A Criticism
An esteemed brother objects to the application made in the article, "Care for God's Fruit Trees," in March Help and Food. He thinks that " fruit trees," there taken in their symbolical meaning, rather represent beneficent institutions in the nations, such as hospitals, schools, etc., of course in the hands of the world.
The expression of divergent views, or controversy in a Christian spirit (and only thus), is profitable as stimulating to research in God's Holy Word. It is in view of this that we mention the above correspondence.
In the following scriptures, Judges 9:8-20; Ps. 104:16; Ezek., chaps. 17 and 31; Dan. 4:20-22; Rev. 8:7, rulers or persons in eminent positions are represented. In like manner fruit trees should, we believe, suggest prominent ones among God's people, in ministry to them. Our Lord and His godly ones are represented as such in the first psalm. The returned remnant of Israel from the captivity, represented in their leaders, was but a fruitless fig-tree, with leaves only.
"Sound speech that cannot be condemned."
My brethren, the preaching of the Gospel minister should always have soul-winning for its object. Never should we seek that the audience should admire our excellency of speech. I have in my soul a thousand times cursed oratory, and wished the arts of elocution had never been devised, or at least, had never profaned the sanctuary of God; for often as I have listened with wonder to speech right well conceived, and sentences aptly arranged, I have felt as though I could weep tears of blood that the time of the congregation should be wasted listening to wordy rhetoric, when what was wanted was plain, urgent pleading with men's hearts and consciences. It is never worth a minister's while to go up to the pulpit stairs to show his auditors that he is an adept in elocution. High-sounding words and flowery periods are a mockery of man's spiritual needs. If a man. desireth to display his oratory, let him study for the bar, or enter Parliament; but let him not degrade the cross of Christ into a peg to hang his tawdry rags of speech upon. C. H. Spurgeon
"My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (i Cor. 2:4, 5).
"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:16).
How much fruitless intercourse have I had with you! I have not been like a shepherd crying after the lost sheep, nor like a physician among dying men, nor like a servant bidding you to the marriage, nor like one plucking brands from the burning! How often have I gone to your houses to try and win souls, and you have put me off with a little worldly talk, and the words of salvation have died upon my lips! I dared not tell you were perishing-I dared not show you plainly of the Saviour. How of ten I have sat at some of your tables, and my heart yearned for your souls, yet a false shame kept me silent! How often I have gone home crying bitterly, "Free me from blood guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation! " -McCheyne.