obedient regard to the call of God; so that, in whatever way his commands be made known, you will say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.' Samuel will remind you, that if you be favoured above many of your equals, or even preferred to some of longer standing in the church of God, you ought not to be conceited and overbearing, or to despise any, though justly set aside for their negligence. But your modesty, and your tender concern for others, must not tempt you to be unfaithful to them. Your duty to God may require you to do that, which is very painful to your own feelings; nor should fear, or partiality to your friends, induce you to conceal any one circumstance, which it is incumbent upon you to declare to them.

From that period Samuel continued to receive such divine communications, as fully proved to the whole kingdom of Israel, that he was established to be a prophet of the Lord.' Yet he lived in a time of extreme degeneracy. He saw the ark of God carried into an enemy's land, and Shiloh deprived of the public ministrations of religion, with which it had been favoured three hundred years. But at last, all the house of Israel,' being brought to a deep sense of their loss, lamented after the Lord;' and earnestly wished for the restoration of their former privileges. This was the very effect which Samuel had endeavoured to produce; he seized the opportunity of pressing the matter upon their consciences, that they should evidence their sincerity by an immediate renunciation of idolatry, and a solemn dedication of themselves to the true God. A general congregation was called together at Mizpeh, that they might enter into an express engagement to serve the Lord alone, and might seek his blessing, by sacrifice, fasting, and prayer.

When the people were assembled, agreeably to his wishes, he conducted their devotions. He was then also acknowledged as their supreme civil magistrate, and from that time, at least, presided over them as their judge. But in the midst of these religious transactions, they were suddenly attacked by their adversaries the Philistines, and filled with terror. Their very distress, however, convinced them of the worth of Samuel, and of the advantage of relying wholly on the Lord. While he appeared as their mediator, with a burntoffering and with earnest supplication, deliverance was vouch

safed to them, and in such a way as to prove, that their salvation was of God. The Philistines, confounded by a most remarkable storm of thunder from heaven, fell an easy prey to the Israelites. The memory of this very signal victory was preserved by a monument, which Samuel erected, and to which he gave the significant title of Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.'

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Under his care and government, the Israelites were secure and prosperous. During his administration, their enemies no more dared to renew their hostilities. As a judge, he con ducted their civil affairs with fidelity and diligence, and by regular circuits executed justice, and preserved good order through the land. And as the minister of religion, in the place of his stated residence, he called them to the worship of the true God: for there he built an altar,' at which, doubtless, public ordinances were celebrated, though Shiloh was deserted.

We are constrained to acknowledge, that a character like Samuel must be a blessing to any nation, and merits universal regard, Yet we observe from this instance, that the best of men, with the most eminent abilities, as well as zeal and integrity, may seem to labour in vain, during a long season, for the advancement of truth and righteousness. But, even in such dark and distressing times, let them not remit their diligence; as spiritual husbandmen, they should still sow in hope,' Let them water their seed with much prayer to God, and it shall not be lost. They themselves may live glorious harvest; or if not,

to see it spring up, and produce a posterity may reap the benefit. Their work is with the Lord; and they may cheerfully expect, that, in answer to their fervent petitions, he will arise to plead his own cause.-But reformation is not the concern of governors alone: it is the duty and interest of all to promote it. And were individuals, though of less extensive power and in private life, to unite their endeavours for this purpose, very much might be done. What should be your conduct, who have children and servants under your control? Will you not be chargeable with their ignorance and profaneness? If you fear that your pains would be lost, you should try at least, whether something might not be effected. Whatever be the event, it is incumbent upon

you to perform your part: instruct, exhort, warn, reprove, and punish, as the case may demand; and then leave the consequence with God.

Samuel, at an advanced age, was much tried and distressed. On account of his own infirmities, he had taken his two sons to be his assistants in the government. (1 Sam. viii. 1, &c.) But these were very unlike their father, having no fear of God or concern for the general good. Some of the most excellent characters have had the extreme calamity of seeing their children, unmindful of all their instructions, prayers, and examples, turn out dissolute and abandoned, even after having discovered very promising signs of real religion.-The Lord is not accountable to us for the disposal of his favours. But from his general providence and the gracious declarations of his word, you have reason to look for his blessing upon your offspring, while you are faithfully discharging your duties. And though you should seem to gain no advantage with them for the present, they may hereafter remember your admonitions and entreaties to good purpose, and may be recovered to God, when you are sleeping in the dust. At any rate, you must exert your utmost endeavours, and then be satisfied under this persuasion, that The Judge of all the earth will surely do right.'

The people petitioned, that a king might be set over them with the same pomp as in other countries. They had some cause for complaint; but their request, probably, arose from a discontented spirit, and discovered much ingratitude towards Samuel. He considered it as a contempt put upon himself; but instead of reproaching them, he made known his distress unto the Lord. The prophet, however, was reminded, that Israel had rejected, not him only, but the God of heaven, by whose immediate appointment and continual direction their polity had been conducted. He was therefore instructed to yield to their desires, after having solemnly protested against their plan, and warned them of the consequences.

This history may teach us not to depend upon human favour. For we observe, that men of the first abilities, of eminent piety, and of extensive usefulness, may live to be neglected, and be set aside by the very persons, who have derived singular advantages from their labours. But let those,

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 disintèrestedness, 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 A both upon them and their king. As to himself, he assuredthem, that though he was retiring from the management of

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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 battle 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