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This
beginning of success lifted a weight from his diffident spirit. Before it occurred
he had given way to despair, under a "temptation of the devil," as
he believed. Seeing no immediate effect of his labors, he had begun to doubt
his call to the ministry, and had resolved to return home and give up his
"license." He had actually mounted his horse and was retracing his
course, when, arriving at the Grand River, he found that a "January
thaw" had so broken up the ice as to render it impossible for him to
cross, whether by a boat or on the ice itself. Thus providentially arrested,
he returned despondent and confounded. A significant dream relieved him. He
thought he was working with a pickax on the top of a basaltic rock. His
muscular arm brought down stroke after stroke for hours; but the rock was
hardly indented. He said to himself at last, "It is useless; I will pick
no more." Suddenly a stranger of dignified mien stood by his side and
spoke to him. "You will pick no more?" "No." "Were
you not set to this task?" "And why abandon it?" "My work
is vain; I make no impression on the rock." Solemnly the stranger
replied, "What is that to you? Your duty is to pick, whether the rock
yields or not. Your work is in your own hands; the result is not. Work
on!" He resumed his task. The first blow was given with almost
superhuman force and the rock flew into a thousand pieces. He awoke, pursued
his way back to Burford with fresh zeal and energy, and a great revival
followed. From that day he never had even a "temptation" to give up
his commission. |
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From: SIGNIFICANT DREAMS By Duane V. Maxey |