May 17

mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble." In the same manner Hannah acts when she brings her little Samuel to Shiloh, and dedicates him to the Lord—"As long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord"—

And was she a loser by this surrender? Did he cease to be her's because he was the Lord's? She would feel a new and a peculiar interest in him, in consequence of his relation to the sanctuary. There she knew the little Levite would be safe, and happy, and dignified. There he would grow up to be the light of Israel, the prophet, the ruler, the judge of his country. And she would make him a little coat, and bring it to him year by year, when she came up with her husband, to offer the yearly sacrifice. And while her fingers were employed in the needle-work her spirit would hold communion with him; and she would look forward to a state in which she would possess him for ever—

Was she a loser by this resignation? Immediately her tongue was loosed, and became as the pen of a ready writer: "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord; mine horn is exalted in the Lord; my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation." There is nothing meritorious in our performances; but with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Them that honour me, says God, I will honour. When we follow our convictions, and show that we hold nothing too dear to part with at his call, he gives us the testimony of his approbation, and fills the mind with peace and joy. When the Eunuch was baptized, he went on his way rejoicing. What is the reason that some are strangers to the liberty and comfort of the Gospel? Is it not, some known duty neglected? or some idol adored? Are the consolations of God small with thee? Is there no secret thing with thee? Throw the head of the traitor to the Lord our King over the wall; and Joab retires, and peace is restored—O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.

Was she a loser by this sacrifice? "And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters." For one child given, behold five added! "And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The Lord is able to give thee much more than this." "Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

MAY 17.—"The son of consolation."—Acts 4:36.

This is spoken of a man who was a Levite. His ancestors had retired from Judea to the country of Cyprus. We know not for what purpose; but there he was born. His first name was Joses. But after his conversion to Christianity he was surnamed by the Apostles, Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation. Two reasons have been assigned for this denomination; both very consistent with each other; and both very probable in them-