^ It is related of Schwabe the German astronomer that, wishing to determine the relation between sun-spots and earth- magnetism, he gave himself to the recording of the varying appearances of the sun's surface. For forty-two years the sun never rose a single morning free of clouds above the flat horizon of the plain at Dessau where Schwabe lived but his patient telescope was there to confront it ! The man of science believes in Nature. He waits for it, in the faith that it is, and that it is the rewarder of those that diligently seek it. If only Christian people would realize that it is infinitely more worth their while to wait thus patiently upon God, what wonders of Spirit-filled lives we should see ! ^
^ The other day I stumbled across a little book in which he wrote the names of those for whom he prayed, and the day of the week on which he interceded for them. It was a revelation — for one would have thought that many of those names had been forgotten by him years before. There is a great unity in the list ; they all sorely needed the Divine help. He also prayed daily by name for the members of his family, and each worker of our Church on the Foreign Field was remembered by him. With the map before him he interceded for the many nations of the world.2
II.
COUEAGE.
As many as are the conflicts and perils and hardships of life, so many are the uses and the forms of courage. Courage is necessary, indeed, as the protector and defender of all the other virtues. Courage is the standing army of the soul, which keeps it from conquest, pillage, and slavery. Unless we are brave we can hardly be truthful, or generous, or just, or pure, or kind, or loyal. " Few persons," says a wise observer, " have the courage to appear as good as they really are." You must be brave in order to fulfil your own possibilities of virtue. Courage is essential to
' Archibald Alexander,
' Love and Life : The Story of J. Denholm Brash, 65.
30 WAITING COURAGEOUSLY
guard the best qualities of the soul, and to clear the way for their action, and make them move with freedom and vigour.
Courage, an independent spark from Heaven's throne, By which the soul stands raised, triumphant, high, alone; The spring of all true acts is seated here, As falsehoods draw their sordid birth from fear.
If we desire to be good, we must first of all desire to be brave, that against all opposition, scorn, and danger we may move straight onward to do the right.
^ The Ecv. Henry Parnaby, M.A., writes : " Only six days ago I had a long talk with the surgeon who attended Principal Simon in Liverpool — Dr. Armour — and he told me souietliing very characteristic of the old Principal. When his trouble had reached a certain stage, Dr. Armour suggested to Dr. Simon that by a very delicate and difficult operation he could be cured. The operation, however, was attended with very great risk, and possibly Dr. Simon would not survive. The decision was left to him, and he took a week to think over it. He went off and consulted his family, and returned a week later to announce that he had decided not to undergo the operation. His reason was this. He was in such dreadful and continuous pain that he felt he would go into the operation with eagerness, because it promised an end of his trouble either by cure or death. He felt that he would welcome this as an end of his pain, and that therefore he would be dis- playing an unwillingness to endure the purifying pain which he accepted as a means of spiritual discipline from God. Dr. Armour assures me that never in all his wide experience has he found another patient who could give so courageous and honourable a reason for declining to undergo an operation.^
^ One winter night the Mar^chale and two young comrades, Blanche Young and Kate Patrick, went out with shawls on their heads, and made their way to one of the boulevard cafes. The leader passed the door, and passed it again. She turned to her lieutenants and said, "You have never known your Mar^chale till now ; you see what a coward she is ! "
" No, no, no ! " they both protested.
At last she put her hand on the door, pushed it open, and went in. A man in a white apron was selling drink. Going up to him, she said, " May I sing something ? "
He stared open-mouthed.
' F. J. Powicke, David Worlhmglon Simon, 297.
PSALM XXVII. 14 31
Trembling from head to foot, she repeated, " I should like to sing somethinci;," "Very well!" She began :
Le ciel est ma belle patrie,
Les anges y font leur s^jour; Le soldat qui lutte et qui prie Y sera bientot k son tour.
While she sang, Blanche chimed in with her guitar and her second voice. As they proceeded, the smoking, drinking, and card-playing ceased, and every face was turned towards them. They sang on :
En marche, en marche,
Soldats, vers la patrie !
En marche, en marche,
Soldats, vers la patrie !