A Beautiful Legend
A BEAUTIFUL LEGEND
There is a beautiful tradition connected with the site on which the temple of Solomon was erected. It is said to have been occupied in common by two brothers, one of whom had a family, the other had none. On this spot was sown a field of wheat. On the evening succeeding the harvest - the wheat having been gathered in separate shocks - the elder brother said to his wife:
"My younger brother is unable to bear the burden and heat of the day; I will arise, take of my shocks and place with his without his knowledge."
The younger brother being actuated by the same benevolent motives, said within himself;
"My elder brother has a family; and I have none. I will arise, take of my shocks and place with his."
Judge of their mutual astonishment, when, on the following day, they found their respective shocks undiminished. This transpired for several nights, when each resolved in his own mind to stand guard and solve the mystery. They did so; and on the following night they met each other half-way between their respective shocks with their arms full. Upon ground hallowed by such associations as this was the temple of Solomon erected - of the world! Alas! in these days, how many would sooner steal their brother's whole shock than add to it a single sheaf!
"DINNA YE HEAR THEM?"
During the Indian mutiny, the English were besieged in the city of Lucknow, and were in momentary expectation of perishing at the hands of the fiends that surrounded them. A little Scotch lassie was in this fort, and, while lying on the ground, she suddenly shouted, her face aglow with joy:
"Dinna ye hear them comin'? dinna ye hear them comin'?
"Hear what?" they asked.
"Dinna ye hear them comin?"
She sprang to her feet. It was the bagpipes of her native Scotland she heard. It was a native air she heard that was being played by a regiment of her countrymen marching to the relief of those captives, and these deliverers made them free.
Oh, friend, don't you hear the voice of Jesus Christ calling to you now?
"THROW THE REINS TO CHRIST"
An interesting story is told of Professor Drummond. He was staying with a lady whose coachman had signed the pledge, but afterward gave way to drink. This lady said to the professor, "Now this man will drive you to the station; say a word to him if you can. He is a good man and really wants to reform; but he is weak."
While they were driving to the station, the professor tried to think how he could introduce the subject. Suddenly the horses were frightened and tried to run away. The driver held on to the reins and managed them well. The carriage swayed about, and the professor expected every moment to be upset, but after a little the man got the better of the team, and as he drew them up at the station, streaming with perspiration, he exclaimed: "That was a close shave, sir! Our trap might have been smashed into matchwood, and you wouldn't have given any more addresses."
"Well," said Professor Drummond, "how was it that it did not happen?"
"Why," was the reply, "because I knew how to manage the horses."
"Now," said the professor, "look here, my friend, I will give you a bit of advice. Here's my train coming. I hear you have been signing the pledge and breaking out again. Now I want to give you a bit of advice. Throw the reins of your life to Jesus Christ." And' he jumped down, and got into the train.
The driver saw in a flash where he had made the mistake, and from that day ceased to try to live in his own strength.