catching glimpses of snug firesides and busy farmsteads, then out into the lonely, dreary Forest. Not one single wayfarer did we meet, though we had passed over five or six weary miles. Suddenly Jerry pricked up his ears, and gave a snort of intensified delight. I listened, and by-and-by saw something looming in the far distance; then the creak of wheels was heard breaking on the silence. What could it be? A coal-higgler's cart, drawn by a wretched, half-starved horse, dragging his weary load painfully along. But where was the huckster himself? Not with his cart; oh no. The patient and diligent creature was fulfilling his task more faithfully than his master. Where could he be? Jerry seemed concerned, and cast a pitying glance on the lank, lean, much-enduring animal; but he went on, and so did we. For a full mile nothing was to be seen; then a small dark speck was discernible in the stream of light-a man careering along, legs apart like a pair of compasses, making vain endeavours to steady his reeling steps. The man, though evidently under the influence of strong drink, apparently knew me, or guessed at my profession. "I say, doctor," he stammered out, "is that you? Stop, if ye plase; I want to ax you a question." "Well, my friend," I replied, gently drawing Jerry to a stand, "what is it?" 66 Why, I want ye to give me a prescription. You've a great name, doctor, in these parts, and you're a good friend to the poor; maybe ye'll give it me for nought." "What for, my friend? What ails you ?" "Well, sir, I want a prescription for keeping my legs. from turning into the public-house. If I could only get that, I should be all right, you know, doctor." "You set me fast, my man," I replied, quite puzzled for the moment; "you set me fast. I really cannot give you such a prescription. But, now I think of it, there is a very great Physician, a friend of mine, who both can and will give you what you want, if you apply to Him." "Where is he, doctor? Does he charge high ?" "He is not far off; and He gives His advice quite freely, without money and without price. He is a very great Physician, as I said. Your only plan is to go to Him." "That will I. Only tell me his name, and where he lives." I hesitated, looking steadfastly at the poor, reeling, staggering figure of the drunken higgler, and wondering if indeed he might be able to understand me. The man thought I was undecided about giving the Great Physician's address; so he cried out imploringly, "Oh, doctor! let me know where he lives! Now do, doctor; for indeed I'll take it, whatever it may be; I will indeed and in truth, doctor." And the man fixed his keen grey eyes earnestly upon me. He really meant what he was saying. "I be a poor, wake, frail body, doctor, an' I be feared of losing body and soul, I be indeed. Now tell me his name, doctor!" "Well, my man," I said, touching the tip of his shoulder with my whip, "listen to me, and mark my words. The Great Physician is the Lord Jesus Christ. Go to Him, straight. Go to Him, and He alone can give you what you want." The poor fellow seemed suddenly sobered. He gathered his feet together, and stood erect; he neither spoke nor stirred. His thoughts were powerfully, irresistibly engrossed; he seemed riveted to the spot. I wished him good-night, and passed on my lonely track. I looked back; there stood the small dark figure, transfixed. I looked again; there it was, scarcely discernible in the great distance. There was a turn in the road, so I saw the coalhiggler no more. Some weeks passed, and again I beheld the small wiry figure; not drunk now, but alert and brisk about his small traffic. He avoided me, however, so I took no notice. Another day, some few months after, when the dull winter had passed away, and the spring flowers were peeping, and the birds building among the trees or in the thatch,' and all nature wore a smile, I espied the little coal-higgler, sitting on his cart. He, too, wore a smile. He caught my eye, bounded towards me, took hold of the rein of my horse, of my hand, of both hands, shook them warmly, pressed them between both his own, quite unmindful of their state. Tears rolled softly down his thin cheeks-blessed tears, such as angels love to see. "God bless you, dear, go doctor! God bless you!" That was all, and enough: we understood each other entirely. I returned the grateful pressure. I fancy my own eyes grew dim; I know that tears were in my voice when I returned his benediction. That coal-cart was never seen standing before a publichouse again. The old horse grew sleek and trim. He, too, may have felt, as I did, the truth of the words: “A word in season, how good is it!" A The Fruits of the Bible. MONG the fruits mentioned in the Scriptures, the When the children of Israel arrived on the border of the Promised Land-that land which had been promised to Abraham for his descendants four hundred years before-and the spies were sent to bring a report of the country, these were the fruits they brought with them, to show its fertility; though at the same time discouraging the people by their account of the formidable character of the inhabitants. "And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and the figs.": 1 Num. xiii. 23. When Moses, after the subsequent forty years' wandering in the wilderness, had again brought his charge nearly to their promised inheritance, and was describing its valuable productions to them, he spoke of it as a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees and pomegranates."1 66 The Israelites had been acquainted with the vine in Egypt, where it had long been cultivated. In the butler's dream, which was interpreted by Joseph, a vine was before him, which brought forth grapes, which he pressed into Pharaoh's cup, and gave into Pharaoh's hand.2 The destruction of the vine is also mentioned among the troubles brought upon the Egyptians for the deliverance of the children of Israel: He destroyed their vines with hail." "3 66 Great attention was paid by the Israelites, after their settlement in the Holy Land, to the cultivation of the vine, and the clusters of grapes were often very large and fine. Vines were frequently planted in their gardens, and near their houses, and trained over trellises and arbours, thus affording the owner a delightful and shady retreat. The expression of dwelling under the vine and under the fig tree is employed to convey an idea of peace and security. In the vineyards the vines were not carried so high, and the branches were kept from the ground by short props. The vineyard was surrounded by a fence to protect it from the sheep and cattle, which are fond of the tender leaves, and also from the jackals and foxes, which are both very fond of grapes. In the vineyard was a watch-tower for the protection of the cultivator, and also a wine-press, as the plan pursued was to press out the juice of the grapes on the spot. By the law of Moses it was allowable for a person to eat as many grapes as he liked in his neighbour's vineyard, but not to put any in a vessel. The Israelites were also required, when gathering their grapes, to leave the gleanings for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.5 1 Deut. viii. 8. 2 Gen. xl. II. 3 Psa. lxxviii. 47. 5 Deut. xxiv. 21. The rich ripe grapes were delightfully refreshing when eaten as they were gathered in the vineyards; the juice was also used for making wine. They formed an article of food when dried as raisins, and they are mentioned among the contributions brought by the people, at the time of general rejoicing, when David was made king over all Israel, and a feast was held for three days. The different tribes brought bread "and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel." In the Old Testament we very frequently find the vine, and also the vineyard, employed by the prophets in a figurative sense when speaking of the Almighty's dealings with His people. "Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto Me?" 2 "In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day."3 Our Lord, also, when on earth often employed the same figures when speaking to the people gathered round to listen to His teaching. The fig-tree was very abundant in Palestine, and ofter. grew to a large size. Figs were an important article of food among the Jews. They were eaten fresh or pressed together and dried, when they would keep for a long time. The two hundred cakes of figs brought by Abigail to David were, doubtless, in this state. We might infer that this fruit was very valuable to the people, from the destruction of the crop of this tree, as well as that of the vine, being mentioned as a judgment which the Lord would bring on the Jews for their wickedness. There shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig-tree, and the leaf shall The fruitfulness of these trees was also considered fade."5 66 a sign of Divine favour and cause of rejoicing. "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great |
