en they cannot be driven. There are numbers who,
if you attempt to drive them, will run the contrary way; who, if you
treat them with respect, and show them that you love them, will follow
you where-ever you may go.

But you must give them time. They cannot always come right all at once.
When a fisherman angles for large fish, he provides himself with a
flexible, elastic rod, and a good long length of line; and when he has
hooked his prey, he gives it the line without stint, and allows it to
dart to and fro, and plunge and flounder at pleasure, till it has tired
itself well, and then he brings it to the bank with ease. If he were to
attempt to drag the fish to the shore at once, by main force, it would
snap his rod, or break his line, and get away into the deep; and he
would lose both his fish and his tackle. And so it is in the world of
mind. When we have to do with vigorous and active-minded young men, we
must allow their intellects a little play. We must wait till they begin
to feel their weakness. We must place a little confidence in them, and
give them a chance both of finding out their deficiencies, and of
developing their strength.

It would not be amiss if elder preachers could go on the supposition
that they are not quite perfect or infallible themselves,--that it is
possible that their brethren may discover some truth in Scripture, that
has not yet found its way into their creed; or detect some error in
their creed, that has lurked there unsuspected for ages. And they ought
to be willing to learn, as well as disposed to teach.

But in any case, if our studious young brethren miss their way
sometimes, we must be kind and gentle towards them, and in our endeavors
to save them, must proceed with care. Deal harshly with them, and you
drive them into heresy or unbelief. Deal gently and lovingly with them,
and you bring them back to the truth. How often the disciples of Jesus
erred with regard to the nature of His kingdom, and the means by which
it was to be established. Yet how patiently He bore with them. And in
this, as in other things, He has left us an example that we should tread
in His steps. The sun keeps the planets within their spheres, and even
brings back the comets from their far-off wanderings, by the gentle
power of attraction. And the Sun of Righteousness keeps His spiritual
planets in their orbits, and brings from the blackness of darkness the
stars that wander, by the same sweet power. And the se