liigl,er than the finding of strayed asses, the recovery of lost property, or "buying 11nd selling· and getting gain." Even the dullest soul has often a feeling that it was mnde for a nobler end than the gratification of bodily appetites, or the supply of C'nrthl)· needs. But "what is the chief end of man?" Alas, how many know not "·hnt it is, nor the means of attaining it; miss their way, and wander on "in endleRs rn,izes lost I " 3. The true G1tule of life. Who shall tell thee "all that is in thine l1C'nrt" (ver. 19)-declnre its aspirations, and direct them to their goal? Where is l,e to be found, and hy what means may his favour be obtained? Books and teachers abound, and to them the young man naturally turns for inst~uction; but how ()ften do they leave him in greater perplexity than ever. "Where shall wisdom be found?" (Job xxYiii. 12). "To whom should we go?" "We must wait patiently [said Socratesl until some one, either a god or some inspired Il\lln, teach us our moral and religious auties, and, as Pallas in Homer did to Diomede; remove the. darkness from our eyes" (Plato). "I know that Messias cometh, which is called, Christ: ,vhen he is come, he will tell us all things" (John iv. 25). "Sir, we would see Jesus" (John xii. 21). • t II. THE METHOD OF ms PROCEDURE. The course which i~'behoves:-him to take is that of-1. Diligent inquiry concerning the ,bbject ,of his .desire. It exists, and a :firm belief in its existence is the first condition of such inquiry. There may be- healthy doubt about its nature, but absolute scepticism is destruction. Inquiry is. the way to truth. It must be pursued with quenchless zeal and ceas.eless .perseverance. And if so pursued it will not be vain (Prov. ii. 4, 5). 2. Ready reception of light, from whatever quarter it may come. Truth often comes from unexpected sources. The true inquirer is reverent and humble; and willing to receive information from the most despised (vers. 10, 11 ). ' Seize upon truth, where'er tis found, Amongst your friends, amongst your foes, On Christian.or on heathen ground; The flower's Divine, where'er it grows.'· 3. Faitl,fully acting up to the ligld he posse.sses. "Well said; come, let .us go." Inquiry alone is insufficient. The duty that :lies plainly and immediately before- us must be performed. III. THE succEss OF ms ENDEAVOUR. 1. He is brought face -to fa,cen.oith1 tke. best Guide. "I am the seer" (ver. 19). The best eel'vice that-men and.books;including the Scriptures themselves (John v. 39, 40), .can Iender is to· bring us: into direct communion with the Prophet of Nazareth, "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." Our perplexity ends only when he manifests himself _to·us and says; "I :that speak unto, thee am he." "Master, wber.e dw.ellest thou? Come and see'' ( Jobh i. 38). "And what. delights can equal those That stir the spirit's inner deeps, When one that loves, bnt knows not, reaps A truth from one that loves and know~ 1" (Tennyson). 2. He rises into a higher region of thought and feeling, anoi receives all the direction that he really needs. His anxiety about earthly affairs is relieved (Matt. vi. 32). The true purpose of life is shown him (Matt. vi. 33). He has " an unction from the Holy One, and knows all things" (1 John ii: 20). He is" turned into another man," ctnd "God is with him" (eh. x. 6, 7). 3. He attains great honour (1lfl,d, power. Saul is not the only one who has gone forth in the performance of lowly duty and found a, kingdom, or to whom a temporary loss has been an occasion of permanent and invaluable gain. "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."-D. (A SACBAMENT.lL ADDRESS.)
Ver. 13. (RAMAH.)-Gueats at a sacred/east.-" For the people will not eat ':1ntil h~ come, because he doth bless the sacrifice ; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. This language refers to a feast provided on the high place of the city where Samuel dwelt. 1. It was a sacrificial feast. The victim (a thank offering) having been CH. IX. 1-27.] THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 17I