I stood on the coast of England, and looked out over a stretch
of oozy slime and ill-smelling mud. There were the barges high
and dry, lying on their sides--no matter what cargo they carried
or how skilful the captain, they were on the mud. It would have
availed them nothing to heave the anchor or hoist the sail.
And I thought, What is the remedy? Were it any use for the
corporation to pass a by-law that every citizen should bring
kettles filled with water, and pour it out upon the stretch of
mud?
But as I watched I saw the remedy. God turned the tide. In swept
the waters of the sea, and buried the mud, and then came the
breath of sweetness and life. And it flowed in about the barges,
and instantly all was activity. Then heave-ho with the anchor,
then hoist the sails, then forth upon some errand of good. So
it is that we stand looking out upon many a dreadful evil which
fills us with dismay--drunkenness, gambling, impurity. Is there
any remedy? And the churches, so very respectable, but, alas,
high and dry on the muddy beach--for these, too, what is the
remedy? We want the flood-tide--the gracious outpouring of the
Spirit; then must come the roused and quickened churches, the
Christians transformed into Christ-like men and women who shall
demand righteousness.--MARK GUY PEARCE.
(1109)
=Flowers=--See SERVICE.
=Flowers, Fond of=--See GENEROSITY.