Posted in The Hedge of Thorns by John Hatchard
Here we are, at the end of this little treasure.Chapter Nine: Determined To Know and Chapter Ten: The Final Hedge.
A recap of the previous chapters: John's lifelong hedges, his parents, have died. His sister, who has also been a hedge for a large part of his life continues to be an influence, though a reluctant one on John's part. John had recently decided he would step out into another world than he had been raised in and was prevented by the hedge of his parents in their deaths. Now that they are both gone, he has the responsibility of taking care of the debt left and caring for Bell.
His mother had asked that Mrs. Waring be their adviser in financial matters before her death, much to John's dismay. John felt a reverence toward her, but also a conviction in the sin that was growing outside the hedge of his heart. Being pressured by the debt, John had no choice but to receive Mrs. Waring and soon their debt was paid. As we will see, the hedge of a year's time and Mrs. Waring's presence has not been enough to dissuade John from following the path he stumbled upon the day his father interrupted it. His last thought was that he had a new suit of clothes, and he was resolved to execute his long-intentioned plan.
So, where is this spiraling path going to lead him? Has he forgotten the lesson from the hedge so many years ago? If he has, do you think God will set another hedge around him?
John is indeed executing his plan to meet up with William Croft. He puts on his best suit of clothes, plans a two-day holiday and goes down as though it is just a normal Sunday. He "walked down with the intention of asking his sister to accompany him to church, but seeing her 'humble dress' and that Mrs. Waring was ready to go with her, he decides to go on alone into town." And another hedge is hurdled.
Who does he run into outside of this hedge but his "good buddy" William Croft? And some women "his father had previously warned him to stay away from." And he goes with them anyway. Another hedge his father taught him about, and he knew about, but just ignored. I was surprised that he said anything to them about church, considering he was so bent on straying from the path in the first place."It was a fine morning; the church bells ringing, and everything around me looking cheerful, while my mind was in that state of self-complacency which prepares for the commission of any sin, for God resists the proud, but her giveth grace to the humble."
It was no surprise to me that they weren't going to church, but were going to drink. And, of course, misery loving company, they got John to drink with them. I don't know if I was surprised he drank with them or not. I suppose not. What happened next, to me, is all a bad dream, in a sort of way. I suppose it reminds me of my own idiotic ways before I met the Lord. Though, I can see God's hand as it were on me even then.
I think it was a blessing that he was so sick. I think, in fact, that he said if he weren't so sick, he would have gone off to find them. Sin knows no boundaries and will not ever be quenched in its desire.
So, to quench this desire, God had to devise the hedge of all hedges and allow a sickness upon John's body that pushed him to the brink of understanding of his sin. And, I think, John welcomed this hedge. I think he finally understood it. Unfortunately, this sickness really never went away and was eventually the cause of his death.
Did you notice that he felt a "false shame" when he was with William and the two women, but when he should have felt the most shame, with Bell and Mrs. Waring, he said "never did they cast a shadow of shameful judgment nor make me feel unworthy of their attention." This is the true love and conviction of God, being shown through these two people who know the Lord and are serving Him and John humbly.
I would have loved to read the version of this book that was written as things actually occurred. I wonder if the desire to leave and go to his own pleasures would have been page after page. I wonder if he felt that his father stepping in on his conversation with William Croft was his father's place of protection, and since it did not deter him, his father's illness and eventually his death would become a hedge. I wonder if he considered them hedges he jumped over to get to this thing, this desire.
What do you think of his determination? I mean, he died a very young man. Many men and women live much longer with much more sin in their lives. This determination caused him grave consequences, just as it cause Bell as a little girl. What a blessing that Bell, though brokenhearted, realized what this story would mean to "children" and had it published. I am so glad this "child" has been blessed to read it. It has put life and its hedges into perspective for me, and I am so very grateful for it.
I only got to read this through a couple of times, and I am sure there is plenty more to add.
If you made it to the end with us, thank you!! I have enjoyed getting to know you Jeannie and Stephanie, Christina (though I know you, I loved to hear your take on the story) and LakeLady. Sylvia, feel free to jump in wherever!! :)
We will be reading The Inheritance next. It is a Lamplighter book, and can be purchased through The Old Schoolhouse Store. I will be putting up a post with a Linky to sign again when I introduce the book. We won't plan to start up until after the first of the year!
10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
If you have not had time to read or have read and have not commented on The Hedge of Thorns, please feel free to do so. And Join us for our next read, The Inheritance.
Blessings!
Jacque
Seeking Rest in the Ancient Paths Homeschool
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