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standard, ever remembering that if we do our part, God will not fail to
do his.—Extracts from “Testimony,” No. 33.
The Child Samuel.—From Shiloh, Hannah quietly returned to her
home at Ramah, leaving the child Samuel to be trained for service in
the house of God, under the instruction of the high priest. From the
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earliest dawn of intellect, she had taught her son to love and reverence
God, and to regard himself as the Lord’s. By every familiar object
surrounding him, she had sought to lead his thoughts up to the Creator.
When separated from her child, the faithful mother’s solicitude did
not cease. Every day he was the subject of her prayers. Every year
she made, with her own hands, a robe of service for him; and as she
went up with her husband to worship at Shiloh, she gave the child this
reminder of her love. Every fiber of the little garment had been woven
with a prayer that he might be pure, noble, and true. She did not ask
for her son worldly greatness, but she earnestly pleaded that he might
attain that greatness which heaven values,—that he might honor God,
and bless his fellow-men.
What a reward was Hannah’s! and what an encouragement to faith-
fulness is her example! There are opportunities of inestimable worth,
interests infinitely precious, committed to every mother. The humble
round of duties which women have come to regard as a wearisome task,
should be looked upon as a grand and noble work. It is the mother’s
privilege to bless the world by her influence, and in doing this she will
bring joy to her own heart. She may make straight paths for the feet
of her children, through sunshine and shadow, to the glorious heights
above. But it is only when she seeks, in her own life, to follow the
teachings of Christ, that the mother can hope to form the character of
her children after the divine Pattern. The world teems with corrupting
influences. Fashion and custom exert a strong power over the young. If
the mother fails in her duty to instruct, guide, and restrain, her children
will naturally accept the evil and turn from the good. Let every mother
go often to her Saviour with the prayer, “Teach us how we shall order
the child, and how we shall do unto him.” [
Judges 13:12
.] Let her heed
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the instruction which God has given in his word, and wisdom will be
given her as she shall have need.
“The child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with the Lord,
and also with men.” [
1 Samuel 2:26
.] Though Samuel’s youth was
passed at the tabernacle devoted to the worship of God, he was not