And so must you also do. If there really be a fountain of genuine charity in your heart, it will constantly and spontaneously overflow, whether those who Idrink of it are thankful or not. He is a senseless husbandman who expects to reap the produce of his seed before the harvest. This life is the season for sowing and scattering; we shall reap hereafter.

My God! grant that my bounty may be a clear and transparent river, flowing from pure charity, and uncontaminated by self-love, ambition, or interest. Thanks are due, not to me, but Thee, from whom all I possess is derived. And what are the paltry gifts for which my neighbor forgets to thank me, compared with the immense blessings for which I have so often forgotten to be grateful to Thee!

CXXIX.

The Light.

ISHING to seal a letter, Gotthold called for a lighted candle. The maid obeyed his orders; but, proceeding too hastily, the flame, which had not yet gathered sufficient strength, went out. Here, said Gotthold, we have that which may well remind us of the gentleness and mod

eration to be observed in our comportment towards weak and erring brethren. Had this candle, when first lighted, been carried slowly, and shaded by the hand from the air, it would not have been extinguished, but would soon have burned with vigor. In like manner, many a weak brother might be set right, if we only came to his help in the right way, and with kindly advice. It is not by violent strokes that you reduce the dislocated limb. Christ Himself does not quench the smoking flax, but blows upon it with the gentle breath of the blessed words that proceed out of His mouth;1 and this was the reason why disconsolate sinners flocked around, and pressed upon Him, to hear what He said.2

C

CXXX.

Second Meditation on the Light.

ONTINUING, Gotthold said: The candle, by burning and shining, consumes itself, but gives light to others, and ministers to their use. In the same way ought we to reckon ourselves happy when we are permitted to employ our bodily and mental powers in the service of God and our neighbor, although we thereby gradually waste them away, and become ripe for death. It is better to con.

sume our life in care and discomfort for the service of others, than in luxury and pleasure to our own destruction.

CXXXI.

Third Meditation on the Light.

FTEN, in the evening, Gotthold added further, we see the midges swarming about the candle, and never desisting until they have singed their wings, and even burned their bodies.

The same happens to all who, with presump

tuous and inquisitive thoughts, flutter around that Light which no man can approach unto. In place of enlightening, it dazzles or destroys them. Nor is any one so incapable of comprehending the divine mysteries as he who fancies that he has a special talent for the task, and ventures, with ingenious intellect, to pry into all things.

Lord Jesus! Thou light of the world, be also the light of my soul! What a candlestick is without the candle, that is my reason without Thy grace and Spirit. Grant that I may here, as a child of the light, walk in the light; and hereafter be also found meet for the inheritance of the saints in light!

11 Timothy vi. 16.

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THE TREMBLING POPLAR.

CXXXII.

The Trembling Poplar.

HERE is a species of poplar whose leaves have
ERE

long and slender stalks, and are therefore often rustled by a breeze too faint to stir the foliage of the other trees. Noticing the fact one day, when there was scarce a breath of air, Gotthold thought with himself: This tree is the emblem of a man with a wounded and uneasy conscience, which takes alarm at the most trifling cause, and agitates him to such a pitch, that he knows not whither to fly. The wicked man trembleth all his days, saith the Scripture: a dreadful sound is in his ears; and though there be peace, he feareth that the destroyer shall come upon him, and that he shall not escape misfortune. The Jews tell us of Cain, when sojourning in the land of Nod,-which is the land of motion,- that wherever he trod, the earth quaked beneath his feet,, as if unwilling to bear the fratricide. Be that as it may, it is at least certain, that he who has a troubled conscience can find rest nowhere. The threat pronounced by God upon the evil-doer is fulfilled in him:2 Thou shalt find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest; but the Lord shall give thee a trembling heart, and failing eyes, and sorrow of mind.

1 Job xv. 20.

2 Deut. xxviii. 65.

THE MENDICANT.

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It is a sore calamity and distress when, from age, sickness, or accident, we are afflicted with a trembling of the head or limbs; but it is far worse when a troubled conscience makes the heart within us quake like an aspen leaf.

Merciful God! help me, by Thy grace, never to do what my conscience forbids. Sin may be pleasant to swallow, but bitter is the pain with which it afterwards wrings the bosom. Not all the world, with all its wealth and honor, pleasures and consolations, can soothe or tranquillize it. Rest for the soul flows from no other source than the wounds of Jesus.

CXXXIII.

The Mendicant.

STORY was told of a beggar who, during the day, limped about upon crutches, pretending to be lame and impotent, and begging for alms with a mournful voice; but who, in the even

ing, at his quarters, and in the midst of his comrades, cast his crutches away, took part in the carouse, and showed by dancing the perfect soundness of his limbs. Many expressed their surprise at this, and called the fellow impostor, thief, and vagabond.