these things, we might have expected, would have made them circumspect, jnst, and devout; and tµey should have done so. How, then, can we account for their defec- tion? 1. Goodness is not hereditary. "The sinner begets a sinner, but a saint doth not beget a saint" (M. Henry). Hereditary relationship exerts a powerful influence on the mind and disposition, but nothing but Divine grace can change the heart. "Rarely into the branches of the tree Doth human worth mount up : and so ordains He who bestows it, that as his free gift It may be called" (Dante, 'Purg.' vii.). 2. Education is not omnipotent. When children of a good man turn out badly, it may generally be traced to some defect of training, through attention to other duties, absence from home, inconsistency at home, unwise methods, excessive strictness, un- just pa1tiality, undue indulgence, maternal carelessness, intimate association with evil companions (in some cases unknown and unpreventable). 'We do not know enough of Samuel's household to say that it was wholly free from such influences. But the most perfect education is limited in its power over character. 3. Power is a peril- ous trust. It presents temptations which are sometimes too strong for men who under other circumstances might not have fallen. It is a severe test, and a sure revealer, of character (Luke xii. 45). Power shows the man. 4. Each man is responsible for his own conduct. He is endowed with the power of choosing or refusing good and evil, and no external circumstances can fully account for the ~hoice he. makes. "Every man shall bear his own burden" (Gal. vi. 5). 11 As the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son," &c. (Ezek. xviii. 4). II, THEIR CONDUCT. WAS BASE. 11 His sons walked not in his ways" of truth, integrity, self-denial, and true godliness; but "turned aside" from them to-1. Covetousness, or the undue love of earthly possessions. "The love of money is a. root of all kinds of evil" (1 Tim. vi. 17-19). 11 Covetousness is idolatry" (Luke xii. 15; Col. iii. 5). "It is the idolatry of the heart, where, as in a temple, a miserable wretch !!Xcludes God, sets up gold instead of him, and places that confidence in it which belongs to the great Supreme alone." It was one of the necessary qualifica- tions of jndges that they should be II men of truth, hating covetousness" (Exod. xviii. 21). Nothing is more corrupting than "the narrowing lust of gold." 2. Bribery (Exod. xxiii. 6, 8 ; Deut. xvi. 18, 19). 3. Perversion of justice (Prov. xvii. 15). 4. Their conduct in all these things was so persistent and flagrant that it was known to II all the elders of Israel." They openly abused their power for selfish ends, trampled on the law which they were appointed to" magnify and make honourable,'' and wrought against the purpose which Samuel spent his life in effecting. III. THEIR INFLUENCE WAS PERNICIOUS. Not only did they bring misery upon themselves, and occasion bitter sorrow to their aged father; but they also-1. In- flicted grievous injury on those with reference to whom they "took bribes and per- verted judgment." 2. Set a bad example to all men (Ps. xii. 8). 3. Brought their hig·h office into contempt. 4. Contributed directly to a national revolution. How true it is that "one sinner destroyeth much good I "-D.
Vera. 4-22. (RAMAH.)-Israel's desire/or a king. "The old order changeth, giving place to new And God fulfils himself in many ways, Lest one good custom should corrupt the world" (Tennyson). Introductory.-The desire of Israel for n king, as expressed by their elders to Ba.muel,was a turning-point in their history. 1. This desire was not new. It existed long before (Judges viii. 22; ix. 9). But new circumstances had arisen,-the greater order and unity resulting from the labours of Samuel, the misconduct of bis sons, the threatening attitude of surrounding nations,-causing it to become stronger and more general, e.nd toissue in a definite and fixed determination. The elders simply gave expression to what the heart of the people was set upon. 2 The object of their desire wns not essentially wrung. It had been foretold that kings should arise in 152 TllE FU:ST BOOK OF SA~IUEL. [en. \'Ill. 1-22'.