The Hen Which Does Not Sit on Her Eggs

“^ sudde7i glance at truth withottt 77ieditatio7i up07t it bri7igeth nothi7ig to pc7fectio7i; as a he7i that soo7i leaveth her 7iest 7iever liatcheth her chicks How can she? Patience is needed, and the quiet self-denial by which she renders up the warmth of her heart; otherwise her eggs will lie as dead as stones. The value of truth will never be known by those who look at it and hurryon: they must brood over it, and cover it with their heart’s love, or it will never become living truth to their souls. We must apply ourselves to a doctrine, giving our whole soul and heart to it, or we shall miss the blessing. Herein is wisdom.

Lord, when I hear a sermon, or read in a good book, let me not be as the partridge which sitteth on eggs and hatcheth them not; but make me to see life and power in thy word, and to rejoice over it as one that findeth great spoil.