Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-01
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
THE BOY SAMUEL Sam,
1.24-2S; 3.1-21.
Golden text-My son. give me
thy heart, and let thine eyes de-
light in my ways. Proverbs,
1926.
NY REV, HUGH T. STEVENSON.

Samuel. the last of the judges and
the pioneer of the prophets, was born
in an hour when there was an ap-
rarent need for a religious reforma-
tion and a political reconstruction OF
Israel, that would mold the different
tribal elements into the unity of
national life. Deep-seated tribal jeal-
ousy had prevented Israel. even in the
hours when their existence as sepa-
rate people was imperiled, from raj
lying to the call of the leaders to bat
tie for their national honor when they
oneness in race and religion. Sin had
widened the divisions and prevented
their unification as people. The
only .unifying element that existed
was manifested in the ritualistic OBJ
servance of their religious rites with
out any spiritual change of their
character. Outward expression with
out inward possession of religion in
creases rather than diminishes divi-
sions.
Our Father is never Indifferent to
the needs of humanity or of His own
people. He works in marvellous way
His wonders to perform. In the heart
of Hannah, who had suffered many
unbearable hardships because she was
barren, there was longing for a
child. Penninnah. who Elkanah had
probably chosen as his second wife, in
accordance with the practice of that
period, because Of the barrenness of
Hannah, was jealous of the attention
and devotion that was given to Han
nah. Her antipathy was increased by
the gifts that Elkanah gave to his
first wife during the feasts. She
vented her feelings upon Hannah by
| twitting her Of her barrenness dur
i Ing their visit to Shiloh to worship
Jehovah. Broken-hearted. the spir-
itually minded Hannah took her trou-
man child. He heard her petition
| and answered her request Before
| Samuel was born his mother had con
secrated him to the service Of the
| Lord as a Nazarite. Many a pastor
preacher and priest has learned years
Lord that his mother. like Hannah
had dedicated him to the Lords work
| before his birth.
| When the promised son was born he
was called Samuel: ''heard of the Lord. -
upon her silent petitions, which is the
first recorded in the Scriptures. In fact
her actions in silently praying God had
been misunderstood by ELI. the high
priest. According to the law governing
vows Numbers. 3o.s) Hannah's conse:
Grafton Of Samuel to the Lord called
for the consent Of her husband. who
cordially approved his wife's promises
and plans for their only child. He
prayed that God would At the lad fol
aervice In the temple. He proved hii
gratitude by Offering three bullocks Will
which his son was consecrated to the
| service of the Lord by ELL Samuel wal
probably three years OF age when hi
was weaned. SO that he was we'll able t.
care for himself when he was committe t
10 Eli. the high priest. to be trained fol-
the service Of tho temple and Jehovah
The conservation OF their children t
every parent, The neglect of the religion,
education of the child that has beer
intrusted to our training In . serious
offense. Eli did not fail to instruct thu
lad who had been apprenticsd to hin
concerning the meaning of the word Of
! the Lord. that was rarely revealed unto
men in those days because VI the sin d