Patient Waiting No Loss; Or, the Two Christmas Days

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 edition. Excerpt: ...Interpreter, ' Expound this matter more fully to me? ' So he said, ' These two lads are figures;--Passion of the men of this world, and Patience of---the men of that which is to come; for as here thou seest, Passion will have all now, this year, that is to say in this world; so are the men of this world, they must have all their good things now; they cannot stay until the next year, that is the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb-- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, is of more authority with them, than are all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. But as thou sawest, that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags, --so will it be with all such men in the end of the world.' Then said Christian--' Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. First, because he stays for the best things. Second, and also because he will have his when the other has nothing but rags. I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.' Oh, Philip! wouldn't you a great deal rathei have been Patience? Joey said, earnestly, raising his head from Mary's shoulder. I don't like Passion at all, Joey; but don't you think it was very hard sometimes to wait! ' Not when he was certain what he was going to have--that makes a difference, you know. Suppose any body told me I was going to see my mother after ever so great a while. Only think, Philip! and the child's large eyes grew almost unnaturally bright, as his head sank down again. Mary moved nearer to the fire, and altered his position so that he would be more comfortable. You must not talk so much, Joey, she said, softly; you will be coughing all night again. Now...