228 LIVINGSTONE'S LAST JOUENALS. [Chap. IX. 



made an essentia] part of their diet. On closer inspection, 

 however, I see that whilst seeming to pick out young' 

 spiders — and they probably do so — they end in detaching 

 the outer coating of spiders' web from the inner stiff paper 

 web, in order to make a nest between the two. The outer 

 part is a thin coating of loose threads : the inner is tough 

 paper, impervious web, just like that which forms the 

 wasps' hive, but stronger. The hen brings fine fibres and 

 places them round a hole 1£ inch in diameter, then works 

 herself in between the two webs and brings cotton to line 

 the inside formed by her body. 



* * * What is the atonement of Christ ? It is Him- 

 self : it is the inherent and everlasting mercy of God made 

 apparent to human eyes and ears. The everlasting love was 

 disclosed by our Lord's life and death. It showed that 

 God forgives, because He loves to forgive. He works by 

 smiles if possible, if not by frowns ; pain is only a means 

 of enforcing love. 



If we speak of strength, lo ! He is strong. The Almighty ; 

 the Over Power; the Mind of the Universe. The heart 

 thrills at the idea of His greatness. 



* * * All the great among men have been remark- 

 able at once for the grasp and minuteness of their know- 

 ledge. Great astronomers seem to know every iota of the 

 Knowable. The Great Duke, when at the head of armies, 

 could give all the particulars to be observed in a cavalry 

 charge, and took care to have food ready for all his troops. 

 Men think that greatness consists in lofty indifference 

 to all trivial things. The Grand Llama, sitting in im- 

 movable contemplation of nothing, is a good example of 

 what a human mind would regard as majesty; but the Gospels 

 reveal Jesus, the manifestation of the blessed God over all 

 as minute in His care of all. He exercises a vigilance more 

 constant, complete, and comprehensive, every hour and 

 every minute, over each of His people than their utmost self- 



