M PHOCAS, The Christian Gardener. ANY hundred years ago, near the gate of Sinope, a city of Pontus, there dwelt a certain holy man, whose name was Phocas, and, though he was poor and lowly, living by the labour of his hands, yet few in the country round about, and still fewer in the city of Sinope, knew not, by report at least, the good and charitable gardener. He was one, to whom for many a year, the words of the holy Apostle might have been applied, "Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, B serving the LORD;" and so the blessing of the LORD which maketh rich, rested upon him and upon the work of his hands; and his well cultivated garden not only supplied his own wants, but enabled him to use hospitality to all without grudging, and to help the poor and needy. Some would say of him, however, "To be sure Phocas is very generous to entertain so many travellers, and to give so much to the poor, but after all he is but a fool not to sell the produce of his garden, and lay up the money to enable him to be something better than a poor working gardener all his life:" and if such words had come to the good man's ear, he might have surprised the speaker, by informing him that he was providing himself with bags that would not wax old, and laying up treasure for himself in a safe and sure place, where it could neither get rusty, nor be stolen away from him; and, if he had been asked to explain himself, he might have answered, that of all which he gave to the poor, his Master had said, "Look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again." |