Though the shore we hope to land on
Only by report is known. Yet we freely all abandon, Led by that report alone; And with Jesus Through the trackless deep move on. * CoUlard of ike Zambesi, 98.
270 THE CALL OF SAMUEL
(.2. If we have heard Him speak in this way, how have we received His Word ? Perhaps with joy at first, with hope, excitement, eager faith ? Yes, perhaps so. But the question for us all is : How long has the eagerness lasted ; has the faith grown cold ; have the ideals become worn out by length of time ; has the hope been chilled by trial; has the perseverance grown craven ; have we, who placed ourselves in the front of the battle, fled from it to take our pleasure, or deserted to the army of selfish wealth and engrossing sin and the transient world? ,;Alas, this is an experience we have all known, save a happy few. Bub in the silences of life we are troubled by echoes of the ancient cry ; nor do we ever quite forget what we have once listened to in youth, what once we have thrilled to hear. And if we have not obeyed, or have fallen from obedience, God, at least, does not forget. If we have no perseverance. He has. Our leaving of Him, our neglect of righteousness, love, and justice, of our duties to men; our selfish, vain, or idle life, bring with them their necessary fruits. We must eat them, and we are poisoned by them. Bitterness, loneliness, sorrow, misery of heart, are ours by law. And then He speaks again : " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." So we hear Him in the words of Jesus. ,And, tired with long ploughing under the yoke of our own will, which weighed heavier and heavier as the years went by ; tired out by sowing and never reaping ; worn with the trouble of loving ourselves only, and with the loneliness it brings ; sick at last of the lie of accusing others as the cause of our troubles, when their cause is in ourselves ; contrite and broken-hearted, but desiring to love God and to take all the consequences of loving Him ; eager to be loved by Him, for we are too much alone ; longing to try righteousness and to rest in its peace, to forgive others and to forgive ourselves — we answer, at last, in the darkness of life's tabernacle : " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth."i
^ Professor Elmslie has said, " Eli is one of the most un- fortunate men in the Bible. We constantly hear him described as a weak, worthless father, a mere worldling, with no heart or soul in him, I think if he could bring an action for libel against preachers and commentators, he would get generous damages.
I SAMUEL III. lo 271
Was his tuition so bad and defective that his sons turned out ill ? Who was it that trained the child Samuel — the strong, powerful Samuel, who crushed abuses and corruptions, drove out idolaters, and won battles for Israel ? " The G-ospel is a savour from death unto death to those who are perishing, and a savour of life unto life in them that are being saved. The model ministry of Jesus produced different results in John from those in Judas. The influence of Eli was effective in moulding the character of Samuel, and yet it was impotent in the case of his own two sons.^
Still, as of old. Thy precious word Is by the nations dimly .heard ; The hearts its holiness hath stirred
Are weak and few. Wise men the secret dare not tell; Still in Thy temple slumbers well Good Eli: 0, like Samuel,
Lord, here am I !
Few years, no wisdom, no renown, Only my life can I lay down ; Only my heart, Lord, to Thy throne
I bring; and pray A child of Thine I may go forth, And spread glad tidings through the earth. And teach sad hearts to know Thy worth!
Lord, here am I !
Young lips may teach the wise, Christ said ; Weak feet sad wanderers home have led; Small hands have cheered the sick one's bed
With freshest flowers: O, teach me, Father ! heed their sighs. While many a soul in darkness lies And waits Thy message ; make me wise !
Lord, here am I!
And make me strong; that, staff and stay. And guide and guardian of the way. To Thee-ward I may bear, each day,
Some fainting soul. Speak, for I hear; make pure in heart, Thy face to see; Thy truth impart. In hut and hall, in church and mart!
Lord, here am 1 1
^ E. Morgan.
>72 THE CALL OF SAMUEL
I ask no heaven till earth be Thine, Nor glory-crown, while work of mine Eemaineth here; when earth shall shine
Among the stars, Her sins wiped out, her captives free, Her voice a music unto Thee, For crown, new work give Thou to me!
Lord, liere am I!