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page in his history, the black sin from which he suffered such terrible consequences. And yet even this has been overruled by our gracious God to the blessing of countless thousands; for what comfort have sinful, but truly penitent souls (like David) drawn from the words which grew out of this experience, Psalms 32 and 51! M A Shepherd Boy Becomes King. 1 Samuel 16:1-13. Memory Verse.—“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psa. 23:1. Approach.—Now this morning I am going to mention a name, and see how many can tell me something about him. Mr. Warren G. Harding. My! Just see all hands are up,, so, you are real patriotic Americans. Earl you tell us what you know about Mr. Harding. Yes, he ELEMENTARY was president of the United States, and Mabel L. Merrill while on a trip over the country, and speaking many times in the different cities, became ill and died.- We all loved president Har ding for he was a Christian man who-loved God, and made a noble president for our country. He did his work well as a hoy, working hard in a printer’s shop. From a print er’s boy to President—that is the story of the life of War ren G. Harding. His life is another example of how a boy in a humbel home may rise to the highest position with which his country can honor him. Prayer. Lesson Story—The good old prophet Samuel went to see a king one day and heard some sheep bleating and cattle lowing. Oliver can you tell us the rest of the story? King Saul disobeyed God, and so he could not be trusted to be king over God’s people, so God told Samuel to go to the City of Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, and should anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be king. But Samuel an swered, “How can I go? for if Saul hear of it he will kill me. Then the Lord said that Samuel should take an heifer (young cow) to offer up as a sacrifice. Afterward, the Lord told him, he would show him what to do. And Samuel did as he was commanded. He came to Bethlehem and made ready the sacrifice, and invited Jesse and his sons to come to it. When they came, Samuel thought that Jesse s oldest son was the one whom the Lord had chosen for king. But the Lord told him he was not the one. Then JesSe called another, but the Lord did not choose him. And Jesse caused seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said, “The Lord has chosen none of these.” Then Samuel asked, “Are these all thy children?” Jesse answered, “There is yet one left, the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel asked for this one, and they sent and brought him. Now he had been out in the field, and his cheeks were red and his face was beautiful to look upon. The Lord told Samuel to arise and anoint him to be the next king.” You see if Samuel had anointed the one he thought was the one, he would have made a mistake, but he obeyed God, and did as ^He commanded. We are always playing safe when we do the things God has asked us to do in His Word. David was the name of the ted whom God had chosen to be King instead of Saul, and he was out in the field caring for his father’s sheep. He was a fine shepherd boy and did his work so well and faithfully, that God knew he would make a good king. \ Like our late President Harding, he was faithful in his work as a boy, and the way to promotion is to do well the work at home and school, whatever it may be. The sheep who stay close to their shepherd and follow him, are always safe and well cared for. David was only a boy but he loved the Lord and obeyed Him. Later in
life David wrotG the words of our memory verse. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Is the Lord your shepherd? Closing Prayer.
MARCH 23, 1024 THE REIGN OF SOLOMON Golden Text: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” Prov. 1:7. Lesson Text: 2 Chron. 1:7-12; 1 Ki. 11:6-11. Read 1 Kings Chs. 3-11; 2 Chron. Ch. 1. Solomon’s name was given him by his mother and re ceived Divine sanction although Nathan, the prophet by Divine command, called him Jedidiah, “Beloved of the Lord,” perhaps as an assurance to David that his sin had been put away. LESSON Solomon had great and rare gifts. In EXPOSITION answer to his prayer for wisdom, God gave E. W. Farr him an intuitive mind that grasped the great problems of life accompanied with keenness of observation and reflection. He was the wisest man of his time and of all time. He was botanist, zoolo gist, architect, poet and philosopher. He inherited a great empire and his crowning work was the building of its glori ous temple. It was a reproduction of the tabernacle, only twice as large, in marble and gold. It was located on Mt. Moriah famed as the place of Abrahamic testing. It faced the east and from foundation to top the front was covered with plates of gold. When the morning sun shpne upon it, a spectator standing on the Mount of Olives opposite had to shade his eyes on account of its dazzling glory. Solomon’s character presents many contradictions. He climbed the heights of wisdom and souiided the depths of folly. He had a wonderful opportunity but he let the chance go by unimproved. He was corrupted with his court by the practice of Polygamy. Heathen customs were brought in and idolatrous shrines surrounded the sacred temple of Jehovah. Seduced by the multitude of his heathen wives his sun goes down in dark clouds. To the frequent ques tion, “Was Solomon saved?” there is no certain answer. To be sure, he had Nathan for his tutor and mentor but Nero had Seneca. Knowing duty and doing duty are dif ferent things. Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple has been eulogized as a marvel of state-craft and spirituality, but it sounds more like Nathan than like Solo mon. It is possible that Nathan composed it though Solo mon offered it. The writings of Solomon are more philosophical than penitential. This fatal lack is often noted. There is no paschal lamb or young pigeon or bitter herbs among all the beasts, birds and plants of which he spake, all is vanity and vexation of spirit without a day of atonement and an appointed sacrifice for sin. There is ennui and discontent and self-loathing and remorse. There is the sorrow of the world that worketh death but there is no hint of the sorrow for sin and repentance unto life that needeth not to be re pented of. The dreams of youth at Gibeon are of no avail if mocked and contradicted by a wasted and a misspent life. Solomon might have been a great missionary. The queen of Sheba came from a far-off land to behold his glory and confessed after seeing it that it was of God. He might have spread the knowledge of the true God throughout the world but his failure was as colossal as his greatness. Opportunity de termines responsibility and this makes failure so tragic. There is failure everywhere in human history. God says, “I sought for a man that should make up the hedge and
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