Re-pute, s. credit, esteem Re-tard, a. v. to hinder Re-voke, a. v. to call back ACCENTED ON THE FIRST. Sam-phire, s. a plant Sa-tire, s. a caustic censure SAMPHIRE is a plant which grows wild on the sea shore, and on rocks, but is never wholly covered with the water. A knowledge of this fact was once useful to some French sailors, who were shipwrecked on the coast of Sussex, a few years ago. Their vessel was driven on shore, and the whole crew were washed overboard. Four only escaped, by climbing to the top of a heap of rocks which had fallen from the cliff above. It was a very dark night, and they expected every moment to be swallowed up by the waves; when one of them found a plant of samphire. This convinced them that they were out of the reach of the tide: they remained on the spot till day-break, when they were seen by some persons on the cliffs, who immediately came to their assistance. Scep-tic, (skeptic) s. a doubter Sci-ence, s. knowledge, skill of God, the Bible or stone; an engraver Sculp-ture, s. carved work Sermon, s. a discourse Ship-wreck, s. destruction Show-er, s. a fall of rain The SHEPHERD's life was considered, in the earliest period of the world's history, to be both honourable and useful. Amongst the Patriarchs, shepherds were rich in flocks and herds, in silver and gold. They often held the rank, and exercised the rights, of sovereign princes. Though they had numerous trains of menial servants, they generally tended their flocks in person, or placed them under the care of their sons and daughters, who were bred to the same laborious employment. Rachel and Rebecca were shepherdesses. Jacob, Moses, and David spent some of their best years as shepherds, previous to their becoming rulers of the people. The care which such persons exercised over large flocks, providing for them suitable pasturage; the courage with which they defended them against wild beasts and robbers; and the skill with which they guided and led them, and preserved them in order; all tended to fit them for the office and duties of kings and princes. Hence, the sacred writers often speak of kings under the name of shepherds, and compare the royal sceptre to a shepherd's crook. Si-lent, a. still, quiet Slen-der, a. thin, small [sun So-lar, a. belonging to the Sol-dier, s. (soljer) one who fights for pay So-lemn, a. grave, serious So-lid, a. firm, compact Sor-did, a. selfish, mean So-phist, s. a false reasoner Sor-row, s. grief, sadness Squa-lid, a. miserably filthy Sta-ble, a. sure, lasting "GOD chose David his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands." A STRIPLING is a youth not yet arrived at the years of manhood. This, however, is often a season of great promise: a period of life in which the bodily and mental powers sometimes develope themselves in a remarkable manner. An instance occurs in the life of David. While very young, he was introduced to the court of Saul, as one skilful in music, valiant in war, prudent in his general conduct, and enjoying the favour of the Most High. Saul, who was at that time engaged in war with the Philistines, made David one of his guards. The Philistines had in their camp a champion, named Goliath, a man of uncommon height and strength. This giant came forward day after day, clad in a suit of brazen armour, with an enormous spear, and shield, and crying out, "Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me. If he be able to fight with me and to kill me, then will, we be your servants: but if I prevail against him and kill him, then shall ye be our servants." Saul and his men of war were greatly afraid to meet this man. But David, though only a stripling, being jealous for the honour of God and of Israel, undertook to meet him, fully believing that God would deliver the Philistine into his hands. |