him by his own name--the name which his mother had given him when he was a
baby. Samuel had never heard the voice of God before, and he did not know
who was speaking to him in the quiet night.

But he did what he was told to do by one who knew that God was calling
him, and the next time the voice came he answered, "Speak, for Thy servant
heareth."

Then, when God spoke again, he listened to the message which God gave him
to give for Him.

How near God was to this child!

Yes, He was very near to Samuel as he slept; but He is as near to you, as
you lie in your own bed at home. He keeps you safely all through the dark
night: when you cannot even think about yourself He thinks about you and
cares for you; and He speaks to you by His Holy Word just as much as if He
called you by your own name.

Do not forget that it is really true that when you take God's Book into
your hands, and open it, and listen with your heart, God is near you and
speaks to you, your own self. For this reason, when we read the Bible,
as the children said, "We must attend, or we shall not know what God has
said."

And for another reason, too, we must attend: that is, because it is God who
is speaking.

God's Word is the only thing in this world that is quite sure; but it is,
because it has come straight from Him, and He is the God of truth.