human
There will never more be such times in Scotland,
gpt
Thank God, no! said his aunt, hastily;
human
I don't wish those times to come back, said the boy musingly;
gpt
And why is it not as much worth a man's while to live in the days that are to come as in the days that are past?
human
I know what you are thinking, aunt:--that a poor cripple lad could have done as little then as he can do now.
gpt
No: I was thinking that it needs as much courage and patience, and as much of God's grace, for a poor cripple lad to bear (as He would have him bear) the trouble He sends, as would have stood a man in good stead before the face of Claverhouse himself. The heroes of history are not always the greatest heroes, after all, Archie, my laddie.
human
Maybe not, aunt; but, then, it's only a sore leg I have to bear; and who is the better whether I bear it well or ill?
gpt
Archie, man, you are speaking foolishly, returned, his aunt, gravely.
human
It matters much to yourself whether you bear your trouble well or ill. It was sent to you for discipline, and that you might be better fitted for the honouring of His name; and He who sent it can make it answer these ends in you as well as though He had cast your lot in those troublous times, and made you a buckler of strength against His foes and the foes of His people.
gpt
But, aunt, said Lilias,
human
No, love: such a wish is not wrong, provided it doesn't act as a temptation to neglect present opportunities. We are all by nature self-seekers, and in no small danger of giving ourselves credit for wishing to serve the Lord, when, maybe, He sees it is ourselves we wish to serve. The best evidence we can give that we would honour Him in a larger sphere is, that we strive to honour Him in the sphere in which He has placed us.
gpt
But after all, aunt, it would be grand to be able to do as much for God's cause as some of those men did. I can't think that any one, to say nothing of a poor cripple lad, has an opportunity to do as much now as those men had.
human
To do is a great thing in the sight of men. But I am thinking that, in His sight who sees further than men can see, _to suffer_ may be greater than _to do_. But have patience, Archie, lad. He who has given you to suffer now, may give you to do before you die. You may have to fight the battles of the Lord in high places. Who knows?
gpt
That would be near as well as to fight with the dragoons: would it not, Archie? said Lilias, laughing.
human
I'm sure it would be far easier.
gpt
Maybe not, my lassie, said her aunt, gravely.
human
There may be battles fierce and sore that are bloodless battles; and Scotland may not be through all her warfare yet. But take the books, bairns, and let us be thankful that, whatever may befall us or our land, we have always the same word to guide us.