But sorrow is not enough; joy is indispensable too. The crop is threshed
in tribulation, but is grown mostly in sunshine. Calm, uneventful hours,
continuous possession of blessings, have a ministry not less than
afflictions have. The corn in the furrow, waving in the western wind,
and with golden sunlight among its golden stems, is preparing for the
loaf no less than when bound in bundles and lying on the
threshing-floor, or cut and bruised by sharp teeth of dray or heavy
hoofs of oxen, or blows of swinging flails.

So do not suppose that sorrow is the only instrument for perfecting
character, and see that you do not miss the sanctifying and ripening
effect of your joyous hours.

Again, different types of character require different modes of
treatment. In the parable, 'the fitches' are sown in one fashion, and
'the cummin' in another the 'wheat' and 'barley' in still another; and
similar variety marks the methods of separating the grain from the husk,
one kind of crop being threshed another having a wheel turned upon it.
Thus each of us gets the kind of joys and pains that will have most
effect on us. God knows where is the tenderest spot, and makes no
mistakes in His dealing. He sends us 'afflictions sorted, sorrows of all
sizes.'

Let us see that we trust to His loving and wise adaptation of our trials
to our temperaments and needs. Let us see that we never let clouds
obscure the clearness of our perception, or, failing perception, the
serenity of our trust, that all things work together, and all work for
our highest good--our being made like our Lord. We should less often
complain of the mysteries of Providence if we had learned the meaning of