172 THE ORANGE TREE. the harvest to misgive, and the grain to wither, not only for one, but every season, thus leaving us to pine for hunger, so far from wronging, He would only treat us as we have justly merited. Let us also reflect, for our comfort, that it is no difficult matter for Almighty God, who pardons the sins of the penitent, also to swell the little stores of the faithful, and even in the midst of dearth to satisfy them abundantly. O my God, Thou kind and gracious Master! give me, above all things, a heart easily contented, and able either to be poor or to be hungry, to abound or to suffer need. CV. The Orange Tree. N the garden of a man of rank, Gotthold was shown a young orange tree bearing fruit, part of which was almost ripe, and part still small and green. He was told that in warm countries, such as Spain and Italy, where it attains to its full height and perfection, the orange tree is found, so to speak, continually serving man; inasmuch as, at one and the same time, ripe fruit, and half-ripe fruit, and THE ORANGE TREE. 173 even blossom, may all be seen upon it. He thereupon replied: It would be the same with our common apple and pear trees, were it not for the severity of the cold in winter. In spring, when they burst the bud, and are gradually adorned by nature with leaves and flowers and fruit, you may already discover the leaf and fruit buds with which they intend to gain our love and admiration in the year to come. In harvest, too, when the foliage drops off, these remain as the hope of the following summer, and can be recognized and distinguished by the skilful gardener. From the inanimate creatures let us learn our duty. Nature continues in incessant action; and having once received from her omnipotent Creator the command to minister to man with her fertility, she never pauses, but works, germinates, and produces in succession, leaves, flowers, and fruits, to the utmost of her ability. And why should not we do the same, seeing that God has not only made and planted, but even watered us with the blood and Spirit of His dear Son, to the end that we may bear fruits of love and gratitude both to Him and our neighbor? There can be no doubt that in all the plants of righteousness which He has planted there is an everactive, forcing, and prolific power; for, in the remarkable words of the apostle, As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God;1and again, The love of Christ constraineth us. When they have 174 THE DISMANTLED HOUSE. performed one work of love, or borne one fruit of righteousness to the glory of God and the service of the brethren, they are already in spirit bearing fresh blossoms and pondering on others. Be it summer or winter, never do you find them without good fruit, or at least never without blossoms, leaves, and fruit-buds; by which I mean, holy and sincere desires and resolutions to advance God's glory, and be serviceable to mankind. They are partakers of the Divine nature,1 and have the spirit and the mind of Christ.2 Jesus, my Lord! without Thee we can do nothing. Abide Thou in me, and I in Thee, and then never shall I want either fruitfulness or fruit. CVI. The Dismantled House. APPENING one day to pass a house, from which war and pestilence had swept away the inmates, whose roof and partitions had afterwards fallen, and which was now tottering to its ruin: Here, said Gotthold, we behold the fruits of our sins, which are what empty cities of their populations, and houses of their inhabitants. And it 1 2 Peter i. 6. 2 1 Cor. ii. 16. 3 John xv. 5. 4 Isaiah vi 11. THE DISMANTLED HOUSE. 175 is no wonder that God chases and expels us from our mansions, when we refuse to have Him for our fellowlodger, and make screens of our walls, behind which to sin, as we fancy, in security. The spectacle of this house, forsaken by man, and falling into ruin, shall now remind me of the wretchedness of that soul which, persevering in a course of sin and impenitence, God in righteous judgment forsakes. It is the haunt of the foul birds of night and hell, which fly in and out at their pleasure. All about it is crumbling to pieces, and preparing for everlasting destruction. The worst punishment which can be inflicted upon man in this present life, is when God withdraws from him the hand of grace, gives him up to a reprobate mind, and permits him to walk according to the inclinations of his wicked heart. In that case, Satan has gained the game, and bridles and saddles the steed to ride it at his pleasure. The man becomes a ball, which the devils toss from hand to hand, and plunge out of one sin into another. His mind is a forge, in which infernal spirits manufacture the works and weapons of darkness. I now understand what is meant when the Lord our God exclaims: Woe to them when I depart from them.1 And again I have taken away my peace from this people, even loving-kindness and mercies. There is, however, a difference between this house and a profligate given over to the power of hell: the one exhibits its 176 MAN AND HIS SAVIOUR. miserable condition to the view of all who pass, whereas the spiritual wretchedness and ruin of the other are often disguised by temporal prosperity, and the success of his licentious projects. The danger is, however, all the greater, the more it escapes the notice both of himself and others. Leave me not, then, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation!1 Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Let me not have my own will; withdraw not from me Thy watchful care. Let my soul continue at all times the habitation of Thy Spirit. I would rather be deserted by the world, by health, by honor, by pleasure, by earthly blessings, by friends, by all, than by Thee and Thy grace. CVII. Man and his Saviour. HAT think you of our need of the Lord Jesus? said Gotthold. For my part, my soul is like a hungry and thirsty child, and I need His love and consolations for my refreshment; I am a wandering and lost sheep, and I need Him as a good and faithful Shepherd; my soul is like a |