The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-08-27

men to surrender their chastity
as 1.-THE highest act of sacrifice to
their gods" (5) Here is a mes
sage about the cXpiation which
cannot supplant family RESPONSE
bility. Grant that Ellis sons Of
ficiated dexterously at the altar
and were socially affable and
even scripturally accurate in OBJ
servanccs. Yet no sacrifice, no Of
fering, however choice and costly,
can wipe off OF wash out streak
of the stain upon an mpenitent
heart that perSevereS in its wick
edness. But the contrite never
come i'm vain before God.
FULFILMENT BY THE
PHILISTINES
q Samuel 4:l2-l8)
RESPONSIBILITY FOR Ma
TION was implied in the fulfill
ment by the Philistines. "This is
dark and sorrowful chapter. Eli
was physically blind (verse 80;
the elders were spiritually blind
(verse - the people were gross
w superStitious Verse 81; Israel
was defeated and enslaved by the
I Philistines oversees 9, 100; HOphnl
and Phinehas were slain (versc
! ll),; and the ark Of God was ia
| kenr Think Of the awful reSpon-
sibility, in part or entire, that
rested upon Eli. CD There was
responsibility for national decline.
Religion was at cbb. Morality WAS
at Il low level. Wickedness WAS
widespread. National spirit was
unassertive. (2) There was re-
sponsibility for national conflict.
! It was Israel that went out
against the Philistincs to battle.
| 1t would seem that had leadership
! initiated the onslaught. CD There
was responsibility for national su-
perStitiOn. When the first days
! fight resulted adversely for Israel,
there was instant call for the ark
of God on the battlefield mder
the false assumption that God
would be bound to save the He
J
sacred chest fall into pagan hands.
How could Eli ever consent to
| the removal of the ark from the
Tabernacle even in Il great cmer-
gency? Of course his sons were
past masters of superstition and
sacrilege. SO the ark was borne
by impious ahnds from the place
of holiness to the place of hate.
(4) There was responsibility for
national disaster. Israelite soldiers
might shout and PhiliStine soldiers
tremble when the ark of God AZ
rived: but it was utterly impotent
| when disconnected with the Di-
vine DYNAMO. SO the battle was
Joined with vigor and ragged IN
fury to the utter overthrow OF
the hosts of Israel. The story of
it as told by the courier (verse
10 is regarded as embracing the
greatest climax in all literature:
Israel is fled--therc hath been
also a great slaughter-thy two
sons-are dead-the ark of God
is takenw 90 There was reSpon-
sibilitv for national degradation.
No wonder tn ecorpulent priest
(9S years old upon hearing such
news fell from his backless seat
at the city gate and died of a
broken neck. The country was left
without an army or an ark, with
out priest or Judge, without spirit
or hope-a nation of slaves,
crushed and impoverished. Dark
was the night until Samuel kim
died the fires of reformation and
raised the torch of liberty.
RECOGNIZE RESPONSIBILITY
FOR OTHERS
Cd Family Responsibility Re-
Nvealed. Il will do a thing have
told him." 1t was Eli who had
heard. 1t was Samuel who was
now hearing. Always it is God
who reveals responsibility.
(2) Family Responsibility Real
lied. 1.-THE iniquity which he
knoweth. The father must have
felt the load. He was certainly
aware OF conditions.
CD Family Responsibility I'm
assertive. Ellis sons made them
selves vile" They did it before
his eyes. He protested feebly. He
even promoted them without Il
hint of disapproval or discipline.
(4) Family Responsibility Neg
lected. "He restrained them not. +"
No word of correction that cor
rected. No reproof that reformed
or reclaimed. A feeble, fearful,
faltering, unfaithful father!
60 Family Responsibility Ines
capable. "The iniquity of Ellis
house shall not be pulged." Make
all the offerings on earth; that
cannot clear or condone any hypo-
critic at the altar. He must be
right and do right or-suffer
co Nat on a Responsibility
Watching. Ell sat upon Seat by
the wayside watching" Alas, he
was watching at late hour in his
life. What if he had watched
sooner?
(O National Responsibility
Trembling. His heart. trembled
for the ark of God" The true
. heart of weak man throbs here.
And well might it throb!
(8) National Responsibility In
curing. what meaneth the noise
What is there done" Of course
there must be deep anxiety and
concern. If only they could come
earlier!
(9) tional Responsibility
Hearing. "The messenger. And
such tidings-one bolt after an
other, sharp and quick and cumu-
lative! What ears would not
,tingle? 80,