COMPOSITIONS.
THE FIELD OF CLOVES.--THE LOST SOUL.--THE SAVED SOUL.--HANNAH.
It was very important that the pupils should be able to express their
own thoughts, readily and correctly, with the pen, and unwearied effort
was devoted to this end; but for a long time they seemed incapable of
clothing an idea in words. The simplest sentence was copied over and
over without the change of a single word; and even when it was
expressed for them in other language, they only repeated over that
variation of the first. Three years were spent in trying to teach them
to write their own thoughts, with very little success; but in 1846, the
Spirit of God secured the result that man had sought in vain. After
that, both their ideas and their language were very beautiful. Nothing
pleased them better than to be allowed to write; and it was matter of
grateful remark that those compositions which were penned during a
revival were always the best.
This was especially true in the awakening of 1850, which was noted for
the prevalence of a spirit of meditation and holy communion with God.
The pupils at that time came forth from private intercourse with their
Saviour, to pen some of the sweetest writings in the Syriac language.
One day that winter, both the teachers wished to attend an examination
at Seir, and asked them if they would be diligent during their absence.
"O, yes," was the reply, "if you will only let us write composition."
The following was found on the slate of Nazloo, when they returned:--
"THE CLOVER FIELD.
"We walk out in the country, and the road leads us by a lovely field of
clover. We see it in all its modest beauty. There are the green leaves,
so regular in their form and outline; the beautiful flowers, so
wonderful in their structure; and the sweet fragrance, that regales our
senses as we pass. All these are there, but we see not whence they
come. No showers descend to make it grow; the earth is parched on all
sides. Do you inquire for the source of all this loveliness? A tiny
rill of water flows gently underneath. No eye sees it. You cannot hear
its quiet advance, for it does not murmur as it wears itself out in its
work of love. Noiseless it hies to each little rootlet. It conveys
nourishment to every leaf; not one is overlooked or forgotten. That
unseen rill causes these fair blossoms to spring forth. It distils
these odors for the enjoyment of all that pass this way. What that
streamlet is to the field, prayer is to the Christian. We see it not;
it is all hid from human eye; but O, the rich fruit that it yields
every day in the soul thus made partaker of the life of Christ! That
also makes the wilderness to rejoice and blossom as the rose."
At the annual examination in 1850, Sanum read her composition, a
translation of which is here inserted:--
"THE LOST SOUL.
"I have dreamed a dream, dear friends--may I relate it?
"In my dream I was wandering about, seeking for earthly pleasures,
though my life was crowned with blessings more plentiful than the dew
of the morning. My father and mother did every thing they could to
bring me to Christ. Their labors for me were enough to make me weep my
last tear, but my hard heart remained unmoved. Four times did the Holy
Spirit strive with me, and as often I grieved him away. I broke every
promise that I made to serve the Lord.
"There came a beautiful day in spring. The sun lighted up every thing
with gladness. The fields were dressed in green. The trees were in
blossom. Loved by my friends, surrounded by every thing to make me
happy, and rejoicing that so much enjoyment was still in store for me,
I was saying to my soul, 'Take thine ease,' when suddenly a voice
cried, 'This night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall
be all these?' Another voice added, 'These four years heaven and earth
have pleaded with you to bring forth fruit to God, but you have
refused. Your heart has said "I will fix my seat above the stars of
heaven." Now you must go down to the abyss.' Like arrows these words
pierced my heart; my strength departed, and others bore me to my home.
There my parents were speechless with sorrow. The bed of down was made
ready, but it afforded me no rest. I seemed to lie on thorns. Then I
appeared to faint, though still able to hear their conversation.
Sobbing aloud, they said, 'Sweet child, if you were only a Christian,
gladly would we go with you to the gates of heaven, hoping soon to meet
again; but this is more than we can bear. Alas, that one borne in the
arms of our love, with whom and for whom we have prayed, must now say
that our God is not her God, nor our Saviour hers! Is there no ray of
light for her in the darkness? Can we never again point her to Jesus?'
As I listened in anguish, I cried aloud, 'Is there no hope for me?'
They replied, 'We will implore mercy for you again and again, and
possibly the physician may help you. Here he is.' As he came in the
recollection of his past faithful warnings made me weep aloud. He said,
'Why weep? Do you not wish to see me?' 'Dear friend, it is not that;
but the sight of you recalls your entreaties to come to Christ, and my
neglect of them. If you can only give me one hour of quiet, I will try
to come now.' He saw that the hand of death was on me, and replied,
'What you do you must do quickly.' 'What can I do in such distress?'
'Can you not cry, "Lord, remember me," like the dying malefactor?'
'Those words comforted me once, but now I cannot use them.' 'Can you
not pray?' 'No. Once I would not hear God, and now he will not hear me.
O father, mother, friends, pray for me. Send for my teacher to pray for
me. Ask every servant of God to entreat for me while yet I live.' The
request went forth. The weeping physician offered supplication at my
side. My father and mother seemed to pour forth their last breath in
intercession for me. As I turned, I saw my teachers, and conscience
arrayed before me every word they had ever spoken to me of Christ and
heaven. All my own actions were likewise spread out before my eyes.
Then the whirlwind of my sins swept me away like a tiny leaf, to sink
in a sea of anguish. My teacher now cried, 'We had hoped to see our
dear pupil passing over to the new Jerusalem; but, instead of that,
must she dwell among the lost?' A gentle voice then whispered, 'Go to
Jesus; he will not cast you out.' 'To Jesus! nay, for knowingly my
hands have pierced him. Willingly these feet have trampled on his
precious blood. I have compelled his spirit to forsake me, and must
perish.'
"Then I saw those whom I had led into sin and encouraged in unbelief,
and said to them, 'Can you forgive me?' But a voice from heaven
replied, 'You cannot be forgiven; for the name of Jesus you have set at
nought, and there is none other.' Then my teacher pressed my hand; she
could not speak. I said, 'You have ever shown great love; can you not
help me now?' 'Dear child, have I not told you that though I love you,
yet I have no power to help in this hour or hereafter.' 'O, dreadful
thought! Must I leave you all, forever? parents, teachers, all! Can you
do nothing for me?' 'We can only point you to Jesus.' 'I have no part
in him. I am a Demas; and with such agony now, what will be the wrath
to come?' I begged all present not to live as I had lived. 'Seize the
moments that fly swifter than the lightning. There is no place for
repentance now: my retribution begins. Forget not these words of your
lost sister.' I turned to my mother: 'There is no love like a mother's;
can that do nothing for me now?' What could she do? 'Can no one help
me? Father, father, I am going; can you do nothing?'
"Now the light forsook my eyes. O for a few moments more! But even this
was denied me; for, as I remembered, 'Cursed is the man that trusteth
in man, and whose heart departeth from the living God.'
"I now heard a voice as of a rushing, mighty wind. Trembling seized me,
as I discerned four fiends of darkness. I uttered a piercing shriek,
and died. Then I found myself suspended between heaven and earth.
Behind me, the world I loved so well had gone forever. Before me I saw
the Ancient of Days seated on his throne, his raiment white as snow,
his eyes as a flame of fire, his feet like brass glowing in the
furnace, and a stream of fire issued from before him; thousand
thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand
stood before him. Brightness radiated from him on all sides. He fixed
his eyes on me, glowing with holy indignation, while a two-edged sword
proceeded out of his mouth. My sins arose before me. Conscience
condemned me. I could not look up. The pains of hell gat hold upon me.
In a voice unlike all I ever heard before, he said, 'Slayer of my Son,
despiser of my grace, what hast thou done? Thou hast set at nought all
my counsels.' I longed to flee; but above me stood the Judge, below,
the abyss. I could give no reply. Again he said, 'My covenant thou hast
trodden under foot;' and he commanded his servants, 'Bind her hand and
foot, and cast her into outer darkness, where is weeping and gnashing
of teeth. There let her remain till that great day, when all mine
enemies shall be trodden in the wine-press of my wrath.'
"Then a voice from out of the throne said, 'Praise our God, all ye his
servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great;' and all cried,
like the voice of many waters, 'Amen. Allelujah.' Heaven responded from
all sides, 'Just and true are thy judgments, thou King of saints.' Then
Satan and his angels clapped their hands; and mocking my misery, they
thrust me into the inner prison.
"I now found myself associated with Cain, Judas, Jeroboam, and Jezebel.
I understood what Christ meant when he said, 'Bind the tares in bundles
to burn them,' for I was enclosed by them on all sides, and the flames
from them kindled on me. Then a voice said, 'Judas sold his Lord once,
but thou many times. Cain slew one brother; thou hast brought many to
this place of torment.' Then all, especially those whom I had led
there, cursed me. Fallen spirits gloried over me. The evil passions of
all the lost were let loose on me. My own wicked feelings were kindled
into a flame by the divine wrath. Now I understood that scripture,
'They have no rest day nor night.' My ears, that had taken pleasure in
evil conversation, were filled with revilings. My tongue, which had set
on fire the course of nature, now itself set on fire of hell, I gnawed
for pain. I looked up to beg a drop of water; but instead of it came
the word, 'Daughter, remember.' As I looked up, I got a glimpse of one
of my companions in Abraham's bosom. Once we were together pointed to
Jesus. Now the impassable gulf was between us. Hope now fled forever,
and that word, 'Remember,' brought every moment of my life before me in
characters of flaming fire. Gladly would I have exchanged this agony
for the pangs of death endured a thousand times over, or for all the
sufferings of earth till the final conflagration. I cursed my soul,
weeping without a tear. Why were my associates, once, like me, children
of wrath, now in heaven, while I was shut out? Ah, they listened to
Jesus, while I rejected him, and to enjoy a momentary pleasure plunged
into all this anguish. I had loved those who now tormented me, and cast
aside the loving Saviour. No ray of mercy can ever reach me more. No
friend will ever love me again. In my madness I sought to flee; but
wrath held me rooted to the spot. Cloud on cloud rose above me, each
inscribed, 'Eternity!' A voice cried aloud, 'Forever!' and another
replied, 'Forever and ever!' The waves of fire now rolled over me, and
the worm that dieth not seized hold of me. I begged for even the
smallest mitigation of misery, and the vials of wrath were poured out
upon me. In my anguish I cried, 'Roll on, ye eternal ages!' But why?
They will be no nearer through. 'O Lord, how long?' With an earthquake,
that seemed to shake the very throne, came back the reply, 'Forever!
Forever!' I sank down in unutterable agony. Then I awoke, and lo, it
was all a dream. The darkness of night was yet around me; a cold sweat
covered me; and that word, 'Forever!' still rang in my ears. Friends,
this was a dream, and only a drop in the ocean, compared with the
terrible reality. Let us pray that we may be saved from it through
Jesus Christ our Lord."
The large audience listened to these vivid delineations, part of the
time, in breathless silence; and again the women beat on their breasts
with half-suppressed cries for mercy. The reader, as well as they, will
find relief from the companion picture by Moressa. Sanum's was an
original conception of her own. The theme of this last was suggested by
Miss Fiske, as a fitting counterpart to the preceding, but the
treatment of it was left wholly with the writer.
"THE SAVED SOUL.
"While meditating on death, I fell into a sweet sleep, and dreamed a
dream which rejoiced my spirit. I cannot refrain from relating it to
you, dear Christian friends, who are looking forward to the glory that
shall be revealed. I dreamed that my heavenly Father said to me, 'Dear
child, heir of my kingdom, you have long enough borne the troubles of
this vale of tears; now you shall be freed from them, and come to your
heavenly home, to worship me in holiness.' As I listened, sickness
came, and I laid me down on my bed of death with this thought: 'One
more fruit of sin, and then--heaven.' My poor friends, not
understanding this, inquired, with weeping, if I could not possibly
recover; but when they saw that I was dying, they gathered round me, to
go down with me to the banks of Jordan. My soul was exceeding joyful,
for the light of the promised land shone on me, and the dread river was
quiet, for Jesus had said to it, 'Peace, be still.'
"While in this joyful state, I remembered with sorrow how many years I
had refused to acknowledge the Prince of life as my King, while he
waited with open arms to receive me; and how often, after putting my
hand to the plough, I had looked back. My backsliding, my evil example,
my neglect of souls, all rose before me like a dark cloud, and I was in
agony. But soon a voice said, 'Thy sins are forgiven!' and all was
light. I said, 'Lord, I must praise thee for this forever; but I cannot
forgive myself.' Yet, though the pains of death were on me, I was
comforted to be nearer the land where they sin no more. Earthly
pleasure now seemed emptiness. The pleasures of heaven filled my
thoughts. I said, 'Is this death--that which we poor mortals fear?' My
friends asked, 'Has he no terrors for you?' 'No; none. The king of
terrors is to me the chief of joys.' One of my teachers said, 'So you
have no fear of him--no sorrow that your body shall lie in the grave!'
'Why fear or sorrow, when Christ has overcome both death and sin?' My
father then asked, 'Do you suffer much'?' 'Yes; but if I suffered a
thousand times more, what would that be to those bitter hours upon the
cross. This veil must be rent asunder, though by suffering, before I
can see Him, whom, even now, I long to behold.' My poor mother
interposed, 'But are you willing to leave us?' 'You are all very dear
to me; but there is only one who is altogether lovely. When shall I see
him as he is, and be filled with his love?'
"It was now difficult to speak, but I could bid my friends farewell. I
could thank my dear teachers for telling me of Christ, and ask their
forgiveness for all I had ever done to grieve them. As my weeping
mother wiped the cold sweat from my brow, she gently whispered, 'Where
is my child going?' 'Mother,' I replied, 'your poor sinful child is
going to that Saviour who has been willing to receive her.' His rod and
staff then comforted me, till I had passed quite over into the blessed
land. And, as I was borne on in my Saviour's arms, voices cried,
'Welcome, dear sister; you are now made whole--you shall sin no
more--enter into rest.' Mortal tongue cannot tell what I now saw of the
treasures which Christ has prepared for the redeemed. He gave me a
mansion he had made ready for me, and I found myself gazing on the
brightness of the Father's glory. What a change had come over me! I was
among those without spot, for they had been made white in the blood of
the Lamb. Their voices were one, for all praised the Lord. Now the
glory of the Ancient of Days filled me with awe. He sat upon a throne
of light, with seraphim on the right and cherubim on the left, and I
could read the foundations of his throne. Legions of bright angels and
happy saints were around him. I fell down with them to worship at his
feet, when he touched me and raised me up, saying, 'Thou art blessed,
for thou art redeemed with the blood of my Son.' Then he clothed me in
a heavenly robe, and bade all heaven rejoice, saying, 'This my child
was dead, and is alive again, and is saved from everlasting
destruction.'
"He then revealed to me more fully that mystery of ages--the Redeemer
standing on the right hand of the Father. He stood with open arms,
saying, 'Come, daughter of my bitter grief, come in peace. I remembered
thee on the cross. For thee I drank that cup of agony; thy curse has
rested on me, that everlasting joy might dwell in thee.' As he thus
spoke, I fell down to worship, and when I looked up, my eyes rested on
his pierced hands and wounded side. Tears filled my eyes when I
remembered that my sins had caused them; but they were tears that Jesus
wiped away.
"When I saw the book of remembrance at his side, I thought, there is
the record of my sins; but he opened it, saying, 'Fear not; from the
day thou first camest to me, they have been blotted out.' He then held
out to me the Book of Life, bidding me to read my name recorded there,
and added, 'Ages hence, in the great day of account, the world shall
know that I have saved thee; and as thou hast not denied me before men,
I will confess thy name before my Father and before his angels; enter
into the full joy of thy Lord; inherit the kingdom, prepared for thee
from the foundation of the world.' Then all the blessed ones cried,
'Amen.' Their harps were tuned to a new song, and they praised the
living God that another soul was rescued from the great adversary. A
crown was also placed upon my head, that, with the saints, I might cast
it at the feet of the Redeemer.
"Afterwards I was led to our first parent, now for more than five
thousand years in Paradise, but not walking amid forbidden fruit.
Still, when he stretched out his hand to the tree of life, he seemed to
remember that first sin, and to thank God more than others for the
healing of the nations. His bright face glistened with a tear as he
took my hand, saying, 'Heir of my fallen nature, welcome to this
inheritance of the second Adam;' and I learned that tears are always
wiped from that face when Christ brings home his fallen children.
"As I turned, I saw the great company of the patriarchs, perfect in
holiness, and clothed in light. Faithful Abraham was there, his faith
changed to perfect sight, and rejoicing in his spiritual children. The
meek Moses was there, adoring the Prophet whom God raised up from the
midst of Israel like unto him. And I beheld Isaiah, satisfied with the
eternal sight of the glory of which he had a glimpse on earth.
Jeremiah, too, was no more weeping for the slain of the daughter of his
people, and all the holy prophets were clothed upon with immortality,
and praising their Beloved with holy lips.
"While I stood gazing, on them in wonder, my thoughts reverted to my
former state. What a glorious change, from a world of sin to a world of
holiness--from sinful friends to the Friend of sinners. How different
these sweet sounds of praise from the rude sounds of earth! I am
receiving my reward for every bitter tear of penitence I shed on earth;
an age of joy is before me. Who am I, that I should be raised from
companionship with sin to the society of heaven? My soul at length is
at rest. But how? Not as rests my poor body in the grave, but in
blessedness; for I rest from sin, but not from praise. I rest from
suffering, but not from everlasting joy. How sweet to rest, while not
ceasing to cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! I rest in
the bosom of my Saviour. My prayers are turned to praise, and my love
is perfect.
"While these thoughts filled my soul, I thanked the Lord with a new
song on the golden harp that had been placed in my hands, singing with
a loud voice, 'What is my worthiness, O eternal King, that thou hast
made me to walk in thy pilgrimage, while millions are shut out from it?'
"Now a company of the holy ones led me through a street of pure gold,
to where the river of water of life proceeded out of the throne of God.
They showed me the hidden manna, and the tree of life yielding its
twelve fruits, and leaves for the healing of the nations; and beyond, I
saw a great company of martyrs who had been slain for the word and for
the testimony of Jesus Christ. They stood beneath the altar, for they
were living sacrifices. They were clothed in white, and wore crowns of
glory on their heads, and they sang hallelujah to him who had been
slain for them, and made them kings and priests forever in his kingdom.
"While thus wandering among those holy mansions, I met a spirit crowned
with honor,--Mary, the mother of our Lord. She was specially delighted
at seeing me, saying, 'How glad I am that you, from that erring people
who trust in me, have found the right way to this blessed place! Are
there other sisters of like faith, who believe in the only Mediator?'
When I told her that there were, she embraced me, and led me where I
could see the twelve apostles of the Lamb. They were all seated round
their Master, just as they used to be on earth; but no more debating
who should be greatest, for now they ascribed all greatness to their
King, and dwelt in perfect love. Among them I saw Peter, zealous still,
but with a holy zeal. I heard him ask, 'How long shall those precious
souls, redeemed by thy blood, be led astray? May I not fly on the wings
of love, and destroy that city of blasphemy on the seven hills, that
the glory may be thine?' But Jesus looked on him with an eye of love,
and said, 'Simon, son of Jonas, the time is not yet come.' Then Peter
only replied, 'Lord, thou knowest. Thy will be done.'
"While in this joyful state, I walked in the green pastures of life. I
went round about the holy city, and counted its towers. They were all
of purest gold, and built with skill divine. I looked from the top of
one of them, and beheld the sea of glass, and also caught a glimpse of
the abyss, enough to see that the enemies of our God were all beneath
his feet. I could see some, once my friends among them; but I could
say, 'Holy and just art thou, O Lord God; and O, wonderful grace, that
has made such as I to differ.'
"But while thus filled with praise, and delighting myself in that ocean
of love, I awoke, yet only to say, 'Blessed are the dead that die in
the Lord.' Dear friends, let us cleave to Christ on earth, until he
plants our feet on the Mount Zion above."
The next composition was written by Nargis, of Geog Tapa, in 1852. It
is an account of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and gives a very good
idea of the Bible knowledge of the pupils, and their interest in
Scripture themes. The allusions to the condition of Nestorian families,
illustrate, and are illustrated by, the statements of Chapter I.
"About three thousand years ago, the family of Elkanah dwelt on the
hill of Zophim, in Palestine. He was a just man, and one that feared
God. According to the custom of those days, he had two wives, Peninnah
and Hannah. Let us turn our thoughts to Hannah, for every memory of her
is pleasant. She had no son, on whom she could look as a staff of joy
for her old age. Yet Hannah had a worthy portion in the love of
Elkanah, which flowed unceasingly like a crystal stream. Why was she
thus loved? We believe because of the lovely spirit which she had
received from that gentleness of the eternal Son which maketh great;
and, like him, her voice was not heard in the streets. Instead of the
contentious temper of the women of this age, we find in her a meek and
quiet spirit; instead of pride, humility; and instead of anger,
patience; she was kind, pleasant, and abounding in other graces. Shall
not such a woman be praised?
"Now Elkanah took his family to Shiloh, to worship and feast before the
Lord. But the envious Peninnah so grieved Hannah that she could neither
eat nor drink. Soon, however, she heard the sweet tones of her
husband's voice. Was it not like an angel's? saying, 'Hannah, why
weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? Am
I not better to thee than ten sons?' When she heard that she arose and
ate. Love was rewarded by love. She would not grieve Elkanah. Unlike
many in our day, she was obedient to her husband, yielding her will to
his, and clothed with humility. They were not only one flesh, but one
spirit; and they walked together in the valley of love to that world
where love is made perfect. Now, after she had shown her love by
partaking of the feast,[1] may we not suppose that she arose and
whispered to Elkanah to know if he would approve of her intended vow;
and did he not reply, 'Your vow is mine.' Then did she not seek a
corner of the court where she might pray? Radiant spot, where Hannah
communed with God! herself a bright light among the women of that age.
There, in bitterness of soul, she wept before the Lord, and obtained
his blessing. She believed that God would grant her request, as he saw
best, and gave back her expected son to the Lord to be his forever.
Here was true faith. She left all with God; and though, like her
Saviour, she prayed the more earnestly: still her voice was not heard.
But we hear the voice of Eli: 'How long wilt thou be drunken?' 'O Eli,
Eli, why speak to her thus? She was of thy flock, and thou shouldst
have distinguished her from other women round about her.' [Footnote 1:
In Oriental families, anger is shown by refusing to eat, sometimes for
several days.]
"Bright star of that generation! Blessed art thou among the daughters
of Levi. The moving of thy lips is like the voice of the dove. There
was a blessing in thy mouth, like the olive leaf of Noah's dove, that
told of rest from the tossings of the flood; for thy request was about
to give rest to the millions of Israel. Blessed art thou, daughter of
Zion. Thou soughtest not a son for thy own glory, but for the glory of
thy God.
"What a prayer was Hannah's! It brought a deliverer and a prophet to
Israel, an intercessor and a preacher to the people of God. May the
daughters of Hannah and the sons of Elkanah be multiplied among our
people. She is a mirror into which we may look, to learn how to forsake
our evil ways. Let us, like her, build up the kingdom of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
"Her prayer finished, Hannah returned to her house. Her sorrow was now
turned into joy, and her happy face was like the opening rose of the
morning. No wonder she was joyful. The will of the Lord was her will,
and what evil could befall her? Blessed Israel, that contains such a
praying soul.
"Time passes on, and the answer to that prayer is a beloved son. The
grateful mother calls him Samuel--'God heard.' Her full heart could
give no other name to this child of prayer. She would remember ever,
Not mine, but God's. And now the childless one folds in her arms a
child of the covenant. New joy fills the heart of Elkanah. Their son
was new to them every day; yet not alone as theirs, but His who
answered prayer.
"The time now draws near for them to go again to Shiloh. The happy
father does not forget God in his mercies. He appears before the Lord
with his thank offering;--a noble example to us. He asks Hannah to go
with him: not in a voice of harsh command, but in love he said, 'Will
you go?' and it was, doubtless, a gentle voice that answered, 'Not now,
for then I must bring Samuel back with me. He is too small to leave;
but when he is weaned, I will bring him, that he may appear before the
Lord, and there abide forever.' The good Elkanah was satisfied, saying,
'Only the Lord establish his word;' for he had not forgotten the vow.
So the happy Hannah remained at home another year, and taught the child
as a mother only can.
"When the time came to go up again to Shiloh, Samuel was probably three
years old. That praying mother did not say, 'He is small; let him stay
with me one year longer.' No! With her whole heart she carried him to
the house of the Lord, to abide there; and she went not up empty,
saying, 'It is enough that I give my son;' but in the three bullocks we
find the burnt offering, the sin offering, and the peace offering, and
in her son the first fruits besides. She was ready to say, 'In all
things I am a debtor to the Lord.'
"Nor did she come in pride of spirit, saying to Eli, 'You called me
drunken, while offering a prayer that God hath heard;' but in all
humility she accosts the aged priest, saying, 'I am the woman that
stood by thee here, praying;' and then, leading forward the child, 'for
this child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me my petition, and I have
lent him to the Lord.' We seem to see little Samuel approaching Eli
reverently; and then turning those speaking eyes to his mother, he
says, 'Is this my father, of whom you told me, and with whom I am to
live?' 'Yes, my child, he will be your father.' And now Eli places his
hand upon the head of Samuel, saying, 'Blessed art thou, son of a true
daughter of Levi. The Lord bless thee, and make thee a prophet of the
Most High.'
"Hannah worships, and returns to her home. Her little son asks not to
go with her; for he has been taught that he is the Lord's, and is to
abide in Shiloh. What a blessing are praying mothers, training their
children for God!
"Still she does not forget the Lord's Samuel. Every year she goes up to
Shiloh, with her husband, and as often does she carry for the little
prophet a coat, made by a mother's loving hand. She did not say, like
some of our mothers, 'If he is in the school of the prophets, let the
prophets clothe him;' but she clothed him for the Lord's service, and
he comforted Eli as he was never comforted by his own children. Will
our mothers follow the example of Hannah? Should a voice come from the
mountains to-day, calling for preachers, would they give their sons to
go and save the lost? Blessed are those mothers who give their sons to
be soldiers of the cross; who, like Hannah, lead the way to the throne
of grace, and serve God in their households.
"The Lord helped Hannah to pray, and he helped her to write that
beautiful song. Her words are golden and full of wisdom. It is fitting
to call her a mother in Israel. Deborah sat as judge, but Hannah gave a
judge and teacher to the people of God. Both were bright stars, but
where is the people on whom they shone? The chosen people are
scattered. Deborah, perchance, sleeps under the oak of judgment, and
Hannah on the hill of Zephim. We love to think that her son stood by
her dying bed to thank her for all her prayers and instructions, and
see her reverently gathered to her people.
"We leave thee, mother of the holy prophet. Thou hast passed through
this valley of humiliation. Thy works follow thee, and thy God hath
crowned thee with glory and honor. Sweet singer of Israel, sing on in
heaven, for with thy Saviour thou canst never sorrow more. Who will
rise among us to carry forward the kingdom of our Christ? Such as honor
the Master here, he will honor when mothers in Israel see their sons
made kings and priests unto the Lord forever."