The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-12-29

that is in the earth beneath, or that
fhOus shalt not bow down thyself
unto them, nor serve them.-EXo-
dus 20:4, 5.
STORING THE POWDER
MAGAZINE.
FOR nine months we will travel in
the little kingdom of Israel and Ju-
dah discovering the problems they
faced and the solutions reached that
the centuries-old principles found ser
vireable there may be applied to our
vWn living. Carrying the democracy
the Hebrews fought and obtained
room. Facing the determined oppo-
,zition of the Philistine expansion
eastward, they chose Saul King that
Independence might be won. David
was their next choice and he achiev-
cd victory and consolidated the tribes
INTO a strong state. He made Jerusa-
lem the capital and conquest with its
accompanying loot and tribute paid
the expenses of his campaigns and
freed his people from taxation. Sol
ambitious Bathsheba, came to power
through palace intrigue instead of
popular choice, though it was proba-
b1y confirmed in some way. He began
Che building projects that gave the
Temple and the other buildings of
The world. He was the great show
prince dazzling all eyes by his mag
nUicence. But it all took money.
EAom revolted upon his accession;
Moab followed, and Syria, with Da-
znascus at its head, was next to sep
arate. Reduced territory meant re-
rfuced revenue. and Solomon made no
other conquests whose loot would help
,dnance his leaping expenses. Oppres-
zive taxes had to be levied upon the
nome folk instead of upon foreigners,
as Germany needs to do today. Men
we're also required, so all the aliens
IN mis- territory were made state
slaves. And the Hebrews themselves
supplied 10000 laborers in Ievies Of
10000 each for in addition to other
enterprises Solomon kept 10000 war
hrrses. and roads had to be built for
ehariots and cavalry everywhere
among the precipitous hills where
simple trails had gone before. The
SIZE of his household may be inferred
from the daily provisions that the
people were obliged to furnish: $50
Bushels Of flour $50 bushels Of meal,
SO oxen, 10 sheep and a great store of
other things C4:22, 23). Moreover, he
was paying Hiram of Tyre 100000
bushels of wheat and 100000 gallons
81 olive oil yearly Impose the same
conditions upon a territory less than
that Of Maryland and see what would
happen today, Beside this economic
pressure calling in the extreme. the
King built all sorts Of holy buildings
Tor his wives worship and shared in
Eheir sacrifices so that religious ele-
Enent was alienated and it was a
prophet that fomented rebellion. Au-
1ocracy stored the powder magazine
N 937 B. c. for the same sort of an
explosion that came in 1914; all that
was needed in either case was a spark.
PLAYING WITH FIRE.
Rehoboam is the only son mentioned
though there We're probably more.
Reared in a harem rife with intrigue
and heathenism, it were perhaps folly
20 condemn the product too vigorous
Ey. Homes of rich and poor in our
Own land have offered as great fool
EShness in the hour of power. He
took the throne without opposition
and began his reign in Jerusalem. But
Enere was no reclamation from the
great tribes of the north. The new
Ang must travel into that territior
70 receive their fealty. Democracy
was very far from being dead, but it
was mslstent upon having some voice
ia the shaping of policies for the ma
my pau IIe DlllS and felt
Ghat their rights were being over
ridden. They were perfectly willing
Z" accept the new King as their ruler
sot they harked back to the time
when David had made certain agree
nnents before being crowned and they
asked for an abatement of the heavy
gardens that had been laid upon them.
Ihere is some ground for suspicion
enat Judah had been allowed to carry
ahe light end of the load by having
ner sons upon the throne and modern
politics with free franchises and snoiIs
OF office tends to confirm such a read
ing of the old record. It was a con-
stitutional rule that they demanded
with equal rights for all citizens. Not
saving to submit any agreement to
the Senate it is small credit to the
KING that he demanded time for con-
sidering so just request. He had no
desire to do anything for the people
Dut was utterly selfish in the whole
affair 10 aclaJ e.,