ould have
an end. I think that you have herein followed your own pleasure
overmuch; and I believe that God would now have you go back to the
world, and work for Him therein. You have a great power with this
simple folk; but they are as sheep without a shepherd, and must be
fed, and none but you can now feed them. You will bethink you of the
visit that the Lord Christ paid to the Sisters of Bethany; Martha
laboured much to please Him, but she laboured for her own pleasing
too; and Mary it was that had the good part, because she thought not
of herself, but of the Lord. And now, dear brother, I would have you
do what will be very grievous to you. I would have you go back to your
native place, and there abide to labour for God; you may come hither
at seasons, and be alone with God, and that will refresh you; but you
are now, methinks, like a man who has found a great treasure, and who
speaks no word of it to others, and neither uses it himself, but only
looks upon it and is glad."

Then David was very sad at the priest's words, knowing that he spoke
the truth. But the priest said, "Now we will speak no more of this
awhile; and I would not have you do it, unless your heart consents
thereto; only be strong." And then he asked if he might have somewhat
to eat; and David brought him his simple fare; so they ate together,
and while they ate, it came into David's mind that this was certainly
the way. All that afternoon they sate, while the wind rustled without,
and the sea made a noise; and then the priest said they would go and
look at the treasure, because it was near evening, and he must return.
So they went down together, and drew the rocks off from the box. It
was a box of wood, tightly corded, and they undid it, and found within
a great store of gold and silver pieces, which the priest reckoned up,
and said that it would be abundant for a church.

Then they saw the boat approach; and the priest blessed David, and
David thanked him with tears, for showing him the truth; and the
priest said, "Not so, my brother; I did but show you what is in your
own heart, for God puts such truth in the heart of all of us as we can
bear; but sometimes we keep it like a sword in its scabbard, until the
bright and sharp thing, that might have wrought great deeds, be all
rusted and blunted."

And then the priest departed, taking with him the box of gold, and
David was left alone.

David was very heavy-hearted when he was left alone on the