swift and awe-in6piring forces (Pa. ii.) to shatter all opposition, and ultimately insure a peaceful reign over mankind. It was some years before Peninnah's ground of annoyance to Hannah was removed, and the lowly one waa raised to joy and full satisfaction ; so, proportionately to the vaster deliverance to be wrought out for mankind, it may require many centuries to cast down all foes and create and perfect the bliss of the redeemed. But the" strength" of the "King" will bring it to pass by a combination of invisible and visible forces more subtle and intricate, but not less obedient to his will, than those which brought a mother's joy to Hannah. Here we see the beautiful unity of all Scripture reference to the final triumph of Messiah. The "serpent's head" is to be " bruised " was consolation to our weeping ancestors, bereft of Eden. In him " all nations shall be blessed ,,. was the grand assuranr.e that made Abraham's life one of large sympathy with the future. "To him shall the gathering of the people be" was the solace o:f Jacob's dying hour. And thus, aided by Hannah's joyous song of victory, as though :.!ready real, the holy, blessed succession ran on, telling of the "kingdom " that "shall have no end," and the day when to the Name that is "above every name" every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord and Christ. From this survey of truth concerning "salvation" note a few important Practical truths :-1. See here a beautiful instance of how a single bfe's exJ?erience, when under the holy discipline of God, may be rich in instruction and inspiration for men i1i all ages. This is brought about not by mere natural genius, but by a woman's pure and full consecration to Christ, and passio11ate desire to accelerate the advent of his kingdo:·l:, Happy they who can live so as to inspire and help posterity I Let our life become a song· of thanksgiving to our successors. This is possible to all in some degree. 2. An underlying current of faith in Christ's compute triumph runs through the ancient Church, and this should embolden us. True saints live much in the future, while not careless of present duties. There may be much inspiration for work from the prospect of what is to be. 3. The effect of true faith is to enlarge the vision and broaden the sympathies. Hannah's faith in a coming Christ caused her spirit to be open to those inspirations which carried the vision over the weary ages to the true golden age, and she felt with all the saints in all time. Religion of this kind becomes an expansive power in whatever nature it dwells. 4. The proper 1inity of the Oliurch lies in the one faith which holds the life to Christ, whether to come, or having come ; and this will insure sympathy with his kingdom and with purity of life, as well as consecration of what is most precious to its realisation.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-10. (SHILOH.)-Re}oicing in tlie Lord. "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord." 'l'he song of Hannah, "the Magnificat of the Old Testament Church," was the outburst of her deep and holy joy in the Lord. Whilst watching o.er the infant Samuel at Ramah, she had silently pondered the ways of God, and the condition and prospects of his people and kingdom. After several years of absence from the central sanctuary at Shiloh, she appears once more at its entrance; and, standing on the ,~ell-remembered spot where she had prayed in her distress, she fulfils her vow, and gives back to God the sacred treasure intrusted to her care. The trouble of former years recalled, provocations and inward conflicts ended, the sunshine of Divine !avour experienced, cause her full heart to "bubble up like a fountain," and pour (tse!-f out in lofty poetic strains (ver. 1). What a contrast does this language lildicate between her condition at the time of the previous visit and her condition now I 1. Then her heart was full of grief; now it "rejoiceth in the Lord." 2. Then her" horn" (strength, a figure taken from animals whose strength is in thei? horns, and here first employed. 2 Sam. xxii. 3; Luke i. 69) was trampled in the dust; now it is "exalted," and she is endued with strength and honour "by the Lord." 3. Then her mouth was shut, in silent endurance, beneath the provocation of her adversary (eh. i. 6); now it is "enlarged," or opened in holy exultation, '' above her enemies." 4. Then she was petitioning for the help of the Lord ; now 11ho "rojoices in his salvation," or the deliverance which he has wrought on her THE FIRST DOOK OF SAMUEL. [cH. II. 1-10.