human life is a difficult, nearly an impossible thing, seeing that we have not the whole before us, nor can we fairly judge the relative value of the parts. Full estimate11 of human lives must be left to God and the future. It is full of instructive signifi- cance that, as the generations pass, wholly different estimates are taken of historic characters, as other and fuller information concerning them comes to light. This may be illustrated in the cases of Lord Bacon, whose moral character recent writers are able to clear, and Protector Cromwell, whose portraiture Carlyle has at last succeeded in worthily drawing. Apply these thoughts to Samuel, and estimate- !. His KNOWN WORK AS A JUDGE. He belongs to the class so called, and was a deliverer and a magistrate, combining the offices which were characteristic of this order of men. In his deliverings grandly loyal to Jehovah. In his ma_qistracy pure- handed and abidingly faithful to men. Everywhere and in everything making character, piety, and integrity tell for good. II. His u::;;K::-owN WORK AS A RELIGIOUS REFORMER. Explain the influences upon a national religion of such changes and troubles as marked the time of the judges. Such conditions do not imperil personal piety, they rather intensify it, as may be seen in the story of the persecuted Christians in Madagascar; but they do imperil the order and ceremonial of religion, and especially in such a case as that of Israel, in which the religion was centralized on one spot, and to it all the worshippers had to come at fixed intervals. Samuel would not only have to restore the tabernacle system and services, but also to revive the religious spirit of the people ; and .to this, doubtless, his earnest attention was directed in his regular circuits for the administration of justice. Ill. Hrs ASSUMED WORK AS TIIE FOUNDER OF TIIE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS. For on this part of his work we have no certain information. " In his time we first hear of what in modern phraseology are called the 'schools of the prophets.' '!'heir imme- diate mission consisted in uttering religious hymns or songs, accompanied by musical instruments-psaltery, tabret, pipe and harp, and cymbals. In them the characteristic element was that the silent seer of visions found an articulate voice, gushing forth in a rhythmical flow, which at once riveted the attention of the hearer. These or such as these were the gifts which under Samuel were now organized, if one may so say, into a system. From them went forth an influence which awed and inspired even the wild and reckless soldiers of that lawless age. Amongst them we find the first authors distinctly named, in. Hebrew literature, of actual books which descended to later gene- ratious. Thither, in that age of change and dissolution, Samuel gathered round him aJl that was generous and devout in the people of God." Learn to estimate aright men's secondary influence and work, for in this God may judge otherwise t!Jan we are wont to do, and put our lastfirst.-R. 'l.'. Vers. 23-34.-The importance of order in God's worship. The point of interest in these verses is the extreme care given to securing quietness, regularity, order, and due solemnity in God's worship. A point emphasized by the apostle in his counsel to the early Christian Church, "Let all things be done decently and in order." 'l'he order of God's house has this for its special mission, that it declares, realizes, and illustrates the Divine order in creation, providence, and redemption. "Order is Heaven's first law;" and it is the necessary attendant on truth, purity, almightiness, and the eternally right. So if man, in any of his spheres, can present a worthy picture or shadow of the Divi.oe, one of its essential features must be orderliness, and such orderliness will vrove to be witness and power. I. ORDER REGARDED AS A SIGN OF OBEDIENCE. Since it is God's will that everything should have its fitting place and be in that place, our setting things right becomes a sign of our true-hearted obedience to him; and the securing of order gains moral quality, and becomes an agency in the culture of character. 11. ORDER REGARDED AS A SIGN OF SYMPATHY OF FEELING WITH GoD. Not merely have we to concern ourselves with it as our duty, but, from a higher standpoint of kinness with God and fellowship with his mind, we want what he wants, wo love what he loves, aud we try to get our works in full harmony with his. We would have heaven and earth ring together the same sweet note. Ill. ORDER llEGAHDED AS OUR WITNESS AGAINST THE DIBORDEB 01' BIN. If we have rightly caught the redemptive spirit, then we shall bo oppressed and troubled by OH. X. 1-14.] TllE FIRST BOOK OF THE CllUO:;:{lCLES. 123
tho disorders caused by sin, whatever forms they may take, and we shall ever be ,triving to reach them that we may set them straight. Therefore Christians enter as remedial and recovering forces into all family life, social life, business life, and national lifo; everywhere seeking to get things out of the disorders of evil,and set in the eternal urJer of righteousness. And in Christ's Church and Christ's worship the devoutness, regularity, and beauty of a gracious order should make a striking contrast with the restless, anxious, disordered world around. Men should find heart-rest in God's sanctuary. IV. ORDER REGARDED AS A MORAL FORCE IN THE WORLD. For what does it plea1.l and work? For (1) stillness; (2)forethought; (3) grace of form; (4) due relations ef office. But under ordinary human conditions even "order" has its perils. It may come to be sought for its own sake and not merely for its uses. It may come to supersede "life" and even to crush "life" out, as has been proved in the over-elabora- tion of Church ceremonial. Two things are essential to true and worthy human worship. '!'hey are fully compatible one with the other. The culture of each may run along with the culture of the other. Nothing can supersede "life;" but order may be fully developed so that it may worthily express" life."-R. T.