i<lcal of life attained to by this "sorrowful wom'.ln ". bespe~ks the thoroughness of the discipline through winch she passed. A young life habituated to the calm and -elevating influences of the sanctuary, s?pn:rated fr_om the sad and sorrow-pr_oducing <Jvils of the nge, untouched by the artificial appliances of man, and nounshed in health without the man-created stimulants which give so much unreality to conduct -a very Naznrite in spirit and in body-this rose before the mind as an object of fond c1 esire, and was laid lovingly at the throne of God; doubtless, also, in prediction of the One true and perfect life. V. IT QUALI!l'IES FOR RENDERING CONTINUOUSLY rnPORTANT SERVICE TO THE CHURCH. N O better service can be rendered to the Church than to nurture a life in such a way as to impart to it a tone far above the average of spirituality, and while doing that to pour forth from the heart sentiments that shall act as an inspiration to the wise and good in all ages. It was worth while for Hannah to spend years of sorrow, to issue under the blessing of God, in the superbly beautiful nurture of a son like Sam~el, and in the lofty strains of her celebrated song. Sanctified affliction enriches the soul with qualities periµanent in value. The invalid gains spiritual power which in daily prayer brings down blessings on those nigh and afar off. The devout mother who has quietly borne reproach for Christ's sake, sweetens home all the rest of her days by her calm faith in God and ever-present gentleness. The merchant who has endured adversity as befits a child of God, gathers from the deep sorrows of his life power to piay and live for imperishable good far in excess of his former capacity. It is good to be afflicted. If these things be so, there arise several Practical questions deserving conscientious replies :-1. Is desire for temporal good toned and regulated by regard for spiritual usefulness?· 2. Do the private unspeakable sorrows of life draw us nearer to God, -or render us sullen and bitter? 3. In our approaches to God do we sufficiently :recognise the mercy-seat of the New Testament? 4. Have we ever consecrated -ourselves or our belongings to God by deliberate vow, and as far as nature permits, and the claims of religion require? 5. Does our personal consecration, or the devotion of our offspring to God, approach toward the N azarite ideal consecration of perfect freedom of life from all that is artificial and unwholesome-a holy simplicity?
Vera. 9-18.-Character misjudged.-!. A RARE FORM OF WORSHIP. It was a rare thing for a solitary woman to be seen offering prayer without audible words and with a semblance of folly. The vicinity of the sanctuary was the scene of many strange and painful events in those days; but here was singularity combined with and expressive of the deepest piety. Prayer, though not in form of set phrase, is true worship when characterised by the features seen in that of the "sorrowful "woman: such as longing of the heart for a definite object, intense fervour of spirit, reverent submission to the will of God, profound regard in what is sought for the Divine glory, and directed to the Source of all power through the mercy-seat in Christ. The question of set forms of utterance for public worship must be settled by considerations covering the range of history, and the order and welfare of the Church. The heart of the true Christian will contain petitions which no words can anticipate or expresM. It is not just to prescribe hO\v individuals shall pray, for a living piety must grow according to its inner laws, which partake of our own individuality. Sometimes the Church may witness the spectacle of unusual acts of worship, and it is good for the world when they arise. Spurious worship, eccentricity in tl1e name of religion, can be readily detected. Deviation from ordinary forms where piety is sincere may occur when intense feeling precludes or subdues utterance. Sighs, tears, groans may be prayers. Or the privacy of the request, though it be made under the eye of worshippers in the house of God, is unsuited to the public ear. Many a secret vow is made on the Sabbath in the sanctuary. And sometimes the spirit may know its want, but cannot speak to God for very awe of the Divine presence. II. A MISTAKEN JUDGMENT. Eli erred in judgment when he classed among the vile the most devout and holy of the age. Here was an instance of the guardian of the sanctuary, and the chief authority in law and religion, judging from appearance, and not from the heart. The causes of the errJr were probably such as frequently act amQn_; men. 1. Natural inability of man to read the real character by casual 16 THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. 1. 9-28