The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1920-05-27
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
Especially Prepared for The Republi-
can by DIR. u. S. Wright.

Especially Prepared for The Republi-
can by DIR. u. S. Wright.
SUNDAY, MAY 80.
Jonathan Defeats the Pnihstines. |
Sam. 14:6-l3 Read entire chapter.
Be strong and of good courage. Josh.
&c.
THE PERIL.
The Hebrew had no more friends
than the Jew has today nor half as
many. Beleaguered on all sides by
hostile forces it needed every resource
and the most determined spirit to carry
those early pioneers to the stability of
a settled state. Saul came into power
on the wave of a victory over an invad-
ing force from the eastern deserts and
there must have been great JubilatIon
at bis browning. More than ever be-
fore there was united front that fused
tribes and parties in substantial agree
nent in matters of state. They we're
in all probability the vassals of Philistia
and their activities against another foe
was regarded as good thing since 1T
interposed buffer force between them
selves and the multitudinous raiders.
But to elect king was war. During
the days of struggle between the States
numerous vessels were built in England
and turned into the hands of the Con-
federacy as the Florida, Alabama, etc. :,
to prey upon United States commerce.
Adams was our representative in Lon
don and he closed his last note to the
British Government with the line, at
would be superfiuous tor me to point
out to your Lordship that this is war"
Israel was in the same position and
Philist'a had no question oyer the stu
alton. For vassal to presume to set
up kingdom left nothing to be done
save its overthrow Armies must have
moved speedily or perhaps the garri-
sons were strengthened but the last
remnant of hesitation was swept away
by Jonathan's impetuous attack upon
the mountain fortress OF Geba which he
took. Israel was swept back to the
very crest of the ridge that overlooks
the Jordan and many fled precipitately
beyond it while Others sought refuge in
the numerous caverns among the hills
so that Saul had but few men left cling
ing desperately to the crags and need
ing but little to force them out COM
pletely. Believing that their larger
task was done Philistia left a strongly
guarded out post at Mickmash to watch
what was left of the Kingdom while
they raided all the region, north, south
and west, with utter immunity from
any resistance The northern tribes
were cut off from the Juda'c section
and there seemed nothing in the way Of
complete overthrow of the Israelitish
colonies whose situation parallelled
Valley Forge.
THE PRINCE.
Unless heredity is all at fault Saul
has reaped some very il-deseryed criti-
clsm. Such son as Jonathan springs
neither from degeneracy nor vice. He
justifies Samuel's judgment in the an
ointing and Gods call to the son of
Kish. AS vigorous as his father he had
surer judgment and greater initiative.
Devotedly religious he found the Sc
cret of the Diviner comradeship that
his father failed to reach. A friend
whose hand was always given to worth
mess and never withdrawn, his love for
DAVID is one of the classics Unselfsh
and generous, modest and brave. he is
one of the most pTmcely figures that
appears on any page and his rule would
have been IN all probability as success
ful as David's own. There is little
WOLdOi NllaI iIAbNA "a OoQl . phAISiS "
get David out of the way was born ont
of love for this splendid young fellow
who would so finely have continued the
family in the place of authority. Well
was it for Israal1that in SO great crisis
of her history there was such man to
stand in the breach and stop the flood.
THE PATRIOT.
AS alert as Marshall t'och Jonathan
studied the position of the enemy and
endeavored to plan their overthrow.