Hushed was the evening hymn, The temple courts were dark; The lamp was burning dim Before the sacred ark; When suddenly a voice divine Rang through the silence of the shrine. The old man, meek and mild, The priest of Israel, slept; His watch the temple child, The little Levite, kept; And what from Eli???s sense was sealed The Lord to Hannah???s son revealed. O give me Samuel???s ear, The open ear, O Lord, Alive and quick to hear Each whisper of Thy Word, Like him to answer at Thy call, And to obey Thee first of all. O give me Samuel???s heart, A lowly heart, that waits Where in Thy house Thou art, Or watches at Thy gates; By day and night, a heart that still Moves at the breathing of Thy will. O give me Samuel???s mind, A sweet unmurm???ring faith, Obedient and resigned To Thee in life and death, That I may read with child like eyes Truths that are hidden from the wise.