vii. THE SWALLOW'S NEST. 129 



habits within historical times. It has left the woods 

 and frequented the haunts of man ; it has ceased to 

 build its nest upon the trees, and with its friendly 

 masonry has attached itself to our houses. To its own 

 natural, less commodious dwelling, it has preferred 

 that which is offered to it by man. And surely we 

 may learn a lesson from it in regard to the great change 

 of habit which we must all undergo if we are to be 

 saved. We, too, must build the home of our spirits, 

 not amid the passing and perishing things of the world, 

 but amid the things that remind us of God and eternity. 

 We are strangers and sojourners on earth; but if we 

 hide ourselves in the secret place of the Most High, 

 the sure, satisfying realities that abide for ever will 

 transform for us the vain show of the world. We shall 

 have the same home wherever the place of our encamp- 

 ment may be, whether beside the sweet wells of Elim 

 or the bitter waters of Marah ; God will cover us with 

 His feathers, and under His wings shall we trust. And 

 in the end we shall exchange our earthly house of this 

 tabernacle in which we groan, and which shall be dis- 

 solved, for the building of God, the house not made 

 with hands, eternal in the heavens. 



3. The mode in which the swallow builds its nest 

 is equally instructive. If we extend to the confiding 

 bird the hospitality which is a duty we owe to man 

 and beast, and leave it to rear unmolested its " loved 

 mansionry" under our porch or above our window, 

 it will amply reward us. We shall find that we have 

 been entertaining an angel unawares, sent to teach us 



