are adverse to the powers of darkness, and rejoice the bleffed angels of heaven, who fing their hallelujahs in the choir of glory. "It came to pass, when the evil spirit was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand; and Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil fpirit departed. from him."

XXVIII.

XXVIII.

DAVID AND GOLIATH.

THE harp of David has chafed the evil fpirit from Saul-and the youth has again leisure to retire to Bethlehem. The splendour of a court is lefs dear to him, than the folitudes of the wilderderness. A good heart frames itself to all conditions, and however outward circumstances vary, is ftill the fame. Worldly minds rife without difficulty, but cannot descend from their elevation with patience, or with fafety.

THERE he remains amidst his flocks, vill God calls him into the field of battle. Forty days had Goliath defied the armies of Ifrael. Where was the courage

of

of him, who once flew his thousands?—of him, who once indignantly afked, "What aileth the people, that they weep?"-of him, whofe own gigantic ftature made him no unequal competitor to the Philiftine? The fpirit of GOD is the fpirit of fortitude-of that Saul's difobedience had deprived him-it was transferred, with the prophet's bleffing, to his rival.

SCARCELY has David faluted his brethren, when the proud champion steps forward before his troops, and renews his infolent challenge against Ifrael. David fees him-hears his defiance-and wonders that all faces turn pale at his approach. The youth is filled with fhame and amazement at the pufillanimity of his countrymen-who, while they fly from Goliath, fpeak of the reward, which should be confequent on a victory they dare not undertake. Alas, how many, who yield themselves an easy

prey

prey to their spiritual adverfaries, can defcant on the glory reserved in heaven for the faithful!

THOSE difficulties, which appal faint hearts, ferve to animate an heroic mind. David is ready to encounter this mighty warriour, because no one else dares behold him. While he hears the proud boast of the challenger, his eyes fparkle with indignation, his heart beats with generous difdain. "Who is this un"circumcifed Philiftine, that he should defy the armies of the living GOD?"

THE envious heart of Eliab confiders this holy courage as a reflection on himfelf. "Is it for thee, proud idle boy, << to interfere with affairs of war? Is "yonder champion a fit antagonist for "thee? What doft thou think of thy

felf, or of us? Go to thy fheep, and "look not in the face of Goliath. The "wilderness becomes thee, and not the "field; unequal as thou art to any

« here,

"here, fave only in arrogance and pre

fumption. The pastures of Bethle"hem could not detain thee-thou "must come down to see the battle. "I know thy pride, and the naughti"nefs of thine heart. This was thy

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thought-There is no glory to be ob"tained amidst the sheep-folds; I will feek it in arms. My brethren are winning bonour amidst the troops of Ifrael, "while I am bafely tending my flocks.

Why should not I endeavour to obtain "diftinction, as well as they? This va"nity makes the fhepherd a foldier, "and the foldier a champion! Depart, "rafh ftripling, to thy crook, and to thy harp-and leave fwords and fpears "for thofe, who know how to use "them!"

DAVID, e'er he engages in other conflicts, firft overcomes himself, and then his brother-himself, in his patient forbearance-his brother, in the mildness

of