Page:Swedenborg, Harbinger of the New Age of the Christian Church.djvu/287

 in his heart wished himself more than a thousand miles away.

"'Is there any care that lies upon your hearts, any distress which has suddenly come over you? ' said Swedenborg—'then speak out plainly, and, with God's help, it will all go well again.'

"'Yes,' at last said the old gardener, 'yes, we wish to leave the Assessor's service."

"Swedenborg seemed surprised. 'Leave me! and why? ' he asked, with his penetrating, friendly look, which pierced them to their very heart; 'I thought, as we were growing old together, we should to our very end remain faithful to one another, and never separate in this life.'

"'Yes, so also we thought ourselves,' burst out the housewife, almost overcome with tears; 'for thirty years we have served you, and I thought it would be God's pleasure that we should die in your garden, and under your eyes; but, but—'

"'Speak out, woman; what lies so heavily upon your heart? I know that both of you think a great deal of me. Is it not so?'

"'Yes, before God it is so,' said both of them together.

"'Speak out then,' said Swedenborg, with a