Were with him in his happy play,

And round his little bed.

They kept his heart so kind and true,

They made his eye so mild;

For dearly do the angels love

A gentle little child.

Flowers for Children.

“Perhaps Eli met Hannah at the door of the tabernacle, and she may have said to him,

“‘Eli, I bring you a precious offering. It is my only child. It was sweet to have him with me, for he was gentle and obedient, and he made my house cheerful and happy. But I promised my little Samuel to the Lord, and now I have come to perform my vow.’

“Then Eli would say,