She rises and leaves the tent to calm in solitude, as best she
may, her bosom's strife. Why must she be thus afflicted? Severe, indeed,
and bitter are the elements which are mingled in her cup. Jehovah has
judged her. She has been taught to believe that those who are childless
are so because of His just displeasure. Her fellow-creatures also
despise her; her neighbors look suspiciously upon her. Wherefore should
it be thus? She wanders slowly, and with breaking heart, towards the
Tabernacle. The aged Eli sits by one of the posts of the door as she
enters the sacred inclosure, but she heeds him not. She withdraws to a
quiet spot, and finds at last a refuge. She kneels, and the long pent-up
sorrow has now its way; she "pours out her soul before the Lord." Happy,
though sorrowful, Hannah! She has learned one lesson of which the
prosperous know nothing; she has learned to confide in her Maker, as she
could in no other friend. It were useless to go to her husband with the
oft-told trouble. He is ever fond and kind; but though she is childless,
he is not, and he cannot appreciate the extent of her grief. All that
human sympathy can do, he will do, but human sympathy cannot be perfect.
It were worse than useless to tell him of Peninnah's taunts and
reproaches. It would be wicked, and bring upon her Heaven's just wrath,
if she did aught to mar the peace of a happy family.
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