_O, how beautiful is the spring in
a barren field, where barrenness
and deadness fly away. As the
spring comes on, the winter casts
her coat and the summer is nigh.
O, wait to see and read these
things within. You that have been
as barren and dead and dry without
sap; unto you the Sun of
Righteousness is risen with
healing in his wings and begins to
shine in your coasts.... O, mind
the secret sprigs and tender
plants. Now you are called to
dress the garden. Let not the
weeds and wild plants remain.
Peevishness is a weed; anger is a
weed; self-love and self-will are
weeds; pride is a wild plant;
covetousness is a wild plant;
lightness and vanity are wild
plants, and lust is the root of
all. And these things have had a
room in your gardens, and have
been tall and strong; and truth,
innocence, and equity have been
left out, and could not be found,
until the Sun of Righteousness
arose and searched out that which
was lost. Therefore, stand not
idle, but come into the vineyard
and work. Your work shall be to
watch and keep out the fowls,
unclean beasts, wild bears and
subtle foxes. And he that is the
Husbandman will pluck up the wild
plants and weeds, and make defence
about the vines. He will tell you
what to do. He who is Father of
the vineyard will be nigh you. And
what is not clear to you, wait for
the fulfilling.--JAMES PARNELL.
(Epistle to Friends from prison.)_