the benefactor that they are so? We must prepare to receive." Faithful went on his way. The sun sank in its bed of fleecy clouds, the evening dew fell on the earth, and all was still. The lesson must have penetrated the hearts of the listeners; for on the morrow their urns, white and clean, were full of sparkling water. Do we look into our hearts each day and see that the life from thence has gone forth for good and made ready for new, or are we idly murmuring that we have no life-waters? Can the Father's life inflow if we do not _give_? Our souls are sacred urns, which He longs to fill to overflowing with pure and heavenly truths if we are willing to receive, and faithful to extend, his mercies. XIII. SELF-EXERTION. An aged man who had built for himself a house upon a high elevation of land, and had labored many years, yea, the most of his lifetime, in conveying trees, plants, and flowers with which to decorate his grounds, came one day in his descent upon a youth who sat by the roadside looking greatly dispirited. "Hast thou no parents nor home?" inquired the kind man. The youth shook his head, and looked so lonely and sad that the heart of the questioner was touched, and he said, "Come with me." The boy looked pleased at the invitation, and, springing to his feet, stood by the stranger. Together they commenced the long and toilsome ascent; but the feet of the youth were tender, and ere long the aged man was obliged to carry
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