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Do Men Gather

OF OR FIGS OF THISTLES?

You see here a cluster of grapes and a branch of the thorn-bush. Then, in the words written upon the board, you see a reference to figs and thistles. The question relates to these four objects. We find it in Matt. vii. 16. Two of these objects, grapes and figs, are useful; the other two, thorns and thistles, are worthless. If we should ask, "Which do you prefer?" you would quickly answer, and not one of you would choose the thorn nor thistle. You would "gather" the grapes and figs. Let it be your aim always to choose the good in the moral world rather than the evil. Let the thistles, which irritate and annoy, and the thorns which pierce and pain be rejected. God offers you pleasant, palatable, healthful things in abundance. Take these, and let the bad and barren things alone. Be like Mary. "Mary hath chosen that good part." Luke x. 42.

But this question of the Saviour implies that fruit will always harmonize in its essence with the nature of the plant or tree that produces it. This is the chief point of the question. A certain tree or a plant has a capacity to produce a certain kind of fruit. It cannot bear anything else. A thorn cannot bear grapes, ner BLACKBOARD ILLUSTRATIONS, &c. a thistle figs. The idea is that a bad life cannot produce good results.

Hence, said Jesus, "Neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Matt. vii. 18. "We cannot have right virtues without right conditions."- Beecher. "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things." Matt. xii. 35.

Let us strive to be good, and do good. How little good have we done! "A very small page will serve for the number of our good works when vast volumes will not contain our evil deeds." -Bishop Wilson. Let us be more fruitful in the gospel vineyard. The Egyptian fig-tree is said to bear fruit seven times every year. In Spain, it is said, there is nothing barren or not in some way useful. So may it be in this Sunday-school.

EXAMPLES OF PRAYER IN DANGER, AND BY WHOM. 1. Jacob, from his brother...........

Gen. xxxii. 9-12. 2. Joshua, for deliverance of his people....... Jos. vii. 5-9. 3. Gideon, for deliverance of his people.... Judges vi. 13-16. 4. Elisha, for deliverance from an army. ..2 Kings vi. 17. 5. Jehoahaz, for deliverance of his people.....2 Kings xiii. 4. 6. Hezekiah, for deliverance of his people.. 2 Chron. xxxii. 20. 7. Josiah, for mercy. .2 Kings xxii. 13. 8. Asa, for deliverance of his people... 2 Chron. xiv. 11. 9. Jehoshaphat, for deliverance of his people.. 2 Chron. xx. 4. 10. David, in fear.... Ps. xxxii. 6, 7; Ps. lvi. 3; Ps. cxvi. 3-6. 11. Disciples in the storm. 12. Peter in prison....... 13. Paul and Silas in prison. 14. Paul on his voyage....

Mark iv. 37, etc.

Acts xii. 5-17.

Acts xvi. 25-34.

Acts xxvii. 22, etc.