October 17

1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

2 And Saul tarried in the uttermost part of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree which is in Migron and the people that were with him were about six hundred men;

3 And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, I-chabod's brother, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh, wearing an ephod. And the people knew not that Jonathan was gone.

4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side; and the name of the one was Bozer, and the name of the other Seneh.

5 The forefront of the one was situate northward over against Michmash, and the other southward over against Gibeah

6 And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few

7 And his armourbearer said unto him, Do all that is in thy heart: turn thee; behold, I am with thee according to thy heart.

8 Then said Jonathan, Behold, we will pass over unto these men, and we will discover ourselves unto them.

9 If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you: then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them.

10 But if they say thus, Come up unto us; then we will go up: for the LORD hath delivered them into our hand; and this shall be a sign unto us

11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.

12 And the men of the garrison answered Jonathan and his armourbearer, and said, Come up to us, and we will shew you a thing. And Jonathan said unto his armourbearer, Come up after me: for the LORD hath delivered them into the hand of Israel.

13 And Jonathan climbed up upon his hands and upon his feet, and his armourbearer after him: and they fell before Jonathan; and his armourbearer slew after him

14 And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were a half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plough.

15 And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.

16 And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitade melted away, and they went on beating down one another

17 Then said Saul unto the people that were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armourbearer were not there

18 And Saul said unto Ahiah, Bring hither the ark of God. For the ark of God was at that time with the children of Israel

19 And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand

20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle, and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture

21 Moreover, the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round

about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.

22 Likewise all the men of Israel, which had had themselves in mount Epiram, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle

23 So the Lord saved Israel that day; and the battle passed over unto Bethlehem.

These were evil days for the people of Israel. But it was in these dark days that Jonathan shone so famous. It is yet true that difficulties prove our mettle, and that the greater the hardship or peril, the more is the victory worth telling.

The very presence of the enemy should rouse the courage of God's people. Jonathan could not allow the Philistines to be even at Michmash, strong as it was, without ever striking a blow. Is there not need for more chivalry among the soldiers of Christ?

We are not told the name of the young man who was Jonathan's armor-bearer, but he was worthy of the situation. The best of leaders is all the better for the knowledge that his followers will not fail him. Let those of us whose place is not to lead yet help our Commander by acting, so that whenever He looks at us He will see our faces say, "I am with Thee according to Thine heart."

"Jonathan knew that God can win by a minority. If, in fighting the Lord's battles, we wait till we can outnumber the foe, we shall never do exploits. Joshua and Caleb were outvoted, but they said, 'Let us go up and possess it.' The fewer there are, the more room for Omnipotence. The units of Christian workers are the thin edge of the wedge."—T. Champness.

Closet Promise.—I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in His name, saith the Lord.—Zech. x. 12.

"Leaning on Him, make with reverent weakness His own thy will,

And with strength from Him shall thy utter weakness Life's task fulfil."

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER.

Breakfast Motto.—The Lord is good to all.—Psalm exlv. 9.

Weekly Proverb.—More are drowned in the wine-cup than in the ocean.—German.

DAILY BIBLE READING.—MIRACLES OF THE APOSTLES.

Sunday.—Lame Man Healed.—Acts iii. 1-26.

Monday.—Aneas Healed, and Dorcas Restored to Life.—Acts ix. 32-43.

Tuesday.—Cripple Healed.—Acts xiv. 8-18.

Wednesday.—Evil Spirit Cast Out.—Acts xvi. 16-40.

Thursday.—Handkerchiefs or Aprons.—Acts xix. 1-20.

Friday.—Eutychus Restored to Life—Acts xx. 1-12.

Saturday.—The Father of Publius Healed—Acts xxviii. 1-10.

LITTLE KENNETH'S TEXT.

Our Kenneth went to Sunday school One pleasant day. He was but three, But in his brand new hat and coat He felt just like a man, you see.

His little text he learned so well, That grandma heard it with delight; Kissing his rosy cheeks, she said, "Now, you'll be sure to say it right."

Among the troops of little ones, That round the teacher's smiling face Were filling every vacant chair, He quite densely found a place.

And now, what do you think he said, When asked if he has lesson knew? "Honor my papa and mamma, And honor my nice grandma, too." — Marion Ryburne.

My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.—Prov. i. 10.

I am going to talk to-day about the power to say "No." "How is it you never go with any bad boy, or get into bad scrapes?" asked one little fellow of his playmate. "Oh," said the other, "that's 'cause I don't say 'No' easy!" He meant when he said No, he said it right out; not as if he was afraid, but as if he meant it. That boy had the power to say "No." One day three little boys were playing horse in the street. With a dash and a flourish they came prancing around the corner just by a grocer's wagon that was waiting there while the driver had gone into the house. Quick as though, one little fellow climbed up and picked off a red apple which he began to put into his pocket. "Hold on!" said one of the other boys; "put that back." "Why?" "Because it does not belong to you." "But I am going to keep it anyway!" was the reply. "Well, then, you shall not be in our play," was the brave response; and, forthwith, he began taking off "the bridle." This bold way produced the desired effect. The little offender tossed the apple back, and off they all scampered as though nothing had happened. That was standing up for the right, and saying No bravely. "If sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

FORTY-FIRST WEEK.

PEARL TEXT.—The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord: and He delighteth in his way. Psalm xxxvii. 23.

All will be well—no need of care, Though how it will, or when, or where, We do not know, and can't declare. In spite of fear, in spite of thought.

'Tis not in vain, nor all for naught, The wind it blows, the ship it goes, Though where or whither no one knows. —Selected.

It is not for us, who are passengers, to meddle with the chart and with the compass. Let that all-skilful Pilot alone with His own work.—Hall.

And so beside the silent sea I wait the muffled out, No harm from Him can come to me On ocean or on shore.

I know not where His islands lift Their fronded palms in air; I only know I cannot drift Beyond His love and care. —Whittier.

HELPS FOR THE DEVOTIONAL HOUR.