FARM ECHOES. 31 



where, and then to seek him, whither he had removed, 

 in order to secure his favor. 



It was not in the palace of Egypt's king that God pre- 

 pared Moses to be the leader of Israel's mighty host, but 

 in keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law. It was 

 not in the palace of Saul, but in caring for his father's 

 sheep, that David was qualified to. become the ruler of a 

 kingdom. 



Gideon was called from the "threshing floor" to fight 

 and subdue the Midianitish host. 



Elisha, while in the act of plowing, was honored by 

 God with the mantle of the Prophet Elijah. 



Uzziah "loved husbandry," and if the youthful king 

 of Judah had been content with such lawful pastime, he 

 might have escaped leprosy. 



Paul was a tent-maker. The first disciples of our 

 blessed Lord were fishermen, and though the Son of God 

 was a carpenter, yet shepherds, busy " keeping watch over 

 their flocks by night," were the chosen ones to whom the 

 Angels first announced the "glad tidings" of His birth. 

 He "was of the house and lineage of David," and took 

 many of His parables from agricultural pursuits. He re- 

 peatedly pictured them in His favorite expression "The 

 kingdom of Heaven is likened unto" and not only 

 represented Himself as "He that soweth the good seed," 

 but gloried in the fact that His Father was "The Hus- 

 bandman." 



Despise not the Abrahamic calling, however much and 

 however justly you may despise the unworthy ones en- 

 gaged in it. They disgrace themselves, not their calling. 

 It cannot be thus tarnished. In turning from sacred to 



