goal of human existence. A careful survey shows, that as the wholesome economy of the globe is preserved and its ultimate issue being attained amidst and even by the storms of life, so there is a wise and merciful Providence working on in unbroken lines towards the realisation of the promise made to Abraham: "In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." II .. Gon's SERVANTS SHOULD ADAPT THEMSELVES TO THE PROGRESSION OF H!S PROVIDENCE. Men of Samuel's type must rouse themselves and join freely and confidently in the blessed progression. New conditions are daily arising. The instruments for the realising of the Divine purpose are limited only by his creative power. The earth is his, and Le raises up a David when a David can best furnish the next link in the unbroken chain. Faculties and aptitudes need only circum- stances to develop them into direct forces in the Messianic line. Samuel must brace himself to this aspect of things, and share in the honour and the toil of covering the failures of some by drawing out the better qualities of others. We must guard against the tendency to settle down into a mournful, inactive mood because, forsooth, the lines of Providence seem to us to be involved and past all dis- entanglement. There are men whose delight it is always to sing in the minor key. They overlook the fact that God's will is being wrought out in spite of necessarily i_mperfect creatures. There is a voice calling on all such to arise, to cease to feed their soul on regrets, to believe that the" covenant is ordered in all things, and is sure." III. WE SHOULD AVOID A PREJUDGMENT OF Goo's WAYS BASED ON PARTLI.L KNOWLEDGE. The fear of Samuel finds its counterpart in the fear of many when called to undertake arduous duties. In bis case it was based on partial information, and, therefore, while natural, was unreasonable. He appears to have concluded beforehand that he was to g·o and at once set up an actual king, and summon Israel to turn their allegiance from Saul to the new monarch. No doubt this would be exasper- ating to Saul, and by many might be regarded as treason. His reference to Saul's killing him would not, therefore, express mere fear of death so much as bis view of consequences which it was desirable to avoid by a less obtrusive policy. Samuel hnrl no right to prejudge the appointment of God. He was simply told to go to Bethlehem with his horn of oil, for that a king was to be forthcoming from the sons of Jesse. We possess only partial information concerning many of the purposes and methods of God. We are not justified in forming a judgment of all bis acts by what is made known to us. The morality of all be commands is ever the same, whatever the future developments may be. Every day will bring its light. We must not put more into God's words than he intends. If he says, "Fill thine l1orn with oil and go to Jesse," we must not make that mean that we are to raise a standard of rebellion and place ourselves in peril. Men do put into Scripture what is not there, and then see consequences which arouse anxiety. IV. DUTY REQUIRES THAT WE PLACE OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO OBTAIN FURTHER LIGHT. Samuel, instead of dwelling on his fear, arising from an unwise prejudgment of God's acts, was directed to go and do the one thing, and then look out for what next to do (ver. 3). He was to obey, and so be in a position to learn whether the next step was to raise publicly a standard of rebellion around a new king, or privately to anoinl the ·coming man and let him await the removal by death of the people's leader. l;V" haY~ lure an important practical rule. By doing each duty fully as it comes we qualify for more light and greater aptitude for succeeding duties. When bent on the peiformance of duty, which in its issues may involve consequences serious and untraceable, it is well to associate religious exercises with them. It is as true for us as for Samuel that, in our sphere, the Lord will show us what next to do. Faithful- ness day by day in small things will make us keen to recognise the Divine voice with reference to greater things.
Vere. 6-13.-Human and Divine judgments contrasted. The facts are-1. Samuel, being impressed with th"l appearance of Eliab, conclµdes that be is the com- ing king.' 2. An intimation is given that Eliab is not the man, and the reason assigned for the imperfect jud~rnent of Samuel is, that man looks on the outward appearance, but God on the he~rt. 3. It being found that the other sons were not 300 fHE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. Len. xvi. 1-23.