The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-05-10
You & his I'D % ar { ma n & !.
THE BARREN FIG.TREE.

have with all my roses, aud carnations, and tulips.
and.yet they all grow, and thcre is nothing but
leaves on my peach ree;' and Lewis leaned upon
his little garden hoe, and as he brushed the damp
hair from his forehead he fixed his eyes more
the fruitess branches, which cast their shadow
upon the Towering shrubs that grew beneath.
'What have you done to your tree, Lewis, to
make it grow3' kindly asked his mother.
'Done, mother!--I have watered it, and dug
around il, and bent away the branches OF that
great apple tree, so that the could shine upon
il all day; and now have spent the whole after
noon in hoeing around it, when if it had only
grown, I should have got my Sabbath lesson. O.,
dear, I've a great mind TO cut il down.
mo Lewis, let it be. Now put your hoe away,
and let us go in. You have but short time to
prepare your Sabbath lesson; and
Mother, l don't care about my lesson. / wish
1t Monday, instead of Saturday; it seems TO
me the Sabbath comes so often!' and Lewis petu-
lently laid aside his garden tools, and followed his
mother into the house. Had he seen the tear that
dimmed her loving blue eye, and stole silently
down her cheek he would have been sorry he had
spoken so lightly of the day dearer to her than all
others.
1t was evening and all around was hushed in
inc Huctuating shadows in his little garden. Al
length his father entered. He had patiently lis.
tened TO Lewis complaint of his unfrui,fu tree,
and now he spread upon the table large picture.
Here my son, is something for you
90, how beautiful eagerly exclaimed Lewis.
sThere is a tree all covered with leaves and
blossoms, and there is msn cutting down bar
rem tree, just like my peach tree. Well, that will
hav m uOn ror hay l.
ing the looks of my garden any longer. Father.
what is this pciure7'
Lewis great many years ago, in the eastern
country, was fertile and beautiful garden. The
soil rich, the sun shone clear, and the trees
were covered with glossy g'een leaves AT the
earliest dawn of morning, and as the dusky night
on, the watchful gardner wntered each
plant, and every tree He never wearied, and
n, ost abundanily was his toll rewarded But there
one tree upon which no fruit grew. The
bright sun OF summer lay smiling upon its bran
ches all the day long; the gentle rain moistened
its roots, and the dew ofevenng descended upon
it, Vain sun and shower and evening dew
Untiringly did the gardener cultivate the Cnyield-
ing tree. Vain were his abors His eve rested
upon its leafy verdure; and the joyous birds bnilt
their nests, and warbed their songs among its sha-
dy branches; but his heart weared that such prom
Use should never be realized. For three successive
years, at the end of each summer season, the own
er had come from a Distance, and disappointment
had succeeded his expectation with regard to the
yet barren tree. Again he came; and now he said
20 the gardner, Behold these three years com g
seeking fruit this fig tree, and find none: cut it
down; why cumbereth it the ground'
sAnd the gardner answered.,
sLet il alone this year also, till shall dig about
it, and if il bear fruit, well; and if not, then after
that, thou shalt cut it down.
The father OF Lewis paused For moment the
eyes OF his boy were earnestly fixed on the bar.
rem tree; then he said:
Father, shan't cut down my peach tree this
summer.
shy son, there is deeper meaning in the story
have told you than you have yet learned The
garden represents the world. Our Father in hea.
ven is its owner. You are of his plants. You
have been nourished and watched, A mothers
tears and anxiees--a fathers prayers and hopes
have been added TO The sun Of heaven and the dew
of grace. Lo these ten years has your Maker come
seeking fruit. What has be found? Have you been
an obedient, dutiful child? Have you loved the
Sabbath? Have you sought more than all things
else TO please Jesus?
My son, think of this evenings lesson. .Ncver
-ntver forget the barren fig tree. Bring forth
fruit here, and hereafter you shall be like tree
planted by the rivers Of water in The garden above.
The glory Of God will shine there, and the Lamb
tighten forever the fadeless trees of the garden of
heaoen.' a., III u1sthE