Obedience to God the Way to Faith in Christ. "_When Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, He said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God._"--Mark xii. 34 SERMON XV. Sudden Conversions. "_By the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain._"--1 Cor. xv. 10 SERMON XVI. The Shepherd in our Souls. "_I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd gaveth His life for the sheep._"--John x. 11 SERMON XVII. Religious Joy. "_And the Angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord._"--Luke ii. 10, 11 SERMON XVIII. Ignorance of Evil. "_And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of Us, to know good and evil._"--Gen. iii. 22 SERMON I. Reverence in Worship. "_Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod._"--1 Samuel ii. 18. Samuel, viewed in his place in sacred history, that is, in the course of events which connect Moses with Christ, appears as a great ruler and teacher of his people; this is his prominent character. He was the first of the prophets; yet, when we read the sacred narrative itself, in which his life is set before us, I suppose those passages are the more striking and impressive which represent him, in the office which belonged to him by birth, as a Levite, or minister of God. He was taken into God's special service from the first; he lived in His Temple; nay, while yet a child, he was honoured with the apparel of a sacred function, as the text tells us, "he ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." His mother had "given him unto the Lord all the days of his life[1]," by a solemn vow before his birth; and in him, if in any one, were fulfilled the words of the Psalmist, "Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house, they will be always praising Thee[2]." Such a constant abode in God's house would make common minds only familiar with holy things, and irreverent; but where God's grace is present in the heart, the effect is the reverse; which we might be sure would happen in the case of Samuel. "The Lord was with him," we are told; and therefore the more the outward signs of that Lord met his eye, the more reverent he became, not the more presuming. The more he acquainted himself with God, the greater would be his awe and holy fear. Thus the first notice we have of his ministering before the Lord, reminds us of the decency and gravity necessary at all times, and in all persons, in approaching Him. "He ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod." His mother had made him yearly a little coat for his common use, but in Divine Service he wore, not this, but a garment which would both express, and impress upon him, reverence.