Child Samuel
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God, under the instruction of the high priest. From the 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
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go often to her Saviour with the prayer, “Teach us, how shall we order
the child, and what shall we do unto him?” Let her heed 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.” Though Samuel’s youth was passed at the taberna-
cle devoted to the worship of God, he was not free from evil influences
or sinful example. The sons of Eli feared not God, nor honored their
father; but Samuel did not seek their company nor follow their evil
ways. It was his constant endeavor to become what God would have