preached Christ, he would not only speak of him as a Saviour, but as a Master, requiring their devotion and obedience; and when they gave heed, they doubtless resolved to give up sin, to follow holiness, and to seek the salvation of others. It is good when conversion is decided and manifest in conduct as well as professions. It is good when we are not content with merely receiving benefit for ourselves, but when receiving leads to action and effort in the cause of Christ. How great is the happiness of doing good! They heard with one accord. Most readily did they hear the gospel. They doubtless felt their need, they felt that their souls were in danger; hence no time was lost, and no excuse presented. They heard cordially. The word did not produce a temporary excitement, it affected their hearts. It did not meet with mere external countenance, but it called forth eartnestness and cordiality. They heard it unitedly. The revival was general, the conversions were numerous, the success was encouraging, and the joy was great. SEPTEMBER 29. The Barren Fig-tree. "Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?"-Luke, xiii. 7. THE fig-tree-what it represents. It primarily represented the Jewish church, planted in the fertile land of Canaan, and watered for three years by the earnest ministry of Christ. It may represent any congregation of professing Christians; but as it has a continual and individual lesson, it especially represents, the Christian professor of religion. Every professor is visibly planted in the house of God, a tree of righteousness, and is expected to maintain his position, and grow in knowledge, grace, and good 442 THE BARREN FIG-TREE. works. The fig-tree-its great advantages. The profess ing Christian has been born in a land of Bibles; enjoyed, perhaps, the instruction and example of pious parents and friends; belongs to a church owning one Master only, and sits under a faithful and earnest ministry. Surely such advantages bring corresponding responsibility, and ought to be valued and improved. The fig-tree-the fruit expected. Leaves and blossoms, and a fair profession, are very beautiful, but there must be fruit. Personal religion must be daily attended to, and the advancement of religion eagerly sought in families and churches. When such fruit is wanting, an exact account is kept of the deficiency, whether for three or three-score years. Every sin committed, and every duty neglected, is on record. Reader, how does it stand with you? At stated periods, men of business balance their accounts; and if thou wert to balance now, what is the state of thy soul? How are thy privileges improved? The fig-tree-its barrenness. He sought fruit, but found none. The ordinances of religion must be supported, and the gospel sent to the perishing; what fruit hast thou produced, what sacrifices hast thou made for these ends? If the professed disciple of Christ were as anxious to glorify God as to attend to his own interests, he would have fruit; and if he has none, his barrenness is blameable and sinful. The fig-tree-its doom. "Cut it down." This doom is merited. The professor of religion has enjoyed, year after year, God's forbearance, and opportunities of doing good to the church and to his fellow-men, but he has done nothing, though he has received much. This doom is sudden. Ere ever he is aware, the summons of death is put into his hand: "Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward." This doom is dreadful. It is an end to life, an end to hope, and an end to happiness. The reason assigned. "Why cumbereth it the ground?" THE BARREN FIG-TREE. 443 The mere professor occupies room that might be better occupied by another, neglects duties which another would perform; and he is a bad example. Like Achan in the camp, he does more injury than an open and avowed foe. SEPTEMBER 30. The Great Intercessor. "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.”— Luke, xiii. 8, 9. HERE we have the Dresser's intercession-his intention to use further means—and the anticipated result. The Dresser's intercession.-"Lord, let it alone this year also." It is entirely owing to this pleading that the barren fig-tree is not cut down at once; and it is entirely owing to the intercession of Christ that the barren professor is not arrested in his sins. The patience and forbearance of God are great, but there is a point beyond which they do not extend; and were Jesus not to plead for him, he would speedily reap the fruit of his own doings. Jesus pleads, because he anxiously desires to make a barren tree fruitful, and a barren professor useful. He gives warnings generally before he strikes, and, O reader, how many warnings, and how many years has he given you! A reprieve, though granted, will be only for a limited period. It may be a year, and it may be less. Surely, if one year may be the whole length of your day of grace, you will not sin it away, but begin now by bringing forth fruit! The Dresser's good intentions.-"I shall dig about it, and dung it." He intends to use further means, and give you a few more opportunities. Professor of religion, by the terrors of the law, by war, pestilence, and famine 444 THE GREAT INTERCESSOR. prices of bread, by personal and relative afflictions, the Dresser will dig about you, and stir you up, in the hope that you will learn righteousness. Professor of religion, by the invitations and promises of the gospel, by the enjoyment of ordinances, by the influences of the Holy Spirit, and by the good example of others, the Dresser will arrest you, that you may have every means of improvement, and be left without excuse. What more can he do for you than this? He anxiously desires to save you and make you fruit-bearing, but he will not do so against your will. The result anticipated.-There may be a good result. Reader, there is yet hope. Thou mayest bear fruit, thou mayest dedicate thyself anew to Christ, thou mayest instruct and warn others, thou mayest give and pray for the support and extension of the gospel. Shall Jesus do all for thee, and wilt thou do nothing for him? There may be a bad result. You may refuse to bring forth fruit. You may forget that the forbearance of God is limited, and that your responsibility is in proportion to the pains bestowed upon you; but ere you are aware, the fiat goes forth: "Cut him down." After repeated trials and warnings, the Dresser will be content with the result, whatever it is. You have space to repent, and if you repent not, the end will be dreadful, and the blame will be your own. OCTOBER 1. A Flourishing Church. "There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth."-Psalm 1xxii. 16. HE prophetic language of Scripture is often obscure, yet always beautiful. Here we have to contemplate the church as a city-small in her beginningsabundantly fruitful-and vastly prosperous. "The The church is a city.-God is her founder. Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it." Believers are "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone." God is her builder. "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathered together the outcasts of Israel." God is her protector. Enemies will not be able to overcome, time will not be able to inflict decay, and death will not be able to destroy. O city of the Lord, am I a dweller within thee? Have I entered thy gates by Jesus, who hath purchased all thy citizens with his own blood? This church was small in her beginnings.—“ A handful of corn in the earth." The apostles were few, poor, unlearned, and uninfluential. "God hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty." The means which they employed were weak and contemptible in themselves. They took the seed of the word into their hands, that they might overcome the |