THE HEART S-EASE. 65 



speculative had any place in him. He coveted 

 clear views, that by them he might lay hold on 

 right principles; not to gather their flowers in a 

 showy bouquet, but to get their deepest roots fast 

 planted in his soul. I never saw one, who seemed 

 so totally to forget the things which were behind, 

 while reaching forth to those which were before. 

 The only subject on which I ever knew him to ex 

 press impatience, was the slowness, as he consider- 

 ed it, of his growth in grace. Of this he spoke 

 even bitterly : often taxing me with indifference to 

 his spiritual welfare, because I did not urge him on- 

 ward, when, perhaps, I was contemplating with 

 secret dismay, the immeasurable distance at which 

 he left us all in the race. ' If you make no better 

 progress than I do,' he once said, * it is an awful 

 sign of a sluggish spirit. Yet proceed warily — 

 make sure of every step; for many in this day 

 are running fast and far, they know not whither.' 

 The shining heart's-ease will continue to expand 



throughout the year : the memory of D will 



be written on every successive blossom : and I 

 cannot promise that in some future month, if God 

 spares me, I may not resume the subject of this 

 chapter. When gayer flowers have enjoyed their 

 summer day, our heart's-ease will survive many 

 painted wrecks : and then it may come forth again, 

 to speak of one who never spoke to me but for the 

 glory of his God, and the spiritual welfare of his 



6* 



