January 18

Set your affection on things abobe. — COL. iii. 2.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. — MATT. xiii. 22.

HERE is a call to early soul-culture. The thistles from which our Lord fetches his illustration grow rapidly and in wild profusion on all ploughed fields of Palestine, springing up, however, after the wheat, which when white and dry and seen from a distance, they closely resemble. With these thistles, therefore, which all ploughed land bears, the wheat if it be late sown will have sore struggle for any vigorous and fruitful life.

We are thus taught to have divine truth timely sown and well advanced in the soul before the summer heat, so getting start of the weedy growths of our maturer years, — life's mid-summer. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, which deplete the soil, outcrowd and overtop the tenderer and too late sown plant, destroying its worth and fruitfulness.

We should claim, seize, and improve for Christ first opportunities. The opening spring ought to find us beforehand with the weeds, early at work in our own heart's garden and the hearts of others, especially the young, getting start of the Devil by preoccupation of the soul for God.

Perhaps this opportunity may come to me to-day. The Lord help me to improve it, and forbid that either cares or riches choke his word!

Wm. T. Sabine.

Almighty God, thy word is cast

Like seed into the ground;

Now let the dew of heaven descend

And righteous fruits abound.

CAWOOD.