freshment indeed, to witness such a passage as this, after those of struggle and difficulty I had been assisting.

I must now speak of my path, which advanced sometimes slowly and sometimes faster, according to circumstances.a The smooth ground, to my surprise, I found not to be so favourable to my progress, but often when I had a rough way to pursue, or a hill to mount, I made better way. On the whole, I was rather too well satisfied with my success, till I learnt, from the experience of others, better to appreciate my own.

b

There were several persons, who, after having been for some time useful la

Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Cant. iv. 16.

b It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Ps. cxix. 71.

c Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Heb. xii. 4.

bourers near the walls, had gradually disappeared from the scene of activity. Their conduct was often canvassed and condemned, and when their names were mentioned, suspicious looks or lamentations ensued. I condemned them, as well as others, and thought complacently of my own greater perseverance, contrasted with their desertion.

At length I thought I would go and seek them; for there was no great dif

g

ficulty in following a ready made path. So I set forth one morning, and entering upon that which had been opened

d I am black, but comely. My mother's children were angry with me. Cant. i. 5, 6.

e

They have consulted against thy hidden ones. lxxxiii. 3.

f They are men wondered at.

Zech. iii. 8.

Ps.

g And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. Is. xlii. 16.

by an intimate friend of mine, walked forward in hopes of finding him. I was surprised at the difficulties he had overcome, and to see how he had smoothed rocks, and avoided precipices. The path seldom passed through a green meadow, but I observed that it seemed sometimes purposely to avoid one, and the cause was evidently from its keeping so close to the stream. Once only did I find any great departure from the water course, but as the path doubled

h Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon : If thou know not :.... go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherd's tents. Cant. i. 7, 8.

iThe righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job xvii. 9.

Though he fall, he shall not for the Lord upholdeth him xxxvii. 24.

be utterly cast down: with his hand. Ps.

K

and returned to the point of deviation,' I avoided losing my time by following it.

After walking for many hours, I approached a thick forest, where the trees. stood so close together, it appeared as if all entrance was prevented. But the path led through it, and within, was a charming grove" of evergreens, flowering shrubs, and fruit trees, shading a soft green sward. It was the most delicious region I had ever beheld, and so unexpectedly did it burst upon me, I

1 A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again. Prov. xxiv. 16.

m Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1 Tim. vi. 11.

n

My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting-places. Is. xxxii. 18.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. Ps. lxiii. 5.

P He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Ps. xxiii. 2.

could scarcely believe in the reality of

what I saw.

And here it was that I found the

S

friends I was seeking. Some of them were conversing, and some reposing under the trees, or walking alone to meditate.*

The friend whose path I had followed, most cordially greeted me," and all whom I addressed, gave me words of kindness and looks of love."

They invited me

9 The way of life is above to the wise. Prov. xv. 24. This is the generation of them that seek him. Ps. xxiv. 6.

8 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. All mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. John xvii. 16. 10.

My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord. Ps. civ. 34.

u Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. Mal. iii. 16.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John iv. 8.