As Robin grew into manhood and became more competent for his work, so surely did he see his dear old friend and teacher decline in strength with the advancing years. No one liked to admit the fact; but at last it became evident to all that the aged gardener was quite past work, and could only walk about the garden paths leaning heavily on his knotted stick, while younger hands succeeded to his labour.
Yet both Jonathan and Corrie had work to do for the heavenly King, and their lives were a study to the thoughtful heart. They both laboured, but it was passive labour, for they had learned that:
"They also serve who only stand and wait."
"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby," was what Corrie's life said to all who watched it; and on that day when all things are manifested, it will be found that more true service has been wrought on sick-beds than on earth's battle-fields.
"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God; they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; to show that the Lord is upright." That was Jonathan's work now, for he was old and well stricken in years.
On this Sunday night he had been talking to Carrie about heaven; and as he paused to take another look at the glowing sky and calm woods, light footsteps were heard approaching the cottage.
"We are come for our Sunday talk," cried Clarice and Milly. "Have you something nice for us this evening?"
"Yes, my dear young ladies; God's lessons are in everything we see upon His beautiful earth. I was thinking what the Bible tells us about a garden. It begins with the beautiful garden of Eden. Read it, dear Miss Clarice, will you?"
So Clarice read, "'And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And a river went out of Eden to water the garden.'"
"Ah! How fresh and beautiful it must have been then," murmured Jonathan, "before sin came in to spoil it all! And how glad we should be that God is going to make it all fair again some day! Turn now to the last book in the Bible, and see what the garden will be like when Jesus comes again and takes His people to live with him."