THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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(2) When Samuel preached repentance and Israel practiced It, their hearts were prepared for a revival. (3) When the heart is poured out in penitence, the grace of God is poured in in plenitude. (4) Idols are the evil things to which the heart clings. (5) When we deliver ourselves unto God, then God will deliver from the power of the enemy. (6) Satan hinders sinners from coming to the Lord, and hinders saints from confessing the Lord. (7) God heard and answered prayer, and put to flight and punished the Philistines. (8) The “ Stone of Help” is set up to remind us that the foundation of our help is firmly fixed upon a Rock. Power within gives victory. The automobilist sat disconsonately in his car by the side of the road. “ She won’t go,” he ex- LESSON plained to the ILLUSTRATION'S crowd that soon W. II. Pike gathered. “ Battery played out,” senten- tiously remarked a knowing individual. “ Piston broken,” suggested a second of the same type. “Needs paint,” hinted a jocular chap; “ ashamed to go any far ther.” “What you ought to do, .sir,” said a businesslike man, pushing his way forward, “ is to get a new car. Now I am willing to take your old ma chine in part trade for a Riverton Rapid twelve-cylinder sixty-horsepower, seven- passenger, self-starter— ” Just theta the other automobilist came up with a quart of gasoline which he poured into the tank, and the car moved away swiftly, leaving the group of spectators with their mouths open. How often is this true in life. The fel low without the polish of culture, the fellow without the university training
often “ produces the goods,” brings things to pass for God and men, sees the need and fulfills it because he is like Samuel in touch with divine power. Leave your troubles to God’s power. Masseira, one of Napoleon’s generals, suddenly appeared, with eighteen thou sand men, before an Austrian ' town which had no means of defense. The town council had nearly decided to sur render when the old dean of the church reminded them that it was Easter, and begged them to hold services as usual and to leave the trouble in God’s hands. This they did; and the French, hearing the church bells ringing joyfully, con cluded that an Austrian army had come to relieve the place, and quickly broke camp. Commit your troubles to God. Ring your bells of joy and worship, and watch God win the victory. “ Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” Lieut. Shackleton, describing his ex pedition to the South Pole, says: “ Over and over again there were times when no mortal leadership could have availed us. It was during these periods that we learned that some Power be yond our own guided our footsteps. If we acknowledged this— as we did— down among the ice, it is only fitting that we should remember it now, when the same Power has brought us safe home through all these troubles and dangers.” Golden Text illustration. An old minister was asked if he would recommend young Christians to do something for the Master and he re plied, “ No, I would not.” “ Then what would you do?” “ I would recommend them to do all things for the Master,” he quietly replied. “What a mighty engine that is,” was remarked as one of the huge new loco motives rushed past. “ Yes, when it is on the rails,” was the stationmaster’s re ply. On the rails—power. Off the rails — destruction. Remember no man liveth unto himself. Rom. 14:7.
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