MANY a minister of the gospel is discouraged through seeming failure of the desired results of his labors when, if the truth were known, his heart would rejoice. Far more frequently than is generally supposed, arrows darted from the pulpit strike, though secretly, the very points at which they were aimed. We are not to judge in this matter by immediate and acknowledged effects. As Mr. Jay well observed, "We cannot tell what is in the net while it is yet in the water." More than thirty years ago, a lad, who was a Freshman in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., returning from an evening visit of business through the town, passed the first Presbyterian church, of which the Rev. Dr. George Duffield was pastor. Light in the window indicated that public worship was being held. From curiosity, or a wish to while away an idle hour, rather than from any higher and worthier motive, the youth joined the audience. The preacher was a stranger, in middle age, and of very impressive appearance, tone, and manner. To look at and listen to him was to be reminded of the grand description of one holding this high office given by Cowper:— "There stands the messenger of Truth! There stands
The legate of the skies! His theme divine
His office sacred, his credentials clear;
By him the violated law speaks out
Its thunders; and by him in strains as sweet
As angels use, the gospel whispers peace."
The student, though coming in after the text was announced, soon discovered that it was "The way of transgressors is hard." Nor could he doubt for a moment, that the preacher's object was not to magnify himself, but to save souls. Everything attested his earnest devotion to the great end of his calling. In most forcible terms he exhibited the difficulties sinners have to encounter in rebelling against God. Thus, closing the Bible, leaning over the pulpit as if to gain nearer and more effective access to his hearers, and modulating his voice to a tone at once most terrific and pathetic, after remarking, "But the end of that way is infinitely harder," he proceeded, in a most solemn awful manner, to unfold and enforce this tremendous truth. Though reared in a Christian family, that youth received that evening his first really serious impression of his relation to the divine government and the coming world. Not long afterward he became a professor of religion, in the course of time entered the ministry, and has since occupied positions of great usefulness in the church. Happening to be in New York a few years since, a venerable and beloved minister, whose acquaintance he had formed by a casual meeting though he had long known him by reputation, urged him to be his guest at his residence near the city. The invitation was accepted, and led to a precious intimacy of friendship, which never ceased or even abated. In relating to each other incidents of personal experiences, one afternoon, the facts here recorded were stated. The godly man's eye brightened with interest as the narrative advanced. On closer inquiry by him as to the year, the season, the evening, and the theme, it was soon developed that the host was the instrument, in God's hands, of giving the first upward direction to the thoughts of the recipient of his generous hospitality. The Rev. Richard W. Dickinson, D.D., who, at the time referred to, was in charge of the church in Lancaster, was called to assist his brother Duffield in a "protracted meeting," and now, under his own roof, was led to know at least one good effect that his ministrations had produced. The joy which he manifested at this discovery was not only eminently creditable to his piety, but made an impression on the visitor's heart which can never be erased. May it not be that the happiness of Heaven will arise, in part, from a comparison of experiences in this world of lights and shadows, and from the acquired knowledge of good which we had on earth unconsciously accomplished? At all events, the assurance is full of comfort, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."—The Presbyterian.