Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-02
Sunday School Lesson

wisdom of years. and some of the high
est ability. both. mentally, physically
and spiritually, has been lost by fore
ing untried and inexperienced youths
to the front. Civilization is not go.
ing 200 miles an hour, but living to-
gether beautifully" Leaders are born,
not made. No one can become
great leader in political and religious
life who has not emerged from con-
ditionS which he has mastered before
he can lead men.
Discouraged by the peoples rejec-
ton of his long years of service. Sam
uel found consolation and divine guild
ance in prayer. The Lord made 1t
clear to His servant that Israel had
re iected their God. No servant is
greater than his master. The world
turned away from Samuel, as 1t
had from Moses and as it after
ward did from the Christ. We are
admonished not to marvel If men hate
and despise Gods servants. Israel
was proud and had forgotten not only
!, her mission, but her God. Men to-
day may become weary of spirituality
and simplicity. They seek after con-
fornity to the world and dependence
upon worldly power. This indicates
that ones heart is turned away from
God, Just like Israel's was. when it
insisted upon the desire for a king.
In a providential way Saul was
brought to the prophets home. 1t
was then revealed to Samuel that he
was the one God had selected to free
the nation from its danger and rule
over it. The prophet showed his
greatness by acting upon the revela-
ton, opening up to Saul his mission
I. a. kIA
tary leader and ruler OF the nation.
Saul left the prophet changed man
and returned home until the people
selected him at a great national meet
ing. There the prophet warned the
nation of the serious consequences of
their demand for a king, and present
ed them with a constitution. They
had revealed their ingratitude, dis
trust and disloyalty toward God. They
had thought that change in the form
of government was all that was need
ed, when their great need was g
reformation of their own characters
and a personal trust in Jehovah. Our
Nations hope for the future is based
not on party control or political plat
forms, but upon the solid granite
foundation of Gods character seen in
His veracity and fidelity to righteous
ness. 1.-THE nation that will not
serve Him will perish"
First National Election.
The first national election of a king
was by lot. that selected the tribe,
family and finally Saul, who could not
be found. He had evidently been con-
sidering the information impaired to
him by the prophet and was hesitat-
ing about accepting the great respon-
sibility. He was found waiting the
nations call. hiding among "the
stuff" His appearance met the peo-
pies demand, for physically he was
head and shoulders above them. They
were not noted for their stature. God
had provided for them a king. who
met their requirements and whose
administration made possible the sue
cess of David and the glory of Solo
mon. Saul had his errors, but, judged
by a fair standard, the first king of
Israel was a great success.
After the election. Saul went to his
home, in Gibeah, and he was followed
by band of men, whose lives God
had touched. The success that he at
tanned was due in no small degree to
the inspiration of this band. No
leader can succeed unless he has a
good following. 1t is the army that
makes a great general, and the lead
ers in every walk of life today win