八月十五日

天將晚，以撒出來在田間默想。（創24：63）

他所作的很令人羡慕。有很多人一有空就與同伴談天，看閑書或是作無謂的消遣，若他們有智慧的話，一定不願作這些無謂的事，而喜歡默想。這是很有益很有趣的一件事。若是我們能多獨自靜默的話，就能多得知識，生活也能更靠近神，幷能在恩典中有長進。默想能使我們從所獲得的靈性食糧中咀嚼幷吸收出其中的精華和有用的養分來。若我們的主題是耶穌的話，那末默想便是一件甜美的事。以撒在那時看到了利百加，有很多人也在那時找到了他們所愛的。他所選擇的地方很令人羡慕。田間的景物使我們可以思想經上的話語。從香柏樹到牛膝草，從高翔的蒼鷹到低訴的蚱蜢，從蔚藍的天到晶瑩的露，這一切都滿了教訓。

當神開了我們心眼的時候，那些教訓馬上會活生生地顯在心頭，比聖經所寫的更容易令人領會。我們狹隘的斗室那有田間那麽健美，那麽宜人，那麽動人，那麽感人呀！我們不要把任何東西當作是平常或不潔的，而應當認爲一切受造之物都向造物主看齊，那末田間立時就變爲聖地了。那個時間非常令人羡慕。日落進，天幕低垂，放下世務與天父相交是很快樂的一件事。夕陽的餘輝很能激起我們的驚异感，肅穆的夜色也能引起我們的敬畏心。親愛的讀者！若是一天的事情已經完畢，若你能用一小時的工夫到田間去漫步，那是再好不過的事了。若是不能的話，神在城市裏，也能與你在密室或鬧市中相遇。願你今晨準備你的心迎見他吧！

August 15

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide." -- Genesis 24:63

Very admirable was his occupation. If those who spend so many hours in idle company, light reading, and useless pastimes, could learn wisdom, they would find more profitable society and more interesting engagements in meditation than in the vanities which now have such charms for them. We should all know more, live nearer to God, and grow in grace, if we were more alone. Meditation chews the cud and extracts the real nutriment from the mental food gathered elsewhere. When Jesus is the theme, meditation is sweet indeed. Isaac found Rebecca while engaged in private musings; many others have found their best beloved there.

Very admirable was the choice of place. In the field we have a study hung round with texts for thought. From the cedar to the hyssop, from the soaring eagle down to the chirping grasshopper, from the blue expanse of heaven to a drop of dew, all things are full of teaching, and when the eye is divinely opened, that teaching flashes upon the mind far more vividly than from written books. Our little rooms are neither so healthy, so suggestive, so agreeable, or so inspiring as the fields. Let us count nothing common or unclean, but feel that all created things point to their Maker, and the field will at once be hallowed.

Very admirable was the season. The season of sunset as it draws a veil over the day, befits that repose of the soul when earthborn cares yield to the joys of heavenly communion. The glory of the setting sun excites our wonder, and the solemnity of approaching night awakens our awe. If the business of this day will permit it, it will be well, dear reader, if you can spare an hour to walk in the field at eventide, but if not, the Lord is in the town too, and will meet with thee in thy chamber or in the crowded street. Let thy heart go forth to meet Him.