,transcribed from the #ahdi 7tenth7 ,francis ,john ,rivington edition by ,david ,price1 email ccx#jgdpglaf4org ,,the ,,rocky ,,island1 ,,and ,,other ,,similitudes4 ,,by ,,samuel ,,wilberforce1 ,d4,d4 ,,lord ,,bishop ,,of ,,oxford4 ,fed my lambs4--,s4 ,,john xxi4 #ae4 ,,tenth ,,edition ,,london3 ,,francis ,,john ,,rivington1 ,,st4 ,,paul',s ,,church ,,yard1 ,,and ,,waterloo ,,place4 #ahdi4 ,the ,rocky ,island3 p#j4;jpg ,,preface4 ,the advertisement to a work of similar character to the present expresses the author's principle and wishes as to this little volume4 ,it is constructed on the same plan1 and1 like the former1 has had the test of the observations of his own children before it was given to the public4 ,the reception of ,agathos has shewn that many parents have felt the want which these little volumes are intended to supply1 and leads the author to hope that he has in some measure been able to meet it4 ,it is a peculiar gratification to him to be able thus to enter many a ,christian household1 and fulfil1 in some measure1 his ,master's charge1 ,feed my lambs4 ,may it please ,god to give ,his blessing to this new attempt4 ,s4 ,w ,winchester1 ,sept4 #bi1 #ahdj4 ,the ,rocky ,island4 ,i saw in my dream a rough rocky island rising straight out of the midst of a roaring sea4 ,in the midst of the island rose a black steep mountain2 dark clouds rested gloomily upon its top2 and into the midst of the clouds it cast forth ever and anon red flames1 which lit them up like the thick curling smoke at the top of a furnace-chimney4 ,peals of loud thunder sounded constantly from these thick clouds2 and now and then angry lightning shot its forked tongue1 white1 and red1 and blue1 from the midst of them1 and fell upon the rocks1 or the few trees which just clung to their sides1 splitting them violently down1 and scattering the broken and shivered pieces on all sides4 ,it was a sad1 dreary-looking island at the first view1 and ,i thought that no one could dwell in it2 but as ,i looked closer at its shores1 ,i saw that they were covered with children at play4 ,a soft white sand formed its beach1 and there these children played4 ,i saw no grown people among them2 but the children were all busy--some picking up shells2 some playing with the bright-coloured berries of a prickly dwarf-plant which grew upon those sands2 some watching the waves as they ran up and then fell back again on that shore2 some running after the sea-birds1 which ran with quick light feet along the wet sand1 and ever flew off1 skimming just along the wave-top1 and uttering a quick sharp note as the children came close upon them3--so some sported in one way1 and some in another1 but all were busily at play4 ,now ,i wondered in my dream to see these children thus busy whilst the burning mountain lay close behind them1 and the thunder made the air ring4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 when it shone out redder and fiercer than usual1 or when the thunder seemed close over their heads1 the children would be startled for a little while1 and run together1 and cry1 and scream2 but very soon it was all forgotten1 and they were as full of their sports as ever4 ,while ,i was musing upon this1 ,i saw a man appear suddenly amongst the children4 ,he was of a noble and kingly countenance1 and yet so gentle withal that there was not a child of them all who seemed afraid to look in his face1 or to listen to his kind voice when he opened his mouth1 for soon ,i found that he was speaking to them4 ,my dear children1 ,i heard him say1 you will all be certainly killed1 if you stay upon this rocky island4 ,here no one ever grows up happily4 ,here all play turns into death--the burning mountain1 and the forked lightning1 and the dreadful breath of the hill-storm1--these sweep down over all that stay here1 and slay them all2 and if you stay here1 for these childish pleasures of yours1 you will all perish4 ,then the children grew very grave1 and they gazed one upon another1 and all looked up into the face of the man1 to see if he spoke in earnest4 ,they saw directly that he did1 for that kind face looked full of care as well as of love3 so from him they looked out upon the waves of the sea1 and one whispered to another1 ,where shall we go8 how shall we ever get over that sea8 we can never swim across it3 had we not better go back1 and play and be happy1 until the time comes for us to die8 ,no1 said the man1 looking round kindly upon them all2 you cannot swim over2 you never could get over of yourselves3 but you need not stay here and die2 for ,i have found a way of escape for you4 ,follow me1 and you shall see it4 ,so ,i saw that he led them round a high rough rock1 to where the calm waves of the sea ran up into a little bay1 upon the white sand of which only a gentle ripple broke with a very pleasant sound4 ,this bay was full of boats1 small painted boats1 with just room in each for one person1 with a small rudder to guide them at the stern1 and a little sail as white as snow1 and over all a flag1 on which a bright red cross was flapping in the gentle sea-breeze4 ,then when the children saw these beautiful boats1 they clapped their little hands together for very joy of heart4 ,but the man spoke to them again and said1 ,you will all have a deep1 and dangerous1 and stormy sea to pass over in these little boats4 ,they will carry you quite safely1 if you are careful to do just as ,i bid you1 for then neither are wind nor the sea can harm them2 but they will bear you safely over the foaming waves to a bright and beautiful land--to a country where there is no burning mountain1 and no angry lightning1 and no bare rocks1 and no blasting hill-storm2 but where there are trees bearing golden fruits by the side of beautiful rivers1 into which they sweep their green boughs4 ,there the trees are always green1 and the leaves ever fresh4 ,there the fruit ripens every month1 #f and the very leaves upon the trees are healing4 ,there is always glad and joyful light4 ,there are happy children who have passed this sea2 and there are others who have grown old full of happiness2 there are some of your fathers1 and mothers1 and brothers1 and sisters2 and there am ,i ever present to keep and to comfort you4 ,now when they heard this1 all the children wished to jump into the boats1 and he was kindly ready to help them1 only he put each one in carefully and slowly2 and as he put him in1 he gave him his charge4 ,he told them that they must never look round to this island they were leaving1 but must be always setting their faces towards the happy land they sought for4 ,he told them that they must leave behind them all the shells and the berries which had pleased them here1 for if they tried to take these with them in their boats1 some accident would certainly befall them4 ,then some of the children1 when they heard all this1 drew secretly away1 and ran round the point1 and gave up the boats and the sea1 and began their old idle play again4 ,and some of them1 ,i thought1 hid the shells and the berries they had got1 and then jumped into the boat1 pretending they had left all behind them4 ,then ,i saw that the man gave different presents to each of them1 as they seated themselves in the boat4 ,one was a little compass in a wooden box4 ,this1 he said1 will always shew you which way to steer2 you are to follow me1 for ,i shall always be before you on the waters2 but often when the darkness of the night comes on1 or the thick mist seethes up from the wave's brim1 or the calm has fallen upon you so that your boat has stood still1--often at such times as these you may not be able even to mark my track before you3 then you must look at the compass1 and its finger will always point true and straight to where ,i am2 and if you will follow me there1 you will be safe4 ,he gave them1 too1 a musical instrument1 which made a soft murmuring sound when they breathed earnestly into it2 and this1 he said1 you must use when you are becalmed and so cannot get on1 or when the waves swell into a storm around you and threaten to swallow you up4 ,he gave them1 too1 bread and water for many days4 ,so ,i saw that they all set out upon their voyage1 and a beautiful sight it was to look upon4 ,their snow-white sails upon the deep sea shone like stars upon the blue of the firmament2 and now they all followed close upon the leader's ship1 and their little boats danced lightly and joyfully over the trackless waves1 which lifted up their breasts to waft them over3 and so they started4 ,but ,i looked again in a little while1 and they were beginning to be scattered very widely asunder3 here and there three or four of the boats kept well together1 and followed steadily in the track of the leader's vessel2 then there was a long space of the sea with no boat upon it at all2 then came a straggler or two1 and then another company2 and then1 far off on the right and on the left1 were other boats1 which seemed to be wandering quite away from the leader's path4 ,now1 as ,i watched them closer1 ,i saw that there were many different things which drew them away3 one ,i saw1 soon after they started1 who turned back to look at the rocky island1 forgetting the man's command4 ,he saw the other children playing on the beach2 he heard their merry voices2 and then looking round again towards the sea1 it looked rough and dark before him2 and he forgot the burning mountain1 and the terrible thunder1 and the bright happy land for which he was bound1 and the goodly company he was in1 and the kind face of the kingly man2 and he was like one in a dream1 before whose eyes all sorts of shapes and colours fly1 and in whose ears all sounds are ringing2 and he thought no more of the helm1 nor watched the sails2 and so the driving swell carried his boat idly along with its long roll2 and in a few minutes more ,i saw it at the top of a white foaming breaker1 and then he and it were dashed down upon the rocks which girdled the sandy beach1 and he was seen again no more4 ,then ,i turned my eyes to two other boats1 which were going fast away from the true course1 for no reason which ,i could see2 but when ,i looked at them more closely1 ,i saw that they were in a sort of angry race2 each wished to get to the wind-side of the other2 and they were so busy thinking about this1 and looking at one another with angry glances1 and calling out to one another with angry words1 that they forgot to look for the leader's ship1 or to watch the finger of the compass2 and so they were going altogether wide of the track along which they should have passed4 ,then ,i looked closely at another1 which was shooting quite away in another direction2 and ,i saw that the poor child had left the rudder1 and was playing with something in the bottom of the boat2 and as ,i looked nearer in it1 ,i saw that it was with some of the bright berries of the rocky island which he had brought with him that he was so foolishly busy4 ,foolish1 indeed1 he was2 and kind had been the warning of the man who bade them leave all these behind3 for whilst ,i was watching him1 and wondering what would be the end of such a careless voyage1 ,i saw his little boat strike suddenly upon a hidden rock1 which broke a hole in its wooden sides1 and the water rushed in1 and the boat began to sink1 and there was no help near1 and the poor boy was soon drowned in the midst of the waves4 ,then ,i turned sadly away to watch the boats which were following their leader2 and here1 too1 ,i saw strange things2 for though the sea when looked at from afar seemed just alike to all1 yet when ,i watched any one1 ,i saw that he had some difficulties1 and some frights1 and some helps of his own1 which ,i did not see the others have4 ,sometimes it would fall all at once quite dark1 like a thick night1 all round a boat2 and if he that was in it could hear the voice of a companion near him for a little while1 that gladdened him greatly2 and then oftentimes all sound of voices died away1 and all was dark1 still1 deep night1 and he knew not where to steer4 ,now if1 when this fell upon him1 the child went straight to his compass1 and looked close upon it1 in spite of the darkness1 there came always a faint flashing light out of the darkness1 which played just over the compass1 so as to shew him its straight blue finger1 if he saw no more2 and then1 if he took up his musical instrument1 and blew into it1 though the thickness of the heavy air seemed at first to drown its sound1 yet1 after awhile1 if he was but earnest1 ,i could hear its sweet murmuring sound begin2 and then directly the child lost his fears1 and did not want company2 sweet echoes of his music talked with his spirit out of the darkness1 and within a little time the gloom would lift itself quite up again1 or melt away into the softest light3 and lo6 he had got on far on his voyage even in this time of darkness1 so that sometimes he could see the beloved form just before him2 and at times even the wooded shore of the happy land would lift itself up1 and shine on his glad eyes1 over the level brim of the silver sea4 ,from another boat it would seem that the very air of the heaven died away4 ,there it lay1 like a painted sail in a picture--the snow-white canvass drooping lazily1 or flapping to and fro1 as the long dull swell heaved up the boat1 and let it sink again into the trough of the waves3 other boats1 but a little way off1 would sail by with a full breeze2 but he could not move2 his very flag shewed no sign of life4 ,now if the little sailor began to amuse himself when this happened1 it seemed to me that there he lay1 and would lie1 till the dark night overtook him1 and parted him from all his company4 ,but if1 instead of this1 he took up his musical instrument1 and played upon it with all his earnestness1 its soft breath1 as it whispered to the wind1 soon woke up its gentle sighing2 the long flag lifted itself on high2 the blood-red cross waved over the water2 the snowy sails swelled out1 and the little boat danced on along its joyful way4 ,i noticed also that before those boats which were passing on the fastest1 the sea would every now and then look very dark and threatening4 ,great waves would seem to lift their white heads just before them2 whilst every where else the sea looked calm and enticing4 ,then the little sailor would strain his eye after his master's course1 or look down at the faithful compass2 and by both of these sure signs he saw that his way lay straight through these threatening waves4 ,well was it for him1 if1 with a bold heart and a faithful hand1 he steered right into them4 ,for always did ,i see1 that just as he got where it seemed to be most dangerous1 the tossing waves sank1 as if to yield him an easy passage2 the wind favoured him more than at any part of his voyage2 and he got on in the right way faster than ever before4 ,especially was this so1 if at first he was somewhat tossed1 and yet held straight on2 for then he shot into a glassy calm1 where tide and wind bore him steadily along unto the desired haven4 ,but sad was it for him1 if1 instead of then trusting to the compass1 he steered for the smoother water4 ,one or two such trembling sailors ,i especially observed4 ,one of them had long been sailing with the foremost boats2 he had met with less darkness1 fewer mists or troubled places1 than the boats around him2 and when he saw the white crests of the threatening waves lift up their strength before him1 his heart began to sink2 and after wavering for a moment1 he turned his little boat aside to seek the calmer water4 ,through it he seemed to be gliding on most happily1 when all at once his little boat struck upon a hidden sandbank1 and was fixed so firmly on its side1 that it could not get afloat again4 ,i saw not his end2 but ,i sadly feared that when next the sea wrought with a troubled motion1 and the surf broke upon that bank1 his little boat must soon be shivered1 and he perish in the waves4 ,the other who turned aside followed closely after him2 for this was one thing which ,i noted through all the voyage4 ,whenever one boat went astray1 some thoughtless follower or other would forget his compass1 to sail after the unhappy wanderer2 and it often happened that these followers of others went the farthest wrong of any4 ,so it was in this case2 for when the first boat struck upon the sandbank1 the other1 thinking to escape it1 bore still farther off2 and so chancing to pass just where the shoal ended1 and an unruly current swept by its farthest edge1 the boat was upset in a moment1 and the poor child in it drowned4 ,and now ,i turned to three or four boats which had kept together from the time they left the harbour4 ,few were forwarder than they2 few had smoother water or more prosperous gales4 ,i could see1 when ,i looked close into their faces1 that they were all children of one family2 and that all the voyage through they were helping1 cheering1 and directing one another4 ,as ,i watched their ways1 ,i noticed this1 too1 which seemed wonderful4 ,if one of them had got into some trouble with its tackle1 and the others stayed awhile to help it1 and to bring it on its way1 instead of losing ground by this their kindness1 they seemed all to make the greater progress1 and press on the further in their course4 ,and now ,i longed to see the ending of this voyage2 and so looking on to those which were most forward1 ,i resolved to trace them to the end4 ,then ,i found that all1 without exception1 came into a belt of storms and darkness before they reached the happy land4 ,true1 it was much rougher and more dark with some than others2 but to every one there was a deep night and a troubled sea4 ,i saw1 too1 that when they reached this place1 they were always parted one from another4 ,even those which had kept most close together all the voyage before1 until just upon the edge of this dark part1 they1 like the rest1 were scattered here1 and toiled on awhile singly and alone4 ,they seemed to me to fare the best who entered on it with the fullest sails1 and had kept hitherto the straightest course4 ,indeed1 as a common rule ,i found this always true--that those who had watched the compass1 and held the rudder1 and cheered themselves with the appointed music1 and eaten the master's bread1 and steered straight after him1 they passed through this cloud and darkness easily and swiftly4 ,next to these were those who sought most earnestly to cheer its gloom with the sound of their appointed music4 ,the ,lord of these seas1 indeed1 had many ways of cheering ,his followers4 ,even in the thickest of that darkness ,his face of beaming love would look out upon them2 and ,he seemed nearer to them then than ,he had done heretofore through all their voyage4 ,then1 moreover1 it was never long2 and bright light lay beyond it4 ,for they passed straight out of it into the haven where they would be4 ,sweet sounds broke upon their glad ears even as they left that darkness4 ,a great crowd of happy children--parents who had gone before them--friends whom they had loved1 and holy persons whose names they had long known--these all lined the banks1 waiting to receive and welcome them4 ,amidst these moved up and down shining forms of beautiful beings1 such as the children's eyes had seen only in some happy dream2 and they1 too1 were their friends2 they1 too1 waited for them on the bank2 they1 too1 welcomed them with singing1 and bore the happy new-comer with songs of triumph into the shining presence of the merciful ,king4 ,then1 on the throne royal1 and with the glorious crown upon ,his head1 they saw the same kind face of gentle majesty which had looked upon them when they played on the shores of that far rocky isle4 ,they heard again the voice which had bid them fly the burning mountain4 ,they saw ,him who had taken them into ,his convoy2 who had given them their boats2 who had been near them in the storm2 who had given them light in the darkness2 who had helped them in the dull calm2 who had never left them2 but who had kept and guided them across the ocean2 and who now received them to ,his never- ending rest4 99 99 99 99 99 ,father4 ,who are the children playing on the shores of the rocky island8 ,child4 ,the fallen children of fallen parents1 born into this sinful world4 ,f4 ,what does the burning mountain1 and the lightning1 and the hill-storm1 represent8 ,c4 ,the wrath of ,god ever burning against sinners4 ,f4 ,who is ,he who warned these thoughtless children8 ,c4 ,the ,lord ,jesus1 who1 by ,his ministers1 warns men to flee from the wrath to come4 ,f4 ,what are the boats by which they are to escape8 ,c4 ,the ark of ,christ's ,church1 into which we are admitted by baptism4 ,f4 ,many of the children who embarked in the boats were lost1--what is shewn by this8 ,c4 ,that it is not enough to be received into the congregation of ,christ's flock2 but that we must always manfully fight under ,his banner against the world1 the flesh1 and the devil1 and continue ,christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto our lives' end4 ,f4 ,what is the compass1 and the musical instrument1 and the bread1 and the water8 ,c4 ,god's word1 and the privilege of prayer and holy sacraments1 and the other gifts of ,god to ,his ,church4 ,f4 ,what is the gentle wind which the musical instrument awoke8 ,c4 ,the grace of ,god's ,holy ,spirit1 promised to the members of ,his ,church1 to be sought by earnest prayer1 and in all the means of grace4 ,f4 ,what means the boy playing with the berries1 and so striking on the rock8 ,c4 ,one who having been given up to ,christ in baptism follows worldly pleasures1 and so makes shipwreck of the faith4 ,f4 ,what are the dark places and calms into which different boats enter8 ,c4 ,the different temptations and dangers of the ,christian life4 ,f4 ,what are the threatening waves which seemed to be right ahead of the boat8 ,c4 ,the dangers and self-denials which they must meet with who will follow ,christ4 ,f4 ,what is meant by the boat which turned aside1 and ran upon the shoal8 ,c4 ,that they who will turn aside from following ,christ because danger and self-denials meet them cannot reach heaven4 ,f4 ,what is shewn in the boat which followed this one8 ,c4 ,how ready we are to follow a bad example1 and go beyond it4 ,f4 ,what was the little company of boats which kept together8 ,c4 ,a ,christian family earnestly serving ,god4 ,f4 ,why did those who helped others find that they got on the fastest8 ,c4 ,because ,god1 who has bid us bear one another's burdens1 and so fulfil the law of ,christ1 will greatly help and bless all such4 ,f4 ,what is the belt of storm and darkness which all must pass through8 ,c4 ,death4 ,f4 ,why were all separated in it8 ,c4 ,because we must die alone4 ,f4 ,who are those that generally passed through it most easily8 ,c4 ,those whose life had been most holy and obedient4 ,keep innocency1 and take heed unto the thing that is right2 for that shall bring a man peace at the last 7,ps4 xxxvii4 #ch74 ,f4 ,who were the next8 ,c4 ,those who entered on it with much prayer4 ,f4 ,what was their great support in it8 ,c4 ,the presence of ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,f4 ,what declaration have we on this subject in ,god's word8 ,c4 ,when thou passest through the waters1 ,i will be with thee4 ,i am the resurrection and the life2 he that believeth on me shall never die4 ,f4 ,what lies beyond this to the faithful ,christian8 ,c4 ,the blessed rest of paradise and the bright glories of heaven4 ,the ,vision of the ,three ,states4 ,i saw1 in my vision1 two glorious creatures walking together through a beautiful garden4 ,i thought at first they must be angels1 so bright and happy did they seem4 ,the garden1 also1 in which they were1 seemed too beautiful for earth4 ,every flower which ,i had ever seen1 and numbers which my eye had never looked upon1 grew in abundance round them4 ,they walked1 as it were1 upon a carpet of flowers4 ,the breeze was quite full of the rich scent which arose from them4 ,the sun shone upon them with a brightness such as ,i had never seen before2 whilst the air sparkled with myriads of winged things1 which flew here and there1 as if to shew how happy they were4 ,all through the garden1 too1 ,i saw every sort of beast1 in all its natural grace and beauty2 and all at peace4 ,great lions moved about amongst tender sheep2 and striped tigers lay down quietly to sleep amongst the dappled fawns which sported around them4 ,but1 amidst all these beautiful sights1 my eyes followed more than all1 the two glorious forms which were walking together with such a kingly majesty through the happy garden3 they were1 truly1 ,i could see1 beings of this earth2 they were talking to each other2 they were speaking of ,,one who had made them out of the dust of the earth2 who had given to them living souls3 who was their ,father and their ,friend2 who had planted for them this beautiful garden1 and made them the rulers of all that was in it4 ,now ,i marked them as they talked1 and ,i could see that their eyes were often turned from all the beauty round them towards one far end of the garden2 and as ,i watched them1 ,i saw that they were still passing on towards it4 ,then ,i also fixed my eyes there1 and in a while ,i could see that1 at the end of the garden to which they were moving1 there was a bright light1 brighter and purer than the light of the sun2 and ,i thought that in it ,i could see here and there heavenly forms moving up and down1 flying upon silver wings1 or borne along upon the light breath of the sunny air4 ,but as ,i strained my eyes to pierce into it1 it seemed to dazzle and confound them by its great lustre4 ,then1 again1 ,i heard the words of the two2 and they spake of what was before them2 of the bright light1 and the heavenly forms3 and ,i found that they were only travellers through this beautiful garden2 that the ,king who had placed them in it dwelt in that light1 the brightness of which had so confounded my gaze2 that they were on their way to ,his presence1 and that when they reached it1 they should be happy for ever2 even as those shining spirits were already1 whose golden figures ,i had been just able to discover4 ,now1 whilst ,i was pondering upon these things1 and casting my eyes round and round this beautiful garden1 ,i heard all at once a most terrible sound1 as of thunder1 such as man's ears had never heard4 ,i looked up1 and the bright light at the end of the garden seemed to turn itself into angry fire1 and to flash red and threatening through thick black clouds1 which were forming themselves into terrible shapes all over the garden4 ,then ,i looked for the two that ,i had seen before3 ,i could just see them2 sorrow sat upon their faces1 and fear made them deadly pale2 a serpent was gliding from them into the bushes2 and their eyes were fixed upon the air1 as though voices1 which ,i heard not1 were speaking terrible things to their inner ears4 ,then1 as ,i looked1 it grew darker and darker--the thunder pealed all round me--cries came forth from every hill1 as of fierce and deadly beasts in wild dreadful fight4 ,the flowers round me were withering up1 as if a burning blight had passed over them2 and soon it was all dark1 and dreary1 and desolate4 ,then when my heart was very heavy within me1 methought there stood by me one of the forms of light whom ,i had seen at the garden's end2 and my knees smote together through fear of his glory2 but he looked upon me kindly1 and spoke to me in a voice of pity1 and he said1 ,wouldst thou see the end of this sight8 ,then my heart gathered courage1 and ,i told him1 that if it were lawful1 ,i would indeed fain look upon it4 ,with that he lifted me1 and we flew through the air1 and ,i knew not where he had borne me2 but in a while he set me on my feet1 and bade me look right down beneath me4 ,then ,i looked down at his word1 but could see nothing4 ,my eyes seemed to rest upon the thick mantle of the night1 and they could not pierce through it4 ,now1 while ,i was striving to pierce through the darkness1 strange noises rose from it to my ears4 ,all sounds that ever were1 came up from it1 so mingled together that ,i could not say what they were4 ,whether it were a groan1 or a cry1 or a roaring1 or music1 or shouting1 or the voice of anger or of sorrow2 for all of these seemed joined together into one2 but the groaning was louder than the laughing1 and the voice of crying well nigh drowned the music4 ,then ,i asked my guide what was this strange noise2 and he told me that it was the voice of all ,,the ,,world1 as it rose up to the ears of those that were on high4 ,then ,i begged of him1 if it might be1 to let me see those from whom it came4 ,with that he touched my eyes2 and now methought1 though the darkness remained1 that ,i could see in the midst of its thickness1 even as in the brightness of the day4 ,it was a strange place into which ,i looked4 ,instead of the beautiful garden ,i had seen before1 and two glorious creatures passing through it2 now ,i saw a multitude of men1 women1 and children1 passing on through a waste and desolate wilderness4 ,here and there1 indeed1 there were still flowery spots1 but they were soon trodden down by the feet of those who passed along4 ,strange too were their steps4 ,now1 instead of passing straight on1 they moved round and round1 for they were all in the black darkness4 ,the ground was full of pitfalls1 in the low bottoms of which ,i could see red fire burning fierce and hot1 and one after another fell over into these pitfalls1 and ,i saw them no more4 ,evil beasts1 too1 moved amongst them1 slaying one1 and tearing another2 and as if this was not enough1 oftentimes they would quarrel and fight with one another1 until the ground all around was covered with their bodies strewed upon it4 ,yet for all this1 some would sing1 and dance1 and frolic2 and this seemed to me the saddest of all1 for they were like mad men2 and mad in truth they were1 for in the midst of their dancing and their singing1 one and another would get near the side of some great pitfall1 and step over into its flames1 even with the song upon their lips4 ,in vain did ,i strain my eyes to see any light at the end1 as ,i had seen it in the garden4 ,if it was there1 the black clouds had rolled over it so thick and dark that not a ray of it was left4 ,yet ,i heard one and another offering to lead those that would follow them1 safely through this terrible wilderness2 and such men never wanted followers3 so ,i watched many of these leaders1 to see what they would do for those that trusted them4 ,little help could any of them render4 ,some put their followers on a path which led straight down into the deepest and most frightful pitfalls2 some set them on a path which wandered round and round1 and brought them at the end back to the same place from which they started2 some led them into thorny places1 where the poor pilgrims pierced their bleeding feet with many a wound3 but not one did ,i see who brought them into any better place1 or took them any nearer to their journey's end4 ,how they found their way at all1 was at first my wonder4 ,but as ,i looked more closely1 ,i saw in all their hands little lanterns1 which just threw a feeble light upon the darkness round them4 ,these were always brightest in the young1 for they soon grew very dim2 and the falls and blows they met with1 bruised and shattered them so much1 that some had hardly any glimmering left1 even of the feeble light which they had seemed to cast of old4 ,i looked at them until my heart was very sad1 for there was no peace1 no safety1 no hope2 but all went heavily and sadly1 groaning and weeping1 or laughing like madmen1 until1 sooner or later1 they seemed all to perish in the fearful pitfalls6 ,then my angel-guide spoke to me again1 marking my sadness1 and he said1 ,hast thou well observed this sight8 and ,i answered1 ,yes4 ,then he said1 ,and wouldst thou see more8 ,so when ,i had said yes1 methought we were once more flying through the air1 until again he set me on my feet1 and bid me look down4 ,now here1 too1 strange noises reached my ears2 but as ,i listened to them1 ,i found that there were mixed with them such sounds as ,i had not heard before4 ,sweet clear voices came up now from the din1 speaking1 as it were from one close by me1 words of faith1 and of hope1 and of love2 and they sounded to me like the happy talking which ,i had heard at the first between the glorious beings in the garden4 ,so when my guide touched my eyes1 ,i bent them eagerly down into the darkness below me4 ,at first ,i thought that it was the same place ,i had seen last1 for there was a busy multitude passing to and fro2 and there was music and dancing1 and sobbing and crying2 there were pitfalls1 too1 and wild beasts4 ,but as ,i looked closer1 ,i saw that1 in spite of all this1 it was not the place that ,i had seen before4 ,even at a glance ,i could see that there were many more flowers here than there2 and that many amongst the pilgrims were going straight on1 with happy faces1 by a road which passed safely by all the pitfalls4 ,i could see1 too1 that at the end of the road was a dim shining of that happy light which had been so bright in the beautiful garden4 ,now1 as ,i looked1 ,i saw that there were but a few who kept to this straight safe road1 and that many were scattered all over the plain4 ,i saw many leave this path even as ,i looked upon it2 and very few did ,i see come back to it3 those who did1 seemed to me to find it very hard to get into it again2 whether it was that its sides were slippery1 or its banks so steep1 many fainted and gave up1 after trying to climb into it again4 ,but it seemed quite easy to leave it2 for every one who left it went on at first lightly and pleasantly4 ,sometimes1 indeed1 they seemed greatly startled after taking their first step out of it1 and some of them turned straight back1 and after a few struggles1 more or less1 such always got into it again4 ,but if once after this first check they set out for the plain1 they seemed to go easily along1 until their path lay straight by the den of some destroying beast1 or led them into the midst of the pitfalls1 where they wholly lost their reckoning1 and knew not how to get on1 or how to get back4 ,i saw1 too1 after a while1 that they had got lanterns in their hands1 some of which gave a great deal of light4 ,those which were carried along the narrow path shot out bright rays on all sides1 until towards the end they quite blazed with light4 ,i could see1 too1 that these travellers had some way of trimming and dressing their lamps2 and that much of their light seemed to come from an open book which they carried in their hands1 from the leaves of which there flashed out continually streams of light1 which made their lamps burn so brightly that all their road shone with it4 ,but as they got further and further from the path1 their lamps began to burn dim4 ,all these travellers1 too1 had the book of light closed2 or if they now and then opened it1 they shut it up again1 some carelessly1 and some as if its light frightened them2 and not one could ,i see who stopped to trim his light3 so that just when they got amongst the pitfalls1 and wanted light the most1 they were all the most nearly in darkness4 ,now1 when ,i had looked at them for a space1 and wondered1 my guide said to me1 ,wouldst thou see how they enter on this plain8 ,then he took me to a fair porch1 which came from the wilderness ,i had looked upon before2 and there ,i saw a man standing in white robes1 and speaking good words1 and giving good gifts to each one as he came in4 ,there were persons coming in of all nations and people1 and some1 too1 of all ages1 though the greatest number were little children1 so small that their little hands would not hold the man's gifts1 and so he hung them round their necks1 for them to use as soon as they were able4 ,then ,i joined myself to the group1 to hear and see the better what was passing4 ,the man in white was speaking with a grave kind voice as ,i came up4 ,he told the pilgrims that the great ,lord of the land had built that porch1 and set him there to help the poor travellers1 who were before without hope or help amongst the beasts1 and snares1 and pitfalls of the terrible wilderness2 he told them that the blood of the ,king's own ,son had been shed1 that that porch might be built2 that the ,king had prepared them a narrow way to walk in1 which led straight from that porch to ,his own blessed presence1 and that they might all pass along it safely if they would2 he told them that if they left that path1 they would surely get again amongst the pitfalls which they had left in the wilderness2 nay1 that they would be worse off than they had been even there1 for that there was no other porch where they could again be set right1 and no other place where the gifts that he was giving them now1 could ever be got any more1 if they were once thrown quite away4 ,then ,i looked to see what these gifts were4 ,i saw the man bring forth clear and sparkling water1 which shone as if with living light2 and with this he washed from them the dirt and the bruises of the terrible wilderness3 with this1 too1 he touched their little lamps1 and as it touched them1 they grew so bright and clear1 that the light within poured freely forth on all around them4 ,then he looked in their faces1 and gave them a name1 which he wrote down in the ,king's book2 and he told them1 that by this name they should be known1 not only by their fellow-travellers1 but that this would remain written in the ,king's book here1 unless they wholly left ,his path2 and that every name which remained written here1 they would find written in another book in letters of gold and of fire1 when they reached the other end of the path2 and that for every pilgrim1 whose name was written there1 the golden gate would open of itself1 and he would find a place and a crown in the presence of the ,king4 ,then1 as he spoke all these glorious words1 my heart burned within me to see how the travellers sped4 ,but he had not yet done with them2 for he brought out of his stores a golden vial for each one2 and he told them that in it the ,king had stored the oil of light and beauty for the dressing of their lamps4 ,then he shewed them how to use it3 not carelessly or lightly1 for then the oil would not flow2 but earnestly1 and with great care2 and then sweet odours issued from the vial1 and the flame of the lamp burned brightly and high4 ,he gave them1 too1 the precious light-book1 which ,i had seen2 and he bade them read in it when it was dark1 or the way was slippery2 and that they should ever find that it was a lantern unto their feet1 and a light unto their paths4 ,he put1 too1 into the hand of each a trusty staff1 suited to their age2 and then he told them1 while they leant upon it1 it would bear them up at many a pinch1 and ever grow with their growth1 and strengthen with their strength4 ,church-truth he called these staffs2 and they were made after a marvellous fashion1 for they were as if many wands had been woven together to make one2 and as ,i looked1 ,i could see example1 and experience1 and discipline1 and creeds1 written upon some of these wands1 which grew together into ,church-truth4 ,then ,i longed greatly to follow forth some of these whom ,i had seen under the porch2 and as ,i gazed1 ,i saw the man look earnestly into the face of a fair boy1 who stood before him3 he gave him the name of ,gottlieb1 #de;a and entered it in the book1 and put the staff in his hand1 and washed him with living water1 and hung the vial at his side1 and put the banded staff into his hands2 and1 bidding him ,god-speed1 set him out upon his journey4 ,then he looked steadily into the face of another1 and it1 too1 was fair to look upon2 but it had not the quiet happy peace of the last4 ,the man wrote it down as ,irrgeist2 #de;b and ,i thought a shade of sadness swept over his brow as he gave to him the ,king's goodly gifts4 ,then he sent forth a third1 whose timid eye seemed hardly firm enough for so long a journey2 and ,i heard the name that was given him1 and it was ,furchtsam4 #de;c ,close to him went another1 with a firm step1 and an eye of steady gentleness2 and ,i saw1 by the ,king's book1 that he bore the name of ,gehulfe4 #df ,so these four set out upon their journey2 and ,i followed them to see how they should fare4 ,now1 ,i saw that at first1 when they started1 they were so small that they could not read in the goodly book1 neither could they use the golden vials2 and their little banded sticks would have fallen from their hands1 if they had not been small and thin1 like the first green shoots of the spring4 ,their lamps1 too1 cast no light outwardly1 yet still they made some way upon the path2 and whilst ,i wondered how this might be1 ,i saw that a loving hand was stretched out of the darkness round them1 which held them up and guided them on their way4 ,but1 anon1 in a while they were grown larger2 and ,i could see ,gottlieb walking on the first1 and his book of light was open in his hand1 and his lamp burned bright1 for he often refreshed it with oil1 and he leant upon his good staff1 and strode along the road4 ,then1 as he walked on1 ,i saw that there stood upon his path a shadowy figure1 as of one in flowing robes1 and on her head she seemed to wear a chaplet of many flowers2 in her hands was a cup of what seemed to be crystal water1 and a basket of what looked like cool and refreshing fruit4 ,a beautiful light played all round her1 and half shewed her and her gifts to the boy4 ,she bid him welcome1 as he came up to her2 so he raised his eyes from his book1 and looked to see who spoke to him4 ,then she spoke kindly to him2 and she held forth the cup towards him1 and asked him if he would not drink4 ,now1 the boy was hot with walking1 for the air was close1 so he stretched out his hand to take the cup2 but though it seemed so near to him1 he could not reach it4 ,and at the same moment she spake to him again1 and asked him to come where these fruits grew1 and where the breeze whispered amongst the boughs of yonder trees1--and there to drink and rest1 and then go on his way again4 ,then ,i saw that she had power to call out of the darkness the likeness of all she spoke of4 ,so he looked at the trees to which she pointed2 and the sun seemed to shine around them1 and the shade looked cool and tempting under them1 and the pleasant breeze rustled amongst their fresh leaves2 and he thought the road upon which he was travelling was hotter and darker1 and more tiring than ever2 and he put up his hand to his burning brow1 and she said to him1 as he lingered1 come4 ,now1 the trees to which she pointed him lay off his road1 or he would gladly have rested under them2 and whilst he doubted what to do1 he looked down to the book that was open in his hand2 and the light shot out upon it bright and clear1 and the words which he read were these1 ,none that go unto her return again1 neither take they hold of the paths of life4 #di;a ,and as he read it1 he looked again at the stranger2 and now he could see more clearly through the wild light which played around her1 and he knew that it was the evil enemy who stood before him2 the sparkling cup1 too1 and the fruit1 turned into bitter ashes2 and the pleasant shady grass became a thorny and a troublesome brake3 so1 pushing by her with the help of his staff1 he began to mend his pace2 and looking down into the book of light1 there shone out1 as in letters of fire1 ,wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way8 by taking heed thereto according to ,thy word4 #di;b ,then ,i saw that he was feeding his lamp1 which had begun to grow dim as he parleyed with the tempter1 and that he ceased not till it streamed out as bright and as clear as ever4 ,but still the air was hot and sultry1 and no cool breath blew upon him2 and if he looked off for a moment from his book1 the fair form of the tempter stood again beside him in silver light2 the cold water sparkled close to his lips2 and trees with shady boughs waving backward and forward over fresh green grass1 and full1 in every spray1 of singing-birds1 seemed to spring up around him4 ,for a little moment his step faltered2 but as his lamp streamed out its light1 all the vain shadows passed away3 and ,i heard him say1 as he struck his staff upon the ground1 ,i have made a covenant with my eyes2 and even as she heard it1 the tempter passed away1 and left him to himself4 ,scarcely was she gone1 before he passed by the door of a beautiful arbour4 ,it was strewn with the softest moss2 roses and honeysuckle hung down over its porch2 light1 as from a living diamond1 gleamed from its roof2 and in the midst of its floor1 a clear1 cool1 sparkling stream of the purest water bubbled ever up from the deep fountain below it4 ,now1 as this lay on the road1 ,gottlieb halted for a moment to look at it2 and the light of his lamp waxed not dim1 though he thus stayed to see it2 the book of fire1 too1 spoke to him of rest1 and of halting by palm-trees and wells of water2 and as he looked1 he read in letters of light over the door-way-- ,faithful pilgrim1 banish fear1 ,thou mayst enter safely here3 ,rest for thee thy ,lord did win2 ,faithful pilgrim1 enter in4 ,then ,gottlieb rejoiced greatly1 and cast himself gladly upon the mossy floor1 and bent down his parched lips to drink of the cool spring which bubbled up before him4 ,now1 whilst he was resting safely here1 ,i turned to see how it fared with the others who had set out with him from the porch1 for they had not got as far as ,gottlieb4 ,the first of them was ,irrgeist2 and when ,i looked upon him1 he was drawing near to the place where ,gottlieb had fallen in with the tempter4 ,irrgeist was walking quickly on--so quickly that1 at the first glance1 ,i thought he would soon be by the side of ,gottlieb4 ,but1 upon looking more closely1 ,i saw that ,gottlieb's steps had been far more steady and even than those with which ,irrgeist was pressing on2 for ,irrgeist's lamp burned but dimly1 and gave him no sure light to walk in4 ,very near to the place where ,gottlieb had met with her1 the tempter stood beside ,irrgeist4 ,he was not looking at his book1 as the other had been2 and he did not wait to be spoken to2 for as soon as he saw the light which played round her figure1 he began to speak to her1 and asked who she was4 ,she told him that her name was ,pleasure2 and forthwith she shewed to him her crystal cup and fruits2 and she brought before the charmed eyes of the wanderer all the gay show with which she had tried before to mislead the faithful ,gottlieb4 ,there was the bright sunshine1 and the green path1 and the waving trees1 and the rustling of the wind1 and the song of birds1 and the sweet resting-shade4 ,irrgeist looked eagerly at all she shewed him1 and in his haste to reach out his hand for the cup1 he dropped altogether the trusty staff of ,church-truth4 ,then the cup seemed to draw away from him1 just as it had done from ,gottlieb2 but he followed thoughtlessly after it4 ,and soon ,i saw that he left the path upon which he had been set2 and though he started suddenly as soon as he was off it1 yet it was but a moment's start1--the cup was close before him1 the shadowy form led him on1 the grass was green1 and the trees and the sunlight but a little farther4 ,and now ,i saw him drink some of the enchanted water2 and as he drank it1 his look grew wild1 and his cheek burnt like the cheek of one in a fever2 and he walked after the deceitful figure with a quicker step than ever3 but ,i saw that his lamp was almost out1 that the book of living light had fallen from his hands1 and the golden vial hung down1 ready1 as it seemed1 to fall from him altogether4 ,still he walked on2 and a strange flitting light1 from the form which was before him1 lightened the darkness of the valley1 so that he could pass on quickly2 the meadow1 also1 was smooth and even1 and there was a rustling breeze1 which played around him3 so that he got on faster than he had ever done upon the narrow path1 and thought that he was getting well on to his journey's end4 ,many times did he put forth his hand for the sparkling cup1 and drank of it again and again4 ,but now ,i saw1 as ,i thought1 a strange change which was coming over him2 for he drank oftener of the bowl1 but appeared each time to find it less refreshing4 ,sometimes it seemed almost bitter1 and yet he could not but take it the very moment he had thrust it from him4 ,the shadowy form1 also1 before him seemed altogether altering2 he looked again1 and her beautiful features and pleasant countenance had changed into a sharp1 stern1 and reproachful frown4 ,his own voice1 which had been heretofore almost like one singing1 grew sad and angry4 ,the very figure of his guide seemed vanishing from his eyes2 the light which floated round her grew wilder and more uncertain1 and his own lamp was almost out4 ,he felt puzzled and bewildered1 and hardly knew which way to go3 he had got into a broad beaten path1 and he found that many besides himself were going here and there along it4 ,sometimes they sang2 and1 in very bitterness of heart1 he tried to sing too1 that he might not think3 but every now and then1 when a flashing light came1 and he saw the look of the travellers amongst whom he was1 it made his very heart shiver--they looked so sad and so wretched4 ,now1 none went straight on3 some turned into this path1 some into that2 and then he soon lost sight of them altogether4 ,sometimes he heard fearful cries1 as if wild beasts had seized them2 sometimes a dreadful burst of flame from the horrid pits which ,i had seen1 made him fear that they had fallen over into them3 for poor ,irrgeist had got now into the midst of the deep pits and the ravenous beasts4 ,and soon he found how terrible was his danger4 ,he had been following one who had made him believe that he had light to guide his steps2 he had gone with him out of the beaten path2 and they were pressing on together1 when ,irrgeist suddenly lost sight of him in the darkness2 and whether it was that he had fallen into a pit1 or become the prey of some evil beast1 ,irrgeist knew not2 only1 he found that he was more alone than ever1 and near to some great peril4 ,poor ,irrgeist sprang aside with all his force1 thinking only of the danger which he feared2 but1 feeling his feet slipping under him1 he turned1 and saw that he had got upon the treacherous brink of a fearful pit2 down which1 at the very moment1 another pilgrim fell4 ,the fierce red flames rose out of it with a roar like thunder1 and a blaze like the mouth of a furnace2 and the wind blew the flames into the face of ,irrgeist1 so that he was singed and almost blinded4 ,then the poor boy called in the bitterness of his heart upon ,pleasure1 who had led him out of the way1 and now had forsaken him2 but she came no more--only terrible thoughts troubled him2 and he heard the hissing of serpents as they slid along in the bushes near him1 and all evil noises sounded in his ears1 till he scarcely knew where he was standing4 ,then he thought of his staff1 which he had dropped when ,pleasure had first tempted him1 and he grieved that it was gone2 and he felt in the folds of his mantle1 hoping that he might still have the book of light within it2 for he had too often thrust it there at the beginning of his journey2 but he could not find it4 ,then he strove to get some light from his little lamp2 for1 hurt as it was1 he had it still in his hand1 and he thought there was just a little blue light playing most faintly within it2 but this was not enough to direct him on his way1 rather did it make his way more dark4 ,then at last he bethought him of the golden vial4 ,few were there of those near him but had lost theirs altogether1 and his hung only by a single thread4 ,but it was not gone2 and when he had striven long1 he just drew from it a single drop of oil1 and he trimmed his lamp1 and it yielded forth a little trembling light1 just enough to shew that it was not altogether dead4 ,with the help of this light he saw that when he had dropped his book of fire1 one single leaf had been torn from it1 and stuck to his mantle2 so he seized it eagerly1 and strove to draw light from it2 but all that it would yield was red and angry-looking light1 and all that he could read was1 the way of transgressors is hard4 ,poor ,irrgeist6 he sat down almost in despair1 and wept as if his heart would break4 ,o1 that ,i had never trusted ,pleasure2 ,o1 that ,i had never left the path2 ,o1 that ,i had my book of light1 and my lamp's former brightness1 and my goodly stick2 ,o1 that one would lighten my darkness4 ,then did it seem to me as if in the murmur of the air around him two voices were speaking to the boy4 ,one was like the gentle voice of the man whom ,i had seen at the porch of the valley2 and it seemed to whisper1 return1 return2 mercy1 and forgiveness4 ,and as he listened1 something like hope mixed with the bitter tears which ran down the face of the wanderer4 ,but then would sound the other voice1 harsh1 and loud1 and threatening2 and it said1 too late1 too late1 despair1 despair4 ,so the poor boy was sadly torn and scattered in his thoughts by these two different voices2 but methought1 as he guarded his golden vial1 and strove to trim his dying lamp1 that the gentle voice became more constant1 and the voice of terror more dull and distant4 ,then1 as ,i was watching him1 all at once the boy sprang up1 and he seemed to see a light before him1 so straight on did he walk3 many crossed his path and jostled against him1 but he cared not2 he heard the sweet voice plainer and plainer1 like the soft murmuring of the cushat dove in the early summer1 and he would follow where it led4 ,hitherto his pathway had been smooth1 and he had hastened along it2 but this did not last1 for now it narrowed almost to a line1 and ran straight between two horrible pitfalls2 so he paused for a moment2 but the roaring of a lion was behind him1 and forward he pressed4 ,it was a sore passage for ,irrgeist1 for the whole ground was strewed with thorns1 which pierced his feet at every step1 and the sparks from the fire-pits flew ever round him1 and now and then fell in showers over him4 ,neither did he hear now the pleasant sound of the voice of kindness2 whether it were that it had died away1 he knew not1 or whether it were that the crackling and roaring of the fierce flames1 and the voice of the beasts behind1 and his own groans and crying1 drowned its soft music1 so that he heard it not4 ,i had looked at him until ,i could bear it no more2 for the path seemed to grow narrower and narrower2 the flames from the two pits already almost touched2 and ,i could not endure to see1 as ,i feared ,i should1 the little one1 whom ,i had watched1 become the prey of their devouring fierceness4 ,so1 with a bitter groan for ,irrgeist1 ,i turned me back to the road to see how it fared with ,furchtsam and ,gehulfe4 ,they had fallen far behind the others from the first4 ,poor little ,furchtsam had a trembling tottering gait2 and as he walked1 he looked on this side and on that1 as if every step was dangerous4 ,this led him often to look off his book of light1 and then it would shut up its leaves1 and then his little lamp grew dimmer and dimmer1 and his feet stumbled1 and he trembled so1 that he almost dropped his staff out of his hands4 ,yet still he kept the right path1 only he got along it very slowly and with pain4 ,whether it was that ,gehulfe was too tender spirited to leave him1 or why else1 ,i know not1 but he kept close by the little trembler1 and seemed ever waiting to help him4 ,many a time did he catch him by the hand when he was ready to fall1 and speak to him a word of comfort1 when without it he would have sunk down through fear4 ,so they got on together1 and now they came to the part of the pathway which the evil enchantress haunted4 ,she used all her skill upon them1 and brought up before their eyes all the visions she could raise2 sunshine1 and singing-birds1 and waving boughs1 and green grass1 and sparkling water1 they all passed before their eyes1--but they heeded them not3 once1 indeed1 poor ,furchtsam for a moment looked with a longing eye at the painted sunshine1 as if its warm light would have driven off some of his fears2 but it was but for a moment4 ,and as for ,gehulfe1 whether it was that he was reading his book of light too closely1 or trimming too carefully his lamp1 or helping too constantly his trembling friend1 for some cause or other he scarcely seemed to see the visions which the sorceress had spread around him4 ,so when she had tried all her skill for a season1 and found it in vain1 she vanished altogether from them1 and they saw her no more4 ,but their dangers were not over yet4 ,when ,gottlieb passed along this road1 he had gone on so boldly1 that ,i had not noticed how fearful it was in parts to any giddy head or fainting heart4 ,but now ,i saw well how it terrified ,furchtsam4 ,for here it seemed to rise straight up to a dangerous height1 and to become so narrow at the same time1 and to be so bare of any side- wall or parapet1 that it was indeed a giddy thing to pass along it4 ,yet when one walked over it1 as ,gottlieb did1 leaning on his staff of ,church- truth1 reading diligently in his book1 and trimming ever and anon his lamp1 such a light fell upon the narrow path1 and the darkness so veiled the precipice1 that the pilgrim did not know that there was any thing to fear4 ,but not so when you stopped to look--then it became terrible indeed2 you soon lost all sight of the path before you2 for the brightest lamp only lighted the road just by your feet1 and that seemed rising almost to an edge1 whilst the flash of distant lights here and there shewed that a fearful precipice was on each side4 ,furchtsam trembled exceedingly when he looked at it2 and even ,gehulfe1 when1 instead of marching on1 he stopped to talk about it1 began to be troubled with fears4 ,now1 as they looked here and there1 ,furchtsam saw an easy safe-looking path1 which promised to lead them in the same direction1 but along the bottom of the cliffs4 ,right glad was he to see it2 and so taking the lead for once1 he let fall his staff1 that by catching hold of the bushes on the bank1 he might drop down more easily upon the lower path2 and there he got with very little trouble4 ,it was all done in a moment2 and when he was out of the path1 ,gehulfe turned round and saw where he was gone4 ,then he tried to follow after him2 but he could not draw his staff with him through the gap1 or climb down the bank without letting it go4 ,and1 happily for him1 he held it so firmly1 that after one or two trials he stopped4 ,then1 indeed1 was he glad1 as soon as he had time to think2 and he held his good stick firmer in his hand than ever1 for now he saw plainly that ,furchtsam was quite out of the road1 and that he had himself well-nigh followed him4 ,so leaning over the side1 he began to call to his poor timid companion1 and encourage him to mount up again1 by the bank which he had slipped down1 and venture along the right way with him4 ,at first ,furchtsam shook his head mournfully1 and would not hear of it4 ,but when ,gehulfe reminded him that they had a true promise from the ,king1 that nothing should harm them whilst they kept to the high way of holiness1 and that the way upon which he had now entered was full of pitfalls1 and wild beasts1 and every sort of danger1 and that in it he must be alone1--then his reason began to come back to him1 and ,furchtsam saw into what an evil state he had brought himself2 and with all his heart he wished himself back again by the side of ,gehulfe4 ,but it was no such easy matter to get back4 ,his lamp was so bruised and shaken as he slid down1 that it threw scarcely any light at all2 while it had never seemed1 he thought1 so dark as it did now3 he could not see the bushes to which he had clung just before1 or the half path which had brought him down4 ,gehulfe's voice from above was some guide to him1 and shewed him in which direction to turn2 but when he tried to mount the bank1 it was so steep and so slippery1 he could scarcely cling to it2 and he had no staff to lean upon1 and no friendly hand to help him4 ,surely if it had not been for the kind encouraging voice of ,gehulfe1 the weak and trembling heart of ,furchtsam would have failed utterly1 and he would have given up altogether4 ,now1 just at this time1 whilst he was reaching out to ,furchtsam1 and urging him to strive more earnestly1 he heard a noise as of one running upon the path behind him2 and he looked round and saw one of the ,king's own messengers coming fast upon it3 so when he came up to ,gehulfe1 he stopped and asked him what made him tarry thus upon the ,king's path4 ,then ,gehulfe answered very humbly1 that he was striving to help back poor ,furchtsam into the right way1 from which he had been driven by his fears4 ,then the messenger of the ,king looked upon him kindly1 and bid him fear not4 ,rightly1 he said1 art thou named ,gehulfe1 for thou hast been ready to help the weak2 and the ,lord1 who has bidden his children 'to bear one another's burdens1' has watched thee all alone thy way1 and looked upon thee with an eye of love2 and forasmuch as thou seemest to have been hindered in thy own course by helping thy brother1 the ,king has sent me to carry thee on up this steep place1 and over this dangerous road4 ,with that1 ,i saw that he lifted up the boy1 and was about to fly with him through the air4 ,then1 seeing that he cast a longing look towards the steep bank1 down which ,furchtsam had slipped1 and that the sound of his sad voice was still ringing in his ear2 the ,king's messenger said to him1 ',cast thy burden upon the ,lord4' ',the ,lord careth for thee4' ',for the very hairs of your head are numbered1' and 'the ,lord is full of compassion1 pitiful1 and of great mercy4' ,so the heart of ,gehulfe was soothed1 and with a happy mind he gave himself to the messenger1 and he bore him speedily along the dangerous path1 as if his feet never touched the ground1 but refreshing airs breathed upon his forehead as he swept along1 and silver voices chanted holy words to his glad heart4 ,he shall gather the lambs in his arms1 said one2 and another and a sweeter took up the strain and sang1 and he shall carry them in his bosom4 ,and so he passed along the way swiftly and most happily4 ,then ,i saw that he bore him to the mouth of the arbour into which ,gottlieb had turned to rest4 ,and now as he came up to it1 ,gottlieb was just coming forth again to renew his journey4 ,right glad was ,gottlieb of the company of such a comrade2 so they joined their hands together1 and walked along the road speaking to one another of the kindness of the ,king1 and telling one to the other all that had befallen them hitherto4 ,a pleasant thing it was to see them marching along that road1 their good staffs in their hands1 their lamps burning brightly1 and their books sending forth streams of light1 to shew them the way that they should go4 ,but now ,i saw they got into a part of the road which was rough and full of stones2 and unless they kept the lights they bore with them ever turned towards the road1 and looked1 too1 most carefully to their footing1 they were in constant danger of falling4 ,the air1 also1 seemed to have some power here of sending them to sleep1 for ,i saw that ,gottlieb's steps were not as steady and active as they had been2 and he looked often from this side to that1 to see if there were any other resting-place provided for him2 but none could he see3 and then methought1 as he walked on1 his eyes would close as he bent them down over his book1 like one falling asleep from exceeding weariness4 ,gehulfe saw the danger of his friend2 and though he felt the air heavy1 his fear for ,gottlieb kept him wide awake4 ,what are those words1 he asked his drowsy friend1 which burn so brightly in your book8 ,when he heard the voice1 ,gottlieb roused himself1 and read2 and it was written1 ,watch and pray1 lest ye enter into temptation2 the spirit truly is willing1 but the flesh is weak4 ,then1 for a little while1 ,gottlieb was warned1 and he walked like one awake2 but1 after a time1 such power had this sleepy air1 he was again almost as drowsy as ever1 and his eyes were nearly closed4 ,then1 before ,gehulfe could give him a second warning1 he placed his foot in a hole1 which he would have easily passed by1 if he had been watching2 and1 falling suddenly down1 he would have rolled quite out of the road 7for it was raised here with a steep bank on either side71 if ,gehulfe had not been nigh to catch him again by the hand1 and keep him in the path4 ,he was sorely bruised and shaken by the fall1 and his lamp1 too1 was dusted and hurt2 so that he could not1 at first1 press on the way as he wished to do4 ,but now his drowsiness was gone2 and1 with many bitter tears1 he lamented that he had given way to it before4 ,one strange thing ,i noted1 too3 he had dropped his staff in his fall1 and he could not rise till he had taken it again in his hand2 but now1 when he tried to take it1 it pricked and hurt his hand1 as if it had been rough and sharp with thorns4 ,then ,i looked at it1 and saw that one of the stems which were twined together1 and which bore the name of discipline1 was very rough and thorny2 and this1 which had turned inwardly before1 was now1 by his fall1 forced to the outside of the staff1 so that he must hold that or none4 ,now ,i heard the boy groan as he laid hold of it2 but lay hold of it he did1 and that boldly1 for he could not rise or travel without it1 and to rise and travel he was determined4 ,then he looked into his book of light1 and he read out of it these words1 ,make the bones which ,thou hast broken to rejoice4 ,and as he read them1 he gathered courage1 and made a great effort1 and stood upon his feet1 and pressed on beside ,gehulfe4 ,then ,i saw that the road changed again1 and became smoother than they had ever known it4 ,gottlieb's staff1 too1 was now smooth and easy in his hand1 as it had been at first4 ,soon also a pleasant air sprung up1 and blew softly and yet cool upon their foreheads4 ,and now they heard the song of birds1 as if the sunshine was very near them1 though they saw it not yet4 ,there were1 too1 every now and then1 sounds sweeter than the songs of birds1 as if blessed angels were near them1 and they were let to hear their heavenly voices4 ,a little further1 and the day began to dawn upon them--bright light shone out some way before them1 and its glad reflection was already cast upon their path4 ,but still there was one more trial before them2 for when they had enjoyed this light for a season1 and ,i thought they must be close upon the sunshine1 ,i saw that they had got into greater darkness than ever4 ,here1 also1 they lost sight of one another2 for it was a part of the ,king's appointment1 that each one must pass that dark part alone--it was called the shadow of death4 ,gehulfe1 ,i saw1 walked through it easily2 his feet were nimble and active1 his lamp was bright1 his golden vial ever in his hand1 his staff firm to lean upon1 and the book of light close before his eyes3 he was still reading it aloud1 and ,i heard him speak of his ,king as giving songs in the night1--and so1 with a glad heart1 he passed through the darkness4 ,the brightest sunshine lay close upon the other side of it2 and there he was waited for by messengers in robes of light1 and they clad him in the same1 and carried him with songs and music into the presence of the ,king4 ,but ,gottlieb did not pass through so easily4 ,it seemed as if that darkness had power to bring out any weakness with which past accidents had at the time affected the pilgrim3 for so it was1 that when ,gottlieb was in it1 he felt all the stunning of his fall come back again upon him1 and1 for a moment1 he seemed well-nigh lost4 ,but his heart was sound1 and there was ,one who was faithful holding him up3 so he grasped his good staff tighter than ever1 though its roughness had come out again and sorely pricked his hand2 but this seemed only to quicken his steps2 and when he had gone on a little while thus firmly1 as he looked into his book he saw written on its open page1 ,i will make darkness light before thee4 #gf ,and as he read them1 the words seemed to be fulfilled1 for he stepped joyfully out of the darkness into the clear sunlight4 ,and for him too the messengers were waiting2 for him too were garments ready woven of the light2 around him were songs1 and music1 and rejoicing2 and so they bare him into the presence of the ,king4 ,now1 when ,i had seen these two pass so happily through their journey into rest1 ,i thought again of the poor trembling ,furchtsam1 and longed to know that he had got again into the road4 ,but upon looking back to where ,i had lost sight of him1 ,i saw that he was still lying at the foot of the steep bank1 down whose side he had stepped so easily4 ,he had toiled and laboured1 and striven to climb up1 but it had been all in vain4 ,still he would not cease his labour2 and now he was but waiting to recover his breath to begin to strive again4 ,he was1 too1 continually calling on the ,king for aid4 ,then ,i saw a figure approaching him in the midst of his cries4 ,and poor ,furchtsam trembled exceedingly1 for he was of a very timorous heart1 and he scarcely dared to look up to him who stood by him4 ,after a while ,i heard the man speak to him1 and he asked him in a grave1 pitying voice1 ,what doest thou here8 ,then the poor boy sobbed out in broken words the confession of his folly1 and told how he had feared and left the road1 and how he had laboured to get back into it1 and how he almost thought that he should never reach it4 ,then ,i saw the man look down upon him with a face of tenderness and love2 and he stretched forth his hand towards him2 and ,furchtsam saw that it was the hand which had been pierced for him3 so he raised the boy up1 and set him on his feet2 and he led him straight up the steepest bank4 ,and now it seemed easy to his steps2 and he put him back again in the road1 and gave the staff into his hand1 and bid him redeem the time1 because the days are evil2 and then he added1 ,strengthen ye the weak hands1 and confirm the feeble knees4 ,say to them that are of a fearful heart1 'be strong3' 'fear not4' #gi;a ,such strength had his touch1 his words1 and his kind look1 given to the heart of the timid boy1 that he seized the staff1 though its most prickly discipline sorely hurt his tender flesh2 and leaning on it1 he set bravely out without a moment's delay4 ,and ,i heard him reading in his book of light as he climbed up the steep path which had affrighted him2 and what he read was this3 ,before ,i was afflicted1 ,i went astray2 but now have ,i kept ,thy word4 #gi;b ,when he had almost reached the arbour1 another danger awaited him2 for in the dim light round him he saw1 as he thought1 the form of an evil beast lying in the pathway before him4 ,then did some of his old terrors begin to trouble him2 and he had turned aside1 perhaps1 out of the way1 but that the wholesome roughness of his staff still pricked his hand and forced him to recall his former fall4 ,instead1 therefore1 of turning aside1 he looked into his book of light1 and there he read in fiery letters1 ,thou shalt go upon the lion and the adder2 the young lion and the dragon shalt thou tread under thy feet3 and this gave him comfort4 ,so1 on he went1 determining still to read in his book1 and not to look at all at that which affrighted him3 and so it was1 that when he came to the place1 he saw that it was only a bush1 which his fears had turned into the figure of a beast of prey2 and at the same moment he found where it was written in his book1 ,no lion shall be there1 nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon1 it shall not be found there2 but the redeemed shall walk there4 #hj ,and now he stood beside the arbour1 where he rested a while1 and then pursued his journey4 ,now ,i noticed1 that as he got further on the road1 and read more in his book1 and leant upon his staff1 that he grew bolder and firmer in his gait3 and ,i thought that ,i could see why ,gehulfe1 who had been needful to him in his first weakness1 had afterwards been carried away from him3 for surely he had leant more upon him1 and less upon his book and his good staff1 unless he had walked there alone4 ,however this might be1 he grew continually bolder4 ,as he drew near the last sad darkness1 ,i began again to tremble for him2 but ,i need not have done so2 for he walked on so straight through it1 that it seemed scarcely to make any difference to him at all4 ,in the best part of the road his feebleness had taught him to lean altogether upon ,him who had so mercifully helped him on the bank1 and who had held up his fainting steps hitherto2 and this strength could hold him up as well even in this extreme darkness4 ,i heard him1 as he parsed along1 say1 ,when ,i am weak1 then am ,i strong2 and with that he broke out into singing3 ,through death's dark valley without fear ,my feeble steps have trod1 ,because ,i know my ,god is near2 ,i feel ,his staff and rod4 ,with that he too passed out of the shade and darkness into the joyful sunshine4 ,and oh1 it was indeed a happy time6 ,it made my heart bound when ,i saw his face1 which had so often turned pale and drooped with terror1 now lighted up with the glow of the heavenly light2 when1 instead of the evil things which his fears had summoned up1 ,i saw around him the bands of holy ones1 and the children of the day3 and so they passed along4 ,and soon1 ,i thought1 he would see again the hand which had been stretched out to save him on the bank1 and hear the kind and merciful voice which had soothed his terror and despair1 and live in the present sunshine of that gracious countenance4 ,and now methought ,i heard an earnest and sorrowful voice1 as of one crying aloud for help2 so ,i turned me round to see where he was that uttered it1 and by the side of the ,king's path ,i could see one striving to mount the bank1 and slipping back again as often as he tried4 ,he was trying in right earnest3 his cries were piteous to hear1 and he laboured as if he would carry his point by storm4 ,but it was all in vain2 the more he struggled1 the worse his case grew2 for the bank1 and all the path up to it1 got so quagged and miry with his eager striving1 that he seemed farther and farther from getting safely up4 ,at last1 as he was once more struggling violently up1 his feet quite slipped from under him1 and he fell upon his side3 and so he lay sobbing and struggling for breath1 but still crying out to the ,king1 who had helped him before1 and delivered him from the flames of the pit1 to help him once more1 and lift him again into the right way4 ,my heart pitied the poor boy1 and ,i looked more closely into his face1 and saw that it was ,irrgeist--not ,irrgeist as he had been when he had walked at first with ,gottlieb along the road1 or as he had been when he had first followed the deceitful phantom ,pleasure out of it1--but ,irrgeist still1 though brought by his wanderings and his trouble to paleness1 and weariness1 and sorrow4 ,now1 whilst ,i was looking at him1 as he lay in this misery1 and longing for some helper to come to him1 lo1 his cries stopped for a moment1 and ,i saw that it was because ,one stood by him and spoke to him4 ,then ,i could see under the mantle1 which almost hid ,him1 that it was the same form which had visited ,furchtsam1 and delivered him when he had cried4 ,now1 too1 ,i saw the hand held out1 and ,i saw ,irrgeist seize it2 and it raised him up1 and he stood upon his feet3 and the staff was given to him1--exceeding rough1 but needful and trusty2 and his lamp shone out1 and the book of light was his2 and his feet were again in the road4 ,but ,i marked well that ,irrgeist trod it not as the others had done4 ,truly did he go along it weeping4 ,whether it was that the thought of what he had gone through amongst the pitfalls dwelt ever on his mind2 or whether it were shame of having wandered1 ,i know not1--but his road seemed evermore one of toil and sorrow4 ,still1 in the midst of tears1 a song was often put into his mouth1 and his tongue was ever speaking of the great kindness of ,him who had restored the wanderer3 his head1 too1 was so bowed down1 that he marked every stone upon the road1 and therefore never stumbled2 but still his speed was little1 and his troubles were many4 ,when he got to the dark part1 he had a sore trial3 his feet seemed too weak and trembling to bear him2 and more than once ,i heard him cry out1 as if he thought that he were again between the pitfalls1 and the fire were ready to break out upon him4 ,but then did it seem as if there were some sweet hopes given him1 and his face brightened up2 and in a faint1 feeble voice1 he would break out again into his song and thanksgiving4 ,as he drew towards the end1 things somewhat mended with him2 and when he was just upon the sunlight1 and began to see its brightness through the haze1 and to hear the voices of the heavenly ones1 methought his heart would have burst1 so did it beat with joy3 and withal he smote upon his breast1 and said1--,and this for me6 ,and this for the wanderer6 ,o mercy1 choicest mercy6 ,who is a ,god like unto ,thee1 that pardonest iniquity8 ,and so saying1 he entered on the heavenly light1 and left for ever behind him the darkness and the danger of the pitfalls1 and the face of shame1 and the besetting weakness2 for he too was clothed in raiment of light1 and borne with joy before the ,lord the ,king4 99 99 99 99 99 ,father4 ,who were those who were walking in the beautiful garden as its lords8 ,child4 ,man in ,paradise before the fall4 ,f4 ,what was the dreadful change that came upon them8 ,c4 ,their fall into sin and misery4 ,f4 ,what was the second estate seen in the vision8 ,c4 ,their fallen children in this sinful world1 without the knowledge of ,god2 wandering in the darkness of heathenism amongst the pitfalls of error4 ,f4 ,what was the porch which let them into a better way8 ,c4 ,the entrance into the ,church of the redeemed by baptism4 ,f4 ,what does our ,catechism say about this8 ,c4 ,that it is our being called to a state of salvation4 ,f4 ,what are the gifts bestowed upon them8 ,c4 ,god's word is the book of light2 conscience enlightened by ,god is the little lamp of each2 the oil in the golden vial is the help and teaching of ,god's grace2 and the staff is the help and assistance of the ,church4 ,f4 ,why was it so easy to get out of the path1 and so hard to get back8 ,c4 ,because it is easy to go wrong1 and very hard to return into the way of righteousness4 ,f4 ,what were the baits which the phantom offered to the youths8 ,c4 ,the pleasures of sin1 which are but for a season4 ,f4 ,why was the staff rough to those that were coming back from wandering8 ,c4 ,because the discipline of the ,church1 which is easy to the obedient1 is often galling to those who offend4 ,f4 ,why was ,irrgeist1 after he was brought back1 still so sad a pilgrim8 ,c4 ,because1 though he was accepted and forgiven1 the effects of his former sins still weakened and grieved him3 as says the ,lord1 by the mouth of the ,prophet ,ezekiel 7chap4 xvi4 ver4 #fc71 ,that thou mayest remember1 and be confounded1 and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame1 when ,i am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done1 saith the ,lord ,god4 ,the ,little ,wanderers4 ,in a miserable little hovel1 built on the edge of a wide and desolate common1 lived a poor widow woman1 who had two sons4 ,the eldest of them was quite young1 and the least was scarcely more than an infant4 ,they were dressed in torn and dirty rags1 for the widow had no better clothes to put upon them2 and often they were very hungry and very cold1 for she had not food or fire with which to feed and warm them4 ,no one taught the biggest boy any thing2 and as for the poor mother1 she did not know a letter4 ,she had no friends2 and the only playfellows the little ones ever knew were other children as poor1 and as dirty1 and as untaught as they were themselves1 from whom they learnt nothing but to say bad words and do naughty tricks4 ,poor children6 it was a sad life1 you would say1 which lay before them4 ,just at this time the widow was taken very ill with a fever4 ,long she lay in that desolate hut1 groaning and suffering1 and no one knew how ill she was but the little children4 ,they would sit and cry by her miserable bed all day1 for they were very hungry and very sad4 ,when she had lain in this state for more than a week1 she grew light-headed1 and after a while died4 ,the youngest child thought she was asleep1 and that he could not waken her2 but the elder boy rushed weeping out of the house1 knowing that she was really dead1 and that they were left alone in the wide world4 ,just at that very moment a man passed by1 who looked into the pale1 thin1 hungry face of the sobbing child1 with a kind1 gentle look1 and let himself be led into the wretched hut1 where the poor dead mother lay4 ,his heart bled for the poor orphans1 for he was one who was full of tenderness3 so he spake kind words to them2 and when his servants came up after a while1 he gave orders that their dead mother should be buried1 and that the children should be taken from the miserable hut1 to dwell in his own beautiful castle4 ,to it the children were removed4 ,the servants of the ,lord of the castle put on them clean fresh clothes--washed their old dirt from them2 and as no one knew what were their names1 they gave them two new names1 which shewed they belonged to this family2 and they were cared for1 and given all they wanted4 ,happy was now their lot4 ,they had all they wanted3 good food in plenty1 instead of hunger and thirst2 clean raiment1 instead of rags and nakedness2 and kind teachers1 who instructed them day by day as they were able to bear it4 ,there were a multitude of other happy children too in the castle1 with whom they lived1 and learned1 and spent their glad days4 ,sometimes they played in the castle1 and sometimes they ran about in the grounds that were round it1 where were all sorts of flowers1 and beautiful trees full of singing birds1 and green grass1 and painted butterflies2 and they were as happy as children could be4 ,all over these grounds they might play about as they would3 only on one side of them they were forbidden to go4 ,there the garden ended in a wide waste plain1 and there seemed to be nothing to tempt children to leave the happy garden to walk in it1 especially as the kind ,lord of the castle bid them never set foot on it3 and yet it was said that some children had wandered into it1 and that of these1 many had never come back again4 ,for in that desert dwelt the enemies of the ,lord of the castle2 and there was nothing they loved better than to pounce down upon any children whom he had taken as his own1 and carry them off1 to be their slaves in the midst of the waste and dreary sands4 ,many ways too had these enemies by which they enticed children to come on the plain2 for as long as they stayed within the boundary1 and played only in the happy garden1 the evil one could not touch them4 ,sometimes they would drop gay and shining flowers all about the beginning of the waste1 hoping that the children would come across the border to pick them up3 and so it was1 that if once a child went over1 as soon as he had got into his hands the flower for which he had gone1 it seemed to fade and wither away2 but just beyond him he thought he saw another1 brighter and more beautiful2 and so1 too1 often it happened that1 throwing down the first1 he went on to take the second2 and then throwing down the second1 he went on to reach a third2 until1 suddenly1 the enemy dashed upon him1 and whirled him away with them in a moment4 ,often and often had little ,kuhn #ie;a--for so the eldest boy had been named--looked out over this desert1 and longed1 as he saw the gay flowers dropped here and there1 to run over the border and pick them up4 ,his little brother1 who was now old enough to run about with him1 would stand and tremble by him as he got close to the desert2 but little ,zart #ie;b would never leave him3 and sometimes1 ,i am afraid1 they would have both been lost1 if it had not been for a dear little girl1 who was almost always with them1 and who never would go even near to the line4 ,when ,kuhn was looking into it1 as if he longed for the painted flowers1 the gentle ,glaube #if would grow quite sad1 and bending her dark sorrowful eyes upon him1 their long lashes would become wet with tears1 and she would whisper in a voice almost too solemn for a child1 ,o ,kuhn1 remember4 ,then ,kuhn1 who could not bear to see her sad1 would tear himself away2 and the flowers seemed directly to lose their brightness1 and the desert looked dry and hot1 and the garden cool and delicious1 and they played happily together1 and forgot their sorrow4 ,but it was very dangerous for ,kuhn to go so near4 ,the servants of the ,lord of the castle often told the children this2 and seeing a bold and daring spirit in ,kuhn1 they had spoken to him over and over again4 ,what made it so dangerous was this1--that the flowers of the wilderness never looked gay until you got near to its border2 afar off it seemed dusty1 dry1 and hot2 but the nearer you got to it1 the brighter shone the flowers2 they seemed also to grow in number1 until you could hardly see its dry hot sands1 for the flowery carpet that was drawn over them4 ,poor ,kuhn6 he was often in danger4 ,never yet had he crossed the border2 but it is a sad thing to go near temptation2 and so this unhappy child found to his cost4 ,one day he was sauntering close to the forbidden border1 when the hoop which he was trundling slipped from him and ran into the desert4 ,in a moment he was over after it2 and just as he stooped to pick it up1 he saw1 right before him1 a beautiful and sparkling flower4 ,he would certainly have gone after it1 but that at the instant he caught the eye of ,glaube looking sadly after him1 and it struck upon his heart1 and he hastened back1 and was safe4 ,for a while his legs trembled under him1 and ,zart looked up quite frightened into his pale face2 ,glaube too could scarcely speak to him2 and it was long before they were laughing merrily again under the tall palm-trees of the garden4 ,but by the next day all ,kuhn's fears had flown away1 and he went with a bolder foot than ever to the very edge of the desert4 ,the ,little ,wanderers3 p#ih4;jpg ,glaube was further off than usual2 and just as ,kuhn and ,zart were in this great danger1 a beautiful bird started up under their feet4 ,the boys had never seen such a bird4 ,all the colours of the rainbow shone upon his feathers1 and his black and scarlet head seemed quite to sparkle in the sunshine4 ,it tried to fly2 but whether its wing was hurt1 or what1 ,i know not1 but it could not rise1 and ran before them flapping its painted wings1 screaming with a harsh voice1 and keeping only just before them4 ,the boys were soon in full chase1 and every thing else was forgotten2 when1 just as they thought the bird was their own1 he fluttered across the border1 and both the boys followed him1--,kuhn boldly and without thought1 for he had been across it before2 but poor little ,zart trembled and turned pale1 and clung to his bolder brother1 as if he never would have crossed it alone4 ,once over1 however1 on they went1 and the bird still seemed to keep close before them2 and they never noticed how far they were getting from the garden1 until suddenly they heard a dreadful noise2 the air looked thick before them1 as if whole clouds of dust were sweeping on2 shining spear- heads were all they could see in the midst of the dust2 and they heard the trampling of a multitude of horses4 ,the boys were too much frightened to shriek1 but they clung to one another1 pale and trembling1 and ready to sink into the earth4 ,in a minute rude hands seized them2 they heard rough voices round them2 and they could see that they were in the midst of the enemies of the ,lord of the castle4 ,in another minute they were torn asunder1 they were snatched up on horseback1 and were galloping off towards the sad abode in which the evil men of the desert dwelt4 ,in vain the boys cried1 and begged to be taken home2 away galloped the horses2 whilst no one thought of heeding their cries and prayers4 ,they had gone on long in this way1 and the dark-frowning towers of the desert castle were in sight4 ,the little boys looked sadly at one another2 for here there was no flowering garden1 there were no sheltering trees1 but all looked bare1 and dry1 and wretched2 and they could see little narrow windows covered with iron bars1 which seemed to be dungeon- rooms1 where they thought they should be barred in1 and never more play together amongst the flowers and in the sunlight4 ,just at this moment the little ,zart felt that1 by some means or other1 the strap which bound him to the horse had grown loose1 and in another moment he had slipped down its side1 and fallen upon his head on the ground4 ,no one noticed his fall2 and there he lay upon the sand for a while stunned and insensible4 ,when he woke up1 the trampling of horses had died away in the distance2 the light sand of the desert1 which their feet had stirred1 had settled down again like the heavy night-dew1 so that he could see no trace of their footmarks4 ,the frowning castle-walls were out of sight2 look which way he would1 he could see nothing but the hot flat sand below1 and the hot bright sun in the clear sky above him4 ,he called for his brother1 but no voice answered him2 he started up1 and began to run he knew not where3 but the sun beat on his head1 the hot sand scorched his weary feet2 his parched tongue began to cleave to his mouth2 and he sunk down upon the desert again to die4 ,as he lay there he thought upon the castle-garden and its kind ,lord2 upon the sorrowful face with which ,glaube was used to look on them1 when he and ,kuhn drew near to the forbidden border2 and his tears broke out afresh when he thought of his brother in the enemies' dungeon1 and himself dying in the desolate wilderness4 ,then he called upon the ,lord of the castle1 for he remembered to have heard how ,he had pitied wandering children1 and heard their cry from afar1 and had brought them back again to ,his own happy castle4 ,and as he lay upon the sand1 crying out to the ,lord of the castle1 he thought that he heard a footstep1 as of one walking towards him4 ,then there came a shade between the sun and his burning head1 and looking languidly up he saw the kind face of the ,lord of the castle turned towards him4 ,he was looking on the poor child as ,he had looked on him when ,he had pitied him by the side of the hut2 and that kind face seemed to speak comfort4 ,then ,he stretched out to him ,his hand1 and ,he bade him rise2 and ,he lifted up the child1 and bore him in ,his bosom over that waste and scorching wilderness1 nor ever set him down until ,he had brought him again into the pleasant garden4 ,once as he lay in that bosom1 ,zart thought that he heard in the distance the tramping of horse-hoofs2 and he saw the dusty cloud lifting itself up3 but he felt that he was safe2 and so he was1 for the enemy did not dare to approach that ,mighty ,one who was bearing him4 ,when he reached the garden again1 the gentle ,glaube met him1 and welcomed him back again to their peaceful home4 ,but he hung down his head with shame and with sorrow2 and as he looked up into the face of the ,lord of the garden1 he saw in it such kindness and love1 that his tears rolled down his cheeks to think how he had broken ,his command1 and wandered into the wilderness of ,his enemies4 ,then he tried to speak for his brother1 for his heart was sore and heavy with thinking of him2 but the ,lord of the castle answered not4 ,many1 many days did ,glaube and ,zart pray for him2 but they heard nothing of him3 whether he died in the enemies' dungeon2 or whether1 as they still dared to hope1 he might even yet one day find his way back to the garden of peace2 or whether1 as they sometimes trembled to think1 he had grown up amongst the enemies of their ,lord1 and become one of them1--they knew not1 and they dared not to ask4 ,but they never thought of him without trembling and tears1 and ,zart more even than ,glaube3 for he had crossed that terrible border2 he had been seized by the fierce enemy2 he had lain alone in the wide scorching desert2 and had only been brought back again from death by the great love of the mighty and merciful ,lord of that most happy garden4 99 99 99 99 99 ,father4 ,who are meant by these children born in the wretched hovel8 ,child4 ,all the children of fallen parents4 ,f4 ,who are such8 ,c4 ,all who are born4 ,for we were by nature born in sin1 and the children of wrath4 ,f4 ,who is the kind ,lord of the castle who takes pity on them8 ,c4 ,jesus ,christ our ,lord4 ,f4 ,what is meant by ,his taking them to ,his castle8 ,c4 ,his receiving us when children into ,his ,church4 ,f4 ,when was this done8 ,c4 ,at our baptism4 ,for being by nature children of wrath1 we were hereby made the children of grace4 ,f4 ,what is meant by the clean raiment and the new name ,he gave them8 ,c4 ,the forgiveness of all our sins 7see ,collect in ,confirmation-,service71 and the giving us our ,christian name4 ,f4 ,why is it called your ,christian name8 ,c4 ,to mark its difference from our natural1 or parents' name4 ,f4 ,why was it given you at that time8 ,c4 ,because then ,i was taken into ,god's family1 and made a member of ,christ1 child of ,god1 and an inheritor of the kingdom of heaven4 ,f4 ,what was the food with which they were fed8 ,c4 ,all the means of grace of the ,church of ,christ4 ,f4 ,what was the desert1 and who those who dwelt in it who were enemies to the ,lord8 ,c4 ,the ways of sin1 and the devil and his angels4 ,f4 ,what were the bright flowers and the bird8 ,c4 ,the baits and temptations of sin4 ,f4 ,why did ,kuhn1 or bold1 cross the border more easily the second time8 ,c4 ,because one sin makes another easier4 ,f4 ,why did ,zart1 or tender1 follow him8 ,c4 ,because bold sinners lead weaker sinners after them4 ,f4 ,what were the dry sands into which ,kuhn and ,zart were carried8 ,c4 ,the evil ways of sin4 ,f4 ,who came to ,zart's rescue when he prayed8 ,c4 ,the gracious ,lord who had at first received him into ,his ,church by baptism4 ,f4 ,why was he still sad and ashamed after he was brought back8 ,c4 ,because he had wandered4 ,f4 ,did he then doubt whether he was forgiven8 ,c4 ,no3 but he remembered and was confounded1 and never opened his mouth any more1 when the ,lord was pacified toward him for all his iniquity4 ,f4 ,what was the end of ,kuhn1 or the bold8 ,c4 ,we know not2 but they who draw back unto perdition are punished above all others4 ,f4 ,what are we to learn from the whole8 ,c4 ,the blessedness of being taken into the ,church in our infancy2 and our need of prayer and watching1 lest we turn it into a curse4 ,the ,king and his ,servants4 ,a great king once called his servants to him1 and said to them1--,you have all often professed to love me1 and to wish to serve me2 and ,i have never yet made trial of you4 ,but now ,i am about to try you all1 that it may be known who does in truth desire to serve me1 and who is a servant only in name4 ,to morrow your trial will begin2 so meet me here in the morning1 and be ready to set out upon a journey on which ,i shall send you4 ,when the king had so spoken1 he left them2 and there was a great deal of bustle and talking amongst these servants4 ,not that they were all alike4 ,some were very busy1 and said a great deal of the services they should render2 and that they hoped it would be some really hard trial on which the king would set them4 ,others were quiet and thoughtful1 saying little or nothing1 but1 as it seemed1 thinking silently of the words the king had spoken1 as if they feared lest they should fail in their trial4 ,for they loved that king greatly2 he had been as a father to them all4 ,once they had been slaves1 and cruelly treated by a wicked tyrant who had taken them prisoners1 and cast some of them into dungeons1 and made others work in dark mines1 and dealt evil with them all4 ,but the king had triumphed over this their enemy1 and rescued them from his hands4 ,his own son had sought them in the dungeons and dark pits into which they had been cast1 and had brought them out2 and now he had given them places in his service1 and fed them from his own kingly table2 and he promised to such as were faithful1 that he would raise them yet higher2 that he would even set them upon thrones1 and put crowns upon their heads2 and that they should remain always in his presence1 and rule and dwell with him4 ,now1 when the time of their trial was come1 these faithful servants were grave and thoughtful1 fearing lest they should fail1 and be led to forget him their kind and gracious king4 ,but one thought held them up4 ,he had said unto them all1 ,as your day1 so shall your strength be4 ,they knew1 therefore1 that he would put on them no task beyond their strength4 ,they remembered his kindness and his love in taking them out of the dungeons of the enemy4 ,they desired greatly to serve him2 and so they rejoiced that their trial was come1 even while they feared it2 and they trusted in him to help them1 even whilst they trembled for themselves4 ,these servants spent much of the night in preparing for their journey2 in thinking over all the directions the king had ever given them2 for many times had he spoken to them of this coming trial2 and even written down plain rules for them1 which should teach them always how he would have them act4 ,all these they gathered together1 lest in the hurry of setting out1 they should forget any one of them2 and so they went into the court of the palace to meet the king4 ,then he came forth from his palace-door1 and gave them all their charge4 ,from the great treasure-chambers of that palace he brought out many different gifts1 and laid them before these his servants4 ,one had gold and silver1 and another had precious stuffs2 but all had something good and costly3 and as he gave them these gifts1 he told them that this was to be their trial4 ,he was about to send them with these gifts into an exceeding great and rich city1 which lay afar off from his palace2 and in that city they were all to trade for him4 ,they were to take his gifts and use them wisely1 so that each one of them might bring something back to him4 ,he gave them also very close and particular instructions4 ,he told them that there were many in that city who would try to rob them of these his gifts2 and he told them how to keep them safely4 ,he told them that many would seek to make them waste what he had given to them on pleasing themselves4 ,but that they must remember always1 that what they had belonged to him2 that they would have to give him an account of their way of using all his gifts2 and that of his mere mercy he1 who had redeemed them from the dungeon and made them able to serve him1 would graciously reward hereafter all their efforts to use his gifts for him4 ,he told them also to set about trading for him as early as they could2 for that all the merchants' goods were freshest in the morning2 that then the precious stones were the finest and the truest2 but that those who waited till the evening would find all the best goods sold2 and that1 perhaps1 before they had any thing ready1 the trumpet would sound which was to call them all out of the city1 and then they would have to come back to him empty-handed and disgraced4 ,when he had given them these charges1 he sent them from his presence to begin their journey to the great city4 ,all that day they travelled with horses and camels over plains and hills1 and fruitful fields and deserts1 until1 just as the sun went down1 they came to the walls of a great city2 and they knew that it was here they were to traffic for their king upon the morrow4 ,then the thoughtful servants began carefully to unpack their goods2 they looked into their bales of precious stuffs to see that they had got no injury from the dust and sand of the desert2 they counted over their bags of money to see that all was right2 and began to lay them all in order1 that they might enter the town as soon as the gates were open1 and trade for their king in the morning hours1 which he had told them were the best4 ,the ,king and ,his ,servants3 p#aae4;jpg ,but some of the other servants laughed at them for taking all this care and trouble4 ,surely it will be time enough1 they said1 to get every thing ready when the markets are open to-morrow4 ,we have had a long1 hot1 weary journey1 and we must rest and refresh ourselves before we think of trading4 ,so they spread the tables1 and began to feast in a riotous way1 quite forgetting the king's service1 and putting the morrow out of their thoughts4 ,now as soon as the sun was up1 in the morning1 there was a great stir amongst the servants4 ,those who had been careful and watchful in the evening were ready with all their bales2 and as soon as ever the city- gates were open1 they marched in through them with their goods4 ,it was a great wide city into which they entered1 and must hold1 they thought1 a vast multitude of men4 ,houses and streets of all sizes met their eyes here and there2 but they passed easily along1 because it was still so early in the morning1 that few persons were in the streets1 and those few were all bent upon business1 as they were themselves4 ,so they passed on to the great market where the merchants bought and sold1 and here they set out all their goods2 and the merchants came round them to look over their wares1 and to shew them what they had to sell in return4 ,now they found it true as the king had foretold them4 ,for they had the first choice of all that the merchants could offer4 ,one of them opened his stores1 and shewed them rubies1 and diamonds1 and pearls1 such as they had never seen before for size and beauty4 ,so they chose a pearl of great price1 and they bought it for their prince1 and they trafficked in their other wares1 and gained for him more than as many bags of treasure as he had given them at first4 ,thus they traded according to their skill1 and every one had now secured something for his lord4 ,the pearl of great price was stored by some2 others had rich dresses adorned with gold and precious stones2 others had bags of the most refined gold2 others had the spices of ,arabia and the frankincense of the islands of the ,east4 ,one there was amongst them who seemed to have got nothing to carry home with him2 and yet he1 as well as the rest1 had laid out his master's gifts4 ,then some of the other servants asked him1 what he had stored up for the king8 and he said that he had no riches which he could shew to them1 but that he had an offering which he knew that the merciful heart of the king would make him love and value4 ,then they asked him to tell them his story2 so he said that1 as he was walking through the market1 he had seen a poor woman weeping and wringing her hands1 as if her heart would break3 he stopped1 and asked her the cause of her sorrow2 and she told him that she was a widow1 and that some merchants1 to whom her husband had owed large sums of money1 had come that morning to her house and taken all that she had1 and seized her children too2 and that they were dragging them away to the slave-market to sell them for slaves in a far land1 that they might pay themselves the debt which her husband had owed them4 ,so when he heard her sad tale1 he opened his bag of treasure1 and found that all the gold which he had got in it would just pay the widow's debt and set her children free4 ,then he went with her to the merchants1 and he told out to them all that sum1 and set the children of the widow free1 and gave them back to their mother2 and ,i am taking1 he said1 to our merciful king the offering of the widow's tears and gratitude2 and ,i know well that this is an offering which will be well- pleasing in his sight4 ,so it fared with these faithful servants in their trading2 and all the while they were cheerful and light-hearted1 because they remembered constantly the love and kindness which their king had shewed to them2 and they rejoiced that they were able to serve him and to trade for him with his gifts4 ,they thought also of the goodness of the king's son towards them2 they remembered how he had sought them when they were prisoners in the dark dungeons of their tyrant enemy2 and they were full of joy when they thought that they should be able to offer to him the goodly pearl1 and the other curious gifts1 which they had bought4 ,they thought of these things until they longed to hear the trumpet sound1 which was to call them out of the town and gather them together for their journey home4 ,when that trumpet might sound1 they knew not2 but the sun was now passed its noon1 and the town1 which had been so quiet when they came in the early morning along its empty streets1 was now full of noise1 and bustle1 and confusion1 as great towns are wont to be1 when all the multitude of sleepers awaken and pour out for pleasure1 or business1 or idleness1 into the streets1 and squares1 and market-places4 ,heartily glad were they now that they had been so early at their traffic4 ,now the merchants had shut up all their richest stores2 and the markets were full of others who brought false pearls and mock diamonds1 instead of the costly gems for which they had traded in the morning4 ,there seemed to be hardly any true traders left4 ,idlers were there in numbers1 and shows and noisy revels were passing up and down the streets2 and they could see thieves and bad men lurking about at all the corners1 seeking whom they could catch1 and rob1 and plunder4 ,on all these things the servants looked2 sometimes they saw beautiful sights pass by them1 which gladdened their eyes2 and sometimes sweet music would fill their ears1 as bands of merry harpers and singers walked up and down through the market2 and they rejoiced in all of these1 but still their hearts were full of thoughts of their kind king1 and recollections of his son their prince2 and they longed to be at home with them1 even when the sights round them were the gayest1 and the sounds in their ears were the sweetest2 and they were ever watching for the voice of the trumpet1 which was to call them again homeward4 ,but this happy case was not that of all the servants4 ,when these watchful men had been entering the gates of the city in the morning1 the thoughtless servants were not yet awake4 ,they had sat up late at their feasting and rejoicings1 and when the morning sun rose upon them1 they were still in their first deep sleep4 ,the stirring of their fellow-servants moved them a little1 and for a while they seemed ready to rise and join them4 ,but their goods were not ready1 so they could not go with them2 and they might as well1 therefore1 they thought1 wait a little longer and rest themselves1 and then follow them to the market4 ,they did not mean to be late1 but they saw no reason why they should be so very early4 ,they slept1 therefore1 till the sun was high1 and then they rose in some confusion1 because it was now so late2 and they had all their goods to unpack1 their stuffs to smooth out1 and the dust to shake off from them4 ,soon they began about every little thing to find fault with one another1 because they were secretly angry with themselves4 ,each one thought that if his neighbour had not persuaded him to stay1 he should have been up1 and have entered the city with the earliest3 so high words arose between them2 and instead of helping one another1 and making the best they could of the time which remained1 they only hindered one another1 and made it later and later before they were ready to begin their trading4 ,at length1 after many hard words and much bad temper1 one by one they got away2 each as soon as he was ready1 and often with his goods all in confusion2 every one following his own path1 and wandering by himself up the crowded streets of the full town4 ,hard work they had to get at all along it when they had passed the gates4 ,all the stream of people seemed now to be setting against them4 ,the idlers jested upon their strange dress2 and if they did but try to traffic for their lord1 the rude children of the town would gather round them1 and hoot1 and cry3 so that they could not manage to carry on any trade at all4 ,then1 as ,i watched them1 ,i saw that some who had been the loudest in talking of what they should do when they were tried1 were now the first to give up altogether making any head at all against the crowd of that city4 ,they packed up what goods they might have1 and began to think only of looking about them1 and following the crowd1 and pleasing themselves1 like any of the men around them4 ,then ,i looked after some of these1 and ,i saw that one of them was led on by the crowd to a place in the town where there was a great show4 ,outside of it were men in many-coloured dresses1 who blew with trumpets1 and jested1 and cried aloud1 and begged all to come in and see the strange sights which were stored within4 ,now when the servant came to this place1 he watched one and another go in1 until at last he also longed to go in and see the sights which were to be gazed on within4 ,so he went to the door1 and the porter asked him for money2 but when he drew out his purse1 and the porter saw that his money belonged to some strange place1 and was quite unlike the coin used in that town1 he only laughed at it1 and said it was good for nothing there1 and bid him stand back4 ,so as he turned away1 the porter saw the rich bundle on his back1 and then he spoke to him in another tone1 and he said1 ,i will let you in1 if you like to give me that bundle of goods4 ,then for a moment the servant was checked4 ,he thought of his lord and of the reckoning1 and he remembered the words1 ,as good stewards of the manifold grace of ,god2 and he had almost determined to turn back1 and to fight his way to the market-place1 and to trade for his lord1 let it cost him what it might2--but just at the moment there was a great burst of the showman's trumpets2 and he heard the people shouting for joy within2 and so he forgot all but his great desire1 and slipping off the bundle from his shoulders1 he put it into the hands of the porter1 and passed in1 and ,i saw him no more4 ,then ,i saw another1 who was standing at the corner of a street gating at some strange antics which were being played by a company of the townsmen4 ,and as he gazed upon them1 he forgot all about his trading for his master1 and thought only of seeing more of this strange sight4 ,then ,i saw that whilst he was thinking only of these follies1 some evil-minded men gathered round him1 and before he was aware of it1 they secretly stole from him all the gold which his lord had given him to lay out for him4 ,the servant did not even know when it was gone1 so much was he thinking of staring at the sight before him4 ,but it made me very sad to think that when he went to buy for his master1 he would find out1 too late1 his loss2 and that when the trumpet sounded1 he would have nothing to carry back with him on the day of reckoning4 ,some of these loiterers1 too1 were treated even worse than this4 ,one of them ,i saw whom the shows and lights of that town led on from street to street1 until he came quite to its farther end2 and then he thought that he saw before him1 beyond some lonely palings1 still finer sights than any he had left2 and so he set out to cross over those fields1 and see those sights4 ,and when he was half over1 some wicked robbers1 who laid wait in those desolate places1 rushed out upon him from their lurking- place1 and ill used him sorely1 and robbed him of all his goods and money1 and left him upon the ground hardly able to get back to the town which he had left4 ,then ,i saw one of these loiterers who1 as he was looking idly at the sights round him1 grew very grave1 and began to tremble from head to foot4 ,one of his fellows1 who stood by and saw him1 quickly asked him what made him tremble4 ,at first he could not answer2 but after a while he said1 that the sound of the trumpet which they had just heard had made him think of the great trumpet-sound of their master1 which was to call them all back to his presence1 and that he trembled because the evening was coming on1 and he had not yet traded for his lord4 ,and ,how1 he said in great fear1 how shall we ever stand that reckoning with our hands empty8 ,then some of his companions in idleness laughed and jeered greatly1 and mocked the poor trembler4 ,but his fears were wiser than their mockings2 and so1 it seemed1 he knew1 for he cared nothing for them2 but only said to them1 very sadly and gravely1 ,you are in the same danger1 how then can you jeer at me8 ,and with that he pointed their eyes up to the sky1 and shewed them how low the sun had got already1 and that it wanted but an hour at the most to his setting1 and then that the trumpet might sound at any moment1 and they have nothing to bear home to their lord4 ,now1 as he spoke1 one listened eagerly to him2 and whilst the others jeered1 he said very gravely1 ,what can we do8 ,is it quite too late8 ,it is never too late1 said the other1 till the trumpet sounds2 and though we have lost so much of the day1 perchance we can yet do something3 come with me to the market-place1 and we will try4 ,so the other joined him1 and off they set1 passing through their companions1 who shouted after them all the way they went1 until the townsmen who stood round began to jeer and shout after them also3 so that all the town was moved4 ,a hard time those two had now1 and much they wished that they had gone to the market-place in the early morning1 when the streets were empty1 and the busy servants had passed so easily along4 ,many were the rough words they had now to bear2 many the angry1 or ill-natured1 crowd through which they had to push2 and if any where they met one of their late and idle companions1 he was sure to stir up all the street against them1 when he saw them pushing on to the market-place4 ,do you think that we shall ever get there8 said he who had been moved by the other's words to him1 who led the way1 and buffeted with the crowd1 like a man swimming through many rough waves in the strong stream of some swift river4 ,do you think that we shall ever get there8 ,yes1 yes1 said the other2 we shall get there still1 if we do but persevere4 ,but it is so hard to make any way1 and the streets seem to grow fuller and fuller2 ,i am afraid that ,i shall never get through4 ,just as he spoke1 a great band of the townspeople1 with music1 and trumpets1 and dancing1 met them like a mighty wave of the sea1 and seemed sure to drive them back3 one of their old companions was dancing amongst the rest2 and as ,i looked hard at him1 ,i saw that it was the same who had given away his precious burden in order to go into the show4 ,now1 as soon as he saw these his former fellows1 he called to them by their names1 and bid them join him and the townsmen round him4 ,but he that was leading the way shook his head1 and said boldly3 ,no3 we will not join with you2 we are going to the market-place to traffic for our lord4 ,it is too late for that1 said he2 you lost the morning1 and now you cannot trade4 ,then ,i saw that he who before had trembled exceedingly grew very pale2 but still he held on his way2 and he said1--,yes1 we have lost the morning1 and a sore thing it is for us2 but our good lord will help us even yet2 and we ,,will serve him1 'redeeming the time1 because the days are evil4' ,then he turned to the other and said to him1-- ,and will not you stop either8 ,do not be fooled by this madman3 what use is it to go to buy when the shops are all shut1 and the market empty8 ,then he hung down his head1 and looked as though he would have turned back1 and fallen into the throng2 but his fellow seized him by the hand1 and bid him take courage1 and think upon his kind master1 and upon the king's son1 whose very blood had been shed for them2 and with that he seemed to gather a little confidence1 and held for a while on in his way with the other4 ,then their old companion turned all his seeming love into hatred1 and he called upon the crowd round him to lay hands on them and stop them2 and this the rabble would fain have done1 but that1 as it seemed to me1 a power greater than their own was with those servants1 and strengthened them2 until they pushed the rude people aside on the right and on the left1 and passed safely through them into another street4 ,here there were fewer persons1 and they had a breathing-time for a while2 and as they heard the sound of music and of the crowd passing by at some little distance from them1 they began to gather heart1 and to talk to one another4 ,i never thought1 said the one1 that ,i could have held on through that crowd2 and ,i never could1 if you had not stretched out your hand to help me4 ,say1 rather1 if our master's strength had not been with us1 said the other4 ,but do you think1 said he that was fearful1 that he will accept any thing we can bring him now1 when the best part of the day is over8 ,yes1 ,i do1 he replied4 ,i have a good hope that he will2 for ,i remember how he said1 ',return1 ye backsliding children1 return ye even unto me4' ,but how can one who is so trembling and fearful as ,i am ever traffic for him8 ,you can1 if you will but hold on2 for he has once spoken of his servants 'as faint yet pursuing4' ,well1 said the other1 ,i wish that ,i had your courage2 but ,i do believe that ,i should not dare to meet such another crowd as that we have just passed through2 ,i really thought that they would tear us in pieces4 ,our king will never let that be1 said the other1 if only we trust in him4 ,but are you sure1 replied he1 that our king does see us in this town8 ,just as he said this1 and before his companion had time to answer him again1 they heard a louder noise than ever1 of men dancing1 and singing1 and crowding1 and music playing1 and horns blowing1 as if all the mad sports of the city were coming upon them in one burst4 ,at the front of all they could see their old companion2 for the band had turned round by a different street1 and now were just beginning to come down that one up which they were passing4 ,then he who had been affrighted before1 turned white as snow2 and he looked this way and that1 to see what he could do4 ,now it so happened1 that just by where they stood was a great shop1 and in its windows there seemed to shine precious stones and jewels1 and fine crystals1 and gold and ivory4 ,and1 as he looked1 his eyes fell full upon the shop1 and he said to his fellow1--,look here2 surely here is what we want3 let us turn in here and traffic for our master1 and then we shall escape all this rout which is coming upon us4 ,no1 no6 said the other2 we must push on to the market2 that is our appointed place2 there our lord bids us trade3 we must not turn aside from the trouble which our lateness has brought upon us--we must not offer to our master that which costs us nothing4 ,play the man1 and we shall soon be in the market4 ,but we shall be torn in pieces1 said the other4 ,look at the great crowd3 and even now it seems that our old companion sees me1 and is beginning to lead the rabble upon us4 ,never fear1 said he who led the way2 our king will keep us4 ',i will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people who have set themselves against us round about4' ,then ,i saw that he to whom he spoke did not seem to hear these last words1 for the master of the shop had noticed how he cast his eyes upon the goods that were in the window1 and was ready in a moment to invite him in4 ,come in1 come in1 he said1 before the crowd sweep you away2 come in and buy my pearls1 and my diamonds1 and my precious stones2 come in1 come in4 ,and while he halted for a moment to parley with the man1 the crowd came upon them1 and he was parted from his friend1 who had held up his fainting steps2 and so he sprung trembling into the shop1 scarcely thinking himself safe even there4 ,now the man into whose house he had turned1 though he was a fair-spoken man1 and one who knew well how to seem honest and true1 was altogether a deceiver4 ,all his seeming jewels1 and diamonds1 and pearls1 were but shining and painted glass1 which was worth nothing at all to him who was so foolish as to buy it3 but this the servant knew not4 ,if it had been in the bright clear light of the morning1 he would easily have seen that the diamonds and the pearls were only sparkling and painted glass1 and the gold nothing but tinsel2 but the bright light of the morning had passed away1 and in the red slanting light of the evening sun he could not see clearly2 and so the false man persuaded him1 and he parted with all the rich treasures which his king had given him1 and got nothing for them in exchange which was worth the having1 for he filled his bag with bits of painted glass1 which his lord would never accept4 ,however1 he knew not how he had been cheated2 or if1 perhaps1 a thought crossed his mind that all was not right1 it was followed by another1 which said that it was now too late to alter1 and that if he had chosen wrongly1 still he must abide by it2 and so he waited for the trumpet4 ,but he was not altogether happy2 and often and often he wished that he had faced the strife of the multitude1 and pressed on with his trusting companion to the market4 ,a hard struggle had been his before he had reached it4 ,it seemed indeed at times as if the words of his fearful companion were coming true1 and he would be torn altogether in pieces1 so fiercely did the crowd press upon him and throng him4 ,but as ,i watched him in the thickest part of it1 ,i saw that always1 just at his last need1 something seemed to favour him1 and the crowd broke off and left room for him to struggle by4 ,i could hear him chanting1 as it were1 to himself1 when the crowd looked upon him the most fiercely1 ,i will not be afraid for ten thousands of the people that have set themselves against me round about4 ,and even as he chanted the words1 the crowd divided itself in two parts1 like a rushing stream glancing by some black rock2 and on he passed1 as though they saw him not4 ,so it continued1 even till he reached the market-place4 ,right glad was he to find himself there3 but even now all his trials were not over4 ,many of the stalls were empty1 and from many more the fair and true traders were gone away2 and instead of them were come false and deceitful men1 who tried to put off any who dealt with them with pretended jewels and bad goods4 ,then did he look anxiously round and round the market1 fearing every moment lest the trumpet should sound before he had purchased any thing for his lord4 ,never1 perhaps1 all along the way1 did he so bitterly regret his early sloth as now1 for he wrung his hands together1 and said in great bitterness1 ,what shall ,i do8 and1 ,how shall ,i1 a loiterer1 traffic for my lord8 ,then his eyes fell upon a shop where were no jewels1 nor gold1 nor costly silks1 nor pearls of great price2 but all that was in it was coarse sackcloth1 and rough and hairy garments1 and heaps of ashes1 and here and there a loaf of bitter bread1 and bitter herbs1 and bottles wherein tears were stored4 ,as he gazed on this shop something seemed to whisper to his heart1 ,go and buy4 ,so he went with his sorrowful heart1 as one not worthy to traffic for his master1 and he bought the coarsest sackcloth1 and the ashes of affliction1 and many bitter tears3 and so he waited for the sounding of the trumpet4 ,then suddenly1 as some loud noise breaks upon the slumbers of men who sleep1 that great trumpet sounded4 ,all through the air came its voice1 still waxing louder and louder2 and even as it pealed across the sky1 all that great city1 and its multitudes1 and its lofty palaces1 and its show1 and its noise1 and its revels1 all melted away1 and were not4 ,and in a moment all the servants were gathered together1 and their lord and king stood amongst them4 ,all else was gone1 and they and their works were alone with him4 ,then was there a fearful trial of every man's work4 ,then were they crowned with light and gladness who had risen early and traded diligently1 and who now brought before their master the fruit of that toil1 and labour1 and pain4 ,each one had his own reward2 and amongst the richest and the best--as though he brought what the king greatly loved--was his reward who brought unto his master the offering of gratitude from the broken-hearted widow4 ,then drew near the servant who had wasted the morning1 but had repented of his sloth1 and had fought his way through the crowds1 and had at last bought the sackcloth4 ,now he came bringing it with him2 and it looked poor1 and mean1 and coarse1 as he bore it amongst the heaps of gold1 and jewels1 and silks1 which lay piled up all around2 yet did he draw near unto the king2 and as he came1 he spoke1 and said1 ,a broken and a contrite heart wilt thou not despise4 ,and as he spake1 the king looked graciously upon him3 a mild and an approving smile sat upon his countenance1 and he spoke to him also the blessed words1 ,well done1 thou good and faithful servant4 ,then did the coarse sackcloth shine as the most rich cloth of gold2 then did the ashes of the furnace sparkle as a monarch's jewels2 whilst every bitter tear which was stored in the bottle changed into pearls and rubies which were above all price4 ,then the king turned to the careless servants1 and his voice was terrible to hear1 and from his face they fled away4 ,i dared not to look upon them2 but ,i heard their just and most terrible sentence1 and ,i knew that they were driven away for ever from the presence of the king1 in which is life and peace2 and that they were bound under chains and darkness1 deeper and more dreadful than those from which the king's son had graciously delivered them4 99 99 99 99 99 ,father4 ,in what part of ,god's word do we read such a parable as this8 ,child4 ,in the #beth chapter of ,st4 ,matthew's gospel1 and at the #aeth verse4 ,f4 ,who is the ,king who called his servants thus together8 ,c4 ,almighty ,god4 ,f4 ,who are meant by these servants trading in the town8 ,c4 ,all of us ,christians4 ,f4 ,how do you know that they were ,christians8 ,c4 ,because they had been delivered from slavery and dungeons by the ,king's own ,son4 ,f4 ,what is the great town to which they were sent8 ,c4 ,this world4 ,f4 ,what are the goods which ,god gave them to lay out for him8 ,c4 ,every thing which we have in this life3 our strength1 and health1 and reason1 and money1 and time4 ,f4 ,how may we trade with these for the ,king8 ,c4 ,by trying to use them all so as to please ,him and set forth ,his glory4 ,f4 ,who are those who rose up early to go into the town8 ,c4 ,those who begin to serve the ,lord even from their youth4 ,f4 ,what is shewn by their finding the streets easy to pass1 and the markets full of rich goods8 ,c4 ,that this service of ,god is far easier to such as begin to serve ,him in youth2 and that such are able to offer to ,him the best gifts of early devotion1 and their first love1 and the zeal of youth1 and tender hearts1 and unclouded consciences4 ,f4 ,what is taught us by their seeing the beautiful things of the city at their ease1 after their diligent trading8 ,c4 ,that those who serve ,god truly in a youthful piety commonly find more than others1 that godliness has promise of the life which now is1 as well as of that which is to come4 ,f4 ,why were those who were late ready to quarrel with one another8 ,c4 ,because companions in sin have no real love for each other1 but are always ready to fall out2 being all selfish and separate from ,god4 ,f4 ,what were the full streets they met with when they entered the town8 ,c4 ,the many difficulties and hindrances which beset those who set about serving ,god late in life4 ,f4 ,what were the shows1 and the thieves1 and the robbers1 which troubled them8 ,c4 ,the different temptations which come from the devil1 the world1 and the flesh4 ,f4 ,who were the crowds who withstood them8 ,c4 ,those who love this present world1 and who therefore withstand those who seek to live for ,god's glory4 ,f4 ,who was he who sold the false jewels8 ,c4 ,one of those who often make a prey of persons beginning1 after a negligent youth1 to feel earnest about religion1 and of whom we read1 ,rom4 xvi4 #ag1 #ah1 ,now ,i beseech you1 brethren1 mark them which cause divisions and offences1 contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned2 and avoid them4 ,for they that are such serve not our ,lord ,jesus ,christ1 but their own belly2 and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple4 ,f4 ,who was he who held on through all difficulties to the market-place8 ,c4 ,a truly humble penitent1 who having turned to ,god with all his heart1 leans not to his own understanding1 but follows ,god's leading in all things2 cleaving close to ,christ's ,church4 ,f4 ,what were the sackcloth and ashes which he bought8 ,c4 ,the true contrition of heart and deep sense of sin1 which ,god gives to those who seek earnestly to turn away from all iniquity4 ,f4 ,what was the sound of the trumpet8 ,c4 ,the call of men to the general judgment4 ,f4 ,who were those whose trading the master was pleased to reward8 ,c4 ,those who had served ,god early2 those who had given to ,him the best of their youth2 those who had been kind to others and helped the needy for ,his sake2 those who had turned to ,him in truth1 and clave to ,him with a humble penitence4 ,f4 ,what was the end of the careless servants8 ,c4 ,it is an awful end1 which our blessed ,saviour ,jesus ,christ speaks of thus3 ,cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness3 there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth4 #adh;a ,and1 again1 ,these shall go away into everlasting punishment2 but the righteous into life eternal4 #adh;b ,the ,prophet's ,guard4 ,it was the very earliest morning4 ,the day was not breaking as it does in this land of ,england1 with a dewy twilight and a gradual dawning--first a dull glow all over the east1 then blood-red rays1 catching any fleecy cloud which is stealing over the sky1 and turning all its misty whiteness into gold and fire2--but day was breaking as it does in those eastern countries--sudden1 and bright1 and hot4 ,darkness flew away as at a word2 the thick shadows were all at once gone1 and the broad glaring sun rose proudly in the sky1 rejoicing in his strength4 ,the people of the town woke up again to life and business4 ,doors were flung wide open1 and some were passing through them2 the flat roofs of the houses began to be peopled--on one was a man praying1 on others two or three standing together2 but most of the people were hastening here and there to get through their necessary work before the full heat of the day came on2 numbers were passing and repassing to the clear dancing fountain1 the cool waters of which bubbled up in the midst of a broad square within that city4 ,and now1 what is it which one suddenly sees1 and1 after gazing at it for a while1 points out to another1 and he to a third8 ,as each hears1 they look eagerly up to the hill1 which rises high above their town1 until they gather into a knot2 and then1 as one and another are added to their company1 grow into almost a crowd4 ,still it is in the same quarter that all eyes are fixed2 their water-vessels are set idly down1 as if they could not think of them4 ,those which were set under the fountain have been quite full this long time1 but no one stooped to remove them2 and the water has been running over their brimming sides1 while its liquid silver flew all round in a shower of sparkling drops4 ,but no one thinks of them4 ,what is it which so chains all eyes and fixes the attention of all8 ,the hill is quite full of armed men4 ,there were none there overnight3 they have come up from the vale silently and stealthily during the darkness1 while men slept1 like some great mist rising in stillness from the waters1 and they seem to be hemming in the town on every side4 ,look which way you will1 the sun lights upon the burnished points of spears1 or falls on strong shields1 or flashes like lightning from polished and cutting swords1 or is thrown a thousand ways by the rolling wheels of those war-chariots4 ,who are they8 is the question of all2 and no one likes to say what all have felt for a long time--they are our enemies1 and we are their prey4 ,but there is no use in shutting the eyes any longer to the truth4 ,the morning breeze has just floated off in its airy waves that flag which before hung down lifelessly by the side of its staff4 ,it has shewn all4 ,they are enemies2 they are fierce and bitter enemies2 they are the ,syrians1 and they are at war with ,israel4 ,but why are they come against this little town8 ,when they have licked up it and its people like the dust from the face of the earth1 they will be scarcely further on in their war against ,israel4 ,why did not they begin with some of the great and royal cities8 ,why was it not against ,jerusalem1 or ,jezreel1 or even against the newly rebuilt ,jericho8 ,why should they come against this little town8 ,then one1 an evil-looking man of a dark countenance1 one who feared not ,god and loved not ,his servants1 whispered to those around him1 and said1 ,have you not heard how ,elisha the prophet1 who dwells amongst us1 has discovered to the king of ,israel the secrets of the army of the king of ,syria8 ,no doubt it is because ,elisha is dwelling here that the king of ,syria has come upon us4 ,and now shall we1 and our wives1 and our sweet babes1 and our houses1 and our treasures1 become the prey of the king of ,syria1 for the sake of this ,elisha4 ,i never thought that good would come from his dwelling here4 ,now1 fear makes men cruel and suspicious1 and fills their minds with hard thoughts2 and many of these men were full of fear3 and so1 when they heard these words1 they began to have hard bad thoughts of ,god's prophet1 and to hate him1 as the cause of all the evils which they were afraid would very soon come upon them4 ,just then the door of another house opened3 it was the prophet's house1 and his servant came forth with the water-vessels to fill them at the fountain4 ,he wondered to see the crowd of men gathered together1 and he drew near to ask them what was stirring4 ,he could read upon their dark scowling faces that something moved them exceedingly2 but what it was he could not gather4 ,he could not tell why they would scarcely speak to him1 but looked on him with angry faces1 and spoke under their breath1 and said1 ,this is one of them4 ',twere best to give them up4 ,they will destroy us all4 ,then the man was altogether astonished2 for his master had been ever humble1 and kind1 and gentle2 no poor man had ever turned away without help when he had come in his sorrows to the prophet of the ,lord4 ,and yet1 why were they thus angry with him1 if it were not for his master's sake8 ,broken sentences were all that he could gather2 but1 by little and little1 he learned what they feared and what they threatened2 he saw1 also1 the hosts of armed men gathered all around the city2 and his heart1 also1 was filled with fear4 ,he believed that it was for his master's sake that they were there2 he saw that all around him were turned against his master1 and he trembled exceedingly4 ,for some time he stood amongst the rest1 scarce knowing what to do1 neither liking to remain nor daring to go2 until at last1 as some more stragglers joined themselves to the company1 he slunk away like one ashamed1 without stopping even to fill the water-vessels he had brought4 ,and so he entered his own door1 heavy-hearted and trembling2 and he went to the prophet's chamber1 for he deemed that he still slept4 ,but the man of ,god was risen2 and he knew1 therefore1 where he should find him--that he would be upon the flat roof of his house1 calling upon the name of the ,lord his ,god1 who had made another morning's sun to rise in its glory4 ,the ,prophet's ,guard3 p#aef4;jpg ,so he followed his master to the housetop2 and there1 even as he had supposed1 he found the holy man4 ,it was a striking sight1 could any one have seen the difference between these two men4 ,the one pale and trembling and affrighted1 like a man out of himself1 and with no stay on which to rest his mind2 the other calm and earnest1 as1 in deep and solemn prayer1 with his head bowed and his hands clasped together1 his low voice poured forth his thanksgiving1 or spake of his needs2 he also1 as it seemed1 was out of himself1 but going out of himself that he might rest upon ,one who was near to him though his eye saw ,him not1 and who spake to him though his outward ear heard no voice of words4 ,thus he continued for a season1 as if he knew not that any man was nigh unto him2 as if he knew not that there were1 in the great world around him1 any one besides his ,god with whom he communed1 and his own soul which spake unto his ,god4 ,all this time his servant stood by him1 pale and trembling1 but not daring to break in upon that hour of prayer2 until at length the prophet paused1 and his eye fell upon the trembler2 and he turned towards him1 and said kindly1 ,what ails thee1 my son8 ,then the servant answered1 ,o my father1 look unto the hill4 ,and he stood gazing in the prophet's face1 as though he expected to see paleness and terror overspread it when his eyes gathered in the sight of those angry hosts4 ,but it was not so4 ,no change passed over his countenance2 his brow was open as it was before2 the colour never left his cheeks2 and1 with almost a smile1 he turned unto the servant1 and said1 ,and why does this affright thee8 ,it is for thee they seek1 my father--it is for thee they seek2 and the wicked men of the town are ready to fall upon thee and deliver thee into their hands4 ,even now1 as ,i walked along the street1 they looked on me with fierce and cruel eyes2 and they breathed threats which these lips may not utter1 and said1 that thou hadst brought this trouble upon them1 and their wives1 and their little ones2 and ,i feared that they would curse thee and thy ,god4 ,but the prophet was not moved by his words1 for he only answered1 ,fear them not2 they that are with us are more than they that are against us4 ,then did the servant cast his eyes to the ground1 and he spake not1 yet his lips moved2 and if any one had heard the words which he whispered1 they might perhaps have heard him ask how this could be1 when they were but two1 and their enemies were so many and so mighty4 ,now the prophet's eye rested upon him1 and he read all his secret thoughts2 and he pitied his weakness1 for that holy man was full of pity for the weak3 so he chid him not2 but1 bowing his knees again on that flat roof1 he prayed unto his ,god to open the eyes of his affrighted servant4 ,his prayer was heard4 ,for there fell from them as it were films2 and now1 when he looked out1 he saw a glorious sight4 ,all the mountain was full2 and they were a wonderful company which filled it4 ,the dark hosts of the ,syrians1 and their glancing swords and clashing chariots1 now looked but as a mere handful2 for the whole mountain round them was full of that heavenly army4 ,chariots of fire and horsemen of fire thronged it in every part4 ,high up into the viewless air mounted their wheeling bands3 rank beyond rank1 and army beyond army1 they seemed to stretch on into the vastness of space1 until the gazer's wearied eye was unable to gaze on them4 ,and all of these were gathered round his master4 ,they were ,god's host1 keeping guard over ,god's servant4 ,and they who would injure him must first turn aside those flashing swords1 must break up that strong and serried array1 and be able to do battle with ,god's mighty angels4 ,then was the weak heart strong4 ,then did the poor trembler see that he was safe2 and know that he who is on ,god's side can never want companions and defenders4 ,the ,brothers' ,meeting2 ,,or1 ,the ,sins of ,youth4 ,a large company was winding its way slowly out of the vale in which the river ,jordan runs4 ,the sun was just beginning to strike hotly upon them1 and make them long for rest and shelter1 as they toiled up the open sandy hills and amongst the great masses of rock with which that country was strewn4 ,it was a striking sight to see those travellers4 ,first went three troops of kine1 lowing as they went2 camels with their arched necks1 stooping shoulders1 and forward ears2 asses with their foals2 ewes and lambs2 and goats with their kids1 which mounted idly upon every rock that lay by their road-side1 and then jumped as idly down again2 and before and after these1 drivers in stately turbans and long flowing robes1 keeping the flocks and herds to their appointed way4 ,then came large droves of cattle1 and sheep1 and goats1 and asses1 stirring up with their many feet the dust of the sandy plain1 till it fell like a gentle shower powdering with its small grains all the rough and prickly plants which grew in tufts over the waste4 ,then was there a space2 and after that were seen two bands of camels1--the best they seemed to be of all the flock1 those which came last especially1--and on them were children and women riding1 over whom hung long veils to shelter their faces from the hot breath of the sandy desert through which they had travelled4 ,and after all these came one man1 with his staff in his hand and a turban on his head1 walking slowly1 as one who walked in pain and yet walked on1 following those who went before4 ,if you had stood near to that man1 you might1 perhaps1 have heard him speaking to ,god in prayer and thanksgiving2 you might have heard him saying to himself1 with my staff passed ,i over this ,jordan1 and now ,i am become two bands3 or you might have heard him earnestly calling upon the ,god of ,abraham1 and the ,god of ,isaac his father1 to keep him safe in the great danger which now lay close before him4 ,his mind was certainly very full of that danger2 for he kept looking up from the sand on which his eyes were often fixed1 and gazing as far as he could see over the hills before him1 as if he expected to see some great danger suddenly meet him on his way1 and as if1 therefore1 he wished to be quite ready for it4 ,if you looked into his face1 you could see at once that he was not a common man4 ,he was not a very old man2 his hair was not yet grey upon his head2 and yet it seemed1 at the first glance1 as if he was very old4 ,but as you looked closer1 you saw that it was not so2 but that many1 many thoughts had passed through his mind1 and left those deep marks stamped even on his face4 ,it was not only sorrow1 though there was much of that2 nor care1 though he was now full of care2 but besides these1 it seemed as if he had seen1 and done1 and felt great things--things in which all a man's soul is called up1 and so1 which leave their impress behind them1 even when they have passed away4 ,he ,,had seen great things1 and felt great things4 ,he had seen ,god's most holy angels going up to heaven1 and coming down to earth upon their messages of mercy4 ,he had heard the voice of the ,lord of all1 promising to be his ,father and his ,friend4 ,and only the night before1 the ,angel of the covenant had made himself known to him in the stillness of his lonely tent1 and made him strong to wrestle with him for a blessing1 until the breaking of the day4 ,so that it was no wonder1 that when you looked into his face1 it was not like the face of a common man1 but one which was full of thought1 which bore almost outwardly the stamp of great mysteries4 ,but what was it which now filled this man with care8 ,he was returning home from a far land where he had been staying twenty years1 to the land where his father dwelt4 ,he had gone out a poor man2 he was coming home a rich man4 ,he was bringing back with him his wives1 and his children1 and his servants1 and his flocks1 and his herds2 and of what was he afraid8 ,surely he could trust the ,god who had kept him and blessed him all these twenty years1 and who had led him now so far on his journey8 ,why should he fear now1 when he was almost at his father's tent8 ,it was because he heard that ,,his ,,brother was coming to meet him4 ,but why should this fill him with such fear8 ,surely it would be a happy meeting2 brothers born of the same father and of the same mother1 who had dwelt together in one tent1 kneeled before one father's knees in prayer1 and joined together in the common plays of childhood1--surely their meeting must be happy1 now that they have been twenty years asunder1 and ,god has blessed them both1 and they are about to see each other again in peace and safety1 and to shew to each other the children whom ,god had given them1 and who must remind them of their days of common childhood4 ,and why then is the man afraid8 ,because when he left his father's house this brother was very angry with him1 and he fears that he may have remembered his anger all these twenty years1 and be ready now to revenge himself for that old quarrel4 ,and yet1 why should this make such an one to fear8 ,even if his brother be still angry with him1 and have cruel and evil thoughts against him1 cannot ,god deliver him8--cannot the same ,god who has kept him safely all these twenty years of toil and labour1 help and save him now8 ,why then does he fear so greatly8 ,he has not forgotten that this ,god can save him--he has not for a moment forgotten it2 for see how earnestly he makes his prayer unto ,him3 hear his vows that if ,god will again deliver him1 he and all of his shall ever praise and serve him for this mercy4 ,yet still he is in fear2 and he seems like a man who thought that there was some reason why the ,god who had heard him in other cases should not hear him in this4 ,what was it1 then1 which pressed so heavily upon this man's mind8 ,it was the remembrance of an old sin4 ,he feared that ,god would leave him now to ,esau's wrath1 because he knew that ,esau's wrath was ,god's punishment of his sin4 ,he feared that ,esau's hand would slay his children1 as ,god's chastisement for the sins of his childhood4 ,he remembered that he had lied to ,isaac his father1 and mocked the dimness of his aged eyes by a false appearance2 now he trembled lest his father's ,god should leave the deceiver and the mocker to eat the bitter fruit of his old sin4 ,it was not so much ,esau's wrath1 and ,esau's company1 and ,esau's arms1 which he feared--though all these were very terrible to this peaceful man1--as it was his own sin in days long past1 which now met him again1 and seemed to frown upon him from the darkness before him4 ,in vain did he strive to look on and see whether ,god would guide him there1 for his sin clouded over the light of ,god's countenance4 ,it was as when he strained his eyes into the great sand-drifts of the desert through which he had passed3 they danced and whirled fearfully before him1 and baffled all the strivings of his earnest gaze4 ,but the time of trial was drawing very near4 ,and how did it end8 ,instead of falling upon him and slaying him and his2 instead of making a spoil of the oxen1 and the asses1 and the camels1 and giving the young children to the sword1 ,esau's heart melted as soon as they met2 he fell upon his brother's neck and kissed him2 he looked lovingly upon the children who had been born to him in the far land2 he spake kindly of the old days of their remembered childhood1 of the grey-haired man at home2 and he would not take even the present which his brother had set apart for him4 ,jacob knew who it was that had turned his brother's heart1 and he felt more than ever what a strong and blessed thing prayer and supplication was4 ,nor did he forget his childhood's sin against his ,god4 ,it had looked out again upon him in manhood1 and reminded him of ,god's holiness1 of his many past misdeeds1 and made him pray more earnestly not to be made to possess the iniquities of his youth4 99 99 99 99 99 ,father4 ,what should we learn from this account of ,jacob's meeting ,esau8 ,child4 ,that ,god remembers and often visits long afterwards the sins of our childhood4 ,f4 ,does not ,god1 then1 forgive the sins of children8 ,c4 ,yes1 ,he does forgive them1 and blot them out for ,christ's sake4 ,f4 ,why1 then1 do we say that ,he visits them8 ,c4 ,because ,he often allows the effects of past sins to be still their punishment1 even when ,he has forgiven them4 ,f4 ,why does ,he do so8 ,c4 ,to shew us how ,he hates sin4 ,f4 ,what should we learn from this8 ,c4 ,to watch against every sin most carefully1 because we never can know what may be its effects2 to remember how ,god has punished it1 often for years1 in ,his true servants2 to pray against sin2 to think no sin little4 ,f4 ,what should we do1 if we find the consequences of past sin coming upon us8 ,c4 ,take our chastisement meekly2 humble ourselves under ,god's hand2 pray for deliverance1 as1 ,remember not the sins of my youth1 nor my transgressions3 according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake1 ,o ,lord 7,ps4 xxv4 #g74 ,f4 ,what should be the effect on us when ,god hears our prayer1 and delivers us8 ,c4 ,it should make us more humbly remember our sins and unworthiness1 and strive to shew forth our thankfulness1 not with our lips only1 but in our lives4 ,finis3 p#agb4;jpg ,,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,,gilbert ,,rivington1 ,st4 ,john's ,square4 ,footnotes3 #f ,rev4 xxii4 #b4 #de;a ,lover of ,god4 #de;b ,wanderer4 #de;c ,timid4 #df ,help4 #di;a ,prov4 ii4 #ai4 #di;b ,ps4 cxix4 #i4 #gf ,isaiah xlii4 #af4 #gi;a ,isaiah xxxv4 #c1 #d4 #gi;b ,ps4 cxix4 #fg4 #hj ,isaiah xxxv4 #i4 #ie;a ,bold1 or ,rash4 #ie;b ,tender4 #if ,faith4 #adh;a ,matt4 xxv4 #cj4 #adh;b ,ib4 xxv4 #df4