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der where the sun went down offers the best harbor on this coast. It soon will be dredged and made ready for shipping, and because this castle is the one nearest to this port, the King has chosen it to be one of his key centers. He has chosen you and will train and equip you for your part, and as you work w i t h h i m a n d depend upon my guidance, all t h e power and wealth o f his kingdom will be at your call. Though the task may sometimes be hard and his ways seem strange to you, the King's work will be done, and, since he w ill be pleased—all will be w ell!" As the young man listened with a humbled but glowing heart, he began to dimly understand how much more wonderful the King’s plans were than his own. And as he looked into the shining face of the man he n ow loved as well as honored, the light he saw there seemed to flow into his own heart, and in place of gloomy fears, filled it with peace and gladness. Years passed. Again twilight f e l l about Cromwell Castle. The Earl of Cromwell, no longer young, s t o o d beside one of the pillars of the broad portico hefore the great castle—a t least it seemed great to him tonight as he compared it with the one of long ago. Somehow the memory of that never-to-be-forgotten moment of his life’s choice was very vivid just now. How little, he mused, had he really understood 'those blueprints even whep they were explained to him! In the days that had followed his great decision it surely had seemed that his worst fears were well found ed—fears that the beauty and dignity, the peace and comfort of ljis ■lovely home were gone forever. For hordes of common, tiresome people invaded his life,t and left him confused and out of patience as they tore down and dug up and removed many a famil iar landmark, until it seemed that his home lay in ruins about him. On days when his trials seemed too great he would go alone to his [ Continued on Page 75]
and forth upon the broad terrace. Could it be that his fine plans would not bring the King the delight he had hoped they would? “For your own pleasure”-M:he words sounded in his ears. Well, to be honest, the Earl had to admit he was preparing things for the King the way he himself liked them. In fancy he had seen himself as -the gracious host, pleasing the King, enjoying his confidence, and later on in. life being a man of real importance in the royal court. He ad mitted to himself the justice a n d good reason of the King’s desire to have his plans for the estate carried out, but the love of his own cherished desires rose in him like a living thing. Surely he had some rights in the matter. Suddenly he faced his companion, “Would you leave me,” he cried, "if . . . if I went on with my plkns?” “ No," said his guest, “no,” and his voice was sad, “ but the King makes provision and offers guidance only for work done according to his plans.” The young man began again his restless pacing. He would be on his own, he mused, and from the survey of the day he knew a little of how hopeless a task that would be. His w o r k m e n ' were few and poorly trained, and the task so great. . . . and in the end the King would be disappointed! His weary feet came to a standstill, his shoulders drooped, his face looked t older and sad. His eyes sought the distant skyline where the colors of the sunset were fading, leaving only a strip of crimson glow ing beyond the western hills. Someone had put up a large sign post on one of the low hills and it s t o o d darkly outlined against the glowing sky in the shape of a cross, and he knew that the cross on the hill far away was only the symbol of a real, but unseen cross t h a t was being planted in his own heart. “My w ill must ever be crossed out by his—but I choose it so!” he cried aloud, and in his voice love and pain mingled. He turned to his guest who was his leader now, and saw in that strong face only love. While the twilight deepened out side, the two men bent over a great rosewood table in the brightly lighted study of the castle. Many blueprints were spread out upon it, and eagerly they studied them. “You see,” the older one was say ing, “the bay on the sea coast yon
there is much waste land unplanned for.” Somehow the words ,■pierced t h e young man’s heart like a rebuke. He answered quickly, “Of course that is true, but what a great task lies be fore us to do what I have already planned! Sometimes eveh this seems more than can ever be worked out; and r know too, the castle itself should be enlarged,, but how can I . . . ?” They were standing now facing the wide expanse of sky blazing with glo rious colors. The sun, a glowing ball, was sinking down beyond that great sea which they well kne\y lay just out of sight over the low hills. The young man turned to, Jxis com panion. The light of the sun seemed to be reflected in his guest’s face, and involuntarily the youth stepped back and removed his cap, with a sense of awe. Turning eyes upon him at once so kind and tender yet so searching that they seemed to pierce the very soul of his questioner, the great man an swered, “The King would have every part of his land fertile and useful,” and then he paused and seemed to grow taller, more commanding as he spoke. “You have been telling me of your pleasant plans that you have made for your estate, plans that you feel w ill delight the King and are also for your own pleasure. Have you ever considered that the King has de sires and plans for Cromwell Castle and its fair lands? His plans provide for the use of every foot of ground, and w ill give all of it a useful share in the carrying out of his royal pur poses. Cromwell Castle can be a vital link in his great program for t h e spread of his wise and gracious reign to far distant lands. "Not merely as your helper am I here,” his guest went on, "but as Cap tain of all the King’s host of men and supplies, and—should you choose the King’s plans rather than your own— to furnish you with all you need to carry out his good pleasure as you accept my instructions and depend upon my guidance. But the King will not force this upon you . . . you must choose!” ", In shocked and amazed silence the young Earl gazed upon the noble face of the speaker. He felt as though his little world, that had seemed so big and important, was tumbling about him. Abruptly he turned and paced back
Answers to January Contest
1. Ephesians 2. Hebrews 3. Numbers 4. Deuteronomy 5. Revelation
6. Matthew 7. Luke 8. Genesis 9. Leviticus 10. Romans
Junior King's Business By MARTHA S. HOOKER Member of Faculty Bible Institute of Los Angeles ............................................................................ 4 .......................................... ;__
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