by man, he
had no control; and appealed for him to the Great Shepherd, who alone
could do both. Having shown the necessity of such an appeal and
reference, he next proceeded to describe the gracious willingness which
had at all times been manifested by the Creator to extend the required
protection. He adverted to the fortunes of all the patriarchs in support
of this position; and, singling out innumerable instances of this
description, confidently assured them, in turn, from these examples,
that the same Shepherd was not unwilling to provide for them in like
manner. Under his protection, he assured them, "they should not want."
He dilated at length, and with a graceful dexterity, upon the
truths--the simple and mere truths of God's providence, and the history
of his people--which David had embodied in the beautiful psalm which he
had read them. It was poetry, indeed--sweet poetry--but it was the
poetry of truth and not of fiction. Did not history sustain its every
particular? Had not the Shepherd made them to lie down in green
pastures--had he not led them beside the still waters--restored he not
their souls--did he not lead them, for his name's sake, in the paths of
righteousness--and though at length they walked through the valley where
Death had cast his never-departing shadow, was he not with them still,
keeping them even from the fear of evil? He furnished them with the rod
and staff; he prepared the repast for them, even in the presence of
their enemies; he anointed their heads with oil, and blessed them with
quiet and abundance, until the cup of their prosperity was running
over--until they even ceased to doubt that goodness and mercy should
follow them all the days of their life; and, with a proper consciousness
of the source whence this great good had arisen, they determined, with
the spirit not less of wise than of worthy men, to follow his guidance,
and thus dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Such did the old man
describe the fortunes of the old patriarchs to have been; and such,
having first entered into like obligations, pursuing them with the same
fond fixedness of purpose, did he promise should be the fortunes of all
who then listened to his voice.

As he proceeded to his peroration, he grew warmed with the broad and
boundless subject before him, and his declamation became alike bold and
beautiful. All eyes were fixed upon him, and not a whisper from the
still-murmuring woods which girded them in w