Morning, August 15
Go To Evening Reading
“Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide.”
Genesis 24:63
Very admirable was his occupation . If those who spend so many hours in idle company, light reading,
and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable
society and more interesting engagements in meditation than in the
vanities which now have such charms for them. We should all know more,
live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation
chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from the mental food
gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed.
Isaac found Rebecca while engaged in private musings; many others
have found their best beloved there.
Very admirable was the choice of place . In the field we have a study hung round with texts for thought.
From the cedar to the hyssop, from the soaring eagle down to the chirping
grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all
things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely opened,
that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly than from written
books. Our little rooms are neither so healthy, so suggestive, so
agreeable, or so inspiring as the fields. Let us count nothing common
or unclean, but feel that all created things point to their Maker,
and the field will at once be hallowed.
Very admirable was the season . The season of sunset as it draws a veil over the day, befits that
repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly
communion. The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and the
solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of
this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can
spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not, the Lord
is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or in the
crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet him.