The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-07-02
Concealed Workers.

At the mandatory of "Gobelin's tap
estries in Paris, the weavers sit concealed
behind the beautiful fabrics on which
they are engaged, working from pattern
designed by some great artist, and per-
haps only taking occasional peeps at the
fair exterior and the marvellous effects
which their patient labors are producing.
Passing along the room in front of the
brilliant pictures, the visitors attention is
concentrated on their loneliness. He
knows that they are in process of manu-.
facture by men whose persons are partially
or wholly hidden behind the massive drap-
cry; he may even see the work growing,
thread by thread, under the weaver's busy
fingers but he gives scarce thought to
the workman, 80 ravished is he with the
beauty of design, the richness of coloring
and the unique texture of these renowned
productions. have been thinking that,
in a very humble fashion, am like one
of these weavers for day by day l sit,
carefully adding few touches to my
work; weaving in the bright threads of
the Book of Fund records, till fair tap
estry of its history for the past twelve
months is completed, and then, in my
"Diary," unwilling my work for my read
er's inspection displaying it, not as q
triumph of my skill, but as a tiny part of
a trophy of the Lords great design of
loving kindness and tender mercy Of his
chosen ones. For truly the work is all
his-in direction, in design and in devel.
opment Its foundation lines were laid
in his love and compassion, its pattern is
traced in the golden threads of his faith
fulness and favor, its embroidery is clus.
tered with the precious stones of his mer-
cies, and its beauty is great because of the
"blessing of the Lord" upon it. Behind
all this grandeur of grace the worker may
we'll be concealed it is enough that she
should marvel at the condescension which
placed her there, and taught her fingers
to fashion this goodly work for the King
and his servants. 1t is 80 great an honor
to be allowed to put even one stitch into
the tapestry of the wonderful providences
which are being wrought all around us,
that we might we'll crave to be employed
upon the selvedges, or be happy only to
ravel out the fringes of the great Master 8
designs, rather than bear no part in that
solemn labor which promotes us to be
"workers together with God" 1 cannot
tell why have recalled scene which
must have lain long buried in the dark
places of my memory; perhaps it is in.
tended to comfort or reassure some timid
troubled worker, who can see no beauty
or utility in the service which yet he feels
constrained to render, because of the love
he bears his Lord and King. Courage
dear friend You are to stand behind
your work, whatever it may be. You are
10 labor diligently and faithfully at the
wrong and knotty side of it, content to
be unknown and unrewarded if the Lord
so wills it; but restfully certain that, il
you are doing what he tells you, the result
may be safely left with him. He will
bring out all the harmony and beauty and
glory of his own designs; and when they
are perfected, and you are allowed to look
upon the right side of the Lords marvel
GUS work." you will wonder, not only al
its splendor as whole, but at the bril-
lance of the stitches which were woven
in by you with so many signs and tears
and you will never cease to sing to the
praise of him who " doeth all things well.
Mrs. C. II. Sturgeon.