the heart's-ease. 205 



the whole company of congregated vapours is 

 breaking up, not borne along in a body, leaving all 

 bright behind their course, but dispersing gradual- 

 ly, here and there, until the several patches of soft 

 blue seem to enlarge, and combine to establish the- 

 reign of light over darkness. And, lo ! the sun 

 breaks forth, the shadows flee away, the flowers 

 look up in laughing gladness, and every Little bird 

 contributes his individual chirp of gralulating joy. 

 What, on earth, have we to resemble this ! 

 Something, whereof I consider it a most beautiful 

 type. I have seen families as destitute of gospel 

 light, as closely wrapped in spiritual gloom, ay, 

 and as contentedly immoveable, in their darkness, 

 as the discouraging morning that I have endeav- 

 oured to pourtray. I have gone forth and looked 

 upon them, as Ezekiel upon the dry bones in the 

 valley, ' obliged to confess indeed, that the Lord 

 could work among them, but beholding no token 

 that such was as yet his will. Then, shaming my 

 unbelief, the light that shined upon a solitary indi- 

 vidual, opening, as it were, one spec in the cloud- 

 ed sky ; and then I have looked, and longed, and 

 confidently trusted, that farther manifestations 

 would appear. Another of the household has 

 yielded to divine influence ; perchance a third : 

 and these, with united supplication, walking to- 

 gether as children of light, have been enabled to 



wage a powerful, though comparatively silent war, 



18 



