who lament that they are injuriously slighted by their fellowcreatures, like Samuel, commend their cause to God, and he will counsel and comfort them.

A distinguished honour was still put upon the prophet even in the sight of the people: for their very king received his appointment from him. It is pleasing to behold his disinterestedness, his respect and kindness towards the man, to whom he was about to resign his authority. He entertained him, gave him all necessary instruction for discharging the duties of his exalted station, and, pouring the consecrated oil upon him, kissed him, in token of his submission and affection.. [1 Sam. x. 1, &c.] What had been done in private, was soon afterward ratified in public. He solemnly assembled the people at Mizpeh; and after he had faithfully reproved them for their ingratitude in rejecting the divine administration, he pointed out their king to them, and declared what should be the form and the rules of their civil constitution.

· Upon another occasion also, after Saul's conquest of the Ammonites, when the nation was better affected towards their new ruler, Samuel took the opportunity of establishing the kingdom in his hands, and of binding his subjects to him by the sacred rites of religion. [1 Sam. xi. and xii.] Then, likewise, in a most animated address, he called upon the whole congregation to avow their objections, if they had any, against himself: but, to a man, they were all compelled to acknowledge his integrity. This appeal, it should seem, was made, not merely to vindicate his own character, but that he might thereupon ground his accusation against them, for having cast off the government of God, through a proud unbelieving spirit. To fix a deeper conviction of guilt upon their minds, and to show that he was acting as the minister of Jehovah, he spake the word, and a most tremendous storm of thunder, uncommon at that season of the year, excited a general terror among them. They confessed their sin; they reverenced the prophet, and entreated his charitable intercessions. His purpose was answered: and therefore he proceeded to encourage them by promises of God's unalterable protection, so long as they should cleave unto him; but he warned them also that their disobedience would bring down utter destruction both upon them and their king. As to himself, he assured them, that though he was retiring from the management of

VOL. II.

E

their public affairs, he could not but have their interests at heart, and would never cease to offer up his prayers for them, or to instruct them in their duty. In this conduct of Samuel is exhibited a pattern of holy zeal, disinterestedness, and fidelity, which we should ever keep in view. It is well when we can boldly appeal to our despisers and persecutors, as to our sincerity, and they are constrained to bear witness in our favour. Yet we should beware, in speaking of ourselves, lest we be influenced by pride and resentment. For our motives should be, not that we may rise and triumph by the confusion of our enemies, but that God may be glorified, the cause of religion vindicated, good men confirmed in their principles, and sinners converted unto righteousness. But whatever be the event, though we be deprived of that rank we once possessed, and of those opportunities of extensive usefulness we once enjoyed, we should still endeavour to serve God and our fellow-creatures, according to the talents which are continued to us. No contemptuous or injurious treatment should provoke us to cease from our pious labours, so long and so far as we are permitted to exercise them.

Though Samuel had yielded up the civil power into the hands of Saul; the minister of religion will still appear, in the sequel of this history, superior to the prince. He had previously enjoined the king to wait for his coming till a particular day, that he might offer sacrifices for him, and instruct him in his conduct, before he went forth to bactle against the Philistines. [1 Sam. x. 8. and xiii. 8. &c.] Samuel was not unmindful of his engagement; but it should seem, that he purposely delayed his visit, till the set time was nearly expired. By this delay the pride and impatience of Saul were discovered: and then immediately the prophet presented himself, in the name of the God of heaven, to reprove him for his disobedience, and to declare the fatal consequences of his transgression, in his approaching destruction.

On another occasion we behold Samuel, with the same dignity, giving directions to the king, and passing judgement upon him. [1 Sam. xx. 1, &c.] He delivered the divine commission to him, for the utter extirpation of the Amalekites, and solemnly charged him to execute it punctually. But how great was his distress, when he heard that Saul had again provoked the anger of the Lord by his hypocrisy, and that

he had not fully performed the command! Deeply affected with the ungrateful, rebellious spirit of the prince, and with the calamities coming upon him, he cried unto the Lord with most importunate intercessions for him. But the sentence against him was determined in the court of heaven; and the painful task of declaring it was committed to Samuel. The man of God, therefore, with all the majesty peculiar to his sacred character, not fearing the wrath of the king,' arraigned him as a criminal, convicted him of covetousness, pride, and dissimulation, very sharply reproved him for his disobedience, and pronounced his condemnation. He was then departing from him, with a holy indignation, but was detained a while, in compliance with the earnest entreaties of Saul, that he might not show him any open disrespect, or excite the contempt and opposition of the people against him.

This was the last visit which the prophet paid to the rejected prince of Israel. Yet let it not be thought, that he was influenced by resentment or arrogance. On the contrary, the grief of Samuel, on Saul's account, seems to have been indulged to an extreme. The Lord, therefore, rebuked him, charged him to acquiesce in the rejection of Saul, and sent him with an express commission to anoint one of the sons of Jesse, who was soon to be raised to the throne. [1 Sam. xvi. 1, &c.]

Samuel was now advanced in years, and retired from public business; and yet he was actively employed in promoting the great interests of religion. He is supposed to have founded those seminaries of pious education, the schools of the prophets,' which tended to preserve the purity of revelation, and to provide proper persons for the service of the church.

Thus, after a life of eminent usefulness, Samuel departed in peace, and his death was much lamented by the whole nation of Israel. [1 Sam. xxv. 1.] How honourable does the good man appear, even in a private station! Though he may be neglected by many, who once professed to revere him, his worth will be acknowledged, when he is taken away, and his loss will be felt by the church.

[ROBINSON.]

and discharging even to old age, with diligence and fidelity, the important offices which he sustained. Perhaps we may not be called to so conspicuous a station, or to such extensive usefulness, as he was; but if we be influenced by the same spirit, like him we shall be a public blessing in our place and generation.

Samuel was descended, by his father Elkanah, from the tribe of Levi, which was set apart for the work of the sanctuary. There were some circumstances attending his birth, which raised the expectation of his being an extraordinary person. He was a child of prayer, granted in answer to the fervent supplications of his pious mother, Hannah, and named Samuel, which is interpreted Asked of God,' in remembrance of the divine condescension to her requests. About three years old, he was presented to the Lord in his tabernacle at Shiloh, with much religious solemnity, and there left to be employed in his service, under the care and direction of Eli. In some way or other, he assisted in the offices of public worship, according to his abilities, constantly attended upon the aged priests, and observed their commands. With a superior understanding and much ardour of devotion, he was not forward or assuming, but meek and teachable, diligent in his appointed work, respectful and submissive in his deportment to his tutor, whom, for his infirmities and remissness in duty, he might have been tempted to despise. He was surrounded by bad examples, and from his situation necessarily connected with the sons of Eli, through whose profaneness men abhorred the offering of the Lord.' Yet, untainted by the general contagion, he appeared eminently holy; and while they were advancing from one degree of impiety to another, he grew on,' in knowledge, piety, and zeal, and the Lord was with him.'

At an early period, he received unequivocal marks of the approbation of heaven. While the young man was ready to attend to the call of Eli, by night as by day, the Lord condescended to address him by an audible voice, and to inform him of those tremendous judgements, which were soon to be executed on the family of that very person, to whom he ministered. Such a communication must have been considered as a peculiar honour put upon him; but he seems not to have been elated with it. He still maintained a constant regard to the

work of his station, performing the necessary services of the tabernacle; and so far was he from showing any contempt of Eli, for the heavy charge brought against him, that, through tenderness and veneration for his office, he was extremely unwilling to relate the substance of the vision. Yet his modest reserve gave way to a sense of duty; and, when pressed to it by his aged master, he was faithful and impartial in acquainting him with every circumstance in the divine threatenings.

How much have we to learn from this part of the example! Young persons, in particular, are requested seriously to contemplate the piety of Samuel, and they will be instructed from him to remember their Creator in the days of their youth.' It is often supposed, that children are incapable of religion. But many cases, of indisputable authority, contradict the notion. Jeremiah, Daniel and his three compa nions, Timothy, and Samuel, were all eminent for a spirit of devotion at a tender age; and instances of a similar kind may also be produced in modern times. We should, therefore, be encouraged to apply to God for our infant offspring, bring them, as soon as may be, to his house, and dedicate them to him.

They can understand and retain some of the most important principles, in which they ought to be instructed, and they are susceptible of good impressions, at an earlier period than is commonly imagined. They should be taught to worship the Lord, as far as their faculties will permit; and while they are presented to him, his blessing may rest upon them, and engage their hearts to enter with ardour into his service.

Upon this subject we would bespeak the attention of chil dren. We refer you to Samuel for a proof, that your waiting on the Lord will be pleasing to him, and for a pattern of all those amiable tempers which will be your brightest ornament, and a sure source of happiness. Learn from the young prophet not only to be devout, but at the same time to be. humble, modest, and respectful in your behaviour towards your superiors, notwithstanding any defects you may perceive in their conduct. Be diligent in your place; and you will, probably, be raised to greater privileges, and increase in wisdom and in every good attainment, as you increase in stature and in years. This example will teach you a meek and