九月十三日

他們經過流泪穀，叫這谷變爲泉源之地，幷有秋雨之福蓋滿了全穀。（詩84：6）

這叫我們知道一個人所得的安慰也能幫助別人，正像一口井一樣，幾來的人都能汲飲。我們閱讀滿有安慰的書籍，正像約拿單蘸滿了蜜的杖一樣。我們想我們的弟兄在我們以前爲自己掘的井也是我們掘的。《哭泣之夜》、《夜半歌聲》、《永遠之日》、《耕地犁頭》、《苦中得慰》（靈修書籍）等都是行天路的人爲自己掘的井，但是也很合別人的需要。我們開頭要特別注意詩篇有一句話說：“我的心哪！你爲何憂悶（或消沉）。”走路的人很喜歡在荒凉的海岸看到人的脚印，我們也喜歡看到行天路的人在流泪穀所留下的足迹。

行天路的人所掘的井，乃是從上面得水，而非從下面涌出來的，這是一件希奇的事。我們用某種方法，但福分幷不能從我們的方法裏流出。我們掘了一口井，但天上落下雨來充滿了它。馬是爲打仗之日預備的，但平安乃在乎耶和華。方法與結果有關，但徒有方法幷不能産生結果。雨水充滿了泉源，才能成爲貯水的穀；工作幷不徒然，但須有神從上面來的幫助。

恩典也像雨一樣，清潔、新鮮而舒暢；恩典也是從上面來的，賜下與否權柄在神。願讀者們喜獲福雨，好有水充滿各人所掘的井！天若不露笑容，方法和禮儀有什麽用呢？它們不過是無雨的雲、無水的井罷了！願神的愛，敞開天上的窗戶傾福于我們。

September 13

"Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well, the rain also filleth the pools." -- Psalm 84:6

This teaches us that the comfort obtained by a one may often prove serviceable to another; just as wells would be used by the company who came after. We read some book full of consolation, which is like Jonathan's rod, dropping with honey. Ah! we think our brother has been here before us, and digged this well for us as well as for himself. Many a "Night of Weeping," "Midnight Harmonies," an "Eternal Day," "A Crook in the Lot," a "Comfort for Mourners," has been a well digged by a pilgrim for himself, but has proved quite as useful to others. Specially we notice this in the Psalms, such as that beginning, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Travellers have been delighted to see the footprint of man on a barren shore, and we love to see the waymarks of pilgrims while passing through the vale of tears.

The pilgrims dig the well, but, strange enough, it fills from the top instead of the bottom. We use the means, but the blessing does not spring from the means. We dig a well, but heaven fills it with rain. The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but safety is of the Lord. The means are connected with the end, but they do not of themselves produce it. See here the rain fills the pools, so that the wells become useful as reservoirs for the water; labour is not lost, but yet it does not supersede divine help.

Grace may well be compared to rain for its purity, for its refreshing and vivifying influence, for its coming alone from above, and for the sovereignty with which it is given or withheld. May our readers have showers of blessing, and may the wells they have digged be filled with water! Oh, what are means and ordinances without the smile of heaven! They are as clouds without rain, and pools without water. O God of love, open the windows of heaven and pour us out a blessing!