130 THE HEARTS-EASE. 



fed?' Willi aniinalcd quickness he replied, Til 

 tell you how it is : you pray for him.' ' Indeed I 

 do : and thai he may be taught to teach me.' ' Aye, 

 there it is : and your prayer is answered. Now 

 mark me ; the preacher and the flock either feed 

 or starve one another: what they withhold from 

 him in prayers, they lose in doctrine. Those who 

 merely listen to cavil, or to admire, come away 

 empty of spiritual food. Those who give liberally 

 to their minister in secret prayer for him, have their 

 souls made fat by the very same doctrine that falls 

 unblest upon others.' He added, with emotion, 

 * Bear dear H. more and more upon your heart be- 

 fore your father's throne, and you will feast more 

 largely upon the banquet that he spreads.' I have 

 to be thankful that my friend's counsel was not lost 

 on me : from that shepherd, indeed, I was soon 

 removed ; and very soon he followed D. to glory : 

 but I had already carried llic lesson into another 

 pasture ; where, richly and abundantly as all were 

 fed, mine always appeared a Benjamin's mess; for 

 I had learned the secret of the profitable barter 

 which I would commend to ever)' christian hearer: 

 instant, affectionate, individual intercession for the 

 teacher, in the spirit ot faith : then may we sit, 

 contented, and humbly confident to receive the as- 

 sured answer, in the portion which he is commis- 

 gioned to divide. 



It was the delight of U. by every means, to 



