,p>ables ( ! ,*ri/-life1  by ,i4 ,lilias
 ,trott]      ,m>%all ,bro!rs1 ,ltd4    
,london  ,ed9burgh4      ,to ,f4,n4,f4  
,b4,g4,l4,n4 ,g4,s4,t4  ,a4,m4,e4       
'fell[ work]s unto ! k+dom ( ,god4'     
,,life--! fir/ glance w\ld h>dly f9d x  
on ?is ,african hillside  9 ! summ]time4
 ,! hot w9d ( ! des]t has pass$ ov] x1 &
  ! spr+ beauty ( iris & or*id1 asphodel
 & m>igold1 has  vani%$4 ,no?+ is to be 
se5 b ! mell[ gold5-br[n ( !  grass1    
brok5 by blue-gre5 aloe leaves1 & "h &  
!re a deep  madd] head ( dri$-up f5nel4 
,yet life is reign+1 n dea?1 all ! :ile2
 x is !re1 9  inf9itely great] abundance
 ?an :5 ! field 0 gre5--life  en\gh to  
clo! a score ( fields next ye>4    ,/oop
 d[n & look into t )]$ grass1 & a :ole  
new _w  ( ,god's h&iwork w come into    
view 9 ! burnt-up tangle4 ,= (  all !   
gr[+ ?+s out "h1 ! se$-vessels are among
 ! mo/  wond]ful4 ,ev5 little           
insignificant plants t w\ld h>dly cat*  
y\r eye :5 9 fl[]1 develop =ms ( qua9t  
beauty z !  capsules rip54 ,& n[ t all  

is f9i%$1 !y lie /or$ )  vitality 9 !   
mid/ ( ! seem+ loss ar\nd4    ,d y see !
 p>able8 ,we w trace x out /ep by /ep4  
,back we mu/ g1 to ! days ( e>ly spr+4  
,! annuals t  clo!d ! field _h ea* b "o 
life !n2 a p]i%+ life1  ?\gh x look$ s  
/rong 9 its "y vig\r4 ,left to itself1 x
  /ood condemn$ already4    ,b !        
critical mom5t came1 *ang+ its :ole     
de/9y1 :5 a new  bir? took place3 !     
vitaliz+ poll5 0 receiv$ by ! pi/il1  & 
set up ! reign ( a fre% undy+ creation4 
,all t _h gone  be=e 9 ! plant's hi/ory 
0 a prep>ation = ?is mom5t3 all  t      
foll[$ 0 a work+ out to its fruition4   
,v]ily1 v]ily ,i say unto !e1 except a  
man be born aga91 he  _c see ! ,k+dom ( 
,god4 ,e s\l c>ries l ! fl[] a  possible
 life1 o!r ?an t ( its fir/ bir?2 m ?an 
t1 to  e s\l )9 rea* ( ! ,gospel !re    
comes probably a mom5t  :5 ! ,life (    
,god draws ne> & c\ld be receiv$ if x 7 
will+4 ,!re is a crisis l t :i* ! fl[]  
rea*es1 :5  all ?+s are ready4 ,if t    
crisis is n seiz$1 no?+ lies  be=e !    

plant b useless1 irrevocable decay2 !   
p[] to receive  )]s & vani%es2 & no?+ c 
r5ew x4    ,t :i* is born ( ! fle% is   
fle%1 & t :i* is born (  ! ,_s is _s4   
,m>vel n t ,i said unto !e1 ye mu/ be   
born aga94 ,fle% & blood _c inh]it !    
,k+dom ( ,god1  nei!r do? corruption    
inh]it incorruption4 ,are y lett+ pass  
! mom5t on :i* all et]nity hangs8    99 
99 99 99 99 99    ,! h\r at :i* ?is new 
bir? c take place 9 ! fl[] is !  h\r at 
:i* ! /igma is able to grasp ! poll5 t  
comes to  x1 bl[n by ! w9d or c>ri$ by !
 bees & butt]flies4 ,up till  !n ! gra9s
 fall (f unhe$$2 b n[ x develops a      
surface1  glut9\s 9 "s cases1 velvety 9 
o!rs1 t c clasp & keep  !m fa/4 ,! poll5
 gra9s lay hold at ! same mom5t by _!   
sculptur$ po9ts & ridges4 ,!y appreh5d  
ea* o!r1 & !  poll51 ) its my/]i\s      
quick5+ p[]1 does ! re/4 ,z soon  z x is
 receiv$ x s9ks d[n into ! inn]mo/ dep?s
 ( !  fl[]'s he>t1 & />ts !re ! beg9n+ (
 ! new creation4    ,! mo/ wond]ful     
secrets ( ! plant _w hang r\nd ! process

  ( f]tilisation1 & ! ways 9 :i* ^!     
spr+s ( ! second  bir? are gu>d$ & set  
go+1 b ! fl[]'s simple "w is to  op5 &  
receive4    ,! gift ( ,god is et]nal    
life--oh1 m>vell\s words6--?r\gh  ,jesus
 ,*ri/ our ,"l4 ,z _m z receiv$ ,him1 to
 !m gave ,he  p[] to become ! sons (    
,god1 ev5 to !m t believe on ,8  "n4 ,he
 t ha? ! ,son ha? life1 & he t ha? n !  
,son  ( ,god ha? n life4 ,behold ,i /&  
at ! door & knock3 if any  man he> ,my  
voice & op5 ! door1 ,i w come 9 to him4 
,x is utt]ly1 unbelievably simple4      
,receive ,jesus ) a he>t-grasp1  & y w  
f9d1 l ! fl[]1 a spr+ ( et]nal life1    
entirely di/9ct f y\r own1 t is p]i%+1  
set work+ deep  d[n 9 y\r inmo/ be+4    
,& all t is ne$$1 = ! fulfilm5t ( ,god's
 utt]mo/ purpose  = y1 is t ?is new man 
%\ld be =m$ & t ! old  %\ld pass away4  
,f ! v outset ( its new bir? we see ?is 
d\ble process  go+ on 9 ! plant4 ,)9 a  
few h\rs ! ?rob ( new life has  spread  
?r\gh ! fl[]1 ) ?is fir/ result1 t !    
petals  beg9 to )]4 ,f]tilisation m>ks !

 /rik+ ( ! dea?-bl[  to all t w5t be=e4 
,look at a clov] head2 d y "k :y "s  ( !
 spikes are upright & o!rs turn$ d[nw>ds
 & fad+8 ,x  is because ^! la/ h receiv$
 ! new tide1 & ! old is  ebb+ out       
already4 ,! bir?-peal & ! dea?-knell    
rang toge!r4  ,f]tilisation m>ks ! dea? 
( ! fl[] & ! dea? ( !  fl[] ! dea? ( !  
annual1 ?\gh ! c>ry+ out ( its doom     
comes gradually4    ,& 9 l mann] !      
s5t5ce ( dea? passes1 9 ! ,cross1 on !  
old nature 9 its entirety1 z ! new comes
 into be+4 ,?is is !  "o only basis &   
gr\ndwork = all c>ry+ out 9 our         
practical  exp]i5ce ( :at t dea? means4 
,once = all let ?is be cle>4  ,ap>t f ! 
"w done on ,calv>y1 all work+ out ( a   
dea?  process 9 our own s\ls is only a  
false & dang]\s my/icism444 4  ,i h be5 
crucifi$ ) ,*ri/4 7,r4 ,v47--,yes1 long 
be=e ev] ,i  ask$ to be--glory be to    
,god6 & yet z fre%ly z if x 7  ye/]day1 
= "t is n[h]e ) ,him4    ,&             
simultane\sly1 9 figure1 9 ! little     
fl[]-he>t1 :ile  t :i* is natural beg9s 

to fade1 t :i* is spiritual  dawns4 ,!  
se$-vessel ) its hidd5 treasure--!      
ultimate object  ( ?is miracle (        
quick5+--beg9s imm$iately to =m4 ,x 0   
)9 ?ree days ( ! heav5ly vision :5 !    
once reject$  ,jesus 0 receiv$ by ,/4   
,paul1 t ! commission came--he is a     
*os5 vessel unto ,me1 to be> ,my ,"n4 ,a
 *os5 vessel unto ,him4  ,! se$-vessel  
belongs to ! se$1 only & = ev]3 x is =m$
  = itself & has no purpose ap>t4       
,sep>ation has no?+ au/]e  & n>r[ 9 x :5
 x is unto ,him4    ,*os5 vessels to be>
 ,8 ,"n--,8 p]sonality2 ) all t is      
wrapp$ up 9 t ,"n ( fragrance & heal+1  
au?ority &  p[]2 *os5 to g ab\t ?is we>y
 s9ful _w ) ! liv+  ,*ri/ fold$ 9 our   
he>ts1 ready & able z ( old to meet !   
ne$ ar\nd4 ,is n ?is a call+ = :i* x is 
wor? c\nt+1 z  ,/4 ,paul did1 all ?+s b 
loss8    ,*os5 vessels--!re is ! vessel 
& !re is ! treasure 9 x1  = ev] di/9ct1 
?\gh 9 wond]ful union1 l ! se$-vessel  &
 ! se$3 ! "o en%r9es ! o!r4    ,god     
builds up a %r9e )9 u ( ,8 workman%ip1 f

 ! day 9  :i* ,jesus 0 receiv$4 ,!      
se$-vessel is its picture4 ,) !  old    
nature ,he c h no?+ to d except to      
deliv] x to dea?3  no improv+ c fit x = 
,8 purpose1 any m ?an ! leaf or  t5dril1
 h[ev] beautiful1 c be ! receptacle ( ! 
se$4 ,!re  mu/ be a new creation        
7,r4,v41 m>g971 ! new man1 to be !      
temple ( ! ,div9e ,life4    ,& z !      
petals drop (f1 & ! gr[+ se$-vessel     
comes into  view1 we see a fre%         
individuality develop$4 ,comp>e 9 ^! f\r
  pages "s ( ! se$-vessels ( a s+le     
family--vet* & clov]3  we f\nd ov] ?irty
 species ( x 9 t "o field ( !           
frontispiece4 ,^! w %[ some?+ ( _!      
extraord9>y  v>iety--we h bun*es ( horns
 great & small1 & bun*es (  imitation   
c5tip$es1 & bun*es ( mock holly leaves1 
prickly coils  & velvety balls2 mimic   
conc]t9as1 & bits ( qua9t embroid]y2    
imitation snail-%ells1 crozi]s1 pods )  
frills at ! seams1  spik$ caskets )     
curi\s ind5tations1 clu/]s ( />s1       
bladd]s  l s(t pap]1 & plait$ spirals   

w\nd into a t9y cocoanut1  t1 untwi/$1  
becomes a m9ature cr[n ( ?orns--are !y n
 all  a visible expression ( ! ?\ghts t 
are m ?an c be  numb]$8 ,& ! great] "p  
spr+ f little unnoticeable  fl[]s1 s    
alike 9 _! yell[ or p9k t y h to look   
closely 9 ord] to f9d out any diff]5ce6 
,x is ! se$-be>+  t gives !m _!         
individual "*4    ,& ! same ,god has    
manifold plans = our developm5t too1 z  
vessels = ,8 ,*ri/-life4 ,x is by !     
,div9e indwell+ t our  true1 et]nal     
p]sonality dawns1 & = ! expression ( !  
special manife/ation ( ,himself :i* is  
entru/$ to ea* "o (  u4 ,! protoplasm t 
quick5s ea* diff]5t se$ is "o & !  same 
ess5ce1 b 9 no two does x f9d ! same    
expression4 ,he  ne$s ! :ole ,*ur* to   
manife/ ,8 :ole "* & accompli%  ,8      
appo9t$ m9i/ry1 & s ! individual        
developm5t mu/ diff]  widely 9 ev]y?+ b 
! common vital pr9ciple4 ,life--et]nal  
life--is ! ess5ce ( all--life receiv+ & 
life-giv+4 ,!re is  no ne$ to imitate ! 
se$-vessel ( a bro!r vet*6--only to draw

  into our own ! fulness ( grace t we   
may develop into its full  individuality
 ! mission entru/$ to u4    ,!re is no?+
 arbitr>y 9 ^! diff]+ %apes ( !         
se$-vessels4 ,if we look closely1 we    
%all f9d t !y are =m$  9 union ) ! se$ t
 ea* conta9s--x is ?is t det]m9es  ! =m 
( ea*1 & builds x up4 ,see ^! few       
in/ances3 ! peas  ne$ _! long pod ) its 
da9tily-cu%ion$ divisions1 to all[  ea* 
little globe to r\nd itself to          
p]fection2 ! cresc5t-%ap$  se$s ( ?is   
o!r vet*1 ea* set into its own place    
aga91 =m  ! di/9ctive "* ( _! diff]5t   
%ea?--s d ! t9y  rod-%ap$ ones ( ! ?ird 
vet*1 :i* clo! !mselves 9 a  segm5t$ rod
 9 turn4 ,:ile on ! o!r h& ! f9e s&-l   
gra9 ( ?is snap-dragon ne$s /or+ 9 a    
capsule--su* a qua9t  "o x is 7:e!r mo/ 
l a bird or a m\se sitt+ on a twig is   
h>d to say7--b x is a p]fectly adapt$   
treasure-bag = !  delicate ?+s1 & :5 !y 
are ripe ! two eyes op51 & !  w9d %akes 
! se$ out by !m6 ,ea* "o lays itself out
 = !  special tru/ committ$ to x4 ,is x 

n ! same wond]ful ,fa%ion]  ,:o fits u &
 our m9i/ry toge!r1 & =ms u ?r\gh x )   
un]r+ precision1 prep>+ u = ! :ite /one 
& ! new "n  :i* no man kn[e? sav+ he t  
receive? x1 et]nity's seal on  ! heav5ly
 individuality ( ea*4 ,t et]nal future w
 %[ h[  ! ,"l _h ne$ ( ea* ( u 9 our    
v>y+ "*1 & h[ all  t made up ?is e>?ly  
life fitt$ u = be>+ ab\t !  special     
manife/ation ( ,jesus entru/$ to u1 9   
:i* no o!r  c\ld take our place4 ,he    
ne$s u1 e "o ( u1 z if !re 7  no o!r    
besides4    99 99 99 99 99 99    ,b we w
 g back f ?is glimpse ( ,god's ultimate 
purpose =  u1 to wat* ! process by :i* x
 is rea*$1 s f> z we c  trace x 9 !     
rip5+ ( ! little annuals4    ,! figure w
 n give u all ! /eps by :i* ,god gets ,8
 way  9 ! intricacies ( a human s\l3 we 
%all see no h9t 9 x ( !  cleans+ & fill+
 t is ne$$ 9 s9ful man be=e he c  foll[ 
! pa? ( ! plant4 ,x %[s u "s ( ! ,div9e 
pr9ciples ( ! new life r ?an a set      
sequ5ce ( exp]i5ce2  above all1 ! p>able
 gives a lesson t mo/ ( u only beg9 to  

le>n aft] ,p5teco/ has become a reality 
to u--! lesson (  walk+1 n aft] ! fle%1 
b aft] ! ,_s4    ,! fle%--! life (      
nature--is all1 good & bad alike1 t we  
_h & 7 be=e ,*ri/ came to u4 ,we see its
 %ad[ 9 ! life  ( root & /em1 leaf &    
t5dril & petal1 t made up ! plant  be=e 
its new bir? took place2 = all fle% is  
grass1 & all !  goodl9ess !re( is z !   
fl[] ( ! field4 ,x is n only  t :i* is  
s9ful z oppos$ to t :i* is holy3 x is t 
:i* is human z oppos$ to t :i* is       
,div9e4    ,9 ! e>li] /age ( !          
se$-vessel's gr[? we see ! two  lives1 !
 old & ! new1 practically go+ on        
alongside4 ,& c  we n rememb]1 _m ( u1 9
 our own hi/ory1 h[ ! self life  w5t    
almo/ unt\*$ & unrecognis$1 = ye>s1 :ile
 all ! "t  ,*ri/ 0 gr[+ )9 u1 & our     
m9i/ry 0 be+ giv58    ,let u look at !  
se$-vessels1 well set & =m+ fa/1 )  _!  
natural life all unbrok5 z yet1 & le>n  
to be v t5d]  & pati5t ) ! e>ly /ages ( 
,god's "w 9 ^? ar\nd4    ,b ?\gh ! two  
may exi/ = a "t side by side1 !y _c     

fl\ri% toge!r4 ,! crisis mu/ come to u z
 to ! annual1 :5  ! old creation beg9s  
to g d[n into ! grave1 & ! new beg9s  to
 triumph at its co/4    ,9 ! plant life 
! two are absolutely & = ev]            
sep>ate--!re  is no possibility (       
conf\nd+ ! p]i%able exi/5ce ( leaf &    
/alk ) ! newborn se$-vessel & its hidd5 
ri*es4 ,9 !  heav5ly light ! di/9ction  
/&s out z ineffaceably4 ,t  :i* is born 
( ! fle% is fle%1 & t :i* is born ( !   
,_s is _s4 ,b our eyes are too dim at   
fir/ to di/+ui%  !m 9 detail3 ) mo/ ( u 
x is only :5 ! cleans+ ,blood  has dealt
 ) ! "q ( kn[n s91 & ! ,_s's incom+  has
 cle>$ our vision1 t ! two lives1       
natural & spiritual1  beg9 to /& out    
be=e u1 no long] %ad+ into ea* o!r1 b  9
 vivid contra/4 ,! ^w ( ,god 9 ! h& ( ! 
,holy ,gho/  pi]ces to ! divid+ asund] (
 s\l & _s1 & we see bit by  bit z we c  
be> x1 h[ we h made provision = ! fle%1 
giv5 occasion to ! fle%1 _h confid5ce 9 
! fle%1 w>r$  aft] ! fle%1 judg$ aft] ! 
fle%1 purpos$ aft] ! fle%1  kn[n ea* o!r

 aft] ! fle%4 ,! c>nal nature ) its     
work+s  /&s out z ! h9drance 9 ! way ( !
 ,div9e1 & ! "t  comes :5 we see t no m 
gr[? is possible to ! ,*ri/ 9 u  unless 
a deliv]ance comes "h4    ,we are       
helpless 9 ! matt]4 ,!re is no sy/em (  
self-repression  or self-mortification t
 w d any?+ b drive ! evil bel[  !       
surface1 !re to d a /ill m subtle "w1   
w9d+ d[n out  ( rea*4 ,! roots w only   
/rike deep] & ! sap fl[ /rong]  = ! few 
leaves trimm$ (f "h & !re4 ,if self sets
 to "w  to slay self x w only end 9 ris+
 hydra-head$ f !  conte/4 ,h[ is !      
deliv]ance to come8    ,! annuals give u
 ! secret4 ,look back at ! vet*         
se$-vessels4  ,:y is x t ! leaves :i*   
us$ to /& firm & fre% l  ^? ( ! fl[]+   
clov]1 h begun to %rivel & turn yell[8  
,x is because !y h acquiesc$ :olly n[ 9 
! dea? s5t5ce  ( _! new bir?1 & !y are  
lett+ ! new life live at !  exp5se ( !  
old4 ,dea? is be+ wr\ght out by life4   
,& ! same triumphant p[] ( ! new life is
 set free z we come  to accept to its   

utmo/ limits ! s5t5ce ( ,calv>y1 t our  
old  man 0 crucifi$ ) ,him1 9 its       
sum-total1 se5 & unse51 root  & bran*4  
,*ri/ is our ,life n[--our only ,life--&
 we beg9 to  f9d t ,he is deal+ ) ! old 
creation1 we h>dly "k h[4 ,we  only "k t
 z we br+ ! judgm5t1 ! motive1 ! aim t  
7 ours1 n ,81 into contact ) ,him1 !y   
%rivel & )]  l ! dy+ leaves4 ,! impulses
 & ! %r9k+s ( ! fle%  p]i% 9 ,8 ,pres5ce
 alike4 ,! new life wrecks ! old4 ,if ye
  ?r\gh ! ,_s d mortify ! de$s ( ! body 
ye %all  live--t is :at ! )]+ leaves    
say4 ,we are sav$ by ,8  life4    ,!    
great ,nor? ,african aloe plant %[s ?is 
v /rik+ly4 ,x is  l our annuals on a    
l>ge scale1 = x fl[]s & se$s b once  9  
its c>e]1 ?\gh t numb]s m ye>s ?an ^! c 
c\nt  weeks4      ,up till !n its ?ick  
h>d leaves look z if no?+ c\ld exhau/   
_! vig\r4 ,! fl[] /alk pu%es up f a fre%
 %eaf (  !m--up & up twelve or f\rte5   
feet--& exp&s into a  c&elabra ( gold5  
blossom1 & n a droop comes 9 ! plant    
bel[4 ,b z ! se$ =ms1 we see t life is  

work+ dea?1  sl[ly & surely2 ! swords   
lose _! /iffness & col\r &  beg9 to hang
 helplessly1 & by ! "t x is ripe1 e     
ve/ige  ( vitality is dra9$ away f !m1 &
 !y h gone to limp1  greyi%-br[n        
/ream]s4 ,! se$ has possess$ itself (   
ev]y?+4    ,& ! mead[ plants t we h be5 
wat*+ foll[1 on _!  small patt]n1 ! same
 law4    ,all gives way to ! rip5+ se$4 
,9 ! grasses ! v root  p]i%es by ! "t ! 
gra9 is yell[1 & comes up :ole if y  try
 to break ! /em4 ,!y reign 9 life above 
?r\gh !  indwell+ se$1 :ile all t is    
corruptible goes d[n into du/  bel[4 ,!y
 h let all g to life--! endur+ life3 !y 
are n  tak5 up ) ! dy+--t is only a     
pass+ incid5t--ev]y?+  is wrapp$ up into
 ! "o aim1 t ! se$ may triumph at any   
co/4 ,dea? is wr\ght out almo/          
unconsci\sly3 ! se$ has done x  all4    
,c we n trace ! same deal+ 9 our s\ls z1
 sl[ly1 t5d]ly1  all t n\ri%$ t :i* is  
c>nal is )drawn1 giv+ way to  ! =m+ ( ! 
,*ri/ life 9 its place8 ,8 ?\ghts &     
desires  & ways beg9 to de?rone ours z !

 aloe se$ de?rones its leaves  & ca/s !m
 to ! gr\nd4 ,he mu/ increase1 b ,i mu/ 
decrease4    ,& ! outw>d deal+s         
co-op]ate ) ! inw>d4 ,x is j 9  ! v     
corn] ( ev]yday life :]e ,god has put u1
 t ?is c  take place1 & ! surr\nd+      
influ5ces c h _! %>e 9  br++ d[n to dea?
 ! old nature4 ,x is no my/ical1 imag9>y
  _w t draws out ! lat5t =ms ( self1 b !
 commonplace1  matt]-(-fact _w ab\t u4  
,x is 9 contact ) o!rs1 = ! mo/ "p1 t ! 
humbl+  discov]ies ( ! work+s ( ! fle%  
come1 on ! "o h&1 &  on ! o!r we f9d    
ourselves break+ d[n 9 "o aft] ano!r (  
our /ronge/ po9ts4 ,& all ^! ?+s t seem 
aga9/ u are  really do+ a bless$ "w--!y 
are ! ,w9d ( ! ,"l com+  up f !         
wild]ness to spoil ! treasure ( all t is
 (  =m] days4 ,ev]y?+ t is natural1 good
 & bad alike1 mu/  g d[n into dea? be=e 
its bla/1 :5 ,god takes x 9 h&--all  t  
we c lean ^u 9 outw>d ?+s1 all cl++ to !
 visible  & ! transitory2 & ) ?is       
result1 t our arms clasp clos]  & clos] 
r\nd ! ,et]nal ,se$1 ,*ri/ 9 u ! ,hope (

  ,glory--kn[n no long] aft] ! fle%1 b  
by ! mighty revelation  ( ! ,holy ,gho/4
    ,all ?is is %ad[$ =? 9 ! /ory ( ^!  
s\!rn plants2 "o  day's sirocco 9 ,may w
 turn a field1 bright ) ! la/ fl[]s1    
into a br[n wild]ness1 :]e ! pass+ look 
sees no?+ b  ru9--yet 9 t "o day !      
preci\s se$ w h tak5 a /ride  9 its     
rip5+ t x w\ld h ne$$ a mon? ( ord9>y   
wea!r  to br+ ab\t2 x w h drawn inf9ite 
life out ( ! fi]y  brea? t made havoc ) 
! outw>d & visible4    ,! grass )]e?1 ! 
fl[] fade?1 because ! ,_s ( !  ,"l bl[e?
 ^u x4 ,b our light affliction 7& f !   
context we see t spiritual trial is     
includ$ !re7 :i* is b  = a mom5t1 worke?
 = u a f> m exce$+ & et]nal weight  (   
glory--:ile we look n at ! ?+s :i* are  
se51 b at !  ?+s :i* are n se52 = ! ?+s 
:i* are se5 are  temporal1 b ! ?+s :i*  
are n se5 are et]nal4 ,9 all !  break+  
d[n on ! human side1 ! hidd5 treasure is
 left n only  unhurt b enri*$4 ,ev]y?+ t
 wrecks our hopes ( ourselves1  & our   
e>?ly props1 is help+ =w>d inf9itely    

,god's "w 9 u4    ,s we fa9t n2 b ?\gh  
our outw>d man p]i%1 yet ! inw>d  man is
 r5ew$ day by day4 ,god's purpose = u is
 t we %\ld be  se$-vessels2 all ! re/   
may g d[n into no?+ness1 = x  pr(ite?   
no?+4 ,! plant does n fa9t 9 its inn]   
he>t4  ,little does x matt] :at happ5s  
to ! corruptible3 ea* fad+  ( ! outw>d  
only m>ks a correspond+ developm5t ( !  
incorruptible )94    ,:at ?+s 7 ga9 to  
me 7! words seem e*o$ f ! fad+  leaves &
 ! rip5+ se$71 ^? ,i c\nt$ loss = ,*ri/4
 ,yea1  d\btless1 & ,i c\nt all ?+s b   
loss1 = ! excell5cy ( !  k ( ,*ri/      
,jesus my ,"l3 = :om ,i h suff]$ ! loss 
( all ?+s1 & d c\nt !m b dung1 t ,i may 
w9 ,*ri/4    ,?is "o ?+ ,i d4 ,!y t are 
aft] ! fle% d m9d !  ?+s ( ! fle%2 b !y 
t are aft] ! ,_s1 ! ?+s  ( ! ,_s4 ,!    
plant has no?+ to m9d n[ b ! treasure  x
 be>s4 ,its aim has gr[n absolutely     
simple4 ,9 old days !re 0  ! complexity 
( try+ to c>ry on two lives at once1    
n\ri%+  root & /em1 leaf & fl[] &       
t5dril1 alongside ! se$-vessel  & ! se$4

 ,all t is ov]4 ,x )draws itself quietly
 into !  inn] %r9e :]e ,god is work+ out
 t :i* is et]nal4 ,x has  *os51 9       
figure1 t good "p :i* %all n be tak5    
away3 x  is press+ t[>ds ! m>k = ! prize
 ( its call+4    ,press+1 b 9 p]fect    
re/4 ,!y toil n1 nei!r d !y sp91  ^!    
plants1 9 _! se$-be>+ any m ?an 9 _!    
fl[]+4  ,& :5 we h le>nt some?+ ( _!    
surr5d]1 we are ready  = _! secret (    
wait+ on ,god's inwork+4 ,h[ long we are
 9  grasp+ t we are ,8 workman%ip1 ev5 z
 !y--9 discov]+  ! simple fact t x is   
exactly z impossible by our own /riv+   
to develop ! ,*ri/-life 9 our he>ts z to
 =m ! se$ 9 !  pod6 ,we h n to produce  
out ( our high] nature a l[l9ess &  a   
pati5ce & a purity ( our own1 b simply  
to let ! pure1  pati5t1 l[ly life (     
,jesus h its way 9 u by yield+ness to x 
& by fai? 9 its indwell+ might4 ,all t  
,god wants f man is  opportunity4 ,!    
:ole ( our relation%ip to ,8 p[]1 :e!r =
  sanctification or = s]vice1 is summ$  
up 9 ^? words4    ,surr5d]--/illness--a 

ready welcom+ ( all /ripp+1 all loss1   
all t br+s u l[1 l[ into ! ,"l's pa? (  
humility--a  *]i%+ ( e :isp] ( ! ,_s's  
voice1 e t\* ( !  prompt+ t comes to    
quick5 ! hidd5 life )93 t is !  way     
,god's human se$-vessels rip51 & ,*ri/  
becomes magnifi$  ev5 ?r\gh ! ?+s t seem
 aga9/ u4    ,m9e b to be /ill3  ,?9e ! 
glori\s p[]1  ,?9e ! mighty w4    ,& x  
is n only ! siroccos t help =w>d ,8     
purpose = u6  ,! cle> heat & ! midnight 
dews all m9i/] toge!r3 !  sun to rule ! 
day :5 ,8 light & sweetness flood our   
s\ls2--! d>kness--! cl\dless d>kness--( 
a walk by fai? :5  ! moon & ! />s ( !   
promises alone are visible3 ,8  m]cy    
endure? = ev] ?r\gh all alike & ,he uses
 !m to _!  utmo/ t ,*ri/ may be =m$ 9 u4
    ,= ! _s ( ab&onm5t has to be c>ri$  
into our spiritual  life1 z well z into 
! ?+s t only t\* ! natural4 ,!          
se$-vessel has to g d[n into dea? z well
 z ! leaf4 ,look at x  z x beg9s to pass
 into ! valley ( t %ad[ & its /r5g?     
beg9s to ebb away4 ,x is only gett+     

ready by its weak5+1 =  ! s]vice to :i* 
x has be5 call$4    ,long ago we imag9$1
 x may be1 an enduem5t ( p[] f on high  
9 :i* we %\ld h a consci\s supply ( !   
heav5ly  en]gis+--a consci\s equipm5t = 
e s]vice--a res]voir (  ,div9e might t  
c\ld be drawn on at w4 ,b wat* !        
se$-vessel z ! h\r comes ne> 9 :i* its  
m9i/ry c be  fulfill$2 !re is only      
weakness great] ?an ev] be=e4 ,x is  s[n
 9 weakness2 only 9 ! rais+ does ! p[]  
come into play4    ,i 0 ) y 9 weakness &
 9 fe> & 9 mu* trembl+4 ,& my  spee* &  
my prea*+ 0 n ) entic+ words ( man's    
wisdom1  b 9 demon/ration ( ! ,_s & (   
p[]3 t y\r fai?  %\ld n /& 9 ! wisdom ( 
m51 b 9 ! p[] ( ,god4 ,!  weak ?+s ( !  
_w ha? ,god *os54 ,we are weak ) ,him   
7m>g97--oh6 words ( wond]ful grace &    
sweetness4 ,!re is  no?+ b re/ 9 be+    
br\ght l[ ) ,him4    ,& n only mu/ our  
s]vice feel ?is weak5+ t\*3 x mu/ g     
deep] yet4 ,our exp]i5ces1 ! bless$ h\rs
 ( op5$ heav5s1  mu/ be held ) a loose  
h&4 ,we saw ! life )drawn be=e f  !     

leaves ( ! old creation into !          
se$-vessel ( ! new4 ,n[  x is )drawn    
fur!r /ill1 z rip5ess comes1 f !        
se$-vessel into ! se$4 ,9 ! e>ly /ages (
 ,*ri/ian pa? we  are apt to be mu* tak5
 up1 & rightly1 ) ! spiritual  processes
 by :i* ,god is work+ 9 u4 ,b 9 !       
rip5ess (  maturity 7! real s5se (      
p]fect 9 ,col4 i4 #bh1 & else:]e7  ,he  
has some?+ bett] = u4 ,i live2 yet n ,i1
 b ,*ri/ live?  9 me4 ,he wants to br+ u
 f cl++ to ! emotional on "o  h&1 & on !
 o!r f morbid introspection3 = p]haps "o
 (  ! *ief dang]s besett+ ^? :o are     
foll[+ h>d aft] ,him1  lies 9 gett+ tak5
 up ) ^! inn] exp]i5ces 7x is awfully   
possible = ! devil to rivet ! *a9s (    
self back on a s\l  ev5 9 ! v act (     
wat*+ ! dea? process go+ on )9  x1 gett+
 x absorb$ ev5 ) its own dy+674 ,let u  
come z  fa/ z we c to lett+ ! se$-vessel
 g z well z ! leaves1  ,god wants to br+
 u to a life ( *ildlike simplicity1 tak5
 up  ) ,8 ,*ri/2 always l[] & l[] at ,8 
feet 9 !  consci\sness ( %ortcom+ &     

unwor?9ess z ,8 ,glory %9es1  b ) our   
spiritual selves & all _! intricacies   
fad+ out (  sight be=e ,him4 ,z we g on1
 we le>n to draw ! supply ( e  ne$ = _s 
& s\l & body f ! simple/1 b>e/1 mo/     
direct contact ) ,him4 ,all ! int]v5+   
tissues 9 !  se$-vessel melt away4 ,y h 
le>nt ! dea? ( self :5 !re  is no?+     
betwe5 y\r b>e he>t & ,jesus4    ,yes2  
:5 ! se$ is ripe x fills up ! :ole ( !  
husk--!re  is no room left = any?+ else3
 ! walls %rivel to a m]e %ell4  ,?is is 
! call+ ( ! ,bride--to h no room = any?+
 b  ,jesus4 ,bless$ are !y :o he> x &   
respond4    ,look at ! p>able4 ,! life (
 leaf & t5dril has %runk away1  b !re is
 no?+ sad ab\t ! dy+ ( ! se$-vessel4    
,:at  lovely ?+s !y are1 ^! little burnt
 (f]+s6 ,_! bright  gold5 br[ns look f> 
happi] ?an ! gre5s ( spr+4    ,& !y h   
come n[ to a po9t ( beautiful he$less   
fre$om ab\t  ! future4 ,:5 once ! la/   
%ade ( gre5 t m>ks a cl++  to ! old days
 has vani%$1 all c>efulness = ! e>?ly   
side (  ?+s vani%es too4 ,no matt] h[   

soon n[ ! la/ /r& (  e>?ly support &    
supply gives way3 its loss is n felt4 ,!
 life  is hid ) su* a hid+ t no?+ f     
ar\nd c t\* x4  ,! fi]ce/ summ] gl[ only
 causes ! little g]m to wrap itself     
close toge!r 9 happy recklessness1 !    
c>eless feet t tread x  d[n c only ha/5 
! burial t is its next /age onw>d1 !    
autumn /orms c br+ x no?+ b fre%        
draughts ( quick5+4    ,yes1 our life is
 hid ) ,*ri/ 9 ,god1 9 actual tru? z    
well 9  ,god's purpose1 if x has come to
 ?is t x is no long] we t  live b ,*ri/ 
t live? 9 u4 ,oh6 ! simplicity ( t no   
long]--z ! se$-vessel pictures x n[1    
tak5 up ) ! se$  x be>s1 & he$less (    
itself & :atev] may come4 ,& yet1 9  !  
absolute simplicity1 !re is a dep? (    
my/]y t ! =m]  days nev] knew4 ,x is l a
 s\l t has come into ! ,holie/1  :]e x  
has ,god alone4    99 99 99 99 99 99    
,& n[ we turn to ! o!r side1 to wat* :at
 ,god c d1 9 !  _w ar\nd1 ) ! ,*ri/-life
 t ,he creates 9 u4 ,we h  se5 its      
9-fl[+3 we w foll[ its outfl[4 ,to be to

 ,jesus all  = :i* ,he has call$        
u--lett+ ,him h ,8 way utt]ly ) u1      
possess$ by ,him1 tak5 up ) ,him--t is !
 fir/ purpose =  our s\ls4 ,b ! ,fa!r's 
plan = u rea*es wid] ?an t1  ?\gh x c   
rea* no deep]4 ,! fir/ ,adam 0 made a   
liv+  s\l2 ! la/ ,adam 0 made a quick5+ 
,_s4 ,8 ultimate aim  is to set free =  
,8 own use t :i* ,he has wr\ght 9 u 9   
secret1 & to give u ! p[] ( communicat+ 
t ,div9e life (  :i* we h be5 made      
p>tak]s4 ,we are to be good /ew>ds ( !  
manifold grace ( ,god1 entru/$ ) ! true 
ri*es to m9i/]  = ,him--,8 = ,8 sp5d+4  
,! promise to ,abraham3 ,i w bless  !e  
444 & ?\ %alt be a bless+1 gives ! d\ble
 purpose =  ,8 p--grace = our own s\ls1 
& apo/le%ip = ^?  ar\nd4    ,we h se5 9 
p>able1 9 ! se$'s gr[+ & rip5+1 ! "w  ( 
! ,_s )9 u1 =m+ ! life ( ,jesus1 & br++ 
d[n  ! fle% into ! grave4 ,9 its scatt]+
 we see %ad[$ =? !  ,_s ^u u 9 ,8 p[] ( 
rea*+ o!r s\ls4 ,!re is no  ne$s be ) u 
t ?is d\ble "w %\ld be consecutive z 9  
! plants--x may g on simultane\sly4 ,!re

 is nev] a mom5t1  f ! fir/ receiv+ (   
,*ri/ z ,savi\r1 :5 ! full  outp\r+ ( ! 
,holy ,gho/ may n take place--nev] a    
mom5t :51  9 figure1 ! se$ may n be set 
free4 ,!re are "s few :o leap  d[n1 z   
soon z !y are sav$1 to ! simple1 b>e1   
l[ly fai?  :i* lib]ates ,god's p[]1 &   
,he c use !m mightily all along1  b !y  
are v few4 ,practically 9 mo/ cases !re 
is "t  involv$1 because we take s long  
to unle>n our own suffici5cy &  our own 
res\rces1 & ev5 aft] we h receiv$ !     
promise ( !  ,_s ?r\gh fai?1 we are     
puzzl$1 x may be1 by a want (  cont9uity
 9 ,8 outfl[4    ,x is because1 be=e    
,god c get u to ! place :]e ,he c s5d   
,him ?r\gh u 9 a /eady tide1 we h to g  
l[] ?an we dream$  ( at fir/3 & ,he may 
h to /op us+ u = a "t1 t ,he may  deep5 
?is "w )91 & br+ u to utt] brok5ness4   
,look at ! la/ /age 9 ! plant1 be=e !   
inwr\ght life is  free = use4 ,!re is a 
break+-up & a break+-d[n su* z x  nev]  
_h be=e4 ,su* brittl5ess comes z ! se$  
rip5s t x  is almo/ impossible to pick  

"s ( ! /ems )\t crack+ !m  9 two or ?ree
 places4 ,! rip5$ se$-vessels %>e ! same
  brittl5ess3 y c h>dly t\* !m )\t !    
:ole cr[n  fall+ to pieces 9 y\r h&4    
,consci\s weakness1 z a prep>ation =    
s]vice1 is "o ?+3  brok5ness is ano!r4  
,we may "k t we are b e>!n pit*]s1  l   
,gideon's1 ) no?+ ( our own b ! light   
)91 & yet  we may n h pass$ ?r\gh !     
%att]+ t %$s ! light  =?4    ,?is does n
 mean some?+ vague or imag9>y1 b        
int5sely  practical4 ,read ! description
 t ,paul gives ( ! life (  m9i/ry--!    
apo/olic life--& see :at x is to be a   
%att]$  se$-vessel2 x is no dreamy      
exp]i5ce 9 ! cl\ds6    ,let a man s     
acc\nt ( u1 z ( ! m9i/]s ( ,*ri/1 &     
/ew>ds ( ! my/]ies ( ,god444 4 ,we are  
made a spectacle to !  _w1 & to angels1 
& to m54 ,we are fools = ,*ri/'s sake1 b
  ye are wise 9 ,*ri/2 we are weak1 b ye
 are /rong2 ye are  hon\rable1 b we are 
despis$4 ,ev5 unto ?is pres5t h\r we bo?
  hung] & ?ir/ & are nak$ & h no c]ta9  
dwell+-place4  ,& lab\r1 work+ ) our own

 h&s3 be+ revil$1 we bless2  be+        
p]secut$1 we suff] x1 be+ defam$1 we    
intreat2 we are  made z ! fil? ( ! _w1 &
 are ! (fsc\r+ ( all ?+s  unto ?is day4 
,see+ we h ?is m9i/ry1 z we h receiv$   
m]cy1 we fa9t  n444 4 ,b we h ?is       
treasure 9 e>!n vessels1 t !  excell5cy 
( ! p[] may be ( ,god1 & n ( u4 ,we are 
tr\bl$  on e side1 yet n di/ress$2 we   
are p]plex$1 b n 9  despair2 p]secut$1 b
 n =sak52 ca/ d[n1 b n de/roy$2  always 
be>+ ab\t 9 ! body ! dy+ ( ! ,"l ,jesus1
 t  ! life also ( ,jesus might be made  
manife/ 9 our body4 ,= we  :i* live are 
alway deliv]$ unto dea? = ,jesus' sake1 
t !  life also ( ,jesus might be made   
manife/ 9 our mortal fle%4    ,9 all ?+s
 approv+ ourselves z ! m9i/]s ( ,god1 9 
mu*  pati5ce1 9 afflictions1 9          
necessities1 9 di/resses1 9 /ripes1  9  
imprisonm5ts1 9 tumults1 9 lab\rs1 9    
wat*+s1 9 fa/+s4  444 ,by hon\r &       
di%on\r1 by evil report & good report3 z
  deceiv]s & yet true2 z unkn[n & yet   
well kn[n2 z dy+1 &  behold we live2 z  

*a/5$ & n kill$2 z sorr[ful1 yet alway  
rejoic+2 z poor1 yet mak+ _m ri*2 z hav+
 no?+1 & yet  possess+ all ?+s4    ,are 
!y m9i/]s ( ,*ri/8 7,i speak z a fool7  
,i am m2 9  lab\rs m abundant1 9 /ripes 
above measure1 9 prisons m  frequ5t1 9  
dea?s (t4 ,( ! ,jews five times receiv$ 
,i =ty  /ripes save "o4 ,?rice 0 ,i     
beat5 ) rods1 once 0 ,i /on$1  ?rice ,i 
suff]$ %ipwreck1 a night & a day ,i h   
be5 9 !  deep2 9 j\rney+s (t51 9 p]ils (
 wat]s1 9 p]ils (  robb]s1 9 p]ils by   
m9e own c\ntrym51 9 p]ils by ! hea!n1  9
 p]ils 9 ! city1 9 p]ils 9 ! wild]ness1 
9 p]ils 9 !  sea1 9 p]ils among false   
bre?r52 9 we>9ess & pa9fulness1 9       
wat*+s (t51 9 hung] & ?ir/1 9 fa/+s (t51
 9 cold &  nak$ness4 ,besides ^? ?+s t  
are )\t1 t :i* come?  ^u me daily1 ! c>e
 ( all ! *ur*es444 4 ,i take pleasure 9 
infirmities1 9 necessities1 9           
p]secutions1 9 di/resses =  ,*ri/'s     
sake3 = :5 ,i am weak1 !n am ,i /rong4  
,d y notice t 9 ea* passage ^! are giv5 
z ! m>ks (  m9i/ry8 ,su* 7 :at ,paul    

f\nd to be ! conditions (  spiritual    
p[]4 ,_! abs5ce among u may acc\nt = its
 abs5ce  too6 ,oh6 h[ little we "k ( !m 
9 ! mid/ ( ! _s (  luxury t is ar\nd u 9
 ! _w & ( ! easy-go+  ,*ri/ianity ( !   
,*ur*6 ,we _c all be hon\r$ by our      
s]vice  f9d+ ! same outw>d expression z 
81 9 its bodily /ress &  suff]+1 b is   
!re among u ev5 a seek+ aft] its _s8    
,?is is sacrifice1 'dea? 9 u1 life 9    
y4'--,9 u1 empt9ess1  weakness1 suff]+1 
pressure1 p]plexity4 ,9 y               
life--life--life6  ,z if ,paul w\ld say1
 '! m ,i am press$ above measure1 ! m  !
 life ( ,jesus is abundant 9 its outfl[1
 & 9 its quick5+  ( o!r lives4' ,?is is 
! apo/olic life4 ,?r\gh ! ,et]nal  ,_s1 
,*ri/ (f]$ ,himself to ,god4 ,?r\gh !   
same ,_s %all  we be enabl$ to walk 9 ,8
 /eps1 & to rejoice 9 444 suff]+s 444  &
 fill up 444 t :i* is lack+ ( !         
afflictions (  ,*ri/ 9 my fle% = ,8     
body's sake1 :i* is ! ,*ur*4'           
footnote993,! ,message ( ! ,cross--,mrs4
 ,p5n-,lewis4    ,yes1 x is a brok5 _s t

 we ne$--a _s keep+ no rights  be=e ,god
 or man1 long+ to g d[n1 d[n1 any:]e1 if
 o!r s\ls  may be bless$4 ,x is an      
indef9able ?+1 ?is brok5ness1 & yet  x  
is z unmi/akable :5 x has be5 wr\ght1 z 
t ( !  se$-vessel 9 ! field4    ,god has
 ,8 promise = ^? :o s[ 9 te>s3 ^? to :om
 to be  a *annel ( ,div9e communication 
to ! _w means s\l burd5 &  travail4 ,x  
is !y :o are b\nd to reap 9 joy4    ,& z
 we look at ^! brok5-up se$-vessels1 we 
c read a w>n+  z to our deal+s ) o!rs1 z
 well z ! lesson to ourselves4  ,if su* 
brok5ness z ?is is ! condition ( ,god's 
p[] ^u u1  :at ( ! dang] ( mak+ mu* ( ! 
in/rum5ts t ,he uses8 ,if  we d s ev5 9 
?\ght1 x w unconsci\sly %[ itself 9     
mann]  & tone1 & ! subtle influ5ce may  
rea* !m & be us$ ( !  devil to build    
aga9 9 a mom5t t :i* ,god _h be5 long   
break+ d[n1 & s /ay ! tide ,he _h at la/
 ) inf9ite  pa9s set free4 ,:o !n is    
,paul1 & :o is ,apollos1 b m9i/]s  by   
:om ye believ$1 ev5 z ! ,"l gave to e   
man8 ,i h  plant$1 ,apollos wat]$2 b    

,god gave ! increase4 ,s !n nei!r  is he
 t plante? any?+1 nei!r he t wat]e?2 b  
,god t  give? ! increase4    99 99 99 99
 99 99    ,& n[ we c turn at la/ to see 
9 our picture-book ! result (  all ?is  
fad+ & /ripp+ & break+3 no outcome z yet
 t  w cat* ! eye ( s5se1 yet full (     
et]nal possibilities4    ,:at a m>vel x 
is1 ?is se$ endynamit$ = its m9i/ry6 ,j 
an atom ( :it5ess1 fold$ up 9 its smoo? 
br[n %ell4 ,opposite  p4 #ce y see ! two
 t9y specks 9 ! splitt+ pod2 does x n   
seem incr$ible t any?+ c come out ( !m8 
,c\ld we imag9e  any?+ m insignificant8 
,& yet !y are brimful ( a vitality  t w 
la/ 7giv5 ! necess>y conditions7 :ile ! 
e>?  rema9e?1 ?r\gh h>ve/ aft] h>ve/ 9  
ev]-wid5+ circles4    ,equally          
unimportant f ! po9t ( view ( ! natural 
man is  ! heav5ly se$ t ,god gives ,8 p 
to scatt]4 ,! ?+s  ( ! ,_s ( ,god 444   
are fooli%ness unto him4 ,! k+dom (     
,god come? n ) obs]vation4 ,8 beg9n+s   
are always v  feeble ?+s4    ,x is out (
 ! h\r ( its greate/ app>5t extremity1  

moreov]1  t ! se$ laun*es out to its    
m9i/ry4 ,!re 0 a "t1 a few  weeks e>li]1
 :5 y c\ld1 if y exam9$ x1 trace !      
future  plant 9 embryo2 ! two se$-leaves
 & ! rootlet 7 all visible  9 %ades (   
exquisite gre52 b all ?is dries up :5   
maturity  comes1 till !re is n a sign ( 
life left 9 x4 ,ev]y?+ t  is brilliant &
 beautiful is )drawn & %r\d$ 9 ! b>e    
gra9 :5 we /rip (f ! %ea? & hold x 9 our
 h&3  ev]y?+ has gone d[n 9 defiant fai?
 to ! la/ ebb4 ,no?+ is  left to x1 z f>
 z we c disc]n1 b ! invisible1          
miracle-work+ p[] ( ,god4 ,%all we n    
le>n ( ! dri$-up  se$1 to rejoice :5 9  
our se$-s[+ we are %ut up to ,god       
alone--:5 e %ade ( hope & promise to !  
eyes ( s5se1  h fad$ l ! baby se$-leaves
 9 ! g]m8 ,s is ! k+dom  ( ,god1 z if a 
man %\ld ca/ se$ into ! gr\nd2 & %\ld   
sleep1 & rise night & day1 & ! se$ %\ld 
spr+ & gr[  up1 he kn[e? n h[4    ,to s[
 heav5ly se$ means to give way to ,him 9
 ! prompt+s t  are sure to come z soon z
 ,he f9ds u brok5 en\gh = ,him to be    

able to s5d !m4 ,x is a direct pass+ on 
( t :i* comes to  u f ,god1 /ripp$ ( all
 self-ef=t3 ! message spok5 n 9  ! words
 :i* man's wisdom tea*e?1 b :i* ! ,holy 
,gho/  tea*e?3 ! "w done /riv+ accord+  
to ,8 work+ :i*  worke? 9 u mightily3 ! 
pray] t kn[s n :at x %\ld  pray = z x   
ought1 & yields itself to ,8 int]cession
 = u  ) groan+s t _c be utt]$4 ,^! are !
 ?+s :i*1  small z !y are 9 ?is _w's    
c\nt1 h ! v pulse (  et]nity beat+ ?r\gh
 !m4 ,no?+ b t :i* ,he inspires c  c>ry 
quick5+ p[]3 no exp]i5ce--no            
spirituality ev51 c set  ! sp>k alight4 
,x is n ! se$-vessel t c d ! "w1 any  m 
?an a bit ( leaf-/alk or fl[] petal1 b  
simply & only  ! se$4 ,x is ! ,_s t     
quick5e?4 ,i believe 9 ! ,holy  ,gho/1 !
 ,"l & ,giv] ( ,life4 ,hallelujah6      
,let u wat* ! se$-%$d+1 & see :at x c   
tea* u ab\t  s[+ to ! ,_s4    99 99 99  
99 99 99    ,!re is a def9ite mom5t at  
:i* ! se$ is ripe = be+  lib]at$--t is !
 fir/ ?+ we notice3 & at t mom5t x  is  
absolutely ready = its "w4 ,! /or+ ( !  

n\ri%m5t =  ! "y plant began on ! v day 
:5 ! new life ent]$ !  fl[] long ago1 & 
x is f9i%$ n[4 ,all prep>$ too are !    
hooks1 or spikes1 or gummy secretions1  
ne$$ to an*or x to !  gr\nd1 & s to give
 a pur*ase to ! embryo %oot :5 ! "t     
comes = x to heave its tomb/one & come  
out to ! light4 ,ev5  its c5tre (       
gravity is s adju/$ t1 9 fall+ f !      
%ea?1 ! g]m is 9 ! v be/ position = its 
future gr[?4  ,if x is torn out ( ! husk
 a day too soon1 all ?is m>vell\s       
prep>ation w be wa/$ & come to no?+4    
,c we n read our p>able8 ,h[ (t5 we h _h
 an impulse or a  plan :i* we knew to be
 ( ,god1 ) a fla% ( intuition1 or ) a   
ga!r+ c]ta9ty3 & ! temptation has come  
to c>ry x /raight  (f by ourselves1 )\t 
wait+ ,8 "t--! v temptation t  beset !  
,ma/] 9 ! wild]ness4    ,oh6 let u le>n 
( ,him ! lesson ( lett+ ,god's          
se$-purposes  rip56--!y c be> no fruit  
till !y h come to _! maturity3  we %all 
b wa/e all ,he 0 prep>+ if we drag x out
 be=e its  "t4 ,& only 9 a pa? 9 :i* we 

are le>n+ to d no?+ (  ourselves b :at  
we see ! ,fa!r d1 c we "k :5 ,8 h\r is  
come4 ,h[ accurately ,jesus knew x6 ,i g
 n up yet unto ?is fea/1  = ,my "t is n 
yet full come1 ,he said to ,8 bre?r5--& 
yet  9 a day or two ,he 0 !re4 ,m9e h\r 
is n yet come1 ,he said to  ,8 "m1 :5 x 
0 only a "q ( m9utes4 ,& by :at         
m>vell\s insight ,he recognis$ ! dawn+ (
 t f9al h\r  :5 ,he 0 ask$ = by ^?      
nameless ,greeks--a h9t ( !  +a!r+ ( !  
travail ( ,8 s\l6 ,god c give u ! same  
,div9e in/9ct1 :5 ,he has wean$ u f our 
natural en]gy &  impati5ce4 ,& :5 ,8 h\r
 has /ruck1 ! :ole p[]s ( !  _w to come 
w be set free 9 ! t9y helpless se$4 ,"o 
day is  ) ! ,"l z a ?\s& ye>s4 ,he is a 
,god wor? wait+ =6    ,& !re is ano!r ?+
 closely l9k$ ) ?is pati5ce 9 !         
se$-%$d+4 ,z we wat* x go+ on 9 nature1 
we see h[ x is  all done 9 coop]ation ) 
! =ces at "w outside itself4 ,!  w9d    
knocks (f & tosses away ! da9ty         
%utde-cocks ( !  scabi\s z !y rip5 "o by
 "o1 & ! pods wait = ! hot  t\* ( ! sun 

to split !m ) ! sudd5 contract+ twi/ t  
s5ds ! gra9s fly+1 l /ones f a sl+4     
,m wond]fully /ill we see ?is work+     
toge!r 9 ! se$+  ( ! cranesbill4 ,! se$s
 /& toge!r z !y rip51 l  arr[s 9 a      
quiv]1 ) _! po9ts d[nw>ds1 & _! fea!r$  
%afts /raight up4 ,:5 ! "t = action     
comes1 ! sun-heat  peels !m (f1 f bel[ &
 above1 s quickly t y c see  !m cue "u  
y\r eyes1 & turn into a spiral by _!    
cont9u$  contractions4 ,!y fall1 spike  
d[nw>d1 by ! weight ( ! se$1  & ! sun   
f9i%es ! "w he began4 ,clos] /ill !     
gimlet  w9ds1 & z x does s x bores d[n  
into ! h>de/ soil3 &  su* is _! /range  
p[] ( p5etration1 z !y are driv5 91     
spite ( all _! weakness1 t !y bury      
!mselves up to ! v  hilt1 leav+ only !  
la/ long curve flat on ! surface4 ,!n   
?is  snaps (f1 & leaves ! head deep     
hidd54 ,! spe>-l grass y  see opposite  
p4 #dj foll[s ! same rule3 x is s       
s5sitive to !  heat t ev5 ! w>m? ( "o's 
h& w set x twi/+ &  ?ru/+ its b>b 94 ,_c
 we tru/ ! ,god ,:o plann$ !m1 to  give 

u arr[s t w be %>p 9 ! he>ts ( ,8       
enemies1 &  to drive !m home8 ,at ea*   
fre% adaptation ( ! plants to _!  aim1  
we he> an e*o ( ! words ( ,jesus1 ,%all 
,he n mu* m  clo! y1 ,o ye ( little     
fai?8    ,& ! re/fulness ( wait+ ,god's 
h\r = se$-%$d+ deep5s  z we le>n to     
recognise ! outw>d deal+s ( ! ,_s z well
  z ! inw>d1 & wat* ! m>k$ way 9 :i* ,he
 co-op]ates )  ! sett+ free ( e se$ z x 
rip5s--h[ ,he br+s across our  pa? ! s\l
 :o ne$s ! v lesson ,he has j be5 tea*+ 
u--h[ ! *ance comes ) p]fect naturalness
 ( rea*+ ano!r  ov] :om we h be5 long+4 
,if our eyes are up1 & our h&s are      
(f--if we le>n to wait on our m9i/]+ l !
 se$s1 9  utt] dep5d5ce on ,him1 we %all
 be able con/antly to trace !  ,"l's    
work+ ) u1 & we %all h done ) all ! old 
re/less /riv+ to make opportunities--,we
 are lab\r]s toge!r  ) ,god4    ,yes1 x 
all c5tres r\nd t "q ( quietness4       
,opportunity  is giv5 to e se$ 9 its    
turn1 z !y lie 9 _! lay]s 9  ! capsule1 
or side by side 9 ! pod4 ,n "o =ces its 

way  =w>d1 or gets 9 ! way ( ano!r4     
,look at ! exquisite fitt+  9 any       
se$-vessel t y pull to pieces3 ! se$s   
are z close z  !y w g1 b f5c$ (f f cr[d+
 on ea* o!r &  h9d]+ ea* o!r's gr[?4 ,he
 :o pack$ !m c be tru/$1  surely1 ) !   
arrang+ ( our lives1 t no?+ may jo/le 9 
!m1 & no?+ be wa/$1 = we are ( m value  
to ,him ?an  ^!4 ,if our days are a     
con/ant ru% & hurry1 week 9 & week  out1
 !re is grave reason to d\bt if x is all
 ,god-giv5 se$ t  we are scatt]+4 ,he w 
give u no m to d ?an c be done  ) our   
spirits kept quiet & ready & free be=e  
,him4    ,quiet & ready & free--t is    
ano!r lesson t ! se$s tea*  u4 ,(f !y g 
at a t\*1 at ! mom5t :5 ! inw>d         
prep>$ness & ! outw>d opportunity       
coalesce4 ,see ! t9y  corkscrews ( ! p9k
 g]anium 9 our mead[ 7a m9iature ( its  
blue bro!r ! cranesbill74 ,look at !    
poise ( !m--& !n at  ! %eaf ( spe>s (   
?is bit ( grass1 hold+ !mselves fre]    
/ill1 & ! d[ny head alongside1 equally  
ready ei!r to hold  toge!r or to fly ) a

 brea? 444 & !n look at our lives &  see
 :e!r t is _! attitude t[>ds ! ,holy    
,gho/4 ,is !re a  s\l poise t           
corresponds8    ,oh6 ! pa9s t ,god has  
to take to br+ u to ?is happy1  *ildlike
 ab&on1 equally ready = sil5ce1 or =    
say+ or  do+ unhesitat+ly ! next ?+ ,he 
calls =1 unfett]$ by  surr\nd+s or      
consequ5ces4 ,h[ mu* res]ve &           
self-consci\sness  h to give way ) "s ( 
u1 be=e ! absolute control passes  into 
,8 ,h&s1 & ! responsibility ) x6 ,!n    
only c we "k  ! lib]ty1 ! boldness1 !   
utt]ance ( ,p5teco/4  ,:i!rsoev] ! ,_s 0
 to g !y w5t1 ?i!r 0 _!  _s to g3 t is !
 p]fect law ( lib]ty4    ,yes1 & t br+s 
u a /ep fur!r 9 ! tea*+s ( !  se$-%$d+4 
,(f !y g n[1 e "o /raight =w>d--(f &    
onw>d to ! place appo9t$4 ,look at !    
gold5 pl\gh ( ! wild  oat1 ) e spike &  
hair s set t x slips =w>ds & w  n be    
pu%$ backw>ds4 ,look at ! hooks & ! b>bs
 t cl+  to any?+ & ev]y?+ t passes by if
 only !y c c>ry  _! se$ away & away4    
,look at ! balls & ! :eels t roll  be=e 

! w9d1 & ! p>a*utes & baby %uttlecocks t
 sail  ^u x3 !y all h a passion = gett+ 
f> (f1 & !y only  %[ u a few ( !        
numb]less devices by :i* ! same end is  
rea*$ 9 plants ( all l&s4    ,d y "k :y 
!y want to scatt]8 ,x is because ,god   
plann$ !  rotation ( crops1 long be=e x 
ev] ent]$ a f>m]'s bra96  ,ar\nd ! p>5t 
/em ! soil is exhau/$ ( ! *emical       
elem5ts  t 7 us$ 9 build+ x up1 & if !  
se$s all fell /raight  d[n !re1 !y c\ld 
n rea* _! full developm5t2 s !y h  all  
^! devices = travell+ f> away1 :]e 9    
supply+ !  ne$s ( ! b>r5 places1 _! own 
are met ,x 0 ev5 s )  ,jesus1 ,god's    
,corn ( ,:eat3 did ,he n ne$ ?is ne$y _w
 to  br+ out ,8 love & p[]8 are n our   
empty he>ts n[ !  ri*es ( ,8 inh]itance8
    ,& ! ,*ri/-life 9 u1 develop$ & set 
free1 w g by its  v nature rea*+ out &  
sp5d+ itself :]ev] !re is want1  9 love 
& long+ = ! b>e places & ! f>-(f4 ,! ,_s
  w c>ry our he>ts & sympa?ies & pray]s 
away & beyond !  t9y circle ar\nd u1 (  
our p]sonal int]e/s & our own "w1  into 

fell[%ip ) ! ,fa!r ab\t ! _w ,he        
loves--fell[%ip  ) ! ,son ov] ! ,*ur* = 
:i* ,he gave ,himself3 n seek+  our own 
pr(it1 b ! pr(it ( _m1 t !y may be sav$4
  ,p]haps ,he w c>ry u away our v       
selves1 to "s wa/e corn]6    ,he t s[e? 
sp>+ly %all reap also sp>+ly2 & he t    
s[e? b\ntifully %all reap also          
b\ntifully4 ,let ea* man d  accord+ z he
 _h purpos$ 9 8 he>t2 n grudg+ly1 or (  
necessity1 = ,god love? a *e]ful giv]4  
,& ,god is able to make  all grace ab\nd
 unto y2 t ye1 hav+ always all          
suffici5cy 9  ev]y?+1 may ab\nd unto e  
good "w3 z x is writt51 ,he  ha? scatt]$
 abroad1 ,he ha? giv5 to ! poor2 ,8     
righte\sness  abide? = ev]4 ,& ,he t    
supplie? se$ to ! s[] & bread  = food1  
%all supply & multiply y\r se$ = s[+1 & 
increase ! fruits ( y\r righte\sness3 ye
 be+ enri*$ 9  ev]y?+ unto all          
lib]ality1 :i* worke? ?r\gh u ?anksgiv+ 
to ,god 7,r4,v474    ,& z "p ( ! enri*+ 
9 ev]y?+ unto all lib]ality1 ,god  c    
give u all ! +5uity ( love 9 scatt]+    

broadca/  ,_s-fill$1 ,_s-s5t se$ t ,he  
has figur$ 9 !  se$-vessels--!          
heav5-giv5 inspiration z to h[ to lay   
out ,8  treasures to _! utt]mo/--h[ to  
secure to ,him ! highe/ return  out (   
our lives1 z !y d4    ,yes1 ! return is 
to ,him1 z aga9 we see 9 p>able ) !     
plants4 ,!y %[ u a love t seeke? n h]   
own3 no "o kn[s  :5ce ! se$s come :5 !y 
rea* _! j\rney's end3 no glory  c       
possibly ga!r r\nd ! plants t surr5d]$  
_! lives to  =m & %$ !m4 ,!y j give &   
give1 ) no aim b to be  b>e foot/alks :5
 all is done4 ,ev]y?+ is loos5$ & sp5t  
)\t a %ade ( calculation or self-int]e/4
    ,n unto u1 ,o ,"l1 n unto u1 b unto 
,?y "n give glory1  !y are all say+ 9   
_s3 !y tea* u absolute indiff]5ce z  to 
:e!r our s]vice is appreciat$ or ev5    
recognis$1 s long z  ! "w is done & !   
,"l is glorifi$4 ,! plant itself asks = 
no?+ to keep1 no?+ to %[1 no?+ to glory 
9 f its :ole  life toil4    ,no?+ to    
glory 9--,god _c get ,8 :ole glory :ile 
man gets  any4 ,t seems a truism1 b d we

 realise ! fact8 ,h]e9 is ,my  ,fa!r    
glorifi$1 t ye be> mu* fruit4 ,if t is  
our "o aim1  z x 0 9 ! s\l ( ,jesus1 x  
is b\nd to be realis$4 ,let ,him  "w ?is
 9 u too--?is simple1 absolute1 absorb+ 
passion ( ,8  ye>s on e>?4    ,& !n we  
%all h1 z ,he _h1 t indep5d5ce ( visible
  results t we h j se5 9 ! plants4 ,he  
left ! _w--?is  "o _w out ( ,8 mighty   
univ]se 9 :i* ,god _h come to  dwell--) 
no m to be se5 f ,8 travail ?an a few   
hundr$  bre?r51 e "o ( :om _h =sak5 ,him
 only six weeks be=e1  & ( :om b a      
hundr$ & tw5ty _h en\gh purpose ( he>t  
to  foll[ on to ,p5teco/4 ,& /ill ,he   
c\ld say1 ,yet surely ,my  judgm5t is ) 
! ,"l1 & ,my "w ) ,my ,god4 ,& ?\gh     
,israel 0 n ga!r$1 ,he 0 glori\s 9 !    
eyes ( ! ,"l  & made ,8 salvation to !  
ends ( ! e>?4 ,= x 0 life  t _h be5 s[n4
    ,s no matt]1 if we nev] see ! full  
up-spr++ on e>? ( !  ,_s-se$ scatt]$4 ,x
 is all ! m likely t ,god may tru/  u ) 
a great multiply+ if our fai? does n ne$
 to witness x4  ,he c grant u spiritual 

h>ve/s out ( sight1 ( :i* ,he only  ga9s
 ! glory4 ,9 ! ?+s :i* ,*ri/ ha? 444    
wr\ght by u 444  by ! p[] ( ! ,_s ( ,god
 !re is a multiply+ en]gy  t c rea*1 n  
s+le s\ls only1 b o!r s\ls ?r\gh !m3  a 
,holy ,gho/ t\* t c fire tra9s1 s to    
speak1 f> rea*+  beyond ! sph]e ( :at we
 see or "k4    ,su* is ! p[] (          
multiplication 9 ! e>?ly se$s t x  ne$s 
a con/ant battle1 & ! survival ( !      
fitte/1 to keep u  f be+ ov]run ) "o &  
ano!r4 ,! h5bane1 = in/ance  7by no     
means ! mo/ prolific7 w\ld1 !y say1 if e
 se$ _h  its way e ye> = five ye>s1     
produce f a s+le plant t5  ?\s&         
billions--en\gh to cov] ! :ole area ( ! 
dry l& (  ! _w1 all[+ sev5ty-?ree plants
 to ! squ>e metre4footnote993  ,natural 
,hi/ory ( ,plants--,k]n] & ,oliv]       
,p]haps ,god p]mits !  seem+ wa/e ( su* 
an ov]:elm+ proportion ( ! se$ =m$1  to 
%[ u ! ,f\nta9 ( ,life t !re is 9 ,him2 
& to tea*  u t !re is no /rait5+ 9 ! ,_s
 ( ! ,"l4 ,!re is  no limit 7z someone  
has said7 to :at ,god c d ) a man1      

provid$  he w n t\* ! glory4    ,&      
,god's possibilities = ^! g]ms (        
,_s-life are n b\nd  by "t4 ,jesus is   
draw+ s ne> t already our ?\ghts & hopes
  beg9 to /ep ov] ! %r9k+ =egr\nd ( !   
pres5t age1 &  to re/ 9 ! ev]-op5+      
horizon beyond4 ,:o c tell :at h>ve/    
aft] h>ve/ may be wait+ 9 ! et]nal ye>s1
 aft] ! summ]  ( e>? has fad$ into ! f> 
pa/8    ,yes1 we h to d ) ,"o ,:o       
inhabite? et]nity & works 9  its inf9ite
 leisure4 ,"s ye>s ago1 :5 a new railway
 cutt+ 0  made 9 ,ea/ ,norfolk1 y c\ld  
trace x ?r\gh ! next summ]1  w9d+ l a   
blood-r$ riv] ?r\gh ! gre5 fields4      
,poppy se$s  t mu/ h la9 buri$ =        
g5]ations _h sudd5ly be5 upturn$  & _h  
g]m9at$ by ! ?\s&4 ,! same ?+ happ5$ a  
:ile  back 9 ! ,canadian woods4 ,a      
fir-=e/ 0 cut d[n1 & ! next  spr+ !     
gr\nd 0 cov]$ ) se$l+ oaks1 ?\gh n an   
oak-tree 0 9 sight4 ,unnumb]$ ye>s be=e 
!re mu/ h be5 a  /ruggle betwe5 ! two   
trees1 9 :i* ! firs ga9$ ! day1 b  !    
acorns _h kept safe _! lat5t sp>k ( life

 und]gr\nd1 &  x broke out at ! fir/    
*ance4    ,& if we refuse to /ay our    
fai? ^u results t we c see &  measure1 &
 fa/5 x on ,god1 ,he may be able to keep
 wond]ful  surprises wrapt away 9 :at   
looks n[ only wa/e & loss4 ,:at an      
up-spr++ !re w be :5 heav5ly light & air
 come to !  _w at la/1 9 ! sett+ up (   
,*ri/'s k+dom6 ,! wa/e  places may see a
 nation born 9 a day4    ,all t matt]s  
is t our "p %\ld be done4 ,we are       
responsible  = s[+ to !                 
,_s--responsible1 ) an awful            
responsibility1  t p[] %\ld be set free 
9 our lives1 p[] t %all prevail  ) ,god 
& ) m5--responsible l ! se$-vessel1 =   
fulfill+ our m9i/ry to ! la/ & utt]mo/4 
,let ! cry be on  our he>ts1 z x 0 on ! 
he>t ( ,jesus1 to f9i% ! "w  t ! ,fa!r  
has giv5 u4 ,my meat is to d ! w ( ,him 
t  s5t ,me1 & to f9i% ,8 "w4 ,on ,he w5t
 ) x1 ?\gh x co/  ,him ! /rong cry+ &   
te>s ( ,ge?semane to fight ?r\gh to !   
end--to live on to ! ,x is f9i%$ (      
,calv>y4    ,is x our s\ls' hung] & ?ir/

 t1 be=e ,he comes1 we may h  giv5 e    
message ,he _h = u to deliv]--prevail$ 9
 e  int]cession to :i* ,he summon$      
u--di/ribut$ = ,8 k+dom  & ! necessity (
 sa9ts e %ill+ ,he want$--%>$ )  ,him e 
call to ! fell[%ip ( ,8 suff]+s =       
o!rs--p\t$ out ,8 love & sympa?y & help 
z ,he p\r$ !m  out on e>?8 ,are we long+
 t ,he %\ld f9d :5 ,he comes no  unsp5t 
treasure1 no tal5t laid up 9 a napk91 l 
! un%$ se$  9 its %elly fold8 ,are we   
act+ z if x 7 our long+8 ,by ,him       
actions 7n long+s7 are weigh$6    ,take 
"o m look at our mead[4 ,! summ] days   
are cool+ d[n1  & ! /orms h begun to    
come4 ,! gr\nd is b>e & black5$1  !     
/alks & leaves are batt]$ to %r$s3 b    
se$s are  ev]y:]e4 ,! e>? is /rewn ) !  
husks4 ,:5ce !y come none  c tell1 & !y 
are brok5 d[n into no?+ness4 ,all is    
dea?--dea? reign+4 ,! fir/ %[]s are only
 br++ 9 a fre%  /age ( x :]e all seem$  
dead be=e1 beat+ !m1 blea*$ &           
wea!r-worn & split1 into ! s(t5$ m\ld4  
,ev]y?+ is quiet1  = ! se$s h gone d[n  

into ! re/+ /age ?r\gh :i*  !y all h to 
pass1 :e!r x is dur+ ! fro/ 9 ,engl&1 or
  ! burn+ ,african summ]4 ,d we n "k !  
c\nt]p>t 9 !  inn] _w1 :5 ,_s-se$ has   
be5 %$1 & a /range  wait+-"t comes 9 :i*
 no?+ happ5s--a sil5ce on ,god's "p  9  
:i* dea? has to be all[$ to reign be=e x
 is swall[$ up  9 victory8    ,b all is 
on ! v v]ge ( a flood-tide ( life1 = !  
se$-vessel has rea*$ its highe/ m9i/ry  
n[4 ,! la/ wrapp+s  are torn1 & f e r5t 
& brea* ! b>e gra9 is %$ =?  & br\ght   
into direct contact ) ! soil3 & sudd5ly1
 z if by  miracle1 ! quick5+ comes1 & ! 
em]ald %oot is to be se54    ,c we read 
our la/ lesson8 ,"h1 9 s]vice1 we see ! 
same goal  be+ rea*$ z 9 ! s\l's inn]   
hi/ory4 ,bo? end 9 absolute  simplicity1
 9 ,*ri/ alone4 ,= ! highe/ aim ( m9i/ry
 is to  br+ ,8 imm$iate pres5ce into    
contact ) o!rs--s to br+  ,him & !m face
 to face t ,he c act on !m directly1    
:ile we  /& aside1 l ,john ! ,bapti/1   
rejoic+ greatly4    ,we us$ to look at  
our inn] life z sep>ate f our s]vice3 b 

z we g on !y m]ge into "o--,*ri/--! same
 ,*ri/2 :e!r  fold$ to our he>ts 9 ,8   
secret temple1 l ! se$ 9 its husk1  or  
set free 9 contact ) ^? ar\nd to c>ry on
 ,8 quick5+  "w--all & only ,*ri/4      
,*ri/ ! beg9n+1 & ! end is ,*ri/4 ,we   
saw h[ ! s\l's  fir/ /ep is to let ,him 
9 z its life3 ! la/ /ep 9 a s5se c  g no
 fur!r4 ,x is only t ! appreh5sion (    
,him has increas$1  & ! h9drances &     
limit+s h be5 swept away4               
,*ri/--,*ri/--,*ri/--fill+ all !        
horizon4 ,ev]y?+ 9 u3  ev]y?+ to u3     
ev]y?+ ?r\gh u4 ,to live is             
,*ri/4--,am54