February 11

Whose end is to be burned. — HEB. vi. 8.

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. — MATT. v. 13.

THE salt in Judea was native salt mingled with various earthy substances. When exposed to the atmosphere and rain, the saline particles in due time wasted away, and what was left was an insipid earthy mass, looking like salt, but entirely destitute of a conserving element, and absolutely good for nothing. It was not merely good for nothing, but actually destructive of all fertility wherever it might be thrown; therefore it was cast into the streets to be trodden under foot of men. The carcass of sheep or bullock might be buried deep in this worthless mass, and the process of corruption not be delayed a moment.

What an illustration is this of the absolute worthlessness of the form of godliness when the power is utterly lacking! If the salt have lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? How can its salting, conserving property be recovered? What can you do with it? So your savorless religion is not only worthless in its influence on others, but of no good to yourselves. It will save neither them nor yourself from corruption. How sad for one to have lost the power that belongs to the Christian calling, and instead of being the instrument of saving others, becoming a means of their perdition! Well does the Saviour say in another place, "Have salt in yourselves."

David D. Demarest

Lord, to me more grace impart; Make me faithful, Lord, I pray. Purify and keep my heart; Make me fruitful day by day.

R. M. OFFORD