August 28

tient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

AUGUST 28.—"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."—Psalm 1. 3.

THE heir of this promise is described in the preceding verses: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." "He" is the person whose condition and prospects are here displayed by images the most pleasing and instructive.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water"—Here we see how he came to be found in a situation so favoured. He was not there naturally, but "planted" there. And this was done by a Divine hand: "for they shall be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

But see the advantage of the situation itself—He is planted "by rivers of waters." It means an affluence of resources necessary to growth. The deficiencies of Christians cannot be charged on Christianity. They are not straitened in their condition, but only in themselves. These rivers of waters mean two things. First, the means of grace. Though these would not be efficient of themselves, there is a subjective suitableness and tendency in them to do us good; and they are appointed for this very purpose; and we may look for the Divine blessing in the use of them. They who undervalue prayer, reading the Scriptures, private meditation, Christian intercourse, the preaching of the word, and the table of the Lord, show little concern for soul-prosperity: but they who are diligent in the proper use of them will be fat and flourishing, and not only have life, but have it more abundantly. Secondly, the Spirit of grace. Divine ordinances are good, but Divine influences are better. Every Christian has what the Apostle calls "the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." And so ample and rich as well as necessary is this supply, that we are said to "live in the Spirit," and "walk in the Spirit," and to be "filled with the Spirit."

Of such a privileged individual three things are here spoken. First: "He bringeth forth his fruit in his season." From a tree planted in dry and scorching sand it would be unreasonable to look for produce; but not if planted by rivers of waters. As God provides for the fertility of his people, he expects it, and he is not disappointed. They have all the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. He finds it indeed in various degrees; for all the trees are not of the same size and age; but there is not one barren among them. A tree has his time for bearing; and it is enough if he bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his natural, proper, and appointed season. So it is with a Christian. He is required indeed to be always

10*

abounding in the work of the Lord; but this does not hinder the special claims of particular periods. As we have opportunity we are to do good. We are to be humble when we are applauded; to be liberal when riches increase upon us; to possess our souls in patience in adversity: and under bereavements to say, the will of the Lord be done.

Secondly, "his leaf also shall not wither." The leaf is a part of the composition of a tree in its perfect state. It is produced and nourished by the same sap that feeds the fruit. It even aids the fruit by moisture and by shade, and adds to the beauty of the tree, which without it, would appear naked, cheerless, and uninviting. We read of trees whose leaves are for healing. The leaves of others afford a covering from the heat, so that persons may sit under their shadow as well as partake of their fruit. Here we approve of the application of "the sweet Psalmist" of our Israel.

"Green as a leaf, and ever fair, Shall his profession shine; While fruits of holiness appear Like clusters on the vine."

In trees bearing fruit, leaves are not sufficient without it; but as accompaniments, and additions they are valuable. A form of godliness is nothing without the power, but the power cannot properly dispense with the form. When profession results from principle it is not ornamental to religion, but useful to ourselves and others. And when the Christian appears what he really is, when he not only gives himself to the Lord, but to his people, by the will of God; when he not only believes with the heart, but confesses with the mouth, and holds fast not only the reality but the profession of his faith without wavering, he is the tree whose "leaf also shall not wither." We have evergreens; but none of our fruit-bearing trees are such. All these with us at the approach of winter drop their verdure, and remind us of our decay and mortality. "We all do fade as a leaf." But in warmer climes there are trees which retain their foliage by constant and fresh vigour all the year. And there are Christians that exemplify this. The profession of many is undurable: it has no root in themselves; it is not sustained by any internal and vital succour: it is influenced only by outward excitements which often fail; and thus even all their pretensions are given up. But God puts his Spirit within his people, and thus causes them to walk in his statutes. The water he gives them is in them, and springs up into everlasting life. One of the finest sights in the world is a Christian at the end of a long course with an unsullied reputation, not only sincere, but without offence, and still alive to the things of God—His hair may be white, but his leaf is green—and the hoary head is a crown of glory being found in the way of righteousness.

Thirdly; "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Here the metaphor ends. Exertion cannot be ascribed to a tree. Some indeed would carry on the figure, alleging that the word "doeth" admits of being rendered "beareth;" and so they would read, "And whatsoever he beareth shall prosper," that is, it shall not be blasted or blighted, but shall reach maturity. But this had been previously insured. Our translators saw no propriety in this change. They