The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-12-13
SUNDAY-SCHOOL
LESSON FOR DEC. II
THE BOY SAMUEL.
I SAM, iii:1-14.
Secretary OF American Society of Re-
ligious Education.

INTRODUCTION. The book from
which our lesson is taken, was doubtless
written by the eminent prophet whose
namo it bears, or under his direction. He
begins with Il brief account OF his par
onts (Ch,, i:2). His mother, according to
the spirit OF the women of the age (Gen..
xviil6), regarded herself greatly afflicted.
because for a time childless tCh.. i:5). On
one of the annual visits to Shiloh (JoSh..
Nviii:D, the national seat Of government
and religion, she prayed earnestly for Il
son Ch., i:lD, promising to dedicate him
to God. Her prayer was answered. In
the course of time Samuel was born, his
name signifying, asked of God" Faith
full to her vow, when he was weaned, she
took him to Eli, then the priest and
Judge of Israel. with such offerings as the
law required (Deut., Nii:5-O. In present.
ing him she broke forth och, il:l-lD in
highly impassioned words prompted by
the spirit OF God. At that time the sons
of Eli were grossly immoral, using the
privileges of the sacred office TO crafty
their unholy impulses och, ii:22), bring
ing sorrow to their father who, though
he demonstrated, did not control them
prov, NiN13). This scandal called for
speedy reform in the administration of
religious ordinances
MINISTRY-When God undertakes a
great work, he usually begins with a lit
tie child and its mother. For proof, note
the case of Moses. the liberator and
lawgiver CEN, ii;0l; of john the fore
| runner LulSe, i:76); of Jesus, the Christ
Matt, i:2D. and OF Timothy, Paul's as
sistant III Tim, ii1O, 1t Is difficult to
reform a man-to tr Storm the agent of
Satan into an instr ment of righteous
ness. The best men are grown psalm,
i:S). Year by year adding to their beauty
and strength, they come at last poised
and symmetrical. to their place and
work able TO summon all their powers,
And so Samuel, after pious mothers
care had done it's utmost, was to be put
| under further preparation for his career,
to meet the needs of the time. He had
little duties to perform. such as trimming
lamps and opening and closing doors, In
one sense ministry for God. And yet
the work sgnified more to him than TO
any other. 1t gave opportunity to medi-
tate and pray, the two essentials in
building true and stable character Tim,
iv:l5) Under the influence OF the sane
tuary psalm, NXvii:4), in the midst of
its rich and instructive symbolism, the
boy might develop into the great refor-
mer.
VIsIoN--The time is not less import
ant than the place in the production of
man. When one appears with certain
abilities there must be need OF him, or
he can do but little. Many men have
seemed TO come too late or too early into
the worlds history to be largely useful.
Even the advent of Christ was timed.
(Gal., iv:D. The season of Samuers ap-
pearance was opportune. Besides the inn
morality among officials, already men
toned, another fact prepared for him,
there was no open vision" God had
promised TO raise up men who should
speak for him (Numb. xii:6), to whom He
would give His spirit But many years
had passed without such men. After the
death of Moses, only here and there one
had been so endued. and he gave only
an occasional message. Religion had de-