WHAT a long, happy day the young Falconers had with their mother in the woods! Mrs. Falconer had been ill, but was now gaining strength, and this was her first excursion—her first summer’s holiday with her children after recovery. Each vied with the other in showing her attention, while she, as was her wont, tried to encourage their “delight in common things,” thus uniting profit with pleasure.
The day was sultry, so they were glad to come upon a lovely spring in a pleasant clearing, which trickled into a deep basin or well. Here the children chose to rest until their father could join them.
“Now we are waiting at the well,” said Helen, the eldest.
“But where are the camels?” asked little. Charlie, thinking of Abraham’s servant.
They all laughed at this idea. Then Mrs. Falconer asked—
“Who else sat beside a well?”
“Jesus,” replied Mabel softly and reverently, for she loved the name.
“Yes,” said their mother; “wearied with a long journey under a burning sun, He sat on the well waiting for the poor woman who was to come out, to whom He might tell of ‘the water of life flowing for every sinner.’ He said; ‘WHOSO DRINKETH OF THIS WATER SHALL THIRST AGAIN BUT WHOSO DRINKETH OF THE WATER THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM SHALL NEVER THIRST,’ that is, shall never be unsatisfied.”
After this the children sang a sweet hymn:
“Living waters still are flowing,
Full and free, for all mankind,
Blessings sweet on all bestowing;
All a welcome find.
All the world may come and prove Him,
Every doubt will Christ dispel,
When each heart shall truly love Him,
Waiting at the well.”
ML 10/22/1916