tears, being unable to eat of the sacrifices, or fearing to partake of them in a spirit of mournfulness. Hannah does not appear to have possessed any of the impatient temper manifested by Rachel under a similar affliction. She had strong feelings, but they were controlled by her respect for Elkanah's authority, and by her religious faith. On the occasion mentioned particularly, the insolence of her adversary, and the anguish caused by her provoking language, seem to have reached their climax. Then it was that Elkanah rebuked her gently, for the immoderate grief, which was an offence to God, as well as unkindness to him. Hannah answered not, but rose up after the solemn feast; her soul was full of bitterness, her anguish no longer repressible; and she obeyed the native tendency of the spirit to pour out its woe to the Almighty Hearer of prayer. Let the waters of affliction overwhelm the soul-deep calling unto deep; let earthly help and hope disappear, and its cry ascends instinctively to Heaven. Happy those who, like Hannah, can pray in faith, as well as fervently, and keep the vow made in the day of trouble!

Hannah stood within the tabernacle, and the pent-up sorrow of her bosom found vent first in a flood of tears, and then in earnest supplication before the Lord. She vowed a vow, that if a son were granted her, he should be consecrated to God, and devote all the days of his life only to his service. Often might blessings importunately craved be found curses in reality, and the parent's heart be wrung by the ingratitude or unworthiness of the child received as the dearest boon of Heaven. She who prayed now for a son, would secure his welfare both in this world and the next, as well as testify her gratitude for the gift, by dedicating him to the Lord. As she stood and prayed-her whole heart absorbed in the earnestness of her petition, her lips moving, but with no audible voice-unmindful or unconscious of observation, there was one who looked upon and condemned her. The highpriest Eli, seated by the post in the temple or tabernacle, had

marked her entrance and her movements, and, mistaking the evidence of strong emotion, taxed her with drunkenness. Here again are shown the mildness and humility of Hannah, in the courteous and respectful manner in which she replied, evincing no anger at the injurious imputation cast upon her. It was nothing strange, perhaps, in those days-when the temple of the Most High was profaned by licentious excess, when the very priests "lorded it over God's heritage," and desecrated his sacrifice with abominations for the inebriate to venture into the sanctuary; nor had the reproof of the high-priest, in most cases, much effect. Hannah not only testified no indignation, but, in declaring her innocence and the sorrow that had brought her thither a humble supplicant, did not explain the cause of her distress. It lay between her and her Maker: in him alone she trusted for relief, and so she sought no human sympathy nor intervention in making known her complaint to the God of Israel. Eli acknowledged his mistake, and without knowing what had been her petition, added his blessing and prayer that it might be granted.

Having "poured out her soul before the Lord," Hannah goes her way, no longer oppressed with sadness, and able, with a cheerful countenance, to bear her part in the stated worship. The son she asked is given, and she calls him by a name that perpetuates her memory of the obligation. She does not go up to the yearly sacrifice till the time comes when she may perform her vow, and give him up finally to the sanctuary. Elkanah approves her determination: "Do," he says, “what seemeth thee good; only the Lord establish his word." His zeal for the honour of Jehovah, and confidence that he would do all things well, rendered him willing to yield up his own judgment even in disposing of his child. How signally was the devotion rewarded!

A scene of deep interest and pathos is presented, in the final restitution of the gift or loan for which Hannah had prayed in the sanctuary. Leading her boy, and having with her the offerings

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for sacrifice and thank-offering customary for those who came to pay a tribute of gratitude and joy, she appears once more in the presence of the high-priest. No longer bowed down with distress, she is so changed by the cheerfulness of her countenance and deportment, that she is not recognized by Eli. Her heart is overflowing with thankful happiness; she remembers not his unkind reproof, but, greeting him eagerly, declares herself the same woman who stood by him praying; that she has been made happy by a gracious answer to her petition, and that she is come to render up God's due, by giving her son to his service. How must the touching piety of this mother, with the innocence of the child who stood ready to be thus devoted, have struck the soul of Eli— so lamentably deficient in his own domestic management—so unhappy in the misconduct of his sons! It was hard for those affectionate parents to separate themselves from their only son, in his tender childhood, while his presence was most dear to them, but harder would it have been to see the working in him of the curse that follows disobedience!

Again Hannah prayed; but this time not in humiliation and anguish. Then, her voice was not heard, but her prayer struggled upward from her heart; now her words are uttered aloud, and her love and gratitude poured out in the sacred and sublime hymn, at the close of which is a mysterious prophecy of the greatness of the Messiah. She returns to Ramah with Elkanah, leaving Samuel to minister before the Lord, but continues from year to year to visit him, and bring him little tokens of her maternal fondness, when she comes up with Elkanah to attend the sacrifice. She was blessed, amidst the cares of a numerous family, in watching the growth of this cherished son in wisdom and piety. Her trust was remembered, in the grace which made the child grow "in favour both with the Lord, and also with men.”

The child destined after Moses to be the first eminent and acknowledged prophet in Israel, continued to serve in the sanc

tuary under the direction of the high-priest. While slumbering at night in the area of the tabernacle, a mysterious voice called him by name; the call being repeated so frequently, that the aged Eli became convinced that some new revelation was to be made. It was an affecting scene, when, on the morning after the vision, the guileless child stood in the presence of the infirm high-priest, who had been to him as a father, for whom affectionate respect had grown with his growth, and, adjured by the great name of Jehovah, delivered the awful message. Strange, that the first words of prophecy from the lips of one so young should be fraught with such terror, and stranger still that they should denounce unrelenting vengeance upon the house of the priest who had protected the early years of Samuel, and hoped, perhaps, to find comfort in him for the wickedness of those of his own blood!

The fame of Samuel extended as he grew, and his word “ came to all Israel,” till he assumed his appointed place as head of the state. Thus was distinguished honour put upon the piety of his parents, and the wise nurture in which he grew. Elkanah and Hannah were blessed, not in his greatness, but in his pre-eminent usefulness.

X.

ELI AND HIS FAMILY.

THE Condition of the Hebrew nation at the period of Eli's priesthood, contributed to increase the weight of priestly influence and power. The frontier, harassed by enemies, to oppose whom a considerable struggle was necessary-the central territory of Ephraim became the most powerful province among the tribes. The tabernacle and ark-the strength and hope of Israel, as the symbol of the presence of the Deity-were at Shiloh, whither the people went up at stated times to worship; that place, therefore, was acknowledged as the capital, and Eli was invested with civil as well as religious supremacy, being both judge and high-priest in Israel. His own character, as an individual, appears to have been upright and blameless; he had a knowledge of the attributes of God, and worshipped Him in sincerity; he manifested submission, patience, and penitence, when punishment was denounced upon his house; and at the last, when he watched, with a fearful looking-for of judgment-when overwhelming ruin was upon him—his apprehensions and his anguish were more for the ark of God than even for his doomed children. It was in his relations as a father and ruler-in his public capacity, that he was so culpably defective; that he was judged worthy of the terrible punishment under which he sank in his old age.

Two sons had Eli-Hophni and Phinehas-who also were engaged in the sacerdotal service at Shiloh. They had been brought up to the sacred office, and probably instructed according to the law; but they had no real acquaintance with the perfections of the Being they professed to serve, nor any disposition to honour