Once upon a time there was a boy who lived in the country.  It was said of him that he was “ruddy and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.”  I think that description fits a country lad.  Well, this boy had brothers who were away from home in the army, fighting.  One day the boy’s father said to him, “I wish you would go down and see how your brothers are getting along, and take with you this present.”  The boy started on his journey.  Now when he came to the place where the soldiers were encamped he saw a strange sight.  A giant, from the opposing army, came out, blustering and issuing his challenge to any one who would dare come against him.  All seemed afraid of him.  Even the big, strong soldiers would not do battle with him.  Therefore this youth from the country volunteered saying, “I will go out and fight him.”  They tried to dissuade him, but he insisted.  Now he was a perfect shot with the sling.  He chose five smooth stones from the brook.  With one of these he prevailed over the giant.

This lad, however, had some other things which stood him in better stead even than the sling and the stones.  What were they?  First, he had courage.  He possessed what all the others lacked.  Second, he had the ability to do one thing and do that one thing well.  He could use a sling with the utmost accuracy.  Third, he had confidence in himself and faith in God.  He was not conceited, no, we do not like that.  Rather he had self-confidence.  Above all was this—­“I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.”  So said the lad from the country as he went to fight the giant.  What was his name?  It is a good name—­David.

MEMORY VERSE, I Samuel 17:  45

    “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a
    shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.”

MEMORY HYMN [416]

    "Faith of our fathers."

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD

The most beautiful thing in the world!  Now what is it?  If you will lift your eyes just a little you will see the flowers on the table, but lift them higher than the flowers, higher than this pulpit, higher than the pipes of the organ, above the lights, above the arch, you will see the most beautiful thing in the world.  Do you see it?  It is the Cross.

Do you know, girls and boys, that long ago the cross was the most repulsive thing in the world?  It was odious.  It had none of the charm and beauty that is now woven about it.  But from the day that Jesus was crucified on the cross it took on new meaning, and it has grown in charm and power until I think we all agree that it is the most beautiful sight in the world.

Out in Colorado, high up the side of a mountain, where the snow never melts in the crevices, may be seen two long ravines, one straight up and down, the other straight across.  The snow is packed into those ravines all through the year, and lifting the eyes one may see upon the lofty mountain side the Holy Cross.