Old Nance. 103

 

indeed be putting the kingdom of God first ? will it
not be rather your own entrance into it ?”

“T do not quite understand,” [ said.

My master replied, “ Suppose the case of a noble-
man, who has a servant whom he requires to train
and strengthen himsclf in bodily exercises, and
promises that, when he has brought his bodily
vigour to the highest point of which it is capable,
he will admit him within the walls of his private
grounds, And suppose that servant, instead of
employing and invigorating his whole body, should
exercise his right arm only, neglecting all his other
muscles, and should give as his reason that the
right arm is the best and most powerful of his
members, and therefore the one to be cultivated ;
and also, that thereby he will be the better able to
burst through the strong gate which gives admit-
tance to the grounds.”

“Oh! but surely he would not have to do that !”
I exclaimed.

“Just so; his master holds the key of the gate ;
therefore, by his development of one arm only, the
man serves neither his own nor his master’s cause
as he might if he exercised his whole body fairly.
Now, does he sce my drift? God has given to us,
His servants, many faculties and powers; if we
develope but one, or turn what we use in one