land of Judea, as he did unto their brethren of the other tribes, he gave them a far nobler inheritance, he gave them a portion in himself, and ordained that they should live of the altar, on the offerings which were brought by the people for himself. Elkanah belonged to the most honourable family of this tribe, the family of the Koathites. This family was afterwards appointed by David to minister before the dwelling place of the tabernacle, and were set over the service of song in the house of the Lord.

Before we go on to speak of little Samuel himself, it may be proper to mention the piety of his parents. They had learned to ask of God for every needful and desirable blessing in prayer, and we find, that even this their son was given to them in answer to prayer. He was the child of prayer. His mother Hannah, desired much to have a son, whom she might devote to God from his youth. Yea, her heart was filled with grief, and she wept, and did not eat, because no son was given her; and good Elkanah, her husband, said unto "Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?" He thus tried to console her. But her soul was

full of trouble, and her unkind enemy sought to increase her unhappiness. But out of love to her husband, she raised up her head for a little while, and partook of some refreshment. She then went to pour out her sorrows before the Lord," and she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of Hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid; and wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." This prayer was a pattern of true devotion. It was offered up after she had united with her family in feeding on the peaceofferings, which they had presented in sacrifice unto God. It was no doubt a prayer of faith. It had reference to that sacrifice, or rather to the atoning sacrifice of which it was a type, expecting thus to obtain an answer of peace from God. There was much earnestness in it; it came from her heart, for she wept sore. It is very well when affliction brings us to our knees. grief quickened, and excited her pious affections in prayer. The bitterness and anguish of her heart added warmth and energy to her petitions.

Her

It was thus also with the blessed Saviour, who

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being in an agony, prayed more earnestly. May our sorrows always thus be sanctified to us. She was very modest in her petitions. She asked not for many sons, or for many children. She asked only for one son, and she asked for that son only, that he might be the Lord's. She sought not to be heard of men, or to be noticed as she prayed. She spake to God in her heart, and though the vehemence of her desires led her to move unconsciously her lips, she uttered no words with her mouth. Humble in soul, she desired not to make a fair show in the flesh. She called on the Lord by a most forcible and unusual name, O Lord of Hosts. This is the first time in which we are informed in Scripture, that this glorious title was applied to God. Jehovah Sabaoth, or Lord of Hosts, is a most encouraging and delightful name of the Almighty. It teaches us, that we need not fear what men may do against us, or what the wrath and malice of the evil one may devise for our hurt, if God be for us. He has power over all Hosts-over all armies. He sends forth his holy angels, yea, all the hosts of heaven, to protect those that love him; and not all the hosts of darkness, with

all the hosts of wicked men combined, cn injure one hair of our heads, if we trust in him. The former are the messengers of his mercy; the latter are the messengers of his vengeance. Hannah knew this, and though, through the infirmity of the flesh, her soul was depressed by the cruel treatment she received from Pininah, she looked for succour and for comfort unto God; she was not disappointed-she was heard, in that she feared. He who createth all hosts, answered her petition; but she was first put to a sore trial. Eli, the High Priest of God, took her for a wicked woman, and thought she was drunk. He sat by the pillars, at the gate of the court of the tabernacle, to give advice to the people, to instruct them, and to judge all causes that were brought before him. "And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth. Now, Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered, and said, No, my Lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong

drink, at have poured out my soul before the Lord. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial; for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto." Although this severe and ungrounded censure, so hastily passed upon her, added much to the pain of her mind, she took it without giving way to any angry or improper feelings; she retorted not on the aged priest, neither did she upbraid him with the improper conduct of his own children. She thought it enough to vindicate herself, and to deny the false charge which was brought against her. At the same time, she preserves the greatest respect for the old man ; she calls him my Lord, and begins by accounting for the impression which had been made in his mind respecting her. She intimates, that she was not surprized at his mistaking her situation, for though she was not inflamed with wine, she was inflamed with sorrow; that though her eyes were not red with drinking, they were red with weeping; and that though she was not talking to herself, as fools and drunkards do, she was nevertheless pouring out her heart to God, without giving any distinct utterance to her words. She was more than usually urgent in prayer,