11. In TIELATWN TO THE nELIGIOtTS LIFE OF CunrsTIANS THESE FACTS AnE FULL OF ~I_G1'1f'.IC'ANCE; It is not wise to seek _out_ spirit~rnl mea~ings from every simple l11~t0nc fact m the Old Testament. Pl.u!1 l~1story 1s not g·1ven as a rnligious enigma to \w solved _by. s?me ti:nnscendent_al _ms1ght. )':et there a~e analogies between 11ational nnd md1Y1dnal hfe, mid pnnc1ples of holmess and nghteousness work in tl1e same directions in both. As there is a Babylon both spiritual and historical so 11,ere is the Philistine and Amorite of our great warfare. As treasures cha~ge li:rnds in Israel's conflict, so there are valuable possessions in man which may h~ d,,minate<l by opposing- po"-ers. Thus, then, we may consider some of the.first- _ii-111ts of repentance in Chris~ian_ lif_e. 1. The great world-power is larg_ely_ subdued nnd cast off The man who m Ins 1ife has passed through what Israel did m answer to Samuel's call finds that the evil influences of the world around have lees hold on· him. They are repressed. Their force has been weakened, if not annihilated. 2. Facultie;; once governed by unhallowed tendencies are restore<l to the ri,ghtful ruler. Thel"e are, so to speak, cities-seats of power and resource-in every man's nature. While in a sinful course of life these are dominated largely by principles alien to God, and adverse to true self-interest: true repentance brings every faculty, thought, and desire into a willing subordination to him-whose right it is to reign. The soul is a "holy land " in which Christ is King. 3. Deep-seated, corrupt pass-ion, -are quieted. Thel"e are ancient, very corrupt passions of a fleshly character em• bedded in human nature. These Amorites of our experience are unusually powerful during a life of sinful indulgence. They grow fat and flourish. One 6£ the first con- sequences of the new life is to tone them down. The causes of their extreme activity and restlessness are partially removed. A strong hand holds. them down in· compara- ti,-e quietude. Their destiny, like that of Israel's cruel foe, is to be utterly destroyed; but eYen now, compared with former almost irresistible. aggressions, thete is peace "ith them. 4. A considerable degree of prosperity and order is maintained. The reformed soul has law administered witliin itself. Every interest, every claim of stri,ing powers and tendencies, is considered and decided in harmony with the law of Christ. The intellect does not absorb the time and energy due to the culture. of the emotions, and vice versd. To some degree the inner man is in an Oiderly, prosperous -condition. He is an improved being. 5. The holy, elevating power of devotwn is cherished at the centre of influence. Samuel's home was the centre of influence in Israel, and it was made by express arrangement conspicuously devout. There is in our nature a seat of supreme influence. The faculties and tendencies of the soul act in subordination to the commaPding affection of life. True repentance issues in the heart becoming the seat of a poweiful influence dominating a11 else. There is an altar there on which the inextinguishable fire burns, filling with its heavenly glory the entire man. "Old things have passed away; all things are become new." Are these fruits found in all lives called Christian ? They ought to be, and are, if " Christian" is more than a. name.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 1-12.-Steps of return to God. The whole interest of this passage is moral. No stress is laid on the forms, or even the authorised appurtenances, of religion. The ark, of which we have heard so much, and which had been treated with a singular mixture of superstition and profanity, plays no part in the history. It is left f~r years in a quiet retreat. Israel had backslidden from the Lord. The steps of their i-etum have a meaning and a moral lesson for all generations. I. THE FEELING OF A GREAT MORAL AND SPIRITUAL WANT. "The house of Israel lamented after the Lord." For twenty years the ark had been withdrawn, and under 1he yoke of the Philistines the spirit of forael seemed to be quelled and stupefied. Even Samuel appears to have held him~elf in reserve till a time should arrive mo~e fa rnurable for the moral suasion and admonition of a prophet. And heathen worship crept over the land. But at last conscience began to stir, the soul o! the people w~s weary and there rose a wistful sorrowful cry after the God of their fathers. This surely' is always the beginning of a backslider's restoration. He wearies, and is ashamed of his own ways ; foels his folly and wickedness, and then s1gb11 nfter a forfeited blessedness-laments after the Lord. <JH. Vil. 1-17.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 131