The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-10-13
THE CALL OF SAMUEL.
Selected for the Times.)

pass when Eli was laid down and
Samuel was laid down to sleep, that the
Lord called, Samuel. He answered, Here
am I. . And the Lord came, and
called 8 Samuel, Samuel" Then
Samuel answered, Speak for thy SER
want hearethL''-I. Samuel: III. l, 10.
In striking contrast with the aged ana
timid Eli is the youthful. courageous
Samuel. We have the full record OF his
life from his infancy to old age, anG dur
ing all that time he served the Lord
faithfully, with his whole heart, and
with no shadow of turning.
We are to consider him to-day as the
child Samuel, and learn a lesson from his
conduct. How Industrious he was in
the service of God. according to his age,
place and capacity! It was as open re-
buke to the wickedness of Ellis sons, that
the child daily did his duty. They re-
belled against the Lord. but Samuel min
istered to Him; they sighted the admonI-
ton of their father, Samuel was OBJ
servant of them, and ministered under
the eye and direction of Eli.
So far from being influenced by their
evil example. he steadily improved and
went on in the path of duty. It was a
preparation for the high honors God was
to bestow on him.
Let those who are young be modest
humble. diligent, and they will surely re-
ceive their reward. For they are most
fit to rule who had learned to obey.
Eli had retired. Samuel had waited
"a
rest of the servants had gone away Eli
had gone to bed betimes. Weary and
sore at heart at all the discord and i'm
piety, Samuel, too, had laid down to sleep,
in some little closet near to Ellis room,
that his little page might be ready if
the old man should neet; any attention
during the night. or to read to him if
he could not sleep. He chose TO take
Samuel for this Office, rather than one of
his own family, for he noticed the kindly
disposition of the lad. While his own
sons We're a grief to him, his little servitor
was his JOY.
Let those who are afflicted in their
children thank God if they have any
about them in whom they are comforted.
It would seem that after attending to
the wants of Eli, Samuel went to bed.
somewhere near the lamp Of God, having
done with diligence his days work. We
may expect Gods gracious visits when
we are constant in our duty.
God called him by name, which he
mistook for Ellis voice. At this he ran
to him, showing thereby his readiness to
wait on him, and fearing perhaps he
was not Well
Such mistakes are made more frequent
ly dl.an we think. God calls to US by His
word, and we take it to be only the call
of the minister and answer it according
w He calls to us by His Providence,
and we look only at the instrument. 1t
is only now and then, that His voice
is understood; more rarely still obeyed.
God calls many by the ministries of
the word, but His voice is not dscerned,
and all too soon the impressions made are
lost.
If, on the part of Samuel, there was
cheerful alacrity to serve. on the part
of Eli was thoughtful consideration for
his broken sleep. Eli did not chide him
for disturbing, him, nor tell him he
dreamed but mildly bade him lie down
take his rest in peace.
If servants must be ready at their mas
ters CALL masters must also be tender of
their comfort.
The same call was repeated, the same
mistake made a second and third time
Perhaps, had it cn'oe in dream or
vision, he might have recognized the
source but this was way of which he
had never heard.
But there was a special providence in
it, for now eli perceived that the Lord
had called the child" and gave him full
instructions as to what to say. This
was honestly done, without envy or
grudging.
Thus should the elder always cheerful
ly do their utmost to assist and improve
the young, even though they see them
selves likely to be eclpsed or laid aside
by them.
The counsel given by Eli was to wait
no rush or hurry. or turmoil of the
spirit-and when the call came again to
reply, Speak, Lord, for Thy servant
heareth.'' He must call himself Gods
servant, and must desire to know the
mind and will Of God.
Speak, Lord, speak to me; speak now"
he must prepare himself to hear. promise
to attend. Tell me, oh Father, thy will
and give me grace to heed and follow.
Such was the cry Of his heart graciously
answered by his God. We may expect
10 hear when we set ourselves to hearken.
It would seem that God spoke the last
time in a way somewhat different from
the other. so that he know it was His
voice. It was a great honor that God
was pleased to know him by name, y
and, Samuel said as he was taught.
Gods words should be put into child
ren's mouths betimes, that they may be
prepared by apt expressions of a devout
and pious teacher to learn more and
i! more OF ..the things which make for
peace" and how to Withstand the evil