The Yale expositor., July 03, 1908, Image 6

About The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current

Image provided by: Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library

                
THE YAliE
EXrOSITOR FRIDAY, J
ULY 3, 1908.
A TALE
SYNOPSIS.
The storv opens (luting a trip of the
"Overland" Mail" through the Hocky
mountain!. "I'mie Hilly" lodg stage
driver, Alfred Vincent, a young man. ami
l'hltu-aa Caclwallailir, introduced. They
come across the remains of a massacre.
Later at Anthony" station they rind the
redskins have carried their destructive
work tlit-re also. Stella Anthony, daugh
ter of Anthony, keeper of station, is in
troduced. Anthony has leen killed.
Vincent Is usslgiu-d his work in unearth
ing plans of enemies of railr.md being
built. Vincent visits town where railroad
men are working on the road and receives
token of esteem from 8tell;l. The old
Ktae driver decides to work close to
town in order that he may he uhl to
keep fatherly watch over the young
woman. She is engaged as a tutor for
Viola H i iiard. daughter of hotel land
lady. Ylnont visits society circles of en
emies of tiie Central I'acitic railroad and
learns their seitets. He returns to Stella,
each showing signs of love for the other.
I'hlne.is Oudwallader, pushing a railroad
opposing Ontral 1'acltic. reaches mining
town. She writes to Alfred Vincent his
boast, l'lyiir-' his attentions Cadwallader
Insults her a nl she is rescued by iideon,
her fath r's servant. In turn he proposes
marriage. Is rejected, leaves her de( hiring
he will rewni the sort of a man she will
love. Vlncmt "shows up" San Francisco
und Washoe road and is praised by gov
ernor and heads of Central I'acitic. Be
ing known us agent of l I. he d Ides
to retire to position of a hraketnan for a
nhort time. Stella hears from her lover,
tiideon. und of his phenomenal success.
Finds letter of importance Involving plans
of opposition road. "I'lide Hilly" returns
In terrible suffering from long mountain
trip. l'lot to destroy company's ship
Flora is unearthed and incriminating evi
dence ugainst Cudvalladr on charge of
wire tupping is also found, the letters
found by Stella being deciphered by
Hrakeman Alfred Vincent, who arrives
on scene. Impending disaster to Central
I'acitic is averted by protecting the
Flora and sending the ship laden with
Iron for railroad tump. l'hinoas Cad
wallader faces prison on charge of wire
tapping and has interview with Gov.
Stanford, sponsor for Cetitrul Pacific,
l'hlneus signs statement, promising that
he will enter the governor's cause and
the latter tells him of a perfect chain
of evidence connecting lilin with plot to
blow up "Flora." Support of San Fran
cisco and Washoe railroad Is under
mined by pale of a link to Central Pacific.
Stella and Alfred show love for each
other despite hostility of (Jideon. Hall
and dramatic performance proves big1
social occasion in railroad town. Alfred
and Stella pledge their 'troth and former
Is compelled to leave on company busi
ness. Mrs. Hernard leaves for scene of
husband's recent "strike," leaving Stella
In charge. Again the girl repulses
Gideon's advances. In showing Miss
Hamilton, a niece of a railroad official,
about the camp. Alfred somewhat neg
lects Stella, who shows pain at treat
ment. CHAPTER XVII. Continued.
"Wny aon't you buy abroad?"
"Our franchise forbids that; and
American foundries can't make it fast
enough. What we do buy Is so long
getting here! Twenty thousand miles!
That's a sail for you. And the gales,
and wrecks! By George! I wish it
was quicker and safer."
As they neared the camps their
conversation changed from railroad to
other subjects the latest book; the
newest dance; the poem or picture
most In the public eye. From topic to
topic they flitted, up and down the
polite world of their day.
To Stella, striving to lose no word.
It was new, Intoxicating. "That's my
world, too," she thought. "I could say
things like those. I know a little of
mythology and history." She won
dered why she had never used such
language with Alfred, why he had not
talked with her as he did now with
Miss Hamilton.
Stella lifted her head in a spirit of
rebellion quite new to her. She could
never acquire this Bubtle manner; and
she should not stand In Alfred's way.
He would succeed. From serving he
would soon advance to ordering. He
wquld need a wife like Miss Hamilton,
i Mr. Crocker called Alfred for some
questioning, and In his absence Miss
Hamilton turned to Stella. "I'm
afraid I'm monopolizing this oppor
tunity, Mids Anthony. It's my first
visit, you know."
"It is my first visit here, also," Stel
la replied.
"Your first?" Miss Hamilton's eyes
opened wide with not too civil ques
tion. "Oh," she laughed, "if you live
here and don't care enough to come
and see these wonderful things I
ebai't let my conscience sit up nights
ove my monopoly of Mr. Vincent
and the conversation." She turned to
smile at Alfred reappearing, and Stel
la was without opportunity to explain
that, despite enthusiasm and apprecia
tion, the railroad grade was not a
proper promenade for a girl alone.
The young peopie lagged. In spite of
the call of the leaders, and arrived at
the camps to find them already alive
with men and beasts.
"Oh, I must bee the Chinese camps,"
Miss Hamilton cried. "I've heard of
them."
They were In time to see the cooks
serving from great cauldrons to each
man his little keeler full of boiling
water. There was also an array of big
black pots simmering over camp fires,
yet white and savory messes were
within, announced by attractive odors.
"What do they do with those li'tle
tubs?" Miss Hamilton asked, as he
saw the coolies disappear within tenta
or brush shacks.
"Each man takes a hot sponge bath
and dresses In clean clothes before
he eats."
"Is to-day any special occasion?"
ehe questioned, wonderlngly.
"They do that every night In ths
year. They never sup In their work
ing clothes."
"What an example to Americans!
My respect for the disciples of Con
fucius has risen to a hundred."
Sho wished to stay to see the yel
Kry tan MBr
OF TUB BUILDERS
OF THE WEST.
low men In "dinner dress," squatting
with their little bowls and chop sticks,
chattering over their "llcey;" but her
uncle sent back a second hurrying
summons, that held a note of Impa
tience; and Stella pushed ahead with
sure steps, following her temporary es
cort. Hut Miss Hamilton, unused to
rough going, and In spite of Alfred's
watchfulness, turned her ankle and
arrived at the road pale and weak
with pain, leaning heavily on his arm.
Yet her gay bravery deceived her
uncle, though she clasped Stella's ex
tended hand sharply as the two men
lifted her Into the coach.
It was quite dark when they drove
up Into the hotel brilliance. Stella
alighted after the others; yet she
heard Miss Hamilton's graceful thanks
to Alfred, saw the lingering hand
shake, the appeal In her eye, while she
leaned upon her uncle's arm.
Sally B. came out to meet them;
and the lantern swinging in the even
ing breeze threw fantastic, dancing
shadows on the group. Suddenly Stel
la felt out of It all, remote; for Alfred,
lifting his hat Impressively, backed
away from the open door and did not
see her standing in the shadow, alone.
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Little Woman in Blue.
Sally H.'s ready skill soon had the an
kle rubbed to comparative ease. She
prescribed bed; but Miss Hamilton de
clared for the banquet even If she
must be carried there, and gladly ac
cepted Stella's offer of help with the
dressing.
Miss Hamilton's lingerie was hardly
'You May Come
less costly and dainty than my lady's
of to-day. White silk hose and satin
slippers; multiplied skirts more lace
than cambric; the combination of lace
and blue silk tissue that was the filmy
little gown with careful hands Stella
unpacked and laid them, a snowy
heap, on the bed.
The toilet went slowly. Stella had
been taught a decent respect for the
human body; and her Innate love of
beauty and order had blossomed Into
an honest personal neatness. Dut
such complicated hair-dressing, such
caressing of eyebrow and lash; such
critical attention to hands and nails;
the bathing, hot and cold; the rub
bing and patting of cheek and arm, be
fore lotion, powder, and a wee touch of
rouge went on; the examinations at
each stage with hand glass and mir
ror, Stella holding one of the lamps
which she continually adjusted to new
angles of reflect lon-'-thls was an amaz
ing revelation to her of Eve-old fem
inine adoration at the alUr of self
adornment. A rap at the door and the hearty
voice of Mr. Crocker called from with
out: "How's the ankle, Amabel? How
Boon will you bo ready?"
"Belter, thank you. Uncle Charley.
You may come for me In five min
utes. I can do by myself now," 6he
contiued to Stella as her uncle walked
down the ha!l. "It's splendidly kind of
S you to help me. tnd so beautifully. If
!
you ever need work I can get you a
position as lady's maid. I'll give you a
fetching character."
Stella winced, yet chlded herself
for It. She knew Miss Hamilton was
only "In fun." Still, how could this
delicately reared city girl believe such
a big, awkward creature as herself
capable of filling any but a menial po
sition? The real unklndness for which
Miss Hamilton failed to apologize, the
scant minutes she had left Stella for
her own toilet, went unnoticed; for
Stella was too generous a giver to
count the cost of her givings.
In ner own room she smiled to her
self while she quickly made ready,
colling as usual her thick waving hair,
but adding her "golden combs;" slip
ping hurriedly Into her simple white
gown and its simpler accompaniments.
A cluster of tiger lilies, an offering
from flower-loving Ylc Wah, caught
her eye. She pinned them on her
breast, and hastened downstairs, meet
ing Sally D. and Viola in the hall.
"Oh, here you be! What made you
so late? I was Jest comln fur you. I
see they've reserved a seat on both
sides o Al Vincent's. One's fur you,
I reckon. I'm slttln' third from Char
ley Crocker big bugs Is next to him
an' cut my shoestrings! You look
splendiferous!" she exclaimed as they
came under the lamp.
"Don't she, ma?" echoed Viola,
heartily.
"Say, honey, them tiger lilies suits
you; an' I'd never 'a' thought it. They
got colors in 'em like yo hair an'
eyes, shore's yo're born. Then they're
kinder secret an' powerful looklu. like
they could do things to all the other
flowers."
"What an odd Idea!" Stella said won
derlngly. "Is It? Well nobody won't git their
secrets a-studyln of their looks; no
more will they your'n, Stella. Your
face gits secreter an' eleganter every
day." Sally II. never paused for a
word. It might not be the right one,
but her meaning carried, as the
message of the master In spite of poor
Instrument and blundering fingers.
The band was playing as they en
tered. Stella's quick eye noted with sudden
aversion the three reserved chairs,
and the absence of Alfred and Miss
for Me In Five Minutes."
Hamilton. "Let me sit on this Bide
with you and Viola, won't you, Miss
Sally?" she asked softly.
"Dut there's no seat on this side,
chicken." Sally D.'s whisper was far
audible.
A gentleman rose at once and of
fered his arm, which Stella accepted
to save further confusion. She was
rosy with embarrassment, though no
other hint of it showed In her stately
walk around the long table. And
Sally B. watched delightedly the fol
lowing of admiring eyes.
Stella was hardly seated when Miss
Hamilton entered, leaning on Alfred's
arm In the dependent style of the
time.
Miss Hamilton had timed her com
ing to that awkward instant common
to banquets, when all await some In
comprehensible delay, and when any
diversion is welcome. The two walked
slowly down the long room. Miss Ham
ilton's step and movements so per
fectly artful that they seemed artless
young women were so trained then.
A hum of admiration went round.
Stella had not before seen Alfred In
evening dress. The night he wore
Borneo's velvet and laces he was
more splendid; but this conventional
dress, finely displaying his slim figure,
belonged to a world she knew not.
She noticed proudly that he wore his
clothes with an accustomed ease, saw
also that he was the only roan in the
room who could fitly escort the dainty
woman who floated by his side, a sum
mer cloud In her filmy white draper
les.
Miss Hamilton seated herself de
murely and exchanged salutations with
the gentleman at her right. Alfred
seized that moment for a word with
Stella.
"Why didn't you wait for us? I
haven't your permission to mention
our engagement, but I wish Miss Ama
bel to suspect it. Yet you make It Im
possible, Stella."
She thought of herself entering be
side that perfect pair and was deeply
grateful to the chance that prevented
It. She noticed Alfred's use of Miss
Hamilton's given name, and the omis
sion of his usual endearment to her
self, and because she was hurt she
dared not be serious. "Do let her
think the coast clear; It will be such a
fine test of your constancy," she said
with a flippancy astonishing to him.
He was too thoroughly masculine to
fathom the art a woman uses to hide
her wound. Neither could he reply,
for Miss Hamilton turned to him with
some laughing remark.
The insistent band, undaunted by two
partitions, blared the popular airs of the
day; sentiment, frolic, pathos: "When
This Cruel War Is Over," "Ever of
Thee," "The Maiden's Prayer,"
"Champagne Charley," "Last Ditch
Polka," the last two accompanied by
a soft tapping all along under the
table.
Sally II. sat opposite Stella, her eyes
seemingly on all the waiters at once,
yet she found time for the guests and
their conversation.
A slight commotion at the door ar
rested the attention of the guests.
There came a gust of subdued yet
excited Chinese chatter, a pause, and
the entrance of two men carrying a
towering white pagoda, surmounted by
the word "God," In huge gilt letters.
With some difficulty the sugary struc
ture was safely landed In the center
of the table, and Yic Wah and his as
sistants withdrew to the cover of the
doorway, where Stella saw the cook
peeping expectantly through. It was
his master tribute to the occasion.
An Instant of silence followed; then
an Infectious snicker ran around the
table, in spots breaking into an actual
laugh.
Stella saw Ylc Wah's eyes open
wide with astonishment and question;
yet In a breath they gleamed with
anger. His face went livid, and he
hurried away.
Hut Sally II. saved the moment. "My
cook set up all night to make that
cake, Mr. Crocker; please don't
laugh!" she whispered past the two
Intervening guests.
At once the host rose, and taking
his cue from her anxious face, pro
posed a toast to "The Cake and the
Cook," that was responded to with
hearty cheers. Yic Wah entered,
bowed, and retired with a beaming
face.
The toastmaster now rapped for
order. The conversation and laughter
ceased, the soft rustle of serving and
eating hushed, and the speeches be
gan. Mr. Crocker spoke first, to the gen
eral topic: "The Railroad." He told
the story of Its Inception and progress,
paying tribute to Theodore T. Judah,
to the men who furthered the under
taking in congress and legislature, to
all the officers, especially to Mr. Greg
ory; and closed with a neat compll
ment to Alfred. Stella ever so gently
pressed his arm with her own; but the
woman on the other side smiled allur
ingly into his face, and pouted at her
uncle.
"Uncle Charley didn't say half
enough about you," she whispered, yet
Stella heard it.
"I shall tell him he has left his debt
of gratitude for me to liquidate," the
beauty continued. "Or or can I pay
Uncle Charley's scores?" she ques
tioned In mock 'humility, leaning to
ward Alfred till her breath brushed
his cheek. "Perhaps my coin is not
current In your market."
Of course, he had to meet her badin
age. She meant her coin should be
current with him, and above par; and
he would have been Ice had he entire
ly escaped the spell of her witcheries.
Several speeches followed, among
them Mr. Ludlow's memorable toast,
"The Pacific Hallroad,( the Beautiful
Belt of the Union, with California as
the Golden Buckle."
At the close of the banquet Stella
escaped through a door; and from
cover of darkness watched knots of
men gather and dissolve about Miss
Hamilton; marked her every motion
and speech; noted her vivacity, her
perfect grace, her quick smile; saw
flattered Alfred's ready response as
she appealed to him prettily for fact
or corroboration of her own assertions.
The little court melted away at last.
Mr. Crocker was buttonholed by Mr.
Gregory and led off. Viola disap
peared; and Sally B. was already rush
ing the transformation that must pre
cede the five o'clock breakfast.
When the radiant two were alone
Stella saw Miss Hamilton's animation
fade In a breath; saw her pale and
tremble and lift a pathetic little face
to Alfred. And Stella marvelled at
the heroism that had kept the girl
keyed so long to her role. However
artificial Miss Hamilton's manner
mlsht have been before, Stella recog
nized the significance of the dropped
mask. Here was perfect honesty, and
the sweet appeal of pain courageously
borne. How could Alfred resist It, or
her trust In him, her beauty, all the
subtle Intlmateness .of the moment?
"Oh, Mr. Vincent, I've nearly died
this last hour," he said unsteadily.
"Won't you please find Uncle Charley
as soon as you can?"
(TO HE CONTINUED.)
To cure dyspepsia First give away
your chafing dish. Somervllle Journal
VISITING
The first shown Is a graceful skirt of pale mauve silk, with a wide band
'round the foot painted with a handsome design of clematis in shades of
mauve with brownish green foliage. The short-waisted blouse is of crepe-de-chine,
made quite plainly, the deep swarthed band is of silk of a darker shade
than that used for the skirt. The cape and under-6leeves are of lace, the
points of the cape being finished by silk tassels. The high crowned hat is
covered with silk like the dress; it is trimmed with a chenille spotted veil
nnd clusters of pale pink roses.
The second Illustration Is in the palest green French delaine, patterned
with violets of three shades. The under-skirt Is of sateen, with a deep
shaped flounce of delaine. The over-skirt and the kimono bodice are edged
with dark green silk, cut on the cross; the undersllp, with three-quarter
bleeve, is of piece lace. Pale green straw hat, lined with chiffon of a darker
shade, it is trimmed with roses and tinted foliage.
Materials required for the dress: 12 yards delaine 27 Inches wide, 1V4
yard silk 22 Inches wide, 5V& yards sateen, 3V& yards lace, 18 inches wide.
EDGINGS FOR PILLOW CASES.
Crochet Work the Best for Use In the
Hot Weather.
Crocheted edgings make a pretty
and useful finish for pillow cases used
during the summer, when simple bed
furnishings are preferred to the more
ornate. Many women keep a bit of
this crochet work at hand to do when
enjoying the cool breezes of the ver
anda or whlling away a few minutes
in their rooms. It makes excellent
pick-up work.
The favorite crochet pattern for this
use is the Greek key, which is made
with the corner worked In the lace.
For shams the corner is necessary,
but for the pillow cases straight cro
chet Is all that Is required. The
Greek key pattern Is about two inches
in width, with a battlemented edge.
The key design runs through the upper
side of the lace.
A wheel pattern looks well when
used this way and is simpler to make
on account of being narrower. The fa
vorite one has a row of wheels through
the center and a fan-shaped edge.
The Worcester cross border is an
other effective pattern If one likes a
wider lace. When made it is at least
three Inches in width.
SPEND TIME ON THE COIFFURE.
Simple Effects Require Patience and
Artistic Taste.
Present coiffures reveal infinite pa
tience and Infinite time In the doing,
and the effect is simple and artless in
the extreme. No more of your round
bullet heads, encircled with regular
and almost metallic waves achieved by
the systematic passage of a hot iron
mathematically balanced, and sur
mounted by a geometrical coll of pre
cise proportions and definite outline
all this is now thought provincial,
prim, graceless, not to say demode.
Instead, the hair Is bundled, rolled,
twisted and looped with the appear
ance of carelessness and indefinite In
tention, high drawn here, drooping
there, now sweeping In a smooth, long,
flat stretch of shining lock, then break
ing Into a witching tendril or fascinat
ing curl. The Iron crumples up this
little spot, or a bit of brllliantine
smoothes out that, after the coiffure
is almost completed, as the exigencies
of the hair ornament or hat suggest.
No two women wear their hair alike,
save that it is done over, invariably,
for the evening In a more elaborate
fashion than for the morning. Vogue.
Old Jewelry Fashionable.
ilrlng out your old time trinkets this
summer, as they will be fashionable,
no matter how ancient they may be.
Old-fashioned necklaces will be espe
cially In favor, and those with long
pendants are preferred. One such Bet
Been recently In the east was of the
bunch-of-grapes design, and attracted
a great deal of attention, but they
were not used as earrings, but as
pendants for a necklace that was made
out of a pair of bracelets of the same
design.
Secure Pins for Large Hats.
New hatptns are shown that fasten
to the bandeau with small spikes, and
from there they run with double
prongs through the hair. These novel
ties seem to hold the hat firmly In
place, more firmly than any of their
ornate cousins, and they cannot pos
sibly do any Injury to the hat.
Fichu Frocks.
Nothing could bo more cool and
dainty for a hot summer morning than
one of the new fichu frocks that are
tlng made In such numbers for sea
ahora wear.
DRESSES
COSTUME OF GREEN CLOTH.
Model That Is Very Popular Just at
Present.
Our model Is one which Is very
much worn at present, It is made In
green cloth, with striped collar and
cuffs.
The coat is tight fitting with cut
away fronts, fastened at the bust with
one large button, the sleeves are long,
and have a plait starting a little way
from the wrist, finishing with a point
In which a button is sewn.
The skirt is composed of large in
verted plait, stitched three-quarters
of the way down, two rows of stitching
finish the foot of the skirt.
Hat of green chip, trimmed with
roses, foliage and a soft feather.
Materials required: 7 yards cloth
44 Inches wide, '2 yard silk, and 3
buttons.
A Sensible Idea.
In a certain home Is a large reading
(able and In the center of it ? fas
tened a hand-wrought mission lamp
that cost $12. It is securely fastened
to the center of the table with iron
screws and bolts underneath the table.
The owner explained that the lamp
was necessary in the room and the
children liked to play games on the
table or it was a favorite place for
study and they lived in constant dread
of a lamp being tilted until the idea of
fastening It securely to the table was
thought of.
Is Universal Panacea.
Olive oil is good for many things and
should be much used, not only at table,
but in the massaging of the body. In
the case of nervous troubles or a run
down condition of the system it may
be taken both internally and external
ly with great profit Massage with
olive oil and afterwards rub down
with a Turkish towel and the result
will soon be felt. It Is also recom
mended as good for catarrh, whether
of the throat or the stomach.
Bridge Coats.
Bridge coats and blouses of every
description are again to the fore, and
nothing can equal the smartness of
the lace coats, usually three-quarter
lenglhs, sometimes with long, hanging
points In front, and sometimes closed
up acrosa the bust; and for these gar
ments crochet Is first In favor. Eldle
weiss lace, with a design in the Greek
key pattern, Is used for the three
quarter length coats with deep gilt
fronts, ttirnlng back In the form of
vers.
f. MmW fir
ISRAEL ASKS
FOR. A KING
Sandty School Lesson lor July 5, 1908
Specially Prepared for Thii Ppr
LESSON TEXT. 1 Samuel 8:10-22. Mem
ory Venn, 19. 20.
GOLDEN TEXT. "By me kings reign
and princes decree Justice." Prov. 8:15.
TIME. Near the close of Samuel's ad
ministration. R C. 1100-1094 (Ussher).
COUNTRY. Samuel was born at Ha
ms, h, a few miles northwest of Jerusalem:
and there for the most of his life he made
the center of his administration, from
which he made a wider circuit as Judga
and as teacher of religion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The country was but little larger
than Wales, and. like it, "a land of
mountains and hills, skirted through
its whole length by the deep-lying Jor
dan valley on the east, and the harbor
less coast of the Mediterranean on the
west. The lay of the land gradually
developed different qualities, and mads
natural barriers between tribes, where
the means of communication were so
difficult and rare."
The twelve tribes were of one blood,
one religion, one language, and one
history, but there was little of the
solidarity of a nation. The social unit
was the tribe. Each tribe had its own
political organization. They were
loosely held together, and sometimes
broke out into open war.
The people were an agricultural peo
ple, untrained In the arts of war,
lovers of home and of peace. Their
wealth consisted in flocks, grain fields
and vineyards. Hence they were ex
posed to the raids of their warlike
neighbors, as the Lowlanders of Scot
land were to the forays of the High
landers. The people lived In walled
villages for safety, while their outly
ing fields, vineyards and pasture land
were exposed.
Their enemies were warlike and on
every side, always more or less hos
tile. The warlike commercial Philis
tines Hned the western shore with its
rich plains. The Amalekltes on the
6outh, and the desert tribes on the
east of the Jordan were ever seeking
whom they might devour.
The government was a kind of re
public. "The organization was at
best exceedingly primitive." Fre
quent reference is made to the "men
of the town" (as for example Judg.
9:2, 6, 23, 26, et seq.), suggesting that
most matters of public interest were
decided by a council Including all the
free men of a city.
The Transition Period. The condi
tions that tended to unity were central
ized in Samuel. Graetz' History of the
Jews, volume 1, furnishes an excel
lent account of which the following is
a summary:
1. Samuel himself, the most strik
ing figure of the nation, was in him
self a strong unifying forrce.
2. Samuel's Irresistible eloquence for
a revival of true religion found a
powerful response In many hearts.
3. He traveled the whole land, ap
pointed public meetings, and an
nounced to the multitudes the les
sons revealed to him by the spirit of
God. Year after year he called to
gether the elders of the people. At
Itamah, his residence, frequent meet
ings of the tribes took place.
4. At divine services Samuel offered
sacrifices, introducing the use of
stringed Instruments to arouse de
vout feelings, and added a new ele
ment, songs of praise. Samuel, the an
cestor of the celebrated psalmists, the
sons of Korah, was the first who com
posed songs of praise for divine
service.
5. The tribe of Judah, who, during
the entire period of the Judges had
not taken the slightest share in pub
lic events, was now driven by the in
cursions of the Philistines to unite
with the other tribes. They brought
an accession of strength and religious
activity.
6. It must be noted that Just at this
period Israel's greatest enemies, the
Phllstlnes, were transformed into a
kingdom.
V. 6. "But the thing displeased
Samuel." 1. It was the choosing of
"the second best," when "the best"
was possible to them. Hence it was
a great disappointment to Samuel.
His long life of teaching and training
had not accomplished its purpose.
They refused their high privilege of
being unlike all the nations, the chosen
pf.ple of God, the means of blessing
a'.l nations.
So Esau bartered his birthright for
a mess of pottage.
2. It was a rejection of God. V. 7.
"They have rejected me that I should
not reign over them." It is quite prob
able that they half consciously want
ed a king, because they were tired of
having their prosperity depend on
their good behavior. The leaders
God chose for them could succeed
only when the people turned to God.
But the king might not press them so
hardly, but conquer by his skill and
organizing power.
V. 19. "The people refused to obey.'
R. V., to hearken unto "the voice of
Samuel." They simply were not good
enough to have the best government.
Practical Points.-
Like the Israelites, we are tempted
to Insist on our own wills and choices.
We are apt to look too intently and
see too exclusively the evils In our
lot, as did the Israelites.
The life of faith, which relies on an
unseen arm, and hearkens to the law
of an unseen king, Is difficult, and
sense cries out for something that It
can realize and cling to.
God does the best he can for us. If
we will not accept his ideals and ac
cept the best life he has planned for
us to live, he will give us the second
best blessings.