The following is taken from the Farm Section of the Springfield Republican.

"Although the soils of Massachusetts have long been recognized as about the poorest in the country, from the standpoint of fertility, it is a remarkable fact that this commonwealth ranks second in the country in value of its crops per acre of land cultivated. This showing, of course, is not only a tribute to the skill of the Massachusetts farmer, but also gives mute testimony to the ability he has shown to adapt himself to conditions."

The clipping is quoted here because of the very striking illustration it affords the Christian as to what can be accomplished by diligence and application in his study of the Scriptures, which may be likened to the farmer's cultivation of the soil. "Much food is in the tillage of the poor," the wise man of the Proverbs tells us (ch. 13:23).

The term "poor" may be used very appropriately to describe the generality of God's saints, not only of to-day but of all times. Most of us are deficient in education, we lack ability, we are pressed for time, our stock of outside helps, as books, the ministry of the living voice, etc., is meager, and our opportunities, speaking generally, are not what many of us might wish them to be. And this being so, we are apt to consider the close study of Scripture as of little utility, producing small results, and almost a waste of time; so the temptation is to settle down to a mere formal and almost mechanical reading of the Word, and to leave the more minute and careful study of the Book to those whom we consider as being

"THE tillage of the poor" 207 better qualified to understand its real and deeper mean-But in this case we would be very much like too many a New Englander, who, because the soil of the farm of his forefathers was poor, forsook it, to toil cooped up in some noisy, heated mill, or removed to the restless, crowded city, with its germ-laden dust and very questionable "advantages."

Despite the fact that "the soils of Massachusetts have long been recognized as about the poorest in the country," as the newspaper paragraph informs us, numbers have continued their cultivation, and by the diligent "use of means," coupled with a real, living interest in their work, have demonstrated that their (to some) sterile acres could be made to produce about as abundantly as the best lands in the country elsewhere. But it required "tillage," interest, industry, with a wise application of suited fertilizers, and other helps, now so easily available for all who really and earnestly wish to succeed.

But it is just here where so many Christians fail; they lack earnestness, application, determination, or "purpose of heart," to use the language of Scripture. Such a spirit of assiduity is described very graphically in the Proverbs. "My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as-for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God" (ch. 2:1-5). How perseveringly in Central America have I seen men seeking for silver (or for gold)-eager prospectors, scouring the wild mountains of Honduras, often- alone, without guide or companion, combing its streams or river-beds, enduring burning heat, prolonged thirst, hunger, wet, weariness, the torturing bites of poisonous insects, and much, else-all in the often vain hope of discovering the "gold that perisheth," stirring up in this way by their example the missionaries on the field to greater zeal in the prosecution of their work in seeking souls, and putting to shame the Christians at home for their slackness in searching after the precious things contained in that mine of wealth, the written Word of God.

And in those same southern latitudes what money has been spent, and what time and energy consumed in the search for the supposed "hid treasures" of the old-time buccaneers, ancient (often faked) charts studied, seas sailed, perhaps in crazy, unseaworthy boats, or tiny shallops, coral islands industriously dug over, caves explored, lagoons dragged-all in the eager but vain expectation of discovering a chest of Spanish doubloons or a casque of pieces of eight. What enthusiasm! what desire! what willingness to spend and be spent! what hope, what confidence, however misplaced, in the uncertain expectation of coming on to some long-hid treasure which is destined in the end (even if ever found) to turn into a handful of dust. And in what an unfavorable light do these indefatigable treasure-hunters put Christians in their tame efforts and lukewarm zeal in the searching of the Scriptures which testify of Him "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

And the believer may know that the treasure is there (as the hunter after gold could not know), and when possessed it is of ever-enduring value, and worth more than worlds. Also, to encourage them in their labors they have the heartening words of Him who is Himself really that treasure (Christ revealed in the Scriptures), "Seek and ye shall find."

But what should be the object of this assiduity, this application, in the study of the Word? Is it to become "expert" Bible teachers, able expositors of prophecy, to acquire the reputation of being "mighty in the Scriptures?" Is it worth while? Is it time spent to best advantage? What is to be gained by it? On the answer to these questions depends in large measure our interest in the case or the importance of the subject to our minds. What was the object of "the tillage of the poor?" Was it to grow prize products, or to obtain rewards at some agricultural exhibition? No, it was "food," a necessity of life, a requisite for the nourishment of the body. And it is with this object in view chiefly that the Christian should give himself to the study of God's Word; to "desire the sincere milk of the Word that he may grow thereby" He would be "nourished in the words of sound doctrine," not distinguished among his fellows for some supposedly superior knowledge of Scripture teaching concerning prophecy, the Church, the Jews, or any other branch of Biblical knowledge, important as these all may be in their place and when learned in the spirit of a weaned child. The motive is the root-incentive to prayerful, unwearied study, "tillage," of those fields of Holy Writ, spread over the thousand of more pages of that Book we call the Bible. Leaving the figure of the tiller of the soil, let us return to that of the searcher after hid treasure. What do we find? Why is the "son". there encouraged to cry after knowledge "and to lift up his voice for understanding? Is it that he might obtain the reputation of a sage, or become a second Solomon? Is it knowledge merely for the sake knowledge, or understanding just in order to possess understanding? This would be a reward of very uncertain value indeed, for all the earnestness and effort recommended there for its possession.

What is it? "Then shall thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." The purpose of the search is that the soul might understand the fear of the Lord, and possess itself of the heart-subduing, spirit-chastening knowledge of God. It is primarily that God might in all things be glorified in our soul-prosperity, manifested in our daily walk and conversation, our every-day conduct; that we might be sanctified by the truth, knowing His will in order that we might do it "from the heart," while happily waiting for His Son from heaven. C. Knapp