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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S God’s presence for us by His own blood. (Heb. 9:11, 12),— Torrey. God deliver us from the artificial invocations that may have the name of Christ in them but no shed blood. If the Lamb of God is not in thqm, God does not hear them. —Echoes. Wholly unto the Lord. As the high priest of old took the blood from the brazen altar, put it on the horns of the golden altar, mingled fire and incense in his censer and swung it before the typical throne of God, so our Lord Jesus in virtue of His aton ing blood and the cleansing flame of the r Holy Spirit takes our prayers and of fers them,as sweet incense before the throne, making them acceptable unto the Father. (Rev. 5:8; 8:34).-—Halde- man. v. 10. Philistines drew near. The enemy is quick to observe danger. The return of a people to God means a re turn of power and hence the enemy would spring upon us while unprepared. — Chr. Worker’s Com. The Lord thun dered. When God’s voice rolls over human life, it is either a benediction ot infinite peace or a malediction no human force can turn aside.—-Parker. v. 11. Smote them. Natural phe nomena fought on their side. The very spot which had been the scene of de feat became the scene of glorious vic tory. (4 :1 ;' 7:12). Here is a great encouragement for us. v. 12. Samuel took a stone. The Christian should, as he passes along, set up his Ebenezers by which he will be reminded that “ hitherto hath the Lord helped me” and by which he will give all the glory of his victories to God and His Son Jesus Christ.—Sum. Bible. _ Ebenezer means “ Stone of help” . ' Helped— but only “ hitherto” for all Jehovah’s help is only “ hither to” , from day to day and from place to place, not unconditionally, nor wholly, nor once for all, irrespective of our bearing.— Edersheim. v. 13. Philistines were subdued. Why were they subdued? (1) Because Israel offered an acceptable sacrifice. (2) Because Israel had a faithful in tercessor. (3) Because the people were humble. If we would be victorious over sin, we must come to God by way of Christ’s sacrifice, seeking help from Him as our Intercessor and coming in humility of spirit.— Brooks.
A Boy Who Became a Useful Man. 1 Sam. 7:2-17. Memory Verse: “ Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him.” 1 Sam. 3:19. Approach: A few days ago I saw a very happy little boy with a very pretty new kite, and he was a real little Amer ican for his kite was red, white and blue, and he was BEGINNERS just as proud of it AND PRIMARY as could be. It was Mabel L. Merrill just an ideal day to try the new kite for the wind was in a good humor, and so pretty soon the kite was flying its colors, in, the breeze, and the little boy was so happy he was almost flying too. Just a few minutes later the same little boy was crying as though his little heart, was broken, for a sudden gust of wind had carried the kite into a tree and when he got it down it was badly torn and really did look quite a wreck. Where do you suppose this little boy went with his broken kite and his tears? Of course he went right to mother and .even though he was crying so hard you could not understand much he was say ing, yet mother knew just what the *trouble was, and it did not take her very long to make the kite as good as new with some paper and mucilage, and she went out with him and helped to get the kite up again, this time in a vacant lot where there were no trees, and pretty soon his face was all smiles again and he was very happy. I have told you this story because our Bible story today is about a man who was in trouble, and he, too, told his trouble to someone and received help. Prayer. Lesson Story: We have a story to day about a boy who became a useful man, and when I tell you that boy was given to God by his mother, and went to live in the church some of you will remember who it was. Yes, his name was Samuel, and what kind of a boy was Samuel, even as a child? He was a boy that served God faithfully and
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