possessed what was more valuable, "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit," which was of a greater price in his eyes. Better is it to be poor and virtuous, than to have boundless wealth with a doubtful character. "A good name," says Solomon, "is rather to be chosen than riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold." Ruth found it so. She and Naomi had long been walking in God's ways. They had suffered much; but their sufferings had been blest to them. They had struggled through a long and dreary night of sorrow, and now the dawn of a new day of joy was breaking upon them. Are you afflicted? Are you suffering from some smarting wound, which seems too deep to be healed? Do you feel desolate and alone? Oh, look up and remember there is one who loves you-One who can turn your present sorrow into joy-who can strew your path with blessings. Put yourself in His hands, and commit yourself to His gracious care. He can give you, as He did to Ruth, "the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."

ELI;

OR, MISTAKEN KINDNESS.

How few characters there are in which we cannot find some great and glaring fault! There is a weak place in every wall-a rent in every garment—a soil in the whitest sheet.

I am going now to speak about one who was a good man, whose life was pure and holy, who loved and delighted in God's service. But on one point he was very faulty: he failed to exercise the proper authority of a parent over his children.

He

Eli belonged to the tribe of Levi. acted for some years as one of the judges of Israel, and he was also God's high priest. He lived at Shiloh, in a dwelling adjoining to the temple; and in that sacred building he passed the greater portion of his time.

Nothing whatever is told us about him until he was pretty well advanced in age.

He is first mentioned as being in the temple, when Hannah came to pour out her heart before God. Eli was struck by her appearance, and closely watched her. He had seen many go in and out; but there was something so unusual about this woman's manner, that he thought she must be out of her mind or drunken. But on questioning her he found that he was mistaken. The truth was, she was in deep sorrow; and though no words came from her lips, she was holding secret communion with God.

She was one of those who, though they feel much, can say but little-whose hearts are too full for utterance. When Eli discovered her real state of mind, he felt much interested in her, and spoke words of comfort to her, so that she went away relieved and encouraged, and her countenance was no more sad.

Hannah ever after looked upon Eli as her counsellor and her friend, and entrusted her only child Samuel to his special care.

But there was a fault, I said, in Eli's conduct-a fault which brought many a sorrow upon his declining years. He had two sons,

whose names were Hophni and Phinehas; and these sons, though very different from their father, were also put into the priest's office. Their conduct was a disgrace to their high calling. And so bad was it, that all thoughtful people were shocked by it, and "men abhorred the offering of the Lord." Just as it is now, when a careless or immoral man gets into the, ministry-it saddens the hearts of God's servants, and makes His enemies to blaspheme.

Eli spoke to them and warned them; but it was not with the severity which their conduct deserved. He should have put on the stern authority of a father, and as a judge and a high priest he should have rebuked and degraded them in the name of the Lord. Instead of that, he mildly reasoned with them, "Why do ye such things? For I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the Lord's people to transgress."

How miserably weak and useless was such chiding as this! They of course disregarded it, and went on in their wickedness. It was

too late now for such gentle words. Their hearts had grown hard and callous, and they no longer heeded a father's feelings or a father's advice.

It is true that Eli could not change their hearts. This was beyond his power. But he might have reproved them and checked. them, and he ought not to have allowed them to go on ministering before the Lord. Instead of trying to control them," when they made themselves vile, he restrained them not." He was kind to them, but it was a false and mistaken kindness. Far better would it have been, if he had acted with more firmness. He might thus by a little seasonable correction have saved them from ruin.

I would never recommend parents to be harsh and severe with their children. But I would earnestly advise them to be firm and decided, to require obedience, and to be watchful against the first beginnings of evil. If Eli had done so, his old age would have been happy instead of miserable.

It pleased God twice to warn Eli that he would bring a judgment on him and his sons for their conduct. Once he sent to him