and I had at that time to go up a hill

a

where the ground was rough. This was harder work, and I could not lie down by the water side, and drink pleasantly as before, because it rushed by rapidly." I was half tempted to take a turn, and go round the hill, thinking to catch the stream again, but I was afraid of losing my way, and proceeded as well as I could.c

The shape of the ground prevented my seeing far beyond where I was, and the fog hung about near objects, so that I could scarcely tell what they really were, and often mistook one thing for another. But I got on by degrees and with vast ex

a

Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Ps. cxix. 116. b Take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Ps. li. 11. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I erred not from thy precepts. Ps. cxix. 110.

wander from thy commandments.

Oh! let me not Ps. cxix. 10.

ertion, and at last, almost overcome with fatigue, stood on the eminence.f The sun now shone and illuminated the whole horizon. Perhaps you think I was charmed, and at once rewarded for all my toil?" Alas, no! I sat down on a rock, and looked forward. There stood the temple at such an immeasurable distance from me, it seemed perfectly unattainable. I looked back, and after all, perceived myself only a few yards from the gate! Such were the discoveries made by gaining heights, and having sunbeams to illuminate the scene. Do not wonder at me-I was exhausted by fatigue, vexed

d My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me. Ps. lxiii. 8.

e If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. Prov. xxiv. 10,

Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Gal. vi. 9.

If any man think himself to be something when he

by disappointment, and I burst into tears.h

i

Is this then the end of my exertions? I asked myself. Is this all I am to get by hard labour? I had better give it up at once, and abandon making the path.1

k

At this moment I perceived a friend of mine, who had lately come through the gate, climbing up to the place where

is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Gal. vi. 3, 4.

h When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Ps. cxlii. 3.

i Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby. Heb. xii. 11.

k Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. Ps. lxxiii. 13.

The Lord is with you while ye be with him, and if ye seek him he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you. 2 Chron. xv. 2.

I sat. I hastily dried my tears," and put on a smiling countenance, for he could not have understood my vexation; and I often perceived how much it discouraged the new arrivals, to see the inhabitants of the kingdom look gloomy."

My friend rather panted for breath, though the assent had been easy enough for him, the path being ready made, and as he sat down, he said, "you have got up very high, I could scarcely reach you. I don't see any use in being here," for you look very much fatigued by the toil and trouble you have had." I said, that

m Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. Rom. xv. 2.

n Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Heb. xii. 12, 13.

• For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and what profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? Job xxxv. 3.

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I was rather tired, but no doubt I should soon recover. P Yet I could not restrain a deep sigh in consequence of my disappointment. Depend upon it," he continued, "you are mistaken-you are going too far." I quite started at these words, "Going too far!"a I gave a glance at the temple in the remote distance, and at the gate close below, and then at my friend, repeating his expression, "too far!” "too far!" Oh yes," said he, for I am sure our Prince never intends us to have so much troubles-he

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P But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. 1 Sam. xxx. 6.

When you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants, we have done that which was our duty to do. Luke xvii. 10.

We are fools for Christ's sake. 1 Cor. iv. 10.

This is the will of God, even your sanctification. 1 Thes. iv. 3.