New Work and Old. 3 SI

“ Another effect of seclusion is in keener sensibilities and perceptions towards Nature as showing forth the glory of our God. Long absence enhances the delights of once more wandering among the sweet solitudes of forest, and river, and ocean. How many voices harmonize in the concert of praise ! The birds are envied no longer, for I have wings, too, stronger and more than they. The mountain ridges stoop down, not only to faith, bu& te fancy and imagination to form the sub- stratum of the mountain of the Lord’s house, with the ensign of redemption crowning all.

‘“T must add yet another pleasure I have enjoyed, and that is the meeting amid their work our honoured brethren who are God’s instruments in winning souls and building up His Church in regions where a sympathetic visitor is welcomed as an angel of God.

“ How little does even the true Church, much less the crowd of self-centred Christians and the world, know of the travail and joy of the missionary? Not that he thinks of this; his one concern is his work, a commerce directly between him and his Master, Who makes His servant’s life as full and complete as may be possible amid the city’s con- course, and much more healthy. It makes him self-contained, and this tends to make him reticent and to restrain his pen when a full record of the common incidents of his work would be as fuel to kindle sacrifice of praise in many a pure and devout heart at home. Often do I wish they would write just what they tell me, for though it is the fruit of faithful endeavour, it has the bloom that only the sunshine of heavenly grace can paint.

“The real romance of Missions is not yet written, and never will be, because God’s greatest works are lke the diamond and the dew—yperfected in the secret places of the Most High, and await the great day to reveal them. Then will they go to swell the praises of eternity. God is a true economist, giving sufficient but not wasting His erace on us, shedding gleams of His glory now to cheer, but concealing more in order to reveal it when He shall have accomplished the number of His elect. Hl

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