" ONLY BELIEVE." 333 



that now as of old the seed still falls by the wayside and 

 is trodden down, or withers on the barren rock, or is 

 choked up by thorns ! I desire to dwell upon my own 

 waywardness and want of (abiding and sustaining) faith. 

 It cannot be but that the frequent absence of 'joy ' in be- 

 lieving must arise from the weakness of belief — that is, 

 from a want of simplicity and earnestness, and from an effort 

 to build up a 'living temple' for ourselves — -instead of 

 resting; in the blessed assurance that in our Father's house 

 are many mansions prepared for them who through faith 

 are inheritors of the promises/' 



As early as 1842, Mr Wilson had written the following 

 letter to a young friend, like himself, an ardent zoologist, 

 but who appears to have cherished some thoughts of enter- 

 ing the ministry : — 



" I hope I may infer from your letter that you are as 

 determined in your natural histoiy pursuits as ever. I 

 heard it rumoured with regret that you were meditating 

 a change towards a more sacred calling, against which it 

 may seem unnatural that any one should endeavour to 

 persuade another. But if you feel yourself under the in- 

 fluence of such a solemn and spiritual state of mind, I 

 think you should consider how useful you maybe without 

 any change in your worldly calling. Your good conduct 



