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endeavors to accomplish his object. His directions are to enrich the soil, and cause to grow every kind of fruit and flower, that is pleasing to the eye, or whose fragrance is grateful to the senses. No weeds are allowed to grow in the ground, and nothing suffered to stand, which does not in some way contribute to the object in view. But there is one tree, especially, which every subject is required to cultivate on his own allotted portion. Most precious is it to the king. A fair tree to look upon; its blossoms are fragrant, and its fruit more delicious than that of any other tree. It is easily injured and destroyed; but with kind and constant care, it may be brought to perfection. The seed the king himself furnishes, and every implement, which the cultivators need for its growth. Moreover, there is a day set on which the king himself will come to view this garden, when it is expected that it will present to his eye even greater loveliness than Eden itself."

At this moment, the stranger being called away, I descended into the garden, to observe more narrowly, how far these highly favored persons had proceeded in their delightful work. I readily distinguished the beautifu tree of which my friend had spoken. But to my surprise, it appeared to be growing only on small portions of the garden. Wherever it raised its graceful head, however, the neighborhood was filled with a fragrance most sweet and delightful. By far the greater part of the garden, however, was either lying waste, or was covered with noxious weeds. Still greater was my surprise to observe how few were employed in destroying these weeds, or in efforts to plant out and rear the tree of grace and beauty. On the other hand, there were a multitude of persons, who seemed to be unemployed, or who were scattering the seed of noxious plants, which, as they grew rapidly, threatened to destroy the tender shoots of the king's favorite. These latter persons I observed had on a different attire, and appeared to belong to a different order. They were, moreover, apparently restless, discontented, and unhappy; while the former seemed to wear the aspect of great cheerfulness, and to enter into their employment. with appropriate zeal and diligence. Occasionally I no ticed others of a somewhat doubtful character. Their

dress was party-colored; and I observed that at no time did they appear with any earnestness to be laboring with those who were engaged in rearing the beautiful tree, but now and then mingled with those, who were scattering abroad the seeds of noxious plants. In neither employ ment, however, did they appear to take much interest.

While wondering what these things could mean, 1 retreated a little up the mountain, when my friend again made his appearance; and I eagerly enquired, who the several persons were, whom I had seen in the garden.

"I will answer your enquiry," said he. "Those who are engaged in rearing the beautiful tree, are the true and loyal subjects of our king, who by filling the garden with this tree, would make it a happy and delightful abode. The second class are the subjects of another king, or rather usurper-an enemy to the Lord of the manor, who claims this garden as his own-most unjustly, however; and he has sent a portion of his subjects to counteract the efforts of the cultivators of the tree of grace, and in place of it, to fill the garden with thorns and briers. Those in party-colored attire are indeed the professed subjects of the real owner of the garden; but, devoid of principle, or of a just independence, and especially fond of popularity, they are often found, notwithstanding their profession, mingling with the opposite party, and I regret to add, to the cause of the true owner of the garden, do more injury than good."

"I have yet," said I, "another question to propose. The proprietor of the garden, you say, is one day to appear to inspect these premises, and the day may not be far distant. Yet before his appearance, these weeds are to be rooted out-these thorns and briars must disappear— the sterile portions must be rendered fertile :-my question. is, How can the few operators in the field--I mean those who would beautify and adorn the garden, accom plish so much, perhaps, in so short a time, and in opposition to so many embarrassments?"

"My good friend," the stranger replied, "for an answer to your question, observe for a short time the operations of the faithful few. Look at yonder corner. How engaged they appear who are stationed there! how full of faith and zeal! Were all ended with the same benevo

lence-were all willing to practice the same self denial, the garden would soon have fewer unsightly places. Go mong them, and you will hear them speaking in anxious tones, now and then, of the dark prospects before them; and some of them, at times, appearing ready to faint. But most of them go forward, animated by the promises and assurances of their king, that, at length they shall see the accomplishment of all their wishes. By and by, the king himself will furnish them with more aid. He will make their task easier. He will bring greater numbers into the field, patient, persevering and self-denying laborers, through whose efforts and the smiles of the good king, the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.'"

"But," said I, "why might not the improvement of the garden go forward with greater rapidity? Why should the work so linger? Could not the king hasten this work of loveliness and beauty?"

"Doubtless he could," responded the stranger.

"And if the improvement of the garden be an object so dear to him, why does he not accelerate the work, and fulfil the desires and expectations of his friends?"

"That is a question, my friend, which thousands have asked before you. I will reply to it as well as I am able. The king has committed this work to his friends. Their instrumentality is to be employed in the improvement and perfection of the garden."

"Oh! I see at once the difficulty in the case," said I, "the king's friends are not sufficiently engaged!"

"That is the true difficulty," said he. "Many of those who have professed attachment to the king, and to the improvement of the garden, seem to be wanting in affection and zeal. Some of them are too much engrossed with their own worldly concerns to labor in the garden, or to aid in supporting those, who are willing to work. Others are too supremely selfish; and others still, too indifferent to even inquire what is their duty. The work devolves on a few. These few have really done much; and, had they only the co-operation of those who ought to help, and those who pretend to wish to see the garden subdued, and beautified, and adorned, the work would go on well."

"Alas!" said I, "what a pity that any professed friends should unite with the enemy, and sow tares or thorns instead- "

"You are wrong, perhaps," said the stranger interrupting. They do not intend to aid the enemy

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Oh! no," I replied, "they have no such design-but, in truth, what do they do, but co-operate with the king's enemies? Does he not say, 'He that is not for me is against me? He that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad? And is it not true, that by reason of their neglect, or selfishness, many a spot which ought to have been cleared and fertile, is still a desert ?"

"Yes, you are right, quite right. I will recall what I said," replied the stranger.

"There is still another thing which troubles me," said I.

"What is it?"

"Laborers here are often suddenly removed. Many only begin, as it were, to work, and the king withdraws them."

"Very true," said the stranger, "and often mysterious to us."

"Hence the importance of zeal and fidelity, while they remain here," said I. "Can they not be made to feel, that they were sent into the garden to work-to do all in their power to cultivate and beautify it? Oh! how it grieves me, that any should so requite the gracious Sovereign himself, and think so little of that purpose, upon which he has set his heart. They will by and by see their error, and most bitterly lament their ingratitude and folly."

"That they will," said the stranger, "and I fear that many who have here said and sung

'I love thy kingdom, Lord-'

Will hear the king say at last, when they seek to enter into his paradise above, Depart-I never knew youdepart ye workers of iniquity."

"I hope I shall not be of the number,” said I.

"I hope not truly," said the stranger. "I hope that, strangers as we are to one another, or at least as we have been, we may both be found, not only to have loved the

kingdom' of the great and good King, whose garden t is, but that it will be proved, that we have personal done much to accomplish his wishes in respect to itAt this moment the sound of music broke upon "That is a beautiful strain," said I.

"Sweet indeed," said the stranger. "Let us catch th words."

"They are a part of that beautiful song," said I, "the first line of which you just quoted:

'For her my tears shall fall,

For her my prayers ascend:

To her my toils and cares be giv'n,
Till toils and cares shall end.'"

"Delightful! delightful!" exclaimed the stranger. "Let us join them. We are acquainted with that song." "Not only can we sing it," said I, "but I trust we are willing to unite with them in doing all-"

I did not finish the sentence. The dew was falling fast. My limbs were chilled with the damps of the evening. Ihastened to my chamber, and my dream taught me a lesson which I trust I shall not soon forget. God grant that I may always value his cause the more, by having the importance of it so clearly impressed upon me, and never feel that any toils are too severe, or any Scrifices too great, if by such toils and sacrifices I may contribute to its advancement in the world.

Praying for the Sick.

MR. Mason, of New York, was requested to visit a lady in dying circumstances in that city, who, with her husband, openly avowed infidel principles, though they attended on his ministry. On approaching her bedside he asked her if she felt herself a sinner, and her need of a Savior. She frankly told him she did not; and that she believed the doctrine of a Mediator to be all a farce! "Then," said the doctor, "I have no consolation for you-not one word of comfort. There is not a single passage in the bible, that warrants me to speak peace to one, who rejects the Mediator provided. You must take the consequence of your infidelity." So saying, he was

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