And while, in self-abasing contrast with the Divine Majesty, he exclaimed with David, "'Lord, what is man that Thou are mindful of him?" * He was able to advance with Paul into the solution of the mystery, and by faith to "see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels," ‡ a suffering, sorrowing Man, "that He, by the grace of God, should taste death for every man," and in the glorious consummation, having subdued all enemies, and abolished all consequences of sin from the once perfect creation, will reinstate the lawful King over His restored inheritance, and then again shall "His name be excellent in all the earth," and all things animate and inanimate respond to their original intent, and "everything that hath existence shall praise the Lord."
* Psa. viii. ‡ Heb. ii.
Guy came to his wide field of study groping after no "unknown God," but from the presence of "the Truth" alone commissioned to reveal Him. There is no risk of mistake when the spirit of man as a learner listens to the Spirit of God as the teacher, and "looking unto Jesus" apprehends the mighty import of the Divine proclamation, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Whatever his chosen sphere of duty, the young believer is thus fore-armed, and Christ has a faithful soldier in the battle field.
Intent on his congenial occupation, Guy was one day sketching, beneath a group of trees that might have been planted specially as an artist's post of observation, the picturesque village of Pine-wood End, where the new school-house was becoming prominent against a background of foliage rising abruptly on a steep hill-side.
An approaching footstep, a little imitation cough failing to attract his notice, a voice tried effect upon his ear, and turning round he saw a gentlemanly-looking young man, who had been pointed out a short time before as the new tutor to the son of Sir Ryland N— of N— Hall, a neighbouring landowner.
"I beg your pardon," said he, gaily, "but may I not presume to admire your work?"
"No, sir," said Guy, smiling; "unless you wish me to think lightly of your judgment. But you may expend as much admiration as you please on the scene I am trying to represent. You will not find many so gracefully combining variety and interest."
"Ah! Now you remind me of a landsman trying to beguile an old sailor," said the young man, laughing. "You have not travelled, or you would scarcely notice a spot like this."
"Then I should not care to travel," said Guy. "But it need not be so. We may travel to admire and wonder, without losing preference for the land where we live and love."