Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-29

God WHO was speaking, to him. This marked
Il new era III Sanuels life. When a. boy
or girl, man or woman. recognizes God, II
;tly:ays makes new creatures of them.
What a wonderful thing that God should
come ard speak to child! ANA more won
derfu that lie should speak the message re
die! 1t was that Eli had not improved the
opportunity He had given him when lie sent
His prophet to him: that his sons had not
rcpented, but lad continued in sin; ana that
therefore He would bring disaster to the
nation, death in one day to the two wicked
priests, and sorrow and disgrace to En-.
The Nation Thrilled
No wonder the boy did not sleep again that
night Stunned by such news; wondering
how lie could keep it from his old master;
wondering how he could tell it to him if he
had tO-the childs brain must have recled
He became q man overnight. such tremen
dous responsibilities would make a child de-
velOp into man more i'll one hour than lie
would normally do in many years. But when
morning came he was ready for any emer-
gency. -
Eli came and insisted on knowing all
every whit, keeping hack nothing. 1t was
dreadful to have TO be such n messenger,
but it is always Nindness to tell the whole
will of God.
Instead of exercising his right as father
(far greater than any that any father has
in these days. and dealing sternly with his
sons, he mildly resigned himself TO his
fate at is the Lord; let Him do what
SeplQptn 10 Him SOou ii IIHc SDllli VI
resignation, but not all that God wanted of
Him now. His last chance had been given
and he had lost it. Henceforth God revealed
Himself no more to Eli, but more and more
to Samuel.
lie grows in body and in mind and in
shirt and i'll the esteem of the people.
From Dan to Beersheba the nation is
thrilled. God is speaking again-nOt to an
old man, not to woman, but this time TO
the boy who is growing into a manly man.
Next time we shall look more closely into
the character of Eli and of his sons, and to
see how God carried out His threatened
doom.
Samuel's behavior before as well as after
receiving the communication from God was
most remarkable and gives us some lndica-
ton of his character. He served Eli then
as of old. although he knew God was dis
placing Eli by him. 1t took grace to serve
under these circumstances. He ddn t. get
the 'swelled head.
lie was prompt to obey. If you ever had
to wake boys up in the morning you will
appreciate how remarkable was Samuel S
prompt response when awakened out of a
sound sleep.
1t shows lots of character in the boy; an
alertneSS that indicates interest and
carucstness. So far as he knew Eli walked
him up three times, and each time SAID nc
didn't; but there was no sign of irritation
for he was Ellis servant and Il servants
| place is to obey. And this was responsible
| for the attitude he dispayed when he
realized that it was God who had called
''Speak, thy servant heareth." He was
| listening to learn Gods will; he was Gods
| servant: he would endeavor to do it as soor
| as he knew it.
| Do you realize that God is still ready tC
| speak TO Won. whether YOU are Il child OF
| Il few or of many years? He has messages
| OF life and of condemnation to speal
| through you. Speak. Lord--do You say?--
| thy servant, thy bond slave, heareth and Is
| ready to obey.
Mat t>eo-fold spirit of submission and
| Observation-Disclosures of ycur own will 81
| that God may speak to your waiting heart
| His will, and then implicit and immediate
| obedience to it, no matter what may be the
| cost-wiIl result in Won as it did in Samuel
The people recognized the presence of Goo
| in Samuel and he grew in power every day
| That same power is available for you today
! if YOU are willing and obedient.