图书图片
PDF
ePub

vigorous measures were used to keep them from getting any fresh weapons. So abject were the oppressed, and so politic were the oppressors, that every man who followed the occupation of a smith was either put to death, or removed to a distance. The roar of the forge, and the ring of the hammer and the anvil, became sounds unknown in Israel ; and any Jew who wanted implements for tilling the land or reaping his corn, had to go to the Philistines for them. A file was the only tool the Jew was allowed to have ; and when his ploughshare or his axe required more sharpening than the file could give it, he had to take it down to his despotic masters, that with their leave, and by their smiths, it might be made fit to use. This degradation was put upon the Israelites, not only as a sign of their subjection, but also to keep them so destitute of warlike weapons that it would be impossible for them to regain their freedom on the field of battle. “Now, there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel ; for the Philistines said, “ Lest the Hebrews make them swords and spears.” (1 Sam. xiii. 19.)

This cruel policy was so successful, that on one occasion there were only two swords or spears possessed by the whole Jewish army. Saul and Jonathan had them, but all the rest of the people had to use such cumbrous and clumsy weapons as unskilled hands could make without fire or hammer. Necessity has always been the mother of invention, and we may be certain that when iron weapons were denied to the Hebrews their skill was largely developed in other directions. The youth of the land could not practise sword exercise or learn to poise the spear, and therefore they would be driven to make themselves masters of other methods of defence and assault. Before this period, the Benjamites had become famous for their skill in slinging, for “among all this people were seven hundred chosen men left-handed ; every one could sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss.” (Judges xx. 16.) When all edged weapons were taken from them, the people would be sure to turn again to those in whose use their fathers had been so renowned, and practice would again make perfect. Slings could be made without forge or anvil, and smooth stones from the brook need not be carried to the Philistine smiths to be sharpened. These facts will satisfactorily account for David's great skill in slinging—a skill which probably he would not have possessed if the Philistines had not driven him to acquire it by denying to him all the more common and convenient implements of war. The closer encounter, which the use of swords would have made nécessary, would have put David to a great disadvantage; and it was well for him he was expert with a weapon which could be used at a distance, so as to prevent Goliath availing himsel fof his inferior stature and strength. Thus the issue proved that the Philistines laid the foundations of their own defeat when they took all swords and spears from the Israelites, and compelled them to try other means of accomplishing their deliverance. The foes of God's people meant it for evil, but God overruled it for good. He brought blessing out of the curse, and made the wrath of man to praise Him. Facts like these confirm the promise that He can make all things work together for good,

David's skill with the sling would have failed to gain the victory if it had been divorced from faith in God. It was his trust in the Lord which gave such calmness to his soul, as surely it was the calmness of his soul which helped to make his arm so steady and his aim so sure. His faith, however, was not a fanatical faith, which violates reason and neglects the most appropriate means. When he refused to wear Saul's armour, he proved his common sense as much as he displayed his confidence in God. His determination to use the sling to which he was accustomed, and not the sword which was strange to him, was the most expedient thing he could do, and, humanly speaking, his only hope of success. A piety like David's will always be careful “ to keep the powder dry,” as well as "put trust in God." The faith of David was also associated with experience as well as with reason. He remembered past mercies, and thereby encouraged his heart to rest in Him who is ever the same. This was one recompense of his gratitude. He who forgets former deliverances deprives his faith of future nourishment. Faith always walks with firmer step when she leans upon the arm of a grateful memory; those who pass along the road of life, and raise no memorials of God's goodness, not only rob Him of his glory, but also wrong their own souls. When the greater trials come, how can they sing that sweet song of an untroubled spirit

“Each sweet Ebenézer I have in review,

Confirms his good pleasure to help me quite through."

THE MAN WITH A HOPE; OR, SIXPENCE A WEEK.

MR. CHARLES SIMER was one of having accumulated a fortune, hé the wealthiest inhabitants of the town determined, as he said, to rest for the of — Far over many a hillock remainder of his life. He lived on and valley stretched his farm, on his farm, and took a general overwhich the sun seemed to shine, and sight of its affairs; but hard, outthe rains and dews seemed to fall, door work he seldom performed now. as though Mr. Simer's acres were And when people wondered that a their especial favourites. No land man of his reputed love for money, was allowed to go to waste, no love for getting as well as for keeping fences were suffered to remain un it should cease to work at his time repaired, no leaky roofs were to be of life, it only showed that some found on all Mr. Simer's premises. persons did not know what others And if here and there was to be seen did, that Mr. Simer was too wise to what might be called patchwork, sweat in the harvest field, when he where one would think that he might, could make money just as fast with without loss, have laid out a trifle less labour. The fact is, that he had more of expense, it was only anoher learned that money itself can be proof of Mr. Simer'seconomy.

invested in stocks, bonds, and mortMr. Simer had worked hard all his gages, and many a speculating days—that is, up to the time of which scheme, and double, yes, treble, we are at present speaking, when he | itself, very speedily. was turned of fifty-five. And now, Mr. Charles Simer professed to be

vigorous measures were used to keep them from getting any tresa weapons. So abject were the oppressed, and so politic were the oppressors, that every man who followed the occupation of a smith was either put to death, or removed to a distance. The roar of the forge, and the ring of the bammer and the anvil, became sounds unknown in Israel; and any Jew who wanted implements for tilling the land or reaping his corn, had to go to the Philistines for them. A file was the only tool the Jew was allowed to have ; and when his ploughshare or his axe required more sharpening than the file could give it, he had to take it down to his despotic masters, that with their leave, and by their smiths, it might be made fit to use. This degradation was put upon the Israelites, not only as a sign of their subjection, but also to keep them so destitute of warlike weapons that it would be impossible for them to regain their freedom on the field of battle. “Now, there was no smith found throughout the land of Israel ; for the Philistines said, “ Lest the Hebrews make them swords and spears.” (1 Sam. xiii. 19.)

This cruel policy was so successful, that on one occasion there were only two swords or spears possessed by the whole Jewish army. Saul and Jonathan had them, but all the rest of the people had to use such cumbrous and clumsy weapons as unskilled hands could make without fire or hammer. Necessity has always been the mother of invention, and we may be certain that when iron weapons were denied to the Hebrews their skill was largely developed in other directions. The youth of the land could not practise sword exercise or learn to poise the spear, and therefore they would be driven to make themselves masters of other methods of defence and assault. Before this period, the Benjamites had become famous for their skill in slinging, for “among all this people were seven hundred chosen men left-handed ; every one could sling stones at an hair-breadth, and not miss.” (Judges xx. 16.) When all edged weapons were taken from them, the people would be sure to turn again to those in whose use their fathers had been so renowned, and practice would again make perfect. Slings could be made without forge or anvil, and smooth stones from the brook need not be carried to the Philjer Zaiths to be sharpened. These facts will satisfactorily account for skill in slinging—a skill which probably he would not hav the Philistines had not driven him to acquire it by den the more common and convenient implements of encounter, which the use of swords would have mad have put David to a great disadvantage; and it was expert with a weapon which could be used at a dist: Goliath availing himsel fof his inferior stature a issue proved that the Philistines laid the defeat when they took all swords and compelled them to try other means The foes of God's people meant it good. He brought blessing out of to praise Him. Facts like these all things work together for goo

[graphic]
[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

a religious man. He had morning | done for us, how little Christians wer and evening prayers in his family; | doing for his cause-how much mu: he went to church regularly; and, be done for the missionaries wh for aught that is known to the con were already in the field—and hou trary, was not neglectful of secret | many more missionaries ought to b prayer. I do not now recollect his provided for. The subject was pre over having done much in a chari sented in several points of view,which table way; but I will not deny that were new to Mr. Simer, and many he was benevolent, especially since I others of the congregation. Th know it has been said in the neigh-' | discourse closed with an earnes bourhood of C- , that Mr. Charles appeal to each and all, to go hom Simer sometimes “ gave something." and think of the subject in thei But as I shall have more to say about closets, and make up their minds to his giving, I may as well state at give liberally-how much, or wha once, that if it had not been for this proportion, Mr. Welsed did not say one requirement of Christianity-to except that it should be “ as God had give to the poor-give to the support prospered them,” and that “no of the gospel, in a thousand different grudgingly, for God loveth a cheerful ways—had it not been, I say, for this giver. one requirement of our religion, Mr. Although the preacher several Simer might have passed among men times touched Mr. Simer where he for one of “the salt of the earth.” felt rather sore, yet he was not ofBut here was Mr. Charles Simer's fended; on the whole he felt pleased, failing-he loved money. True, he and at once formed the resolve to loved his family-he thought he truly think upon the subject, decide, and loved his God, his neighbour, his act at once. He accordingly, after a Bible-but, with all that, he still hearty supper, entered his room, loved money. Perhaps he had not determined to weigh the whole matbeen properly educated. Perhaps ter, and do what, according to the the duty of making use of his money, best of his understanding and knowas well as of his example, his in ledge, was his duty. He called to fluence in the service of God, had mind his many, many expenses. never been presented to him in a Besides the ordinary expenses of a proper light. In fact, as there are good-sized family, there was one son 80 many Christians just like Mr. in college, another at an expensive Charles Simer, it is not necessary to school preparing for college, one apologise for him any further. daughter at another school, another

It so happened that one Sunday son and daughter just beginning to the very eloquent Rev. Mr. Welsed make demands upon his purse. preached a most powerful sermon | Then there were the ordinary losses from the text, “ On the first day of to which every large farmer is subthe week, let every one of you lay by | ject; stock would die, fences would him in store, as God hath prospered į be blown down, neighbours' cattle him.” He said that he was about to would trespass. Then there were introduce the practice of having an losses in money, bad debts, mistaken annual collection for missions—the | calculations, and a thousand items first one to be made one year from rose up before him, until soon Mr. that day. In the meantime, he Charles Simer began to feel himself, wished all the congregation to “lay after all, a poor man. And then he by them in store” a certain sum | had done, and was then doing,"someweekly, and to bring the amount of thing” for the cause of Christ. To the whole to churchjust one year from be sure the old church had been that date. The appeal was a strong built in his boyhood. The pow he one; he showed how much Christ had l occupied had fallen into his hands by

« 上一页继续 »