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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1908-08-21, Page 75011.1249..9104,47.91********13111,1 SUN . OL L 4k44645*t**4+4444.444 LESSON VIII. -AUG. 23, xgo8. Friendship of David and Jonathan. - x Sam, 20: 1-42. Commentary. -L David's consultation with Jonathgu (vs. 1.10). To save his life David had escaped to the aged pro- phet Samuel in Ramal. Here David was placed in 'bhe school of the prophets at Naioth, a part of Rentele But Saul learned of his retreat and David was obliged to leaaea at was then that David invested to Jonathan for acisist- tance. On the day following, the festival sf the new moon was to be eelebrahc,d, teed David would be expectea to be pres- ent. But he felt that it we .dd not be safe for him to go; acxoa-din,gly, he ask- ed Jonathan to make excuses to Saul for acs absence and thus learn how Saul felt toward him. "Though David was the wnointed king to reign after Saul he had everything to fear from Soul, and there- fore concluded it better to secure him- self than no get into danger. He might Fane rallied an army to his defence, but he had not sought the kingdom, or public aotice, and he chose to trust God to bring about his :affairs in His own time and way." IL The covearant (vs. 11-23). "The pri- vate dialogue which is here detailed an Fulllength presents a most beautiful ex- hibition of these two amiable and noble - minded friends. Jonathan was led, iu the circumstances, to 1>e the chief speak- er. The strength of his attaoluuexa,t, hie pure disinterestedness, his warm piety - his invocation 'to God consisting of a prayer and a solemn oath combined -- the calm and full expleeion he gave to his conviction that his own family were by the divine will to be disinherited and David elevated to 'the possession of the throne; the oovemant entered into with David on behalf of his deaceodants, end. the imprecation (v, 16) denounced on any of them who should violate this part of the conditions; the reiteration of this covenant on both sides (v. 17) to make it indissoluble; all this indicates such a power of mutual affeetion; such meg aetic at'craetiveness in the character of David; such susceptibility and elevation of feeling in the heart of Jonathan, that this interview for dramatic interest and choral beauty is unrivalled in the records of lumen friendship." It seems clear that Jonathan expected David to occupy the throne of Israel (v. 13), and he ac- cordingly exacted a promise from him to show kindness to his posterity after his death se well as to himself daring his lifetime: "His words, like Saul's in chapter 24, 21, are prompted by a fear lest even David should conform to the barbarous Oriental custom by wihieb the first king of a new dynasty often tried to secure himself on 'the throne by mur- dering his predeoeesor's family. David fulfilled his promise by •showing kindness to adephiboshoth. See IL Sam. 9, 1-13; Bl, 7." Saul's murderous design (vs. 24.34.) Following the interview between Jona- than and David, David remained hid in the field while Jonathan returned to test hie father and find out his purpose. concerning- Daviel. Jonathan soon dis- covered that his father was very angry against David, and had determined upon his death. 30. Against Jonathan --+Saul was angry at Jonathan because he saw that he was pleading for David. Per- verse rebellious woman -To any Orient- al, nothing is so grievously insulting as a reproach, cast upon his mother. The mother herself is not held to be affront- ed in such eases, but the son who hears such words applied to her is insulted, and meant to be insulted beyond expia- tion. -Ditto. To thine own confusion. =-Saul accuses Jonathan of disgracing himsolf and his mother by choosing Da- vid as a friend. 31. As long as the son of Jesse liveth-".Saul had now fully made up his mind that David was his rival for the throne; that he was the man after God's own heart of whom Samuel had told him; and perhaps the fact that Samuel had anointed hint was now' generally known." 32. 'What hath he done -He had slain Saul's enemies and saved the kingdom; he had acted wisely. But saul's jealousy knew no bounds. Ile hated him because he was good. Seel could see .plainly that David's growing success, and how he was rising in the estimation of the peoaple. He was also convinced of his own evil conduct in public affairs. But this did not humble him before God, and he therfore became filled with envy. pride, jealousy and cruelty. These ele- ments within his heart led to every evil way. When controlled by these he was :pushed on by Satan into the most terrl- •ble excesses, without respect even to character or the most sacred obligations. He could not tell one moment what he should do the next. 33. Oast a avelin- Tt was the custom for a king always to have his spear with him. The Arabs still have the same practise. Jonathan knew -Ise had before been clisposed. to attribute his father's acts of violence toward David to his madness and the demon that at times possessed him; but now he is convinced that David's suspieions of his bloody design (v. 3.) are well founded -Terry. 34. Arose from the table --It was at the time of the new moon, or the first of the lunar month. 'The event was celebrated with special sacrifices and blowing of trunppets. ,Sed Num. 10, 10; 28, 11-15; Psa. 81,' 3. The sacrificial feast (v, 24) lasted at least two clays (v. 27); this was the second day. Had done kith shame -Saul had done Davits a great wrong by charging him with treasonable intentions. "'Phe generosity of Jonathan's character is very apparent: He did not resent the in- jury and. insult offered to himself so much as the wrong done to his friend." -,speak. Com. IV. The parting (vs. 35.42). 35, Iu the morning -Which would be the third day since David and Jonathan had made the covenant. At 'the time appointed -"To the place appointed." -.R. V., margin. Arrangements had been made so that Jonathan could inform David of Sau1's designs without making a personal inter- view between ahem necessary (vs. 19-22), as it might be hazardous to both of them to attempt to meet again. David was to hide by the stone Ezel (v. 19), a place evidently well known to Jonathan and David but unknown to us. A little land with him --Jonathan proceeds to car- ry out the plan which had been prear- ranged, whereby Dasid was warned to flee, 40. Artillery -'that is, his bow and arrows. Go...to the city -The laud was sent bark to Gibeah. 41. David arose - Seeing no one near David came from his hiding place to meet Jonathan. Bowed himself -When an Oriental meets a sup- erior down and touches his forehead to the ground. This net on the part of Dav- id was a token of reverence and loyalty. David exceeded ---".Che separation of two such faithful friends was equally griev- ous to them both, but David's case was the more deplorable, for when Jonathan was returning to his family and friends, Devitt was leaving all his comforts, even those of God's sanctuary, and therefore his grief exceeded Jonathan's." 42. Go in peace -It was kindness in Jonathan to bid David depart, since hie life was in such danger. They refer- red to elm covenant they had made with each other, to be faithful and kind to each other from generation to genera- tion. They found some comfort in this way in the mournful separation. He arose and departed -"Nothing can be conceived more pathetic than this part- ing; and we do not find that they met more than once Snore in this world." Questions. -Where had David fled for safety! Who was Jonathan? Why did David go to him for assistance? Whetwas the covenant that Jonathan and David mace? What were sonic of the evi- dences of Jonathan's love foe David? What took place at the time of the new moon? What did David purpose doing? What sign was agreed upon? What did Jonathan, learn as to his father's pur- pose concerning David ? What did Jon- athan do? Describe the parting of these tivo friends. Teachings -Those who are thoroughly honest and upright in all their doings are glad to call God as as witness. True love is self-denying and self-sacrificing; it stands by in the midst of adversity and trial as well as in times of prosper- ity and blessing. We should always be ready to assist those in trouble; favors shown at such times will never be for- gotten. It is right to protect our lives, to avoid danger and to guard ourselves against those who might seek to do us injury. The Lord is with those who trust in him to protect and sustain them in the hour of darkness and danger. Thoughts -Because Saul did not hum- ble himself before God, he betaine a prey to envy, pride, jealousy, cruelty and every malevolent temper. David might have raised a powerful party in Israel, but as God had called him to the kingdom he chose to let God bring him to it in his own way. God's way and time are always best. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. The love of David and Jonathan is a type of the friendship between Christ and his own. "I will shew it thee" (v. 13). Friends tell their secrete to each other. It was to Abraham "the friend of God" (Jas• 2:23), that "the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that things which I do?" (Gen. 18:17). "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant" (Psa. 25:14). To Enoch, who walked with him, he 1.e - waled the prophecy of his coming with ten thousand of his saints (Gen, 5:22; Jude 144. To Noah, a just man and up- right in his generations, lie revealed the approaching deluge (Gen. Ct:9; 7:1). Only Joseph, the young man of purity, could tell of the coming famine (Ge 41:16). To "Moses alone," the man of God, faithful in all his house, God whis- pered the seereits of the tabernacle (Exod. 23:2, 12; Beb. 3:2, 5). Only Daniel, the "greatly beloved," could read the handwriting on the wall (Dan. 2:28.30; 9:23).; To John, leaning on his bosons, he told who should betray him (John 13:25). "Jonathan made a covenant with Da- vid" (v. 16.) Jonathan was true to Da- vid, though it cost him his life. About two hundred years ago, during the aw- ful persecution among the Scotch Coven- anters, two women were tied fast to a stake out in the breakers on the sands of Solway Frith. Groups of weeping spectators watched them silently and prayed God to help thexlx. Margaret Wilson, the younger, near the shore, looked calmly out to where her compan- ion stood gasping for breath in the death struggle. "What see you yon- der?" her tormentors asked her. With a faith that was bold and a hope that was bright, she said, "I see Christ suf- fering 1n one of his own members. Think ye that we are the only sufferers? No, it is Christ in us. He sends none on a warfare at their own charges," Then she .repeated the words, "Who s hall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?' 4 it a written, k'or thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us, Far I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is le Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8; 35-39,) As she finished and began to pray the waves went over her. Her persecutors held her ,up and made ono more effort to get leer to deny her Lord„ But she would not. A voice from the crowd called out, "Dear Margaret, say, 'God save the king.'" But oho answer- ed, "I will not. I am one of Christ's children, Let me go." One of the sol- diers let her down and held her head un- der water until life was extinct. The brave ehampiou was with her Lord. He loved lam as he loved his own soul" (v. 17.) Jonathan may love Da- vid with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, but David will love Jonathan better (v, 41.) And Jonathan may appreciate David's lave intensely, but David appreciates Jonathan's more. Our David loved us first l l John 4, 10.) He loves us most (John 15, 13; Rom. 5,. 8, 10. FIe appreciates our love to him infinitely more than we can his love 'to us. If we say to our Beloved, "Thy love is better than wine" (5, of S. 1; 2), lie will answer us, "Flow much better is thy love than wine" (4; IO). "The Lord be between me and. thee( (v. 42.) Reciprocity is the joy of love. In the sweetest friendships the attac:'h- ment is wholly mutual. On one of the bridges of Ghent, in Flanders, are two bronze statues of a father and son; er- ected in memory of their mutual affec- tion. They were both condemned to clie by the headsman's axe for sone politi- cal offense, but so greatly were they es- teemed that no man could be found vino would act as their headsman, A strange proposition was made that one should have his life by becoming the executioner of the other.' The father urged the son to accept the terms, as his life must end soon, and the son had a long life of usefulness before him. The day came. Calmly the father knelt, placed his neck on the weed and waited for the fatal stroke. The on, with pile face and trembling hand, raised the axe in the air. Then he fiune the deadly weapon from his hand anti fell upon the bared neck of his father and truest into tears, exclaiming: "No, no, my fa- ther, we die together." The crowd gave vent to their admiration in the wildest applause and demanded their pardon, which was granted, and an artist mired a monument of their mutual affection. A. C. M. FRUIT MEN :11APpy0 This Season the Ls$Xep; in Niagara District„ St. Catharines, Aug. 17. ---There seems to be a feeling of satisfaction among the local fruit growers -connected with the St. Catharines Cold Storage and Forwarding Company that this will be the best year in the company's history. Even now the cold storage presents a very busy sight every afternoon, and during last week no less than eight car- loads ea fruit were shipped to Winnipeg and other western centres. The growers are rejoicing in the fact that they are not shipping to commission men. This year there are several buyers in this city who represent a number of the leading fruit men in the larger cities of western Canada, and they buy the fruit in this city and it is packed and shipped direct to the merchants, and does not have to pass through any other hands in shipment. It is thought that in this way the fruit will reach the merchants in quicker time and in better condition, and will, as a result, produce even a bet- ter reputation for Niagara district fruit among the buyers of the west. The shipments at present are confined wholly to tomatoes, apples and pears, but the storage company expects to be unusually busy when the oilier fruits are in a condition for shipment. BLACK AND WHITE BY TURNS. Negress Whose Color Has Changed Five Times Darkening Again. Indianapolis, Aug. 17. -Mrs. America Massey, of this city, apparently is uaier- going a third ex-aage from white to h]aek. She is a negress by birth, :laving been born a slave in Bowling Green, Ky., in 1849, and living there till leen, when she came to Indiana. In 183.4 the began to turn white, and in two yea's the transformation was comet:ea By 1888 she was black again, the return to her original color being more rapid than the change from black to white. Shortly after this she began to change again, and soon become as whit, as Ito whites by whom she was serrcunded. but early in the '90's she agate tureen dark. When she came here, in 1806, she was becoming white very rapidly, and the tra.nsformation has remained till within the past few days, when two dark spots appeared on one side of her face and ono on the other side. She recognized these as the forerunner of another change. She says the changes have brought her no discomfort, whatever, save slight itching sensations, tivhich never are of long duration. She Is In perfect health, and says she is ready for the coming transformation, whenever it deems, as she does not care what color she is. WITH Soya GREAT NEBRASKA -WYOMING IRRI- GATION SYSTEM. Mormon Trail Fades -Sunflowers for Guidance of Saints Disappearing Be- fore Wheaten Harvest Tide. Omaha, Aug. 17, -After five years of hard labor and the spending of a mint of money the stupendous irrigation works wiiieh the Government has been installing in western Nebraska and Wy- oming have been finished, and the snow water which the hot August sun 1s bringing down from the mountains in torrents is being conserved in the im- mense reservoirs instead of being allow- ed to rush down the Platte River and through the Missouri on into the Lower Mississippi to inundate that portion of the country at a tremendous loss to the people. 'This is the first practical trial of the Government irrigation works and the officials of the ltcukixnation Bureau are watelxing the result with a g> eat deal of anxiety, as en that result will hang the future actions of this branch of the national Government. The irrigation works on the eastern slope of the Reeky Mountains are in- tended for a two -fold purpose. (Inc of these is to irrigate a semi -arid country; the other is to so hem up the flood waters when the summer sun has start- ed the mountain .naw to melting that no damage will result to the country along the lower and more level stretches of the great rivers, the water being held in check when in flood and gradually re. leased when the land is dry and baked under the prairie sun and wind. The work which has just been finished and the reservoir, which are just now filling up with the straw water, has been done on the famous Pathfinder system, the dam tieing located in a deep gorge of the Reeky :Mountains through which the North Platte P.iver ',lunges. In this gorge at dam costing $1,000,000 was built and the water back, up 25 miles through the mountains. The great reservoir holds 1,0.00,OG0 acme -feet of water --that is, enough water to cover 1,00000 acres of land one foot deep. Contrary to the general idea, the Gov. ernment is not constructing this great work, nor any other of the western ir- rigation systems, for the free use of the owners of the lands through which the mutate flow. The reclamation serviee is self-supporting, and every cent spent by the service is repaid to the Government by the owners of benefited lands. The original appropriation for the North Platte project -the project just finished -was from money received from the sale of public lands and it will be repaid to the national treasury by those who enjoy the frnits of the irrigation it af- fords. Each acre of land under this project, whether privately owned or homesteaded. must pay the Government $35 for the perpetual irrigation right in ten equal instalments without inter- est. Thus the Government will, in the course of ten years, recover every Dent it spent 011 the project. Land which, without irrigation, was worth next to nothing is converted into land worth from $90 to $]00 an acre. The habitable farm area of the country is increased by hundreds of thousands of acres, and as fast as the money is paid bade into the national treasury it is reappropriatcd for the use of another irrigation system- and the same fund is used over avid over again. So the reclamation service is entirely self-sus- taining. The North Platte Valley, which the Pathfinder dam and reservoirs irrigate, is from 5 to 25 miles wide and already water is taken from the river in suf- ficient quantities to irrigate 250;000 acres in the valley. But the Govern- ment project takes no water from the river. It utilizes simply the flood water and does not diminish the regular flow of -the river, Along the valley for hundreds of miles there is a line of sunflowers --the mark- ing poste of the old Mormon trail. These sunflowers are said to have been plant- ed by order of Brigham Young himself, so that the pilgrims ene route to Salt Lake City might not go astray. Later the same trail and the same sign was used by the "Forty-niners" en route to California and the land of gold. And in the days before the Mormons the old Oregon trail followed the course along which the saints planted their sunflow- ers years afterward. But now that the reclamation service has turned the water into the ditches, the sunflowers are disappearing before the wheat and potatoes and the sugar heath, and the land which formerly grew only sage brush, coyotes and rat- tlesnakes now blossoms like the rose under the caress of the water and the sun. d da GAVE FIRE ALARM IN SLEEP. Aged Man's Outcry Proved a True Warning. Johnstown, Pa., Aug, 17. -The evener- able fathee of J'a.cob H. Bears, of Mil- ford township, had a genuine nightmare at all early hour this morning, in the course of which he dreamed that the Bearl summer house was on fire. His cries awakened th.' son, and on hearing the cause of the latter's demonstration he proceeded) to uaake an investigation. The sumnor hoarse was found to be all right, but a short distance away kh4 Bearl sawmill, cider press and apple butter factory were in flames. The bast that Bearl and his neighbors could do was to lend their efforts in saving the adjoining buildings. The loss is 1'1 the neighboslleod of $4,000, with no insur- ance. . • TORONTO' MARKETS. Farnners' Markets. • The receipts of grain oantinuc snaaale Oats st.eedy, with salve of 10(} btieuelxs • of old nt 52c. Hay firmer, with sales of 15 loads at $15 to $10 a can for oat arr.rl at $12 to $13 fee new. btrxaw hese : ser three loads sellieg at $il tj $1:e .¢a the Dressed hogs are steady.'Melee light- weights sold- at $9.50 to $9.75, and, hese' at ;+9.25. Wheat, old, bush. '... ..$ 0 811 $ 0 83 Do., new, bush .. .. .. 0 84 t) ens Oats, bush. 0 52 0 00 Barley, bush.... .. .. 0 53 0 55 Peas, bust:,. ... .. .. :. 0 75 0 00 Hay, old; tun .. .. .. •15 01) 10 01) Do., new; ton . , . 12 00 13 0)0 Straw, per ton ... 11 01) 12 ate Dressed 'loge .. .. ... 9 25 . 'J Ib. !Butter, dairy ....... 0 23 0 ate Do., creamery .. .. 0 26 0 cafe •Inggs, doz. ... ..... • 0 23 0 r?5; (luickens, spring, dressed, lb 0 25 1? Chickens, spring, dee,-used, lb . .. •. .. .. 0 15 0 17 Fowl, per 1b. . .. .. 0 10 0 la Ducks, spring, lb. ... 0 12 0 14 Onions, per bag .. .. 1 25 1 40. Cabbage, per dozen .. 0 25 t) 0 Potatoes, per bush. .. ..0 85 1 10. Beef, hindquarters .. 9 50 11 In .Do., forequarters . , 5 50 41 5U Do., choice, carcase 8 00. I) UO 1)o., medium, carease 0 50 7 50 Mutton, per ewt, .. 7 00 9 UO. Veal, prime, per cwt. - 7 50 i; UlJ • Lamb, spring, per cwt. , 0 11 0 12 Sugar Market. St. Lawrence sugars are quoted as follows: granulated, $4.00e in barrels, .and No. 1 golden, 4.50 in barrels. These prices are tar delivery; ear lusts ea leee. Live Stock. Receipts of live stock at the City Mar- ket to-aa.y, as reported by the railways, were ti3 carloads, cump>oaed of 1,285 Bat- tle, 812 huge, 2,017 sheep and lambs and 190 calves. Uutaide of about three loads of cattle whic}1 were fairly good quality, the bal- ance were of inierror, common and med- ium classes. :trade was slow, with prices tendieg , downward, especially fur butchers' cont - nlon cu via, of whreh there a ere a, heap nurnber that ran Little flesh or fat on. them. This latter class al COWS were slow fo ewe. Exporters -There were no loads of ex- paruss repoeted es being on sale, but had there even they would no doubt have sold at about the same prieee LIS on Monday. 13uteheres-The best. leads o11 the mar- ket were bought by George Rowntree for - the Harris .e.oattoir at 04.75 per cwt.;. medium to good sold ill,, $3.75 to. $4-25e. cows, $2.50 to $4. Feeders and Stuckers-There were sev- eral lots of stocker with xc very few feeders on sale. Prices were reported at $2.76 to )hi.25; feeders, $3.40 to *3.75 per ewt. Milkers and Springers -There wan .a. good market for choice milkers and•. springers that will come in about i.: month or six weeks. Prices ranged from, $30 to. $60 each, but only one was re- ported at the latter price. The best mews averaged about $45 to $48 each. Veal Calves -Prices were fairly stems' at $3 to $6 per cwt. Sheep and Lambs -Export ewes sold'. at $3.75 to. $4.15 per cwt.; rams, 83 tea• $3.26 per cwt.; yearling ewes and weth- ere, x$4.25 to $4.50; lambs, $5.50 to $6.25 per cwt., with a few selected lots at $6.35 to $6.40. Hogs -Mr. Harris reported selects er $6.65 and lights at 86.40 per cwt. Baled Hay and Straw. The market is strong on a good do- mestic demand, which is sufficient of It- self to absorb almost all the hay that is offering at present, as little is cormre, forward Baled straw is dull. No new straw has been offering yet, but some of it is expected to be put in bales this week. Hay Timothy is quoted at $9 to $10, in ear lots, on track here, with No, 2 at $0.50 to $7. Straw-l'rices range from $6 to $7 peat.' ton in car lots here. OTHER MARKETS. Winnipeg Wheat Market. Following are the closing quotations,- on uotations,on Winnipeg grain futures: Wheat -August $1.06 3-4 bid, October. 93 3-4c bid, December 29 3 -Sc bid. Oats -August 43e asked, October, 39 1-4c bid. Montreal Stock Market. Montra,el, About 1,000 head of hurt - there' cattle, 80 milch cows, 150 calve*„ 800 sheep and lambs, and 150 fat hon wore offeaecl for sale at the East End. Abattoir to -day. 113,e supply of cattle being more than double the requirement of trade caused an exceedingly slow trade, and large numbers were held over for next week's tuarkct. 'Mone of tixe sales exceeded 5e per lb., and only a few brought over 41 1-2c, and from that dawn to less 'than 2 1-2e for the leaner stock. Mileh cows cold at from $`25 to $50 earls. Calves sold at from $3 to $10 each. Ship- pers paid 45 per lb. for good, Iarge sheep. Lambs sold at from $3 to $5 each. Goad lots of fat hogs sold at about 7c per .til,. New York Sugar Market. Sugar -Raw, easy; refined, quiet; .oezt- trifugal, 90 test, 4:O8c; molasses sugar, 3,28 to 3.33e. British Cattle Markets. Landon. -London cables for cattle aro steady at 11 1.2 to 14c per pound, dreased weight; refrigerator noel is quoted s 101.4 to 101.2c per pound.