The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-02-13

Samuel was the last Judge and the
hrst Of the order of prophets. His
name means asked of God" and he
was dedicated to God Q:11) as a MAJ
arite. In fulfillment of his mothers
vow he. was brought to the temple
when he was a young child Q:24), Jo-
sephus says, at twelve years of age.
Hannah's song of rejoicing ohio is
the expression of a great soul and a
choice piece of literature. Samuel
the advantage of being we'll born,
but after studying Ellis household we
are not so confident as TO the environ
ment amid which he was placed.
!. SamueI's Vision, w. lilo. The
young child entered heartily into the
temple worship and duties as directed
by the aged priest, Eli. This man was
lot faithful in giving the people the
word of God. ut was rare" (margin)
and the result was that there was no
frequent vision" (R. w. The word
is also precious ". 1; Ps. 1879, 10Y,
though when it is as common as it is
in this land men frequently set but
little store by 1t. God will Judge men
for such laxity ever as he Judged
Israel (Amos 8:4-6, IL, 12). A vision
Is a knowledge oil. a need and of the
resources at our command. Eli and
his sons had no vision and a people
lacking in this direction perish prov.
29:1S). Jehovah is about to make,
known to Israel his will and in SO do
ing he passes yer this indulgent father
and chooses the child Samuel. Teach
ableness and obedience are the chief
characteristics of childhood and these
traits count for more with God than
does age or experience Matt. 11:25.
l Tim. 4:12, Matt. 21:6). Samuel had
not acquired the conceit of youth, he
was faithful to his duties, respectful to
his elders and did not boast of his
accomplishments nor of the special
revelation which came to him. Sam
uel slept in the holy place of the 'sa-
cred tent" near Eli, for the great
temple was not yet built. AS such he
Is a type for the Christian Cps. 27:4),
1t was there that the Lord revealed
himself to him (John 1:14 R. v. mar
gin). n Of Samuel's duties as the
special attendant of Eli was to open
the house of God every morning, also
to tend the sacred lamp which burned
from evening to morning eek. 27:2O,
21). As he attended to these duties
God made himself known to Samuel
". A.. God frequently calls men and
they are not at home but have gone
into the far country. Samuel knew
God as every devout worshiper knew
him, but had not yet received a direct
hence he did not yet know
jehovah Thinking at once of the
priest, Samuel ran to receive orders
to render service. Had he disre-
garded the voice he would not in the
end have received his clear revelation.
To have closed his ears, turned over
for further sleep or 20 have risen hesi-
tatingly would, in all probability, have
prevented any further calls (Prov.
1924, rs, 2S). God wants, for special
services, those who make glad re-
sponse to his first call Elsa. SIS; Luke
S:69-62; Acts 9:6). Three times the
call comes and three times Samuel
reply. There are three periods
In the unfolding life that are most sus-
ceptible to the leading of the Holy
Spirit. MINI to twelve, fourteen and
fifteen, seventeen n eighteen are
particularly open to Impressions, espe-
cially If the child has had a religious
atmosphere and training.
The teacher needs to be ever alert
take advantage Of these opportu-
mites to unfold and enforce the claims
Of Christ and to challenge an imme-
Hate decision of the soul. Happy are
hey who like Samuel hear and recog-
lize, even though 1t be a progressive
revelation, the voice of Jehovah, and
nearing, obey 1t. There is little need
1t present for the audible voice. for
have h word and the still small
voice OF the Holy Spirit. The voice
Samuel heard became a vision ". 15).
The Bible everywhere assumes that
speaks to men. We do not find
SO much by searching for him, for
lie Is made known ("manifested") in
he person of his Son q John IL. q;
John 1870. Gods calls to service
nay come at any period. but frequent
y they come very early. Hudson Tay-
or, founder of the wonderful China
inland mission, received his call at
ieventeen. Eli in times past must
heard Jehovah speak, else he
would not have recognized who 1t was
hat was speaking to Samuel (chapter
':27). Samuels call was to service.
. be a prophet. Our commission is to
and to serve mark 16:15).
'amuel received Jehovah's word not
t ELS side but in his own resting
lace; so God would speak to us when
n our W place where he has put us.
I is well for us to be sure we are
hearing the voice Of God John
}.
". ~Jehovah's Verdict, w. 1f-13, 10.
o. The chapter following tells of the
Iefeat OF Israel, the capture of the
rk and the death of Eli and his sons.
'hese were the things "at which both
ears OF everyone that heareth IL
hall tingle." The word of Jehovah
lands fast, and what he speaks that
e performs from the beginning ever
INTO the eld" uuke 21:32, Numbers
Tie word OF Jehovah to Sam
eel about the house of Eli was one
alculated to strike terror and silence
nto the lads heart. ELI was not ieno-
ant OF The wickedness of his sons
S:2I-SS). ELI learns from Samuel Je-
A.Akl.