January 2

We preach Christ crucified. — 1 COR. i. 23.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. — JOHN xii. 24.

HOW true this utterance in its application to him who gave it! He spake as never man spake, and lived as never man lived; yet his ministry was by no means fruitful. Crowds hung upon his lips, but their attachment was short-lived; and when he was put upon trial, few or none stood by him. Almost literally the corn of wheat abode by itself alone. But after the Saviour's death, at the first proclamation of the gospel on the day of Pentecost, three thousand souls were added to the Church, and on subsequent days "multitudes, both of men and women," — so that the crucified Saviour was more effective than the living Jesus. The blood of the cross is the great secret of awakening, conversion, and holy living.

How true is the saying in regard to all the followers of the Lord Jesus! Sacrifice is the indispensable condition of success. We must renounce in order to prevail. He that seeks his life loses it; he that loses his life finds it. One must sow in tears if he would reap in joy. Master and scholar have the same experience, — that suffering is required in order to fruitfulness and victory. It is the furnace that purifies and renders efficacious; the spices must be bruised to bring forth their fragrance. Happy they who recognize this law of the divine economy, and are content to suffer if only they may be made to bear much fruit!

Talbot W. Chambers

Faithful cross! above all other,

One and only noble tree!

None in foliage, none in blossom,

None in fruit, thy peers may be.

J. NEALE (Translation).