STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS. 151

in the temple of Dagon, and brought in their enemy,
once so formidable, released from his prison and from
his labour, that they might insult him by making sport
of him. The sightless son of Manoah asked the lad
who led him to put his hands upon the pillars which
supported the house, that he might lean upon them.
The lad obeyed. Then Samson called to the Lord ;—
his prayer was not loud, but it was earnest. These were
the words of it :—‘“ Oh Lord God, remember me, I pray
thee ; and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, oh
God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines
for my two eyes.”

This prayer was heard, and answered in the moment
of its utterance. Strength, as great as he ever had,
was given to Samson. He bowed down with all his
might, and broke the strong pillars that supported the
idol temple, so that the whole fabric fell to the ground,
and all the people it contained were killed.

George. How many people were there in it f

Grandfather. We are told that the house was full of
men and women, and that there were three thousand on
the roof: they had placed themselves there that they
might be amused by seeing their blind enemy. Their sud-
den death should be a warning to us never to mock those
who have been unfortunate, for it was when the Philis-
tines were so engaged that destruction came upon them.

Marianne. Was it right, grandfather, for Samson to
kill himself and all those people ?

Grandfather. He died as a patriot for the good of