rule for Him; behold His reward is with Him, and His work before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and shall gently lead those that are with young."[1] Here is another tender simile,—that of a shepherd, leading and feeding his flock, and carrying the little lambs on his arm and in his bosom. Can anything be conceived more tender than this? Can any language be used, more strongly expressive of the affectionate loving character and nature of our Heavenly Parent—who made us, who redeemed us, who watches over us night and day, to keep us and to bless us, and to lead us as His flock to the pastures of everlasting green in the realms above? Read, too, that charming twenty third Psalm (which every child should learn by heart), where the same idea of the Lord as the good Shepherd is continued: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." How sweet are the pictures here presented to the mind, of the Lord's tender care and keeping and guidance of us, through life, and through death, and for ever!
And shall we give all this up? Will any one, who has once read these passages and numberless similar ones scattered throughout the precious Volume, be
- ↑ Isaiah xl. 10, 11.
