June 13

The fire shall try every man's work. — 1 COR. iii. 13.

Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. — MATT. xv. 13.

THIS is one of our Lord's enigmatical replies. His disciples had informed him that the Pharisees had taken offence at certain of his remarks. Without commenting on their conduct, he points his followers to a future when all error and malice will be brought to nought. He thought it better to impress a truth on his friends than to confute his enemies.

We are taught by Christ's words that we are not always to take the responsibility of opposing openly that which we disapprove, but that we may at times leave it to the providence of God to thwart and defeat the evil practices and false opinions of others. We are taught also that our own characteristics and cherished habits are to be estimated in view of the source from which they came. The question respecting our plans and occupations is not, Are they attractive? Do they comport with our pride or our place in the world? but, Are they of God? They will be surely rooted up unless they derive their support from him. Most cheering of all is the truth that what God has planted will abide forever. The seeds which Christ sows in the heart will spring up and bear fruit unless we permit them to be snatched away or to be choked by weeds of which an enemy has sown the seed. The fruits of the Spirit will always be cherished by the heavenly Father.

Geo. Myr Boardman

O Master, point thou out the way, Nor suffer thou our steps to stray; Then in that path that leads to day, We follow thee.

H. BONAR.