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essential； not only as a safeguard against the vicissitudes of life； but
from its bearing upon physical； mental； and moral development。 Even if it
were certain that one would never need to resort to manual labor for his
support； still he should be taught to work。 Without physical exercise； no
one can have a sound constitution and vigorous health； and the discipline of
well…regulated labor is no less essential to the securing of a strong and
active mind and a noble character。
Every student should devote a portion of each day to active labor。 Thus
habits of industry would be formed and a spirit of self…reliance encouraged；
while the youth would be shielded from many evil and degrading practices
that are so often the result of idleness。 And this is all in keeping with
the primary object of education； for in encouraging activity； diligence； and
purity we are coming into harmony with the Creator。
Let the youth be led to understand the object of their creation； to honor
God and bless their fellow men； let them see the tender love which the
Father in heaven has manifested toward them； and the high destiny for which
the discipline of this life is to prepare them； the dignity and honor to
which they are called； even to become the sons of God； and thousands would
turn with contempt and loathing from the low and selfish aims and the
frivolous pleasures that have hitherto engrossed them。 They would learn to
hate sin and to shun it； not merely from hope of reward or fear of
punishment； but from a sense of its inherent
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baseness； because it would be a degrading of their God…given powers； a stain
upon their Godlike manhood。
God does not bid the youth to be less aspiring。 The elements of character
that make a man successful and honored among menthe irrepressible desire
for some greater good； the indomitable will； the strenuous exertion； the
untiring perseveranceare not to be crushed out。 By the grace of God they
are to be directed to objects as much higher than mere selfish and temporal
interests as the heavens are higher than the earth。 And the education begun
in this life will be continued in the life to come。 Day by day the wonderful
works of God； the evidences of His wisdom and power in creating and
sustaining the universe； the infinite mystery of love and wisdom in the plan
of redemption； will open to the mind in new beauty。 〃Eye hath not seen； nor
ear heard； neither have entered into the heart of man； the things which God
hath prepared for them that love Him。〃 1 Corinthians 2：9。 Even in this life
we may catch glimpses of His presence and may taste the joy of communion
with Heaven； but the fullness of its joy and blessing will be reached in the
hereafter。 Eternity alone can reveal the glorious destiny to which man；
restored to God's image； may attain。
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Chapter 59
The First King of Israel
The government of Israel was administered in the name and by the authority
of God。 The work of Moses； of the seventy elders； of the rulers and judges；
was simply to enforce the laws that God had given； they had no authority to
legislate for the nation。 This was； and continued to be； the condition of
Israel's existence as a nation。 From age to age men inspired by God were
sent to instruct the people and to direct in the enforcement of the laws。
The Lord foresaw that Israel would desire a king； but He did not consent to
a change in the principles upon which the state was founded。 The king was to
be the vicegerent of the Most High。 God was to be recognized as the Head of
the nation； and His law was to be enforced as the supreme law of the land。＇*
SEE APPENDIX； NOTE 8。＇
When the Israelites first settled in Canaan they acknowledged the principles
of the theocracy； and the nation prospered under the rule of Joshua。 But
increase of population and intercourse with other nations brought a change。
The people adopted many of the customs of their heathen neighbors and thus
sacrificed to a great degree their own peculiar； holy character。 Gradually
they lost their reverence for God and ceased to prize the honor of being His
chosen people。 Attracted by the pomp and display of heathen monarchs； they
tired of their own simplicity。 Jealousy and envy sprang up between the
tribes。 Internal dissensions made them weak； they were continually exposed
to the invasion of their heathen foes； and the people were coming to believe
that in order to maintain their standing among the nations； the tribes must
be united under a strong central government。 As they departed from obedience
to God's law； they desired to be freed from the rule of their divine
Sovereign； and thus the demand for a monarchy became widespread throughout
Israel。
Since the days of Joshua the government had never been conducted with so
great wisdom and success as under Samuel's
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administration。 Divinely invested with the threefold office of judge；
prophet； and priest； he had labored with untiring and disinterested zeal for
the welfare of his people； and the nation had prospered under his wise
control。 Order had been restored； and godliness promoted； and the spirit of
discontent was checked for the time。 But with advancing years the prophet
was forced to share with others the cares of government； and he appointed
his two sons to act as his assistants。 While Samuel continued the duties of
his office at Ramah； the young men were stationed at Beersheba； to
administer justice among the people near the southern border of the land。
It was with the full assent of the nation that Samuel had appointed his sons
to office； but they did not prove themselves worthy of their father's
choice。 The Lord had； through Moses； given special directions to His people
that the rulers of Israel should judge righteously； deal justly with the
widow and the fatherless； and receive no bribes。 But the sons of Samuel
〃turned aside after lucre； and took bribes； and perverted judgment。〃 The
sons of the prophet had not heeded the precepts which he had sought to
impress upon their minds。 They had not copied the pure； unselfish life of
their father。 The warning given to Eli had not exerted the influence upon
the mind of Samuel that it should have done。 He had been to some extent too
indulgent with his sons； and the result was apparent in their character and
life。
The injustice of these judges caused much dissatisfaction； and a pretext was
thus furnished for urging the change that had long been secretly desired。
〃All the elders of Israel gathered themselves together； and came to Samuel
unto Ramah； and said unto him； Behold； thou art old； and thy sons walk not
in thy ways： now make us a king to judge us like all the nations。〃 The cases
of abuse among the people had not been referred to Samuel。 Had the evil
course of his sons been known to him； he would have removed them without
delay； but this was not what the petitioners desired。 Samuel saw that their
real motive was discontent and pride； and that their demand was the result
of a deliberate and determined purpose。 No complaint ha