The youth may have principles so firm that the most powerful temptations of Satan will not draw them away from their allegiance. Samuel was a child surrounded by the most corrupting influences. He saw and heard things that grieved his soul. The sons of Eli, who ministered in holy office, were controlled by Satan. These men polluted the whole atmosphere which surrounded them. Men and women were daily fascinated with sin and wrong, yet Samuel walked untainted. His robes of character were spotless. He did not fellowship, or have the least delight in, the sins which filled all Israel with fearful reports. Samuel loved God; he kept his soul in such close connection with heaven that an angel was sent to talk with him in reference to the sins of Eli’s sons, which were corrupting Israel. {3T 472.3}

De unge kan have så faste principper, at Satans stærkeste fristelser ikke vil lede dem bort fra deres troskab. Samuel var et barn, som var omgivet af de mest fordærvelige indflydelser. Han så og hørte ting, som bedrøvede hans sjæl. Elis sønner, der gjorde tjeneste i hellige embeder, var beherskede af Satan. Disse mænd besmittede hele atmosfæren i deres omgivelser. Mænd og kvinder blev daglig fortryllede af synd og uret; men Samuel vandrede ubesmittet. Hans karakter var uplettet. Han følte sig ikke i pagt med eller havde det mindste behag i de synder, som fyldte hele Israel med frygtelige rygter. Samuel elskede Gud; han bevarede sin sjæl i en så inderlig forbindelse med himmelen, at en engel blev (473) sendt for at tale med ham om Elis sønners synder, som fordærvede Israel.