Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-24
SABBATH SCHOOL
LESSON
For June 27-1 Sam IL
By DE-. MARION NTH. HULL

Golden Text: 1T will instruct you in the
good and right way" Sam, 1898.
During the quarter just passed Samuel
has been the character most often in our
minds. We had a glimpse Of the condi-
lions which gave rise to the Judges and
learned of some of these. Samuel was the
last of the Judges. We have traced his
life in spots from his birth to it's closing
days. 1t is very interesting, therefore, that
the review lesson should deal with the noble
life of Samuel.
After Saul had been established as king,
Samuel called an assembly of the people
at Shiloh and addressed them as we have
recorded in this 10Th chapter. He called
their attention to his advancing years, his
long life among them, its consistency, and
then pleaded with them to be true to God,
that the kingdom he loved well might
not go to pieces His address reveals so
well the main characteristics of his life that
we shall study 1t more carefully now.
A Noble Life
SamueIs nobility consisted not so much
in his having been well born-that is a
grace given to some, but it is not the es-
used his opportunities and developed those
qualities which make a prince out of a
pauper. He self-forgetful, open and
above board, consistent and upright, with
a keen appreciation of Gods presence; and
as result Of this his life was a long one,
a powerful one, and a convicting one.
Self-Forgetful
He might have felt more keenly the re-
quest of the people for a king, for he had
spent all his life in the service of this
people. But when they made their request,
he had laid it before God and had put him.
self out of sight and granted it most gra-
ciously. To have some one else preferred
before you after you have labored long and
lovingly is no delightful sensation; when
it comes to you, may you show the nobility
of character that Samuel did, and take no
account of self. Nor could Samuel have
debased self in this way had he not exalted
God. Either God self must have the first
place in your life. If self reigns there will
be a long train of consequences, and no
circumstances will bring joy unless your
self is consulted by others as well as your
self. There is many a heartache ahead
therefore, for the one who has exalted self.
But if God has been placed on the throne,
He will order the conditions so that every
circumstance will bring joy. Which shall it
be in your case?
Samuel's life was an open book. From
prior to his birth his life was before the
public as a little child he was in a posi-
ton where the whole nation could know
him as they knew no other child; and this
was increasingly true as he became the first
citizen of Israel. 81 am old and grey head
ed now," he said, land have walked before
you from my childhood unto this day." Had
Samuel wanted to conceal anything in his
life it would have been exceedingly diff
cult
This is one Of the disadvantages of
public life-the most intimate things of
public servants life are regarded as
every ones life is open. Some one knows.
even though the effort is made to conceal.
And everything is known to Him whose
all-seeing eye penetrates the innermost
have to do. The important thing there
fore is to live, as Samuel did, so that
our lives shall be
Consistent.
1t was a fearless thing he did-to call
them to witness before God that his life
which had been known to them from
childhood to old age had been upright,
and consistently so. The questions he
ed them might not be so difficult to-
day, for centuries of Christianity have
servants so high that rarely any could be
accused of doing any of these things to-
day, but the standards were different
in Samuel's time. 1t was the rule to do
witness that he had been the exception
And how had that been possible? The
answer is one of those divine condolences
that make the Bible such wonderful
book, (and incidentally, that proves it's
verbal inspiration). Did you notice that
he asked just five questions of them
Now why five? Why not four or three or
one that included all, or six? Well, five
s15
perfect number, and three the divine num-
her, and four the world number etc. 1t
would be too long a story to explain now
why five is the number of grace; but
five questions were asked. 1t was only
by the grace of God that Samuel had
been able to live the consistent, upright
life he had lived before them all, when to
of public opinion and custom! 1t is only
by Gods grace you or I can live con-
sistent and upright life today; we cannot
do it in our own strength.
God-sensed
Does this coined word convey to you the
idea? Everything about Samuel was VI
brant with God. He saw God in every
event, in every circumstance, in every
sit IS the Lord"-as he goes on 90 re-
call the history of this people. God had
promoted Moses, God had brought them
into Egypt. God had brought them out of
tivity, God had delivered them, God had
made them dwell safely God had finally
given them king. Samuel's life was Cod
sensed, and he wanted theirs to be too,
kept close to Him and obeyed Him that
they or their king could reach their high
est good. Is God that real to you?
God-empowered
Therefore Samuels life was God-empow-
cred. 1t was wheat harvest time-a dry
spell of weather-but in answer to Sam
uel's call the unusual happened. and the
Lord sent n thunderstorm. Samuel of HIM
self had no power over the atmospheric
conditions: but Samuel, plus long life of
consistency, plus sense of God in every
thing, could command even the elements
and do the impossible. So can you.
Convicting.
Samuel's life made sinners uncomfortable.
When the people saw the manifestation
Of Gods power through Samuel they
greatly feared the Lord and Samuel; and
their fear brought conviction of sin to
them. Sinners are always uncomfortable
in the presence of those whose lives they
know to be consistent and upright. But
what we want lido we notD is that our
lives shall make them so very uncomfor-
table that they shall ask Gods forgive
ness and turn TO Him.
microscopy.
All here is the secret! Samuel was glad
they realized their sin; he minced no words
in telling them the uuyarnished truth