When I was a boy I was set by my father to the task of dipping
all the water out of a spring-hole in the hay-field. I performed
the task faithfully, thinking that the object was to empty the
hole. But the next day I was obliged to tell my father that the
task had gone for nothing, as the hole was as full as ever. I
had merely removed certain accumulated impurities, which was the
real object of the work.
So we often toil with definite objects in view when all the while
Providence is at work through us at a very different and always a more
important task. We may be disappointed that we have not emptied the
hole, or we may more wisely rejoice that we have freshened the spring.
(3173)
=Taste and Propriety Violated=--See MISSIONARIES’ MISTAKES.
=Teacher, A Young=--See CHILD RELIGION.