Of all human obligations there is none more important and sacred than that imposed upon parents. Upon them rests the onus of preparing future citizens rightly to play their part in human affairs. Theirs is at once a precious privilege and a solemn responsibility to guide the formation and development of human character, and if this responsibility is undertaken prayerfully and with due regard for all that it entails, it will result in incalculable blessings for the human family.
Many centuries ago, a woman of the Israelites, Hannah by name, "vowed a vow" that should she have a son she would "give him unto the Lord all the days of his life." Her prayer was answered, and "she bare a son, and called his name Samuel." In course of time she took him to the temple to be trained for sacred service. With simple devoutness she said to Eli, the priest, "For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord."
What selfless gratitude! How the human mother-heart must have longed to keep the child! But according to her highest light, she gave her dearest treasure to God. Hannah's consecration and sacrifice were repaid in full measure, for Samuel grew to be a good and great man, a prophet of the Lord, and a judge over Israel.
