Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-02-20
The POtter's Advice.

Jeremiah Cole, grand-looking old man
with silver hair and long white beard, sat
at his potter's wheel. He was a valued hand
in the terra.cotta works, for he fashioned the
clay skillfully, aud his upright conduct made
his employers trust him entirely He was
usually assisted by two girls one turned the
wheel, while the other, who was called Ruth,
weighed out the prepared clay aud rolled it
into ball ready for use. She stood close to
jeremiah, to be at hand to perform any
small ser, ices he required.
On this morning the old man was mould
ing some very graceful vaces; it was mar
vellous TO see how deftly he handled the
lump of clay, and how soon it came into
shape by few delicate touches. So alb
sorbed was he that no words escaped him
save, " Steady steady, faster, steady" to the
girl at the wheel.
:" It's done now," he said, as he surveyed
his work admiringly. A." Take it off the
wheel, Ruth, and put it with the others.
That makes six finished, so far as am con-
cerned. Six vases waiting for the oven !;
they must be tried in the fire to prove them
Just like the believer. Thank God, though,
that our light affections are but for mo-
ment. But what's the NATTER Ruth You've
been crying"
"Never mind,' she answered, glancing
huriiedly round.
jeremiah understood that he was to be 81
lent, so he pursued his work until the din
ner-bell rang. "Now tell me what ails you,
Ruth" he asked again.
"My heart will break" she sobbed I" my
heart will break !"
Cant help you, child If can't the
Lord can so we'll ask him together"
"No, Jeremiah, won't pray Im too sore
for that. Fathers ill now, as well as mother.
God doesn't care for us, or he'd kept us from
50 much sorrow"
Hush don't speak rashly. The Lord
has not forsaken you, but you're rebelling
against him. Didn't you tell me week ago
you had given yourself to God, and meant
TO serve him with your whole heart ?"
perhaps did but it was only because
thought God would care for me-"
" Sit down moment, Ruth, and hear me.
We've been working together this morning.
You've been weighing out the clay, which
was ready prepared, or it would not make a
vase. If I'd put red earth on the wheel it
would have blown about everywhere. 1t was
because it came to you i'll prepared state,
and to me III the exact quantity | needed for
my vase, that was able to make it, Child,
learn your lesson from this. A few days
ago you said, Dear Lord, train me for thy
service Your Heavenly Father is taking
you at your word but you rebel, and do not
wish to become "A vessel fit for the Master 5
use. God is our Heavenly Potter He works
in us to will and to do of his own good
pleasure, and we must trust him. lie deals
with us as we deal with the clay, prepares aud
polishes us, because he love us. Those vases
yonder are not nearly so beautiful as they
will be when they've passed through the fire
three times, and birds and flowers adorn
them. There are many steps to climb in
Gods school, and the Great Potter must
have faithful children, who yield themselves
TO be fashioned as he thinks best. Don't be
afraid to trust him. The Father who spared
not an only Son will with him freely give
the best gifts. Go home and ask The Lord
to help you to say, Thy will be done.'"
Ruth took the old mans advice, and re
turned to her afternoon work with bright
face. As she put the first lump of clay Oh
To the wheel, she whispered to the old pot
ter, Gods will be done"
I" Bless him for that |" answered jeremiah
reverently. " COuager and artisan.