Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1907-12-12
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DEC. is BY THE
REV. I. w. HENDERSON.

Subject: The Boy Samuel, I. Sam. 8:
1-21-Golden Text, I. Sam. SO
Memory Verses, S.1O-Read I.
~ Samuel ia.
The prophet Samuel, says Rev. W.
G. Blaikie. D. D.. in his commentary
on Samuel. like the the book which
bears his name, comes in as con-
Meeting link between the Judges and
the Kings of Israel. He belonged to
transition period. 1t was appointed
to him to pilot the nation between
two stages of its history: from re-
public to monarchy: from p condi-
ton of somewhat casual and indefi-
mite arrangements to one of more
systematic and orderly government.
The great object of his life was to
secure that this change should be
made in the way most beneficial for
the nation. and especially most bene-
fetal for its spiritual interests. Care
must be taken that while becoming
like the nations in having king,
Israel shall not become like them in
religion, but shall continue to stand
out in hearty and answering allie
glance to the law and covenant OF
their fathers God.
Samuel was the last of the Judges,
and in sense the first of the
prophets. The last of the Judges,
hnt not a military Judge: not ruling
like Samson by physical strength.
, but by high spiritual ties and PRAYER;
not so much wrestling against flesh
and blood as against municipalities
and powers, and the rulers of the
darkness of this world. and spiritual
wicledness in high places. In this
respect his function rs Judge blond
ed with his work rs n prophet. Be
fore him, the prophetic office was but
casual illumination; under him it
becomes n more steady and syste-
matte light He was the first of n
succession Of prophets to whom God
placed side bv side with the kings
and priests of Israel to supply that
fresh moral and spiritual force which
the prevailing worldliness of the one
and Journalism of the other rendered
so necessary for the great ends for
which Israel was chosen. With some
fine exceptions, the kings and priests
would have allowed the seed of Abra-
ham to drift away from the noble
purpose for which Cod had called
them; conformity TO the world in
spirit if not in form was the pre-
yailing tendency: the prophets were
raised up to hold the nation firmly
TO the covenant, 10 vindicate the
claims of its heavenly King, to thun-
der JUDGEMENTS against idoIatry and
oil rebellion. and pour words of COM
fort into the hearts of all who were
faithful to their God. and who looked
for redemption in Israel. or this
order of Gods servants Samuel was
the first. And called as he was to
this Office at transition period, the
Importance of it was all the greater.
The first thing that engages our
sDecial attention in this CHAPTER is
the singular way in which Samuel
was called to rcceiye Gods message
IN the temple
The word of God was rare in those
days; there was no open vision. or
rather no vision that came abroad,
that was promulgated to the nation
Ms the expression of God S will. From
the tone in which this is referred to,
It was evidently looked on as want,
as placing the nation in a less de-
sirable position than in days when
God was constantly communicating
His will, Now, however. God is to
come into closer contact with the
people, and for this purpose He is
to employ now instrument as the
medium Of His messages. For God
! IS never at n loss for suitable instru-
monts--they are always ready when
| peculiar work has to be done. In
| the selection Of the boy Samuel as
| His prophet there is something pain
| full, but likewise something very in.
teresting. 1t is painful TO find the
| old high priest passed over, his VEN
cradle years and venerable office
| would naturally have pointed to him
! but in spite of many good qualities
| in ono point he is grossly untaithtul
and the very purpose of the vision
| now to be made iT to declare the out,
GENE OF his faithlessness, But it is
| interesting TO find that already the
child OF iiannah is marked out fol-
| this distinguished service. Even In
! his case there is opportunity for veri
| fving the rule, Them that honor
| Ne | will honor" His entire deyo'
ton to Gods service, so beautiful II
one of sucn tender years, is the sign
| of a character we'll adapted to become
| the medium of Gods habitual com
| munications with His people. Young
though he is. his very youth in one
sense will prove an advantage. II
/ will show that what he speaks is not
| the mere fruit Of his own thinking
| but is the message of Cod. 1t viii
! show that the spiritual power thai
goes forth with his words is not
| his own native force, but the force
OF the Holy Spirit dwelling in him
1t will thus be made apparent to al
! that God has not fOrsaken His peO
u!e, corrupt and lamentably wicked
| though the young priests are.
We cannot but remark what dan
| gerOus position, i'll mere human
| point of view, Samuel occupied. The
danger was that which young mar
| encounters when suddenly or early
! raised to the possession of high spiri
tual power. Samuel. though littlt
| more than a boy, was virtually the
chief man in Israel Set so high, hi!
natural danger was great. But God
who placed him there, sustained il
him the spirit of humble dependence
| After all he was but Gods servant
| Humble obedience was still his duty
| And in this higher sphere his career
| was but u continuation of what had
| been described when it was said
| II ,i,,iG tn hI