Down the spout a torrent gushed, to be pent up in an old, dark tub,
and made the slave of the washerwoman. Would it not have been better
for thee, O water, to have fallen in the beautiful forest? to lie in
the bosom of the lily, or become a looking glass for the many colored
insects? "I would be useful," whispered the daughter of the cloud,
"therefore I have stooped to an humble action--I left the abode of the
lightning. My lot is a lowly one; my life full of sorrow and
humiliation. I must pass through a fiery ordeal; I must be cast out
and despised by those whom I have served. But then will be the time of
my exaltation: the blessed Sun will take pity upon me, and make me a
gem of beauty in the angels' highway!"
[Though no application has been made of this similitude, yet the truth
designed to be taught is easily gathered: The Christian may be called
to many a lowly act--to a ministration which will subject him to
reproach and suffering here, but the day of exaltation is sure to
come. "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." The day hastens
when from the heavens the Saviour will descend, "who will transform
the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of
his glory."--Phil. 3:21 (_Am. Bible Union Trans._). How glorious
will the humble workers of earth appear when they are beautified by
the Sun of righteousness in the resurrection morning! That will be all
Easter day of surpassing loveliness.]