, though the earth be
removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.'
Not one of them but has at some time found comfort in the promises,
'When the poor and the needy seek water, and there is none, and their
tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them; I, the God of
Israel, will not forsake them. He that keepeth Israel slumbers not, nor
sleeps. Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy
God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' Think of this help, Amzi,
in every struggle: in the struggle, worse than any time of battle, with
one's own sinful heart. And there is not one of God's children but has
realized the blessedness of following the commands of Jesus, 'Have faith
in God. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock,
and it shall be opened unto you.' Amzi, you who love gentleness and
peace, truth and humility, cannot you find in Christ and his loving
precepts all you would ask? Can anything appeal to your warm heart more
than such injunctions as these?--'Love your enemies, bless them that
curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that
despitefully use you and persecute you. When thou doest alms, let not
thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Watch ye,
therefore, and pray always. Pray that ye enter not into temptation.'"

He paused, out of breath; for such had been his study of the Scriptures
that the words came in a flood to his lips.

Amzi sighed. "Yes, Yusuf," he said, "such words seem to me full of
goodness and sweetness; yet, try as I may, I cannot realize their true
import. I cannot rejoice, as you and your friends do, in your religion
and its promises."

"My Amzi," returned the priest, "how can you be warmed except you come
to the fire? Remember the man with the withered hand. Did he not stretch
it out in faith? My friend, like him, act! Reach out your heart to God.
He will not fail you. Look not upon yourself. Look upon God, who is,
indeed, closer to you than you can imagine. Put your hand in his, behold
his love manifested to us in the coming of his dear Son, and feel that
that love is to-day the same, proceeding from the Father in whom is 'no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.'"

Am