A Lesson in the Orchard.

SITTING in the orchard one beautiful Sunday afternoon in June, my eyes were directed to the trunk of an apple tree, not a young one1 for at the base of the tree was a stump projecting, which had evidently been sawn off at some time, probably to enable the other part of the tree to bear richer fruit. It held my attention for some few minutes, and I saw an object lesson of spiritual worth, for on the part that was, in itself, somewhat unsightly, was a beautiful growth of ivy and moss that in a very short time would completely cover all the barrenness of that stump. God’s Holy Spirit whispered: “Yes! and the broken-off part of your life, sawn off by keen discipline, may, by My grace, growing and covering it with My beauty, become the foundation of spiritual loveliness and of lasting praise unto Me; and even as the moss and ivy clings and retains its freshness through the storms of winter, My sanctifying grace shall cover all, and the whole life bear richer fruit for God’s glory, and in blessing to others.” (John 15:22Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2).)