explorations and Gods reiterated prom
Use. Skirmishlng had gone on during
Samson's judgeship but the real con-
f1ict was Joined in the lesson resulting
so disastrously for Israel that $4,000
fighting men were lost, tremendous
toll from the scanty forces upon which
they had to dra y, and there was an
utter rout. Shiloh ceased to be a re-
ligious center for Eli and his sons were
dead and the sacred symbol of Jehovah's
presence lost. So completely were they
conquered that even in the DAYS of Saul
there were no weapons nor were they
allowed to have smiths who might make
them. Even David found them difficult
neighbors to bring under his authority
and they were still strong enough to
outlive the divided Kingdoms of the
Hebrews. But in this first struggle
where they really put all their power
into the field there were some very real
reasons for lsrael's disaster and the
lesson gives opportunity for their study.
WORTHLESS FAITH.
The invaders were better organized
and presumably better armed than any
army Israel could master. This might
readily have been Offset by the choice
of field and through planning and
preparation but apparently nothing
along these lines was attempted. Is
rael had wonderful God whose deliv-
erance in the days of Moses and Joshua
we're still the thrilling tales of fireside
and camp. Possibly their enemies had
carried their images to the field as they
did in the days of David Gil Sam. sgd
but certainly there came the conviction
that this was battle of Deities and
since Jehovah was so mighty there was
no need of careful attention to every
detail that would aid in deciding the
struggle. There are few who will not
agree that the Allies were committed
to the revealed policy of God more
closely than the Central Powers but
there was no victory in consequence
until every device of hand and brain
under united command were put at
His disposal why hath Jehovah
smitten u.s." cried the scattered forces
of Israel. They loafed on God expect
ing Him to give the victory simply be-
cause He was the Hebrew Deity. Il
will show you my faith by my works, !"
wrote sturdy James but this was pre-
cisely where Israel failed
SYMBOL INSTEAD OF LIFE.
Under the urgency of the situation
they sent hurriedly for the Ark. Je-
hoyah was not doing what seemed to
them His part in the battle and they
would make it necessary for Him to as
sert His power in their favor. For if
that sacred symbol was present Jehov-
ah would be compelled to defend it. He
would be utterly discredted before the
heather if any hurt should come to it
so there was shout in the camp when
it appeared. They put ritual in the
place of religion, law in the place of
life, symbol IN the place of service and
thought that all was well. But any old
horse shoe woul have done as much.