"Oh, timid hearts, dreading every spiritual and temporal
evil—like children going down a dark lane in dread lest at every turn they
should meet some terrible ogre or object of dread; startled by the sigh of
every breeze, and by the whitened bole of every hollow tree—would that you
could realize how absolutely Christ assumes the care of all who trust Him!
"The myriad stars of heaven seem to make up one huge flock.
Their Shepherd is God, who is driving them through space; or who watches them,
as it were, resting on the heavenly slopes as a flock of sheep on the downs at
night. And He has a name for each of them. Is it therefore to be supposed that
He will not be as minute in His care of each one of us? Will He not have a name
for each of us? Will He not number us when He tells the tale of His sheep, even
as He numbers the hairs of our heads? This very morn He touched you with His
staff and counted you. You are the destined object of His care. Is it likely
then that He will suffer you to perish, or want any good thing?"
