AT the end of a summer's day how refreshing it is to come across a stretch of water. Perhaps we have been out for a long walk and are feeling hot and tired, and we gladly throw ourselves down on the grassy banks and rest awhile, and watch the reflections on the smooth surface. Every now and then there is a little splash as a fish rises with a sudden dart to catch an unwary fly. Some one throws in a stone; and we watch the ripples as they expand in ever-widening circles.
The two girls in the picture want to get across to the other side; the one with the hay-rake is joining her companion in the punt—a flat-bottomed boat, not rowed with oars, but pushed across with a long pole which reaches to the bottom of the water; you can see it lying in the boat. It looks quite simple to push the boat along with it, but unless you have learned the right way, it is very easy to tumble into the water in doing so.
“Still waters." Does that remind you of any text? I am sure many will remember the verse in Psa. 23, "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”
In the land of Palestine, after feeding in the green pastures (if they can find any) during the day, the shepherds in the evening lead their flocks down to the water, and before very long the sheep belonging to three or four shepherds will all be mixed up together in hopeless confusion, as we should say.
Some years ago a servant of the Lord (whom we will call Mr. S—) who had lived all his life in Palestine, came to London, and I heard him give a most interesting account of what I have just been telling you. When he first saw it, he wondered how ever the sheep would be separated again into the different flocks, and he spoke to one of the shepherds about it. "Come and see," was the answer.
It was evening, and the time had come for the shepherds to take their flocks home for the night. The shepherd to whom he was speaking walked down to the water and gave a peculiar call; and slowly walking away, holding out one arm, he continued making this particular sound. Almost at once there was a stirring among the sheep, and one after another left the water, climbed up the bank, and followed the shepherd, until quite a big flock was following him away from the water. After a little while he stopped and counted them; all his own were there-not one missing! The other shepherds did the same with their flocks, and all went off in different directions.
Mr. S— was greatly interested, and after a while said, "I believe I could do that." The shepherd laughed and assured him that he could not. Mr. S— persisted, and wanted to be allowed to try. So the next evening, while the flocks were at the water, the shepherd dressed him up in his own long cloak, gave him his crook, and taught him the peculiar call, which Mr. S— succeeded in copying quite well.
Then he walked down to the water, doing exactly as he had seen the shepherd do the evening before, and giving the peculiar call. Much to his delight several of the sheep began to come out of the water and follow him. He walked on slowly, still giving the call; but on looking round again he saw the sheep had stopped. So he called again; at this the few sheep hesitated no longer, but turned round and ran back to the water! In spite of all his efforts not a single sheep would follow him, and he had to give it up, much to the amusement of the shepherds. Now I think you will understand John 10 better than you ever have done before!
And that beautiful chapter goes on to tell us that the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. Have you learned to know the Shepherd's voice yet? If not, listen now, for He is still calling "Come unto me... and I will give you rest." He has laid down His life in order that you might be His; and He is waiting to receive you just as you are. But do not linger; one day that voice will cease. The door will be shut, and the flock all gathered in; then it will be too late.