May 15

Zechariah had seen four horns, and had said to the angel that talked with him, "What be these?" And he answered him, "These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem." Then THE LORD SHOWED HIM FOUR CARPENTERS. And upon his inquiring, "What come these to do?" he received for answer, "These are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it."

It is not perhaps possible to determine who those "four horns" were, or whether they are to be viewed as so many individuals or nations—they were evidently hostile powers. The same may be said of these "four carpenters." Some have supposed they were Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and Nehemiah, and Ezra. In each case a definite number seems to be used for an indefinite.

But we see from it—that the friends of Zion are as numerous as her foes; that her defence is equal to her danger; and that as the state of his people requires it, the Lord will seasonably raise up means and instruments for their succour and deliverance—This is the doctrine of the text. And the assurance may be derived from four principles—The love of God—The power of God—The faithfulness of God—The conduct of God. In the first, we see that he must be inclined to appear for them, as they are infinitely dear to him. In the second, we see that he is able to do it. In the third, that he is engaged to do it, and his promise cannot be broken. In the fourth, that he always has done it, Scripture, history, and experience being witness—

"Then let the world forbear their rage, The Church renounce her fear; Israel must live through every age, And be the Almighty's care."

MAY 15.—"And she said, O my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him."—1 Samuel, i. 26—27.

HERE we see the meekness of wisdom, and the wisdom of meekness. Hannah does not bring the former scene to the remembrance of Eli by his improper carriage towards her—"O my lord, I am the woman you called a drunkanl, and treated as a daughter of Belial. What do you think of her now? And what do you think of yourself and your false, vile, and cruel censure?" Little minds always retain a sense of an injury received: but it is the glory of a man to pass by a transgression; and we are not to be overcome of evil, but to overcome evil with good. We question the sincerity of a man who says, I forgive but I do not forget. We are sure he does not resemble the Father of mercies, who says, Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Good men are not to be upbraided with their miscarriages and mistakes. They have long ago mourned over them; and have condemned them more than others have done—Let them be buried in oblivion for ever.

Here we behold one of those transitions which often take place in human life. We may compare it with another affecting change of

a very different quality, and which also befel a pious woman. When Naomi returned with her daughter-in-law Ruth from the country of Moab, to which she had been driven by famine, and had reached her native village, the people of Bethlehem came around her, saying, "Is this Naomi?" And she said, "Call me not Naomi—Call me Mara, for the Lord hath dealt very bitterly with me. I had substance—I am now poor. I had a husband—I am now a widow. I was a mother—I am now childless. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty. Why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?" But what a difference is there between Hannah's former and present circumstances and experience. Then she was a petitioner—now she is filled with thanksgiving, and has the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Then she presented herself at the temple in the bitterness of her soul; then she sowed in tears—now she reaps in joy; then she went forth weeping, bearing precious seed—now she returns again with rejoicing, bringing her sheaf with her. "Oh my lord, you may have forgotten the case, but I have not. I who am now so favoured and honoured, am the very woman who was here at such a time, drunk indeed with grief; but he has made darkness light before me: he has turned the shadow of death into the morning—Oh my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here praying unto the Lord."

Here we learn the importance of prayer. Whoever undervalues it, says Hannah, I can extol and recommend it. I have found it good to draw near to God—For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him. Time employed in prayer is not spent in vain. Prayer is the richest traffic in the world; the merchandize of it is better than the merchandize of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. By intercourse with God we are impressed, and made to resemble him, as the face of Moses shone when he came down from the communion of Horeb. How are we refreshed by the exercise when our spirits are weary and ready to faint! How it enables us to leave our fears and cares at the footstool of divine grace; and go away as Hannah did, with our countenance no more sad, and our heart feeling the peace of God which passeth all understanding! Trouble is the dreary path which in this vale of tears all will sooner or later tread: and to enter without a guide; to go on without a comforter; to meet death at the end without support or hope—if any man be reduced to this, "I say, an untimely birth is better than he." But let us not limit the subject, or suppose with some that the worth or usefulness of prayer arises wholly and merely from the influence of the performance. The labour of the husbandman in the field is beneficial to him by the exercise, and conduces to health and strength: but he looks also for a crop; and goes forth and sees first the blade, then the ear, and after that the full corn in the ear. So it is with us. The very action of prayer benefits and improves us: but if there be any meaning in the Scripture, we may rely upon answers of prayer. This woman obtained her request; and the time would fail us to tell of all those recorded in the word of God, who could acknowledge that he had given them the blessings which they asked of him.

Hannah observes the answer to her petition. Prayer is some-

times answered immediately, and sometimes it is delayed. It is sometimes answered in the very thing desired, and sometimes in a way of exchange—while sometimes by strange, and even terrible things, in righteousness the Lord answers his people. Wisdom therefore is here necessary in discerning, and caution in judging. We should not indeed subtilize too much; nor be distressed if we cannot ascertain what is in answer to prayer. We have always enough to encourage us to continue in the exercise, and should impress our minds with the conviction that our seeking cannot be in vain in the Lord. Yet as prayer is answered, it is proper and important to attend to it; and whoso is wise and will observe these things, even he shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. It is more than trifling with the Supreme Being, it is even insulting him to awaken his attention when we never mean to regard his benefits. Yet thousands never think more of their prayers when they have once offered them. They knock, but never stay to see whether the door of mercy is opened. They send an address, but never wait for the reply, or read it when it comes. And will God remember prayers which we ourselves forget, or regard prayers, which we ourselves despise? On the other hand, how desirable is it to know that he has not forgotten to be gracious, or turned away our prayer from him! How confirming is it to our confidence to be able to say, with Moses, "The Lord heard me at that time also." What excitement to praise and prayer does David derive from this persuasion; "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications."

Hannah not only observes the regard of God to her case, but acknowledges it. So should we. We should not hide his righteousness within our heart; but declare his faithfulness and his salvation. Many stand in need of encouragement, and under a sense of their unworthiness and guilt are ready to conclude that the Lord will not hear them. Be his witnesses. Testify to them from your own experience. I have tried the freeness and fulness of his grace. I never trusted in him and was confounded, never sought him and was disappointed. Tell it to his own people. It will not excite their envy; the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. They have prayed for you: call upon them to aid your praise: O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Yea, like Hannah, tell it to Eli—Ministers personally need such communications; and they can also improve them for the good of others both in their private intercourse and in their public services.

What a place will heaven be when we ascend to that Shiloh! What developments shall we have to make from our history and experience! What answers of prayer, what deliverances, what blessings to acknowledge! What mutual congratulations shall we have to receive! What praises shall we have to offer!