The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-08-19
Sunday, Aug. 20.
I Samuel 3:1-1O; 12:1-4.

cut of Bethel, Gilgal, and Miz-
pah. His judicial career was so
incorruptible that he has been
called the Hebrew Aristides. He
is credited with the Punishment
of idolatry; the confirmation of
the theocracy; the establishment
of order, peace, and justice; and
the winning of greater unity
among the tribes.
| ATTENDANT OF ELI
| q SAMUEL 81
The divine call came to him in
the sanctuary at Shiloh. Here at
the most sacred spot in the coun-
try Samuel was in the midst of
holy influences, surrounded by
the best associates, and offered
the finest opportunities for learn
ing the truth. His boyish energy
also found employment, manual
as we'll as mental, for upon him
developed at first such simple
duties as opening ard closing
the doors of the sanctuary and
waiting upon the aged high
priest. Moreover, he was in a
position to observe men of af-
fairs. The notables of the land
came frequently to Shiloh. The
tides of national interest flowed
into the national sanctuary. Thus
Samuel became familiar with
passing events both in Israel and
abroad. Finally, the parental hold
upon the boy Samuel continued
and possibly deepened; for every
year Elkanah and Hannah came
with sacrifices and every time
was brought the mothers coat
for the consecrate dchild. 1t is
wonder that such child heard
the voice of God?
The divine message through the
boy Samuel forecast the over
throw of the house of Eli. 1t
was at IL years of age, accord
ing to Josephus, that Samuel was
transformed from waiting boy to
prophet. He was then prepared
for direct divine revelation and
the actual beginning of his life
work. However, owing to the
rarity of revelation in those days
and the inexperience of the lad,
he thrice mistook the call of Je-
hovah for the call of the high
priest for some mental service.
At last by Ellis direction, he cri-
ed to Jehovah when called
"'Speak; thy servant heareth"
Then the divine voice. foretold
the doom of Ellis house, which
already had been dishonored and
degraded by his greedy, lecher-
Gus sons. All night, no doubt,
the awful prediction fevered the
brow and fretted the pulses of
Samuel; but when. with the
morning light, Eli craved the rev.
elation, Samuel told him all. And
the aged judge bowed in sorrow
ing submission.
JUDGE OF ISRAEL
q SAMUEL 12)
Samuel the Judge delivered his
farewell address at Gilgal. He
began with an appeal to his rec
ord. Surely no public official on
leaving office ever appeared to
better advantage. He had heark-
ened to the voice Of the people
who had a right to be heard,
even when their will was con-
trary to his Judgment. He had
selected and designated for them
the kingliest man in their midst
whom the recent victory over
Ammon had made secure on the
throne. Now as Samuel gives
up political life, he challenges
criticism of his record. Not an
adverse voice is or could be
raised against it. With clean
hands he had administered the
duties of his judgeship; and with |.
clean hands, before the Lord and
the king, he laid them down.
Note here five secrets of
Samuel's success: (D He was !
sympathetic. 81 have hearkened ,
unto your voice." The voice of /
the people was not the voice of .
God. But Samuel led them as
far as possible in the right d.
rection. He was accessible to
them. They could speak freely
to him. He had their best inter
est at heart. (2) He was re-
spected. "I am old and gray
headed" No man in all the land
was so revered. And he deserved
his good name. From infancy he
had served God and the people.
Happy was the country with such
a man in its bounds. (3) He
was sincere. 'T have walked be-
fore you" Samuel lived no
life. He did nothing
n corner. His life was an open
book. Everybody knew what he
thought and did. He concealed
nothing from his fellow-citizens.
~ He was irreproachable.