But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed, Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry-- Sick and helpless, and ready to die. Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way That mark out the mountain's track? They were shed for one who had gone astray Ere the Shepherd could bring him back. Lord, whence are Thy hands so rent and torn? They are pierced tonight by many a thorn. But all through the mountains, thunder-riven, And up from the rocky steep, There arose a glad cry to the gates of heaven, Rejoice! I have found my sheep! And the angels echoed around the throne, Rejoice, for the +LORD+ brings back His own! --_Elizabeth C. Clephane_ "=_The Paths of Righteousness_=" "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." These words are strikingly significant, and show forth the tender aspect of God's guidance. Ofttimes, after rain, the heavy wagon wheels would leave deep ruts in the road, which in cold weather would become hardened and make it difficult for the sheep to walk. Not such roads did the true shepherd willingly choose for his sheep. If compelled, however, to take such roads, he would choose those that had been flattened down by wagon wheels until level. He chose those roads that had been worn smooth, that the tender feet of the sheep might not be bruised. "He leadeth me in smooth roads." "Thou didst sustain them in the wilderness; their feet swelled not." He who follows the divine leading will always be led aright. His feet will travel in "right roads." No man will go wrong who follows Christ. He never leads the soul into questionable places, and no feet guided by Him will go into any place where He Himself does not go. "Where I am, there shall my servant be." "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness." "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth." Sometimes the road He chooses may not be after our liking, but it will always be for our best interest, welfare and usefulness. This fact will eventually be made clear to us, and we will gladly go with Him all the way. I said, "Let me walk in the fields," He said, "No, walk in the town," I said, "There are no flowers there," He said, "No flowers, but a crown." I said, "But the skies are black; There is nothing but noise and din," But He wept as He sent me back-- "There is more," He said, "there is sin." I said, "But the air is thick, And fogs are veiling the sun," He answered, "Yet souls are sick, And souls in the dark, undone." I said, "I shall miss the light, And friends will miss me, they say." He answered: "Choose tonight If I am to miss you or they."