The Fourth of April.

ISRAEL SHALL BLOSSOM --- Isaiah 27:6.

"He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root, Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit." --- Isaiah 27:6.

"Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward," --- Isaiah 37:31.

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing." --- Psalm 92:14.

". . . but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." --- Jeremiah 17:8.

The evangelical Christians look upon themselves as barren trees, ever crying out, "Oh my leanness, my leanness!" Even before the judgment seat of Christ, they acknowledge no fruits, nor will plead them, though they have been fruitful, Matthew 25:37-39.

The reason is, they are poor in spirit, and are not pleased with their fruits, but only with Christ. Grant, O Lord, that I may earnestly seek to bring forth fruits, and may grow in fruitfulness as I grow in years; and never cease from yeilding fruit; hereby proving myself to be a tree of the Lord's planting, whose leaf is green, and whose branches are flourishing and fruitful.

Yet bless me also with deep poverty of spirit, that I may see myself still nothing, having nothing of my own to glory in, or to justify me; and thus esteem Christ my all, and rest upon him wholly.

Lord, 'tis a pleasant thing to stand
In gardens palnted by thy hand;
Let me within thy courts be seen,
Like a young cedar fresh and green.

There grow thy saints in faith and love,
Blest with thy influence from above;
Time, that doth all things else impair,
Still makes them flourish strong and fair.

Laden with fruits of age, thay show
The Lord is holy, just, and true;
None that attend his gates shall find
A God unfathful or unkind.