Newspapers / The Chatham Record (Pittsboro, … / June 2, 1915, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE CHATHAM RECORD HL A. London EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR Terms of Subscription $1.50 PER YEAR Strictly in Advance THE CHATHAM RECORD Rates of Advertising One Square, one insertion - - $1.00 One Square, two insertions - $1.50 One Square, one month - - $2.50 For Larger Advertisements Liberal Contracts will be made. y v-v- v VOL. XXXVII. PITTSBORO, CHATHAM COUNTY, N. C , JUNE 2, 1915. NO. 43. f J ( -Mi m m Jls JP Ik GERMAN REPLY EXPRESS FINAL DECI JOTE IN REPLY TO AMERICAN DEMANDS EVADE THE MAIN QUESTION. ACTING IN SELF - DEFENSE Reasons For Sinking Lusiatania and Other Ships. Tone of Reply is ' Friendly Throughout. Berlin. Germany withholds its final decision on the demands advanced by the United States Government in con nection with the sinking of the Lusi tania, until the receipt of an answer from the United States, to the note -which Herr von Jagow, the Foreign Minister, has delivered to Ambassador Gerard in reply to the American note received by the German Government on May 15. In its reply the German Government declares that it is not its intention to submit neutral ships in tne war zone, which are guilty of no hostile acts, to attacks by submarine or aeroplanes, that it is investigating the circum stances in connection with the attacks on the American steamers Cushing and Gulflight and that in all cases where neutral vessels, through no fault of their own have been dam aged, Germany will pay indemnifica tion. The reply urges that in the case of the Lusitania, which Germany alleges, was armed and carried large stores of war munitions "it acted in justified self-defense in seeking with all the means of warfare at its disposition to protect the lives of its soldiers by de stroying ammunition intended for the enemy." The German Government recalls the proposals submitted by the United State Government to Berlin and Lon don, designed to end the submarine warfare and the shutting out of food supplies from Germany which, it de clares, failed of their, purpose because of the refusal of the British Govern nient to agree to them. Text of Note. The following is the text of the Ger man note: "The undersigned has the honor to submit to Ambassador Gerard, the following answer to the communica- tion of May 15, regarding the injury to American interests. urough Gerr man submarine warfare. "The Imperial Government has sub jected the communication of the Am erican Government to a thorough in Testigation. It entertains also a keen wish to co-operate in a frank and friendly way in clearing up a possible misunderstanding which may have arisen in the relations between the two Governments through the events mentioned by the American Govern ment. "Regarding, firstly, the case of the American steamers Cushing and Gulf- light. The American Embassy has already been informed that the Ger man Government has no intention of submitting neutral ships in the war zone, which are guilty of no hostile acts, to attack by a submarine or submarines or aviators. On the con trary, the German forces have repeat edly been instructed most specifically to avoid attacks on such ships. Isolated Cases. "If neutral ships in recent months have suffered through the German submarine warfare, owing to mistakes in identification, it is a question only of quite isolated and exceptional cases which can be attributed to the British Government's abuse of flags, together with the suspicious or eulpable be havior of the masters of the ships. "The German Government in all cases in which it has been shown by ' its investigations that a neutral ship, not itself at fault, was damaged by German submarines or aviators, has expressed regret over the unfortunate accident and, if justified by conditions has offered indemnification. Cushing and Gulfllight. "The cases of the Cushmg and Gulf- light will be treated on the same prin ciples. An investigation of both cases is in progress, the result of which will presently be communicated to the -Embassy. The Investigation can, if recessary, be supplemented by an in ternational call on the Internationa: commission of inquiry as provided by Article III of The Hague agrement of October 18, 1907. Sinking of Falaba. "When sinking tne Britsh steamer Falaba the commander of the German submarine had the intention of allow ing the passengers and crew a full opportunity to escape. - Only when the master did not obey the order to heave-to, but fled and summoned help by rocket signals, did the German commander order the crew and pas sengers by signals and magaphone to leave the ship within 10 minutes. He actually allowed them 23 minutes time and fired the torpedo only when bus Picious craft were hastending to the assistance of the Falaba. Lusitania Disaster. "Regarding the loss of life by the femKmg of the British passenger steamer Lusitania, the German Gov ernment has already expressed to the neutral Governments concerned . its keen regret that . citizens of , their states lost their lives. "On this occasion the Imperial Gov DOES NOT SON ernment, however, cannot escape the impression that certain important facts having a direct bearing on the sinking of the Lusitania may have escaped the attention of the American Government. An Auxiliary Cruiser. 'In the interest of a clear and com plete understanding whicn is the aim of both Governments, the Imperial Government, considers it first, neces sary to convince itself that the in formation accessible to both Govern ments about the facts of the case is complete and in accord. The Govern ment of the United States proceeds on the assumption that the Lusiatania i ' a; could be regarded as an ordinary un armed merchantman. The. Imperial Government allows itself in this con nection to point out that the Lusi tania was one of the largest and fast est British merchant ships, built with Government funds as an auxiliary cruiser and carried expressly as such in the 'Navy list' issued by the British Admiralty. . It is further known to the Im perial Government, from trustworthy reports from its agents and neutral passengers, that for a considerable time practically all the more valuable British merchantmen have been equipped with cannon and ammuni tion and other weapons and manned with persons who have been specially trained in serving guns. The Lusi tania, too, according to information received here had cannon aboard which were mounted and concealer below decks. Prizes for Ramming "The Imperial Government further has the honor to direct the particular attention of the American Government to the fact that the British admiralty in a confidential instruction, issued in February, 1915,' recommended its mer cantile shipping not only to seek pro tection under neutral flags and distin guishing marks, but also, while thus disguised to attack German subma rines by ramming. As a special inci- tation to merchantmen to destroy sub marines the British government also offered high prizes and has already paid such rewards. The Imperial government in view of these facts, indubitably known to it, is unable to regard British mer chantmen in the zone of naval oper ations specified by the admiralty. staff of the German navy as "undefended.' German commanders consequently are no longer able to observe the custom ary regulations of the prize law, which they before always followed. Carrier War Material. Finally the Imperial government must point out particularly that the Lusitania on its last trip, as on earlier occasions, carried Canadian troops and war material, Including no less than 5,400 cases of ammunition intended for the destruction of the 'brave Ger man soldiers who are fulfilling their duty with self-sacrifice and devotidn in the fatherland's service. "The German- government believes it -was acting in justified self-defense in seeking with all -the means of war fare at its disposition to protect the lives of its soldiers by destroying am munition intended for the enemy. "The British shipping company must have been aware of the danger to which the passengers aboard the Lusitania were exposed under these conditions. The company in embark ing them, notwithstanding this at tempted deliberately to use the lives of American citizeni as protection for the ammunition aboard and acted against the clear provisions of the American law which expressly pro hibits the forwarding of passengers on ships carrying ammunition and pro vides a penalty therefor. The com pany, therefore, is wantonly guilty of the death of so many passengers. There can be no doubt, according to the definite report of the subma rine's commander, which is further confirmed by all other, Information, that the quick sinking of the Lusitania is primarily attributable to the explo sion of the ammunition shipment caused by a torpedo. The Lusitania passengers would otherwise, in all hu man probability, have been saved. . "The Imperial government consid ers the above-mentionel facts impor tant enough to recommend them to the attentive examination of the American government. Withholds Final Decision. 'The Imperial ' government, while withholding its final decision on the demands advanced in connection with the sinking of the Lusitania until re- f&ird of an answer from the American government feels Impelled in conclu sion, to recall here and now, that it took cognizance with satisfaction of the mediatory proposals submitted by the United"1 States government to Ber lin and London as a basis for a modus yivendi for conducting the maritime warfare between Germany and Great Britain. The Imperial government, by its readiness to enter upon a discus sion of these ; proposals, then demon strated its good , intentions ,in ample fashion. The realization of these pro posals was defeated, as is well known. by the declinatory attitude of the Brit ish government. 'The undersigneid takes occasion, etc. (Signed) "JAGOW." GERMANY'S REPLY IS UNSATIorACTORV NOTE FROM GERMANY IS PRO FOUND piSAPPOINTMENT TO WASHINGTON. WILL ANSWER PROMPTLY Want No Prolonged Discussions But Demands Assurances That Our Rights Will Be Respected. " Washington. Germany's reply to the American note concerning the, sinking of the Lusitania with a loss of more than 100 American lives pro duced a feeling of profound disappoint ment here. Dissatisfaction at the fail ure of Germany to answer the de- mands of the United States was re flected in government circles gener ally. It was generally predicted that a prompt answer would be sent, to Ber lin, at once. This is expected to give the American government's under standing of the facts, that the Lusi tania was unarmed and carried no con cealed guns, that she sailed from the United States a peaceful merchant man and that under all rules of inter national law and humanity, the ves sel should have been visited and searched and her passengers transfer red to a place of safety, whether sh carried ammunition or not. American law does not prohibit .ammunition from being carried on passenger ships, it will be asserted, but only self- exploding material ana lines in tne past have been permitted to carry arms and ammunition by special ruling of the state department on the mean- ing Ot eierai Stautes. Germany's failure even to discuss the reparation demanded by the American note, and evasion of the re- quest that guarantees be given to American vessels and lives be not dangered in. the future are the main points, however, which the - United States government, it was generally believed, would advert to In the sec ond note. The expressions of regret and offers of reparation for uninten tional attacks on neutral ships are ex pected to have little weight in deter mining the nature of the. response of the United States. When the note of May 13 was sent it was pointed out that such promises did not remove the risks to which Ameri can vessels and lives were sub- Jected and to support this conten- tion, the -United States will add, it is said, that the American steamer Ne- braskan was torpedoed without warn- ing within the 'last few days. While it is generally thought the United States will answer Germany's request for facts with a re-statement of the circumstances as recited In the American note of May 13. the nromnt- ness with which the reply will be dis- patched . is counted upon to serve as an indication that the American eov- ernment wishes an early answer -an does not desire to .engage In a nro- tracted diplomatic discussion. TW to ProaW & t wiio have learned that he is determined to obtain reparation for the Lusitania victims and assurances of respect for American rights in future, . and that falling this, he would not hesitate to sever diplomatic relations with Ger many. DEAL FIRMLY WITH MEXICO. President Wilson in Statement Savs Fighting Must Stop. , Washington. There were plain in- dications that from now on the Admin- istration will vigorously seek to end the chaos in Mexico. Until President Wilson makes public a statement he has prepared, details of his plans will not be known, but it is understood that tne Mexican leaders will h informed that the time has come for them to stop fighting between themselves and agree on a government which the United States can regonize. It is expected that the statement will- recite famine conditions in the Southern Republic as Du val West and other Government agents have portrayed them. The President will point out how pa tiently the American Government has waited for the Mexican factions to ad just the problem themselves and how helpless the Mexican people generally nave Decome in the hands of the mill tary elements The statement which is to be sent to all the factional leaders will not announce the course the United States expects to follow in case an agree ment. does not result, but. will point out that conditions have become intol erable and must be remedied by out side influences If there are no such elements in the country. The advisability, of placing an em bargo on the exportation of arms and ammunition to Mexico has been urged as one means of putting a stop to fighting there. Mighty Battles Raging. , London. Around the great fortress of Przemysl a mighty battle is. still raging. The Austro-German armies are making a supreme effort to cut on tne stronghold and free these armies for operations against. Italy .and the Allies in the west. FINE CROPS SEEM COMMISSIONER GRAHAM RECEIV ING SPLENDID REPORTS FROM . OVER THE STATE. LATE STATE CAPITOL NEWS Review of the Latest News Gathered Around the" States Capitol That Will Be ef IntercpMo Our Readers Over North Caroline. Raleigh. Commissioner of Agriculture W. A. Graham says that from every section of the state comes report of crop de velopments that are well-nigh ideal. Reports as to the wheat crop are of the most promising sort, this crop to be practically made within the next two weeks and with-little possibility of any material set-back. The oats crop has developed wonderfully arid will be one of the finest in the history of the state. Cotton and corn, he says, have developed fine stands and are growing beautifully, although the somewhat unseasonable cold the past few days has retarded the growth of the cotton somewhat. Altogether, the Commissioner be lieves that there were never such aus picious crop conditions in North Car olina as at this time. The farmers are, he says, following out more close ly than -ever the improved methods of cultivation and adopting the most approved methods of farm manage- ment wItn an increased unaimity that is most gratifying, Tne fruit croPf tne Commissioner sayS( gives promise of a yield that wiU De superior in many sections to thA fin rrnn of last Reason Indeed. the reports as to the fruit conditions, apples, peaches, pears and all the small fruits, are pointing to very large yields of finely developed fruit," thanks to the increasing practice of the grow- ers of properly spraying . and . other wise caring for the fruit Jn all the stages of its development. Soil Surveys in North Carolina. Washington. D. C- The United States Department of Agriculture will send representatives of the Bureau of boils to make a complete soil survey of Alleghany and Davidson counties. A similar soil survey is now under way in Anson county. The suveying parties, it is expected, will take sev- eral months to complete the examina- tion and mapping of the soils of these counties As soon as they; have completed their investigations, they will make a I large map showing the various kinds soils and their location by means of colors and shading. This map will also show the location or tne principal roads, schools, churches, railroads and watercourses. Accompanying the map .win De a complete report on the nature of the ll8 their suitability for growing var- lous crops, and suggestions ror tneir improvement by fertilizers, cover crops and crop rotations. This report and the map will not be ready for clrcuia- tion for some months after comple tion of the survey. ' Work All Goes For Naught. P. S. Henry of Ashevllle, who was commissioned last summer to visit European countries with a view to making special investigations as to European methods in management of public utilities, writes the governor that he is leaving Europe for home and that he regrets to report that all his photographs and reports that he 4n- tended to submit to the governor and the people of ths state have been con- fiscated by the various powers owing to the war regulations. To Inspect Death Registration Washington Director of the Census Samuel L. Rogers has ordered that Clifton C. Jermane, special - agent, be 5ent June 1 to North Carolina to in- Pct the operation of death registra- tion in that state with a view to the state's admission to the registration area for deaths. Upon its being admit ted the Census Bureau will give Fed- sral character to the statistics from that state. Investigating Home Gardening Miss Ethel Gowan3 of the United States Department of Education is in tne state to spend some time investi- gating the progress of the effort to interest the colored people through the public schools in school and home gardening. She inspected the work in this direction being done in and around Raleigh the past few days and will visit the central points in about every section of the state before she returns to Washington. " She is much pleased with the showings made in the reports. . Sets Medal for Oration. V In connection , with the A. M. 3ommencement the medal for the best senior oration was awarded to A. L. Ieachey, whose theme was "Commun ity Coeration." The award was made by State Senator O. Max Gard aer, who paid tribute to the powerful 3ombihation of "Trained minds, train ed hands and trained tongus." The iudgres for the award were State Sena tor Cooper of Wilmington, P. S. Boyd .f Mooresville and M. L. Reid of Ashe vllle. There were several other ora tions by graduates. Women Cannot Be Notaries Public A woman cannotbe a notary public in North Carolina. .This was deter mined when the supreme court hand ed 'down an opinion holding uncon stitutional the recent act of the Gen eral Assembly allowing the Governor to -appoint women "as notary public. The opinion in the case was written by Associate Justice Allen, with Jus tices Hoke and Walker in agreement with him. A dissenting opinion was filed by Chief Justice Walter Clark and concurred in by Justice Brown. With this, and other opinions, the court adjourned for, the summer re cess, to meet again on the last Mon day in August, 1915. The liquor case of Glenn vs. Southern Express Com pany involving the constitutionality of the recent act of the Legislature ban ning liquor in quantities greater than a quart and beer in quantities greater than five gallons, was carried over until the next term under an advisari. This is for the reason that a similar case is now pending in the United States Supreme Court. The opinion of the court in the no tary public case sets at naught the act of the last legislature by which wom en became entitled to hold the posi tions of notaries public. It was ar rived at in the form of reversing opin ion' of the decision of Judge Webb in Buncombe county, in which it was held that Mrs. Nolan Knight was en titled to hold the office of notary pub lic to which she had been appointed by Governor Locke Craig, the first and only woman to be appointed under the statue and a consequent dismissal of the quo warranto proceedings brought against her. By a vote of three to two, the su preme court holds against the place of trust theory. But against this Chiel Justice Walter Clark vigorously dis sents, asking what section of the con stitution is violated by the act. Other opinions filed by the court were as follows: City of Kings vs. Trust Company, Lenoir, affirmed; -Haar vs. Schloss New Hanover, affirmed; Ivey vs. King, Rockingham, petition to rehear dis missed; R. C. & S. Railway vs. Man ufacturing Company, . Mecklenburg, petition to rehear dismissed; Board oi Education vs. Commissioners, Meck lenburg, order, of reference made to O. F. Mason ; Rousseau vs. ' Call, Wilkes, no error; State vs. Wainscott, Buncombe, no error; Bickett vs. Knight Buncombe, reversed; Worley vs. South ern Railway Buncombe no error; Brad ley vs. Coal & Ice Co., Buncomb, af firmed ; State vs. Berry, Burke, re versed; State vs. Tate and Cope, Haywood, no error; Ritter Lumber Company, Swain, no error la either appeal; Bank of Murphy vs. Murphy Furniture Company, Cherokee, no er ror; ;Mason vs. Telegraph Company, Cherokee, no error; Buchanan vs. Hedden,, Jackson,' , no error, Spruce Company vs. Hayes, Swain, affirmed; Hyatt vs. Clark, Haywood, affirmed; Miller vs. Smith, Haywood, affirmed; Shepherd vs. Taylor, Mason, no error. Charge Violations of Labor Law. There have been reported the pasty ffew days quite a number of charges of violations of the ' North Carolina child labor laws in certain cotton mills in different parts of the state In all cases Commissioner of Labor and Printing M. L. Shipman is for warding the charges to the authori ties in the counties and districts where the violations are alleged to occur in order that there may be strict legal investigation as to the truth or falsity of the charges. Charters Granted During Past Week The Champion Chemical Company, Monford, capital $50,000 authorized, and $600 subscribed by W. M. Red wood, Archibald Nichols and others for a drug business. . Th Carolina Fish & Oil Co., Wil mington, with principal office near St. Phillips, on the Cape Fear River just below Wilmington, , capital $125,000 authorized, and $100,000 subscribed by J. P. DeVean, W. A. King, S. B. King, S. A. Guilds of Charleston and J. F. Bussells of Southport. The Drexel Roller Mills Company, Drexel, capital $25,000 authorized and $1,700 subscribed by S. Hoffman, D B. Mull and others. The Crouch - Cabinet Company, Hickory, capital . $25,000 authorized, and $2,400 subscribed by M. G. Crouch and others. The Southern Provision Company, Wilmington, capital $25,000 authorized, and $6,000 subscribed by R. A. Wright, D. T. Wright and W. H. Aledman for general produce business. v Governor Signs Death Warrants, Two death warrants were signed by Governor Craig for electrocutions to take place in the state's prison here. . The first is for Charles Trull of Mecklenburg county, who is to die July 2 for the murder and robbery of an aged storekeeper in Charlotte from whose person he took nearly $500. The other" death warrant is for Abe Allison, Iredell county, and fixes July 9 as date for his electrocution. He is a negro under sentence for entering the home of a white woman several miles from Statesville. Back Copies of Labor Report. Reports of the commissioner of la bor and printing for the years 1887, 1890, 1891, 1894, 1899, 1901 and 1905 are out of print and the - department will appreciate the return of any, or all, of these volumes by individuals and establishments who have finished with them. . Return postage (parcel post) will be refunded. -Commission er Shipman says the department is now unable to comply with frequent requests for complete files of the report from state, city and college libraries, state departments, etc. BLIGHT DESTROYS APPLE WILL COST ORCHARDS IN THIS STATE 1,000,000 THIS YEAR HEAVY J.0SS TO PEAR TREES Small Apples and Pears Shriveled And Twigs Wither Where Thje Insect Has Been Asheville--That the blight which has attacked the apple and pear trees of western North Carolina will do damage " to the coming year's fruit crop in the sum of at least $1,000,000 is the conservative estimate of a num- or tne orcnaraists who have made a through study of conditions in Bun- combe, Haywood and. Henderson counties together with a few of the smaller counties. The orchardists of this section of the state have written to the United States Department of Agriculture for information as to the best methpd's of controlling the dis- ease and have been advised that only through the cutting of the trees by stripping them of the affected limbs can the disease be stopped. This will entail a heavy loss and the orchard- ists are pessimistic over the outlook, The county farm demonstrator has made a study of the conditions in Buncombe and has found that prac- tically vall of the trees of this county are affected except those on the peaks of mountains which have not yet been reached by the disease. He and the owners of a number of the larger or- chards are urging that all of June be spent by the owners of pear and ap- pie trees in the cutting of diseased limbs from trees. The Department of Agriculture recommends that this work be not undertaken until the close of the present month. The disease is carried from one tree to another by small insects and once ik starts only through the cutting of the trees "can It be stopped Blossoma have withered and small fruit has shriveled. Limbs are rotting and the orchards are being destroyed in the spread of tne disease. Experts arc being summoned to aid in the cutting which will be started the first of June in the hope of saving the trees whose fruit already has perished. Oppose Common Soda Cups. '. Ashevifie. After going on record as opposing the use of common drinking cups at soda fountains and recom- mending the use of individual cups instead, the Southeastern Sanitary Association, in session here selected important lessons. Outwardly pros the following officers who will serve perous and his army successful. Da- during the coming year: President, Dr. C. W. Coker, Hartsville, S. C; sec- retary and treasurer, Dr. Clarence E. Smith, Greenville, S. C; vice presi- dents, who also constitute the execu tive committee, V. V. Kelsey, Erwin. Tenn.;,A. V. Woods, Brunswick, Ga.; E. M. Williams, Richmond, Va.; J. A. Hayne, Columbia, S. C; Henry Han son, Jacksonville, Fla. County Superintendents Adjourn. Wilmington. The county superin tendent of the Southeastern district closed their annual meeting in this city. Supt. J. Y. Joyner and L. C. Brogden, and N. C. Newbold of the State Department of Education were in attendance and joined in the dis- cussions. The meeting of the super- intendents was held in connection with the big educational rally. Organizing Cream Routes. Asheville. J. A. Arey of the North Carolina Experiment Station, at West Raleigh, has gone to Asheville to work in western North Carolina in the in- terest of the establishment of cream routes which will be . served by local creameries and to advise the dairy- men of the western counties of the state of the best methods of con ducting their operati6ns. Another Severe Storm. Wadesboro. Another severe : storm visited this county and did consider- a"ble damage. An angry-looking cloud gathered in the northwest and passed over the townj leaving its trail or ae- struction. 12,000 Acres Clover, in 1916." Hendersonville. Farm Demonstra- tor E. L. Perkins has adopted as his new slogan, "12,000 acres of clover for Henderson county - m 1915. inrough Mr- Perkins' efforts last year there was a consideable increase in the clover acreage in this county and he now estimates that there are 6,000 acres In Henderson County under cul tivation. He will advise the planting of clover when corn is "laid by," and during next spring. Mr. Perkins has great faith in the soil of Henderson county. Educational Fair Held., Asheville. The educational fair at which are displayed exhibits of all classes of work done in .the , public schools of this city, is attracting large crowds of the patrons of the public schools of Asheville. ' The fair was held Jn the Sondley building on Hay wood street. The displays of class room exhibits, specimens of the work lone by the students in the manual :raining department, the paintings of he art department and products of ;he kitchens of the domestic science lepartment were shown too. lNIDMnONAL SDWSfflOOL By E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director of Bunday School Course of Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.) LESSON FOR JUNE 6 NATHAN REBUKES DAVID. LESSON TEXT II Samuel ll:22-12:7a. GOLDEN TEXT Create in me a clean heart O God. Psalm 51:10. This is a lesson that demands great care in Its presentation and treatment. which will differ widely according to age. For the younger the briefest sort of statement that David fell in love with Uriah's wife and to obtain her had her husband killed will be suffi cient. With such, throw the emphasis upon the danger of harboring evil thoughts and the need of heart purity (see Golden Text). With adults, however, some time may be devoted to the social evil which is such a menace to every na- tion, care being taken lest the discus- sion become morbid, or that we neglect to emphasize the fact that the cure is not In regulation or reformation but In the regeneration of the human heart. I. David's Many Good Deeds, II Samuel, 7 and 9. As a background for his most repulsive sin David had a long list of excellent deeds. His de- sire for a better abiding place for the ark was not according to God's will for two reasons: first, that . an ornate house might easily corrupt, through Idolatry, the spirtuality of the Hebrew religion; second, David was a man of war and therefore not qualified for temple building. Though denied, David did not despair, but at once provided that his successor carry out his desire. . David's One' Great Sin, II Sam- uel, 11:6. David's victories over his enemies are dismissed in a few verses, yet his Bin is set forth in de- tail another evidence of the divine origin and Inspiration of the Bible. David had followed the example of neighboring kings and taken to him- self many wives, evidently regarding his fancy as supreme and himself as above the law. David was "off guard" in the matter of temptation, a danger- ous position for all, both soldier and civilian. David had had tod long and too great a period of success and pros- I perlty after his long period of priva tion, and this led to carelessness and pride. David was "off duty," indulg ing m ease while Joab did his fighting. As a result he became an adulterer and a murderer, and the record in no way seeks to palliate his guilt. From au this the record brings to us many vid must have felt in his heart the spiritual blight in the words, "but the thing was evil in the eyes of the Lord" (v27 R. V.); no psalm writ- ing then. III. Nathan's Parable, II. Samuel, 12:1-7. It Is an evidence of Gods grace that he sent his servant to re buke and restore this "man after his own heart." Such is his mercy, for he does not will that any should per ish but that all might come to the knowledge of . forgiveness (Ezekiel 33.11: Matthew 23:37). No parable ever had its desired effect more quick iy than this one. It brought conviction ana repentance (v. 13) and led to the writing of the fifty-first psalm. It was a delicate task set before Nathan thus o rebuke the king, yet It reveals the essential nobleness of David in that ne did not become angry. Nathan's task and his wisdom are revealed In hi8 approach and in the way he led David to condemn, unwittingly, his own course of action. This was bet- ter than to begin by upbraiding and denunciation. Verse two suggests, in f erentlally. God's , great goodness to David, which made the offense one or gross Ingratitude. IV. Thou Art the Man" v. 7a. Thus far the story is one all too common. then and now, of the strong crushing the weak and glorying in their selflsh- ness- What follows is the evidence cf God's response to man's repentance. the parallel to which has nowhere else been found In the ancient world. The gi0ry of it is that David heard and heeded God's messenger. The whole nnrdld storv with Its resultant action on David's part brings us many price- ,ieB8 lessons. (1) That man who had nTed a life of faith, and communion reii m08t miserably when he neglected hio duty and took his eyes off God. Thr 1h a. crave danzer ahead of the maa who begins to trifle with sin (I n0T 1Q:12). (2) Though a man fall (the godly man) yet he is not utterly caBt down. There is pardon for the vilest sinner and the most abject backslider. David's murderous hands and sin-stained soul found pardon (Ps. 32 and 51). (3) A man's sins. though he may find pardon, will cloud all of his future. David felt it in his own life and fam ily; both daughter and sons felt its blight (see chapter 13), and it brought forth David's Immortal lament over Absalom. ' , David's trusted friend joined the son's rebellion and caused David great sorrow (see 11:3; 23:34; 15:21 and Ps. 55:12-14). A human book would cover up, omit or seek to Dalliate such an act by one of the great of the earth (cf. the story of Napoleon and Josephine), yet the Bible (tells all the facts to serro as a warning and to reveal God' matchless grate and mercy.'' Lesson
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