patriarchs and prophets-第149章
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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
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turn from the good。 Let every mother 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 tabernacle 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 him。 This is the privilege of every youth。 God
is pleased when even little children give themselves to His service。
Samuel had been placed under the care of Eli； and the loveliness of his
character drew forth the warm affection of the aged priest。 He was kind；
generous； obedient； and respectful。 Eli； pained by the waywardness of his
own sons； found rest and comfort and blessing in the presence of his charge。
Samuel was helpful and affectionate； and no father ever loved his child more
tenderly than did Eli this youth。 It was a singular thing that between the
chief magistrate of the nation and the simple child so warm an affection
should exist。 As the infirmities of age came upon Eli； and he was filled
with anxiety and remorse by the profligate course of his own sons； he turned
to Samuel for comfort。
It was not customary for the Levites to enter upon their peculiar services
until they were twenty…five years of age； but Samuel had been an exception
to this rule。 Every year saw more important trusts committed to him； and
while he was yet a child； a linen ephod was placed upon him as a token of
his consecration to the work of the sanctuary。 Young as he was when brought
to minister in the tabernacle； Samuel had even then duties to perform in the
service of God； according to his capacity。 These were at first very humble；
and not always pleasant； but they were performed to the best of his ability；
and with a willing heart。 His religion was carried into every duty of life。
He regarded himself as God's servant； and his work as God's work。 His
efforts were accepted； because they were prompted by love to God and a
sincere desire to do His will。 It was thus that Samuel became a
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co…worker with the Lord of heaven and earth。 And God fitted him to
accomplish a great work for Israel。
If children were taught to regard the humble round of everyday duties as the
course marked out for them by the Lord； as a school in which they were to be
trained to render faithful and efficient service； how much more pleasant and
honorable would their work appear。 To perform every duty as unto the Lord；
throws a charm around the humblest employment and links the workers on earth
with the holy beings who do God's will in heaven。
Success in this life； success in gaining the future life； depends upon a
faithful； conscientious attention to the little things。 Perfection is seen
in the least； no less than in the greatest； of the works of God。 The hand
that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with delicate skill
the lilies of the field。 And as God is perfect in His sphere； so we are to
be perfect in ours。 Thy symmetrical structure of a strong； beautiful
character is built up by individual acts of duty。 And faithfulness should
characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its
details。 Integrity in little things； the performance of little acts of
fidelity and little deeds of kindness； will gladden the path of life； and
when our work on earth is ended； it will be found that every one of the
little duties faithfully performed has exerted an influence for goodan
influence that can never perish。
The youth of our time may become as precious in the sight of God as was
Samuel。 By faithfully maintaining their Christian integrity； they may exert
a strong influence in the work of reform。 Such men are needed at this time。
God has a work for every one of them。 Never did men achieve greater results
for God and humanity than may be achieved in this our day by those who will
be faithful to their God…given trust。
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Chapter 56
Eli and His Sons
Eli was priest and judge in Israel。 He held the highest and most responsible
positions among the people of God。 As a man divinely chosen for the sacred
duties of the priesthood； and set over the land as the highest judicial
authority； he was looked up to as an example； and he wielded a great
influence over the tribes of Israel。 But although he had been appointed to
govern the people； he did not rule his own household。 Eli was an indulgent
father。 Loving peace and ease； he did not exercise his authority to correct
the evil habits and passions of his children。 Rather than contend with them
or punish them； he would submit to their will and give them their own way。
Instead of regarding the education of his sons as one of the most important
of his responsibilities； he treated the matter as of little consequence。 The
priest and judge of Israel had not been left in darkness as to the duty of
restraining and governing the children that God had given to his care。 But
Eli shrank from this duty； because it involved crossing the will of his
sons； and would make it necessary to punish and deny them。 Without weighing
the terrible consequences that would follow his course； he indulged his
children in whatever they desired and neglected the work of fitting them for
the service of God and the duties of life。
God had said of Abraham； 〃I know him； that he will command his children and
his household after him； and they shall keep the way of the Lord； to do
justice and judgment。〃 Genesis 18：19。 But Eli allowed his children to
control him。 The father became subject to the children。 The curse of
transgression was apparent in the corruption and evil that marked the course
of his sons。 They had no proper appreciation of the character of God or of
the sacredness of His law。 His service was to them a common thing。 From
childhood they had been accustomed to the sanctuary and its service； but
instead of becoming more reverent；
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they had lost all sense of its holiness and significance。 The father had not
corrected their want of reverence for his authority； had not checked their
disrespect for the solemn services of the sanctuary； and when they reached
manhood； they were full of the deadly fruits of skepticism and rebellion。
Though wholly unfit for the office； they were placed as priests in the
sanctuary to minister before God。 The Lord had given the most specific
directions in regard to offering sacrifices； but these wicked men carried
their disregard of authority into the service of God； and did not give
attention to the law of the offerings； which were to be made in the most
solemn manner。 The sacrifices； pointing forward to the death of Christ； were
designed to preserve in the hearts of the people faith in the Redeemer to
come； hence it was of the greatest importance that the Lord's directions
concerning them should be strictly heeded。 The peace offerings were
especially an expression of thanksgiving to God。 In these offerings the fat
alone was to be burned upon the altar； a certain specified portion w
