Untitled article by Max Hill

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 14, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 11.

SUCCESSES OF YOUNG MEN. NO. 2.

By Max Hill

It is designed to continue our study of the successes of young men, not only those recorded in the Bible, but those of secular history as well. Many of the great characters of history stand out so prominently that their lives will ever be inspiring to present-day men and women, especially young men and women. These I desire to review, and find, if we can, the secret of their success.

The prophet Samuel, consecrated from his birth to the service of the Lord, placed in the temple when but a lad, trained up by the side of boys whose influence was pernicious, met and overcame difficulties we little appreciate. We read that Eli's sons were very wicked and corrupt, yet the child Samuel grew to young manhood, "and was in favor, both with the Lord, and also with men."

Probably a young man never had a more difficult task than the delivering of the message the Lord gave Samuel that night in the temple, that message of doom to the household of Eli; for Eli was an old man, a man of authority, and respected almost to the point of reverence by all the people and attendants. Yet Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. I have tried to imagine how it was. In the morning after receiving the message, you remember he went about his regular tasks, his youthful heart troubled over the burden of the revelation, fearing to pain Eli with the sad message. Eli's heart was also troubled. He desired to know the will of the Lord, and calling Samuel to him he said, "What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me." Sadly, haltingly, the message was given, the prophecy that foretold the destruction of the house of Eli, the death of his two sons, the humiliation of all his descendants, who should beg bread of the high priest who should take Eli's place. It takes courage to stand before those in authority tho they bid us speak; but Samuel gave his message to the high priest, the man most to be feared and reverenced in all the land, thus early indicating the character that later in life developed into the ability and the courage to stand before the mighty king of Israel and pronounce sentence on him. Such a boy it took to develop into a man who wrought a complete change in the educational system of a nation, established schools, ministered to the needs of the people, advised them in times of peace, counseled in times of war, judged them in matters of law and religion.

Naturally following the life of Samuel we think of David. Of course Saul comes first in order of time, but he, tho promising much in his youth, disappointed the hopes of his people by such flagrant disobedience, that we are inclined to forget him in our admiration for David. Jesse's flocks were in good hands when the lad David cared for them. What else could be expected of the poet-musician who roamed those Judean hills about Bethlehem, singing his sweet songs to the music of his harp, tenderly caring for the lambs and weak ones of the flock, leading them forth in the morning and back to the fold at night? Hardly in keeping with such a nature is that account which he himself gives: "Thy servant was keeping his father's sheep; and when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy

servant smote both the lion and the bear."

Let us go over the story, for it is full of interest. Israel was at war with the Philistines. Nothing new or unusual about that. But the Philistines had a new champion, the giant Goliath, who daily defied the men of Israel, who were dismayed and afraid. One day the young man David came down from his Bethlehem home to bring his three eldest brothers, soldiers in the army, some parched corn and loaves from their father, with a present also for their captain, and there he saw the giant and heard the defiant speech, that for forty days Goliath had been repeating to the army of Israel.

His heart burned within him as he saw the men of the army flee from before the blasphemous Philistine. Of the men about him he inquired what it all meant, and receiving an account of the challenge of the giant and the great reward offered to any one who would successfully meet the foe, he queried why no one should go. His boyish questions stirred up the anger of his brothers and the soldiers, who taunted him of his youth and reminded him of his few sheep in the wilderness. But the news of David's words came to the ears of Saul, and the lad was called into the presence of the king. "And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." Then David told of slaying the lion and the bear, bravely concluding, "And this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God." Here is the key to his success, "The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine."

The story is well known. Disdaining the untried armor of Saul, with only his sling and a handful of smooth stones, the boy went forth to meet the mighty champion of the hosts of Philisti, met him and slew him, the signal for a united attack of the army of Israel on the enemy, who fled in confusion, seeing their leader slain.

Here was a boy, a young man, who did what ambitious young men have always wanted to do, kill lions and bears and fight with giants. I am sure it is hardly necessary to say that the world is full of lions and bears and giants just as formidable as David slew, and it will not be necessary to describe these monsters about us, for all can recognize them. Bad companions, bad books, intemperance—are these not as great enemies to the modern youth as that ancient Jewish boy met, and conquered? Indeed, David's greatest trials were not these that we have noticed. His position as companion of the king, leader in the army, and, later, king of Israel, brought him far greater trials and temptations that he was not always able to meet, so his life record is marred with mistakes and sins. Nevertheless, David was a man after God's own heart, for his heart was perfect. His example is well worthy our following, and his achievements, especially while a young man, may truly inspire us with higher ambitions and greater efforts.