the stormy seas; he may lead you away from all that is dear to your heart; he may lead you into paths where the shadows lie deep, and thorns spring up on every side.  He will lead you on to duties that may oftentimes seem too hard for you to do; but this one thing I assure you in Jesus’ name:  he will never call you to a duty or a sacrifice but that will prove a blessing to your soul and enrich you in his grace.  You must follow on.

To get the sweetness out of your life, he may sometimes bruise you.  There are flowers that emit but little fragrance until they are bruised.  Many trials, no doubt, are awaiting you; but do not live them until you get to them, then his grace will be sufficient for you.

In closing, I beseech you from the fulness of my heart to follow Jesus all the way.  Let nothing turn you back.  Never mind the storms and cruel winds.  What if the thorns prick your feet? they pierced his brow.  What if the duties do seem hard and the way seems weary?  Follow on, linger in his presence, breathe in of his fulness, live in humble submission, never murmur but in every sorrow draw the closer to him, never falter, labor on, and you will find joys in every sorrow, blessings in every sacrifice, and delights in every duty.  He will perfume your life with the odor of heaven and make you a blessing on earth to man.  He will make your life a well of water where many a weary traveler may drink and thirst no more; he will make it a tree of life where they may eat and hunger no more.  And when life is done he will bring you with all your golden sheaves through the gates of glory into the haven of eternal rest, where I hope to meet you.  With this, I will say farewell.

[Illustration]