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Blog
A Black Hen Lays a White Egg
April 25, 2025
A Black Hen Lays a White Egg
Today’s post is not mine, but Charles Spurgeon’s, under the guise of John Ploughman (John Ploughman’s Pictures, The Bible Institute Colportage Association, Chicago). There is a note in the frontispiece informing that it can be mailed anywhere in the US if marked 2nd class mail for 2 cents. – In this article, Spurgeon’s grace-filled genius shines through.
The egg is white enough, though the hen is black as a coal. This a very simple thing, but it has pleased the simple mind of John Ploughman, and made him cheer up when things have gone hard with him. Out of evil comes good, through the great goodness of God. From threatening clouds we get refreshing showers; in dark mines men find bright jewels; and so from our worst troubles come our best blessings. The bitter cold sweetens the ground, and the rough winds fasten the roots of the old oaks. God sends us letters of love in envelopes with black borders. Many a time have I plucked sweet fruit from bramble bushes, and taken lovely roses from among prickly thorns. Trouble is to believing men and women like the sweetbrier in our hedges, and where it grows there is a delicious smell all around, if the dew do but fall upon it from above.
Cheer up, mates, all will come right in the end! The darkest night will turn to a fair morning in due time. Only let us trust in God, and keep our heads above the waves of fear. When our hearts are right with God, everything is right. Let us look for the silver which lines every cloud, and when do do not see it let us believe that it is there. We are all at school and our great Teacher writes many a bight lesson on the blackboard of affliction. Scant fare teaches us to live on heavenly bread. Sickness bids us send off for the good Physician. Loss of friends makes Jesus more precious, and even the sinking of our spirits brings us to live more entirely upon God. All things are working together for the good of those who love God, and even death itself will bring them their highest gain. Thus the black hen lays a white egg.
It seems that Spurgeon refers above to William Cowper’s hymn, “God Moves in a Mysterious Way.”
Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill; He treasures up His bright designs And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;The clouds ye so much dread , Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head.
- “Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart and soul to God, through Christ, with the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.” - John Bunyan
