Smyrna times., 1882-03-08

Iu6 UOOI Ol6pnefd'
| beheld, whether asleep or awake |
know not. yet beheld, or seemed to be-
hold, a man habted as a shepherd. and
carrying a shepherds crook. He was in
the midst OF many sheep. and His face
and His bearing We're such that could
not take my eyes away from Him; for
His face was the gentlest and the saddest
| ever saw, and His bearing was the ten
derest and kindest ever saw.
While l looked, wondering at Him, |
thought | heard voice saying TO me,
=" Who is this in the midst of the sheep 2"
And it seemed to nae as though it was the
voice of an Angel, SO | answered as the
holy John answered in Patmos, "Sir thou
knOwest." And the voice then said.
This is the Good Shepherd" SO look
cd the more attentively.
And first saw little track on hill
side. Where were many thorns and briers.
And the Good Shepherd went along that
little track. And it was very narrow
Way. And there were sheep following.
And as He went in front He beat down
the thOrns and briars, and pushed them
aside so that the sheep could get through
them. Yet He did not beat them all
quite down, nor push them all quite aside
So the sheep were often hindered by them
and could barely get through. And some
time they were torn by them, and went
on bleeding with the wounds. And the
Good Shepherd often turned and smiled
at the sheep, and called them by their
names, for He knew all their names.
And | said Tell me what this mean
eth"
And the voice said, Thou seest the
Good Shepherd leading the sheep He
loves best to the green pastures and still
waters which lie over the hill He suffers
them to be torn and wounded, but it is of
very faithfulncss that He does so. He is
trying them whether they will press on
through these hindrances and follow Him
tothe end. If the way were all smooth and
easy, they would loiter the more. And
he will never suffer them to be tried
above what they are able to bear. See
how He helps the weak ones"
Then l saw how a little lamb was all
entangled in the thorns, and was bleating
and could not get free, though it strug-
gled bard. And instantly the Coed Shep-
herd went to it, and tenderly drew away
the thOrns, and took the little lamb up in
His arms, and carried it till the worst
was past
! Now as | thought how kind and good
the Shepherd was, 10, could see the hill
side no more, but there was a great sheep
fold in wide plain, and many sheep in
side, and many sheep outside the fold
And the Good Shepherd was there again
And | saw Him passing this way and that
way among the sheep that were on the
outside, and He said something to each OF
them, entreating them, as it seemed to
me, to go in. Some words / could hear,
such as, ~ am the Good Shepherd y
by me if any man enter in, he shall be
saved" . am the way" 81 am come
to give life ;" Come unto me;' "Ye will
not come to me that We might have life.'
His voice was very sad and anxious. Yet
but few sheep seemed to hear it. Most
went wandering about, tasting the rank
grass and wild weeds which grew on the
plain. To some land marked especially
that of these were such as came strayinp
out Of the fold) He seemed to speak with
| greater urgency, and l saw Him open His
hands to them, and show them the wounds
there, which He told them the terrible
lion had made, when He fought with him
and rescued the sheep out of his cruel
| fangs. And with this heard Him say
The Good Shepherd giveth his life for
the sheep" And / marvelled that even
then but few needed and returned to the
fold. And suddenly beheld what more
amazed me. 1 saw a sheep straying fal
away, and / saw the Good Shepherd smit.
ing it with His staff, and His blows were
heavy.
And said, What is this that see
Can One who is so meek and gentle and
loving deal thus cruelly?"
And the voice said, "Thou art wrong
These blows are not cruel. The Good
Shepherd does not love to see His sheep
suffer. 1t is pain to Him to hurt them
for He feels for all their sufferings. He
smiles in love, not in cruelty. This sheep
yyould nof frrn hv any oenfler nnpans. On