Temple, were the most highly favoured, though perhaps, the least applauded.* Happy, happy they, whose paths advanced, however slowly, towards the Temple! Whether the way was rough or smooth, it was a good way, and led to certain enjoyment. I visited a person on one occasion, whose path was the occupation of her life, in making and advancing, but it was at the cost of so much labour, that her care-worn countenance shewed always she had but little foretaste of the enjoyment which she sought. * Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Jer. xxxi. 3. y Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them; who, passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. Ps. lxxxiv. 5, 6. z For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear. Rom. viii. 15. I found her toiling in the sun, and exhausted by fatigue. I asked her if she had not better rest a moment in the shade. She said, No, that she liked to be tired. I asked if it would not be better to refresh herself with some food. She said, that she preferred being hungry. I offered her a lighter spade, but she said a heavy one was best.a Finding that I could not relieve her, I stood for some time, silently watching her work, and was vexed to see her treading down the many flowers that grew in her path, and burying under the heaps of rubbish that she cleared away, those which blew on its edge. The path was certainly straight, but it was very sombre, and its progress slow. When a Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in willworship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. Col. ii. 23. b Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy she paused for breath, I suggested, that considering her incessant toil, she did not get on fast. "No matter,' she replied, "You see how much I suffer, and that is every thing." I did not agree with her at all, and turned to observe a sweet looking youth, who had been standing by us, and was at that moment, rescuing a rosebud from a stone, which our hard worker had thrown carelessly upon it. C "You love flowers," I said. “Oh yes," he replied with animation, "it is kind of the Prince to allow us to cultivate them; I am quite sorry to see them and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him. Col. ii. 8, 9, 10. C My soul refused to be comforted. Ps. lxxvii. 2. d The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Ps. xxxiii. 5. neglected. I have a great many in my path," he continued smiling, "come with me, and I will show them to you.' f I gladly accompanied him, and found his path was indeed ornamented with many sweet flowers, which were most carefully tied up and watered. He had great delight in speaking of them. When I had noticed the finest and most beautiful," he said, "But you must not overlook my Daisies; see how many there are! h How bright and pretty Did you they make my path look! never observe their delicate leaves, white tipped with pink? See how regularly • Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. Ps. lxvi. 16. f Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things. Ps. ciii. 5. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. Ps. cxi. 2. h A faithful man shall abound with blessings. Prov. xxviii. 20. |