The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-07-23

One of the most troublesome character
istics of the human race, perhaps. is the
tendency to believe only such things as
come within range of the physical vision:
This characteristic has been one of the
greatest stumbling blocks in the way of
the gospel teacher, and too often has skep-
ticism eagerly seized upon and quoted the
words ''no man hath seen God, and show
ed an evident delight in treating the whole
range of religious doctrine and belief as a
myth. IF no man hath seen God, who
shall say that there is God?" And thus
skepticism has clamored for some practic-
al illustration of the truth of the gospel
which should be apparent in physical
vision.
Christ made an advantageous use of this
trait in his gospel teaching, for he fire.
quently taught by parallels, which brought
the truths which he desired to impress
| plainly before his hearers. A tree is
known by its fruit The fruit may be
seen and known by all men-not as the
oratical something which in the imagina-
ton of the admirer blooms and flourishes
to perfection, but a visible something, pos
sessing the elements of strength and beau
ty. And the tree must not be neglected,
but attended with a care and solicitude
commensurate with the eagerness to OBJ
tain the genuine fruits of the tree. For
eign causes may come in to mar, and even
destroy the fruit Of our expectation, and
and where we should find sweet flavor
and an abundant yield, we may find moth
ing but the bitterness of disappointment.
A certain man planted tree, a very
choice variety of apple, and after the plant
ing thereof left it to the care of domestics.
Great was the boasting over that tree.
Eager inquiry was made from season to
season, as to the probabilities for bearing.
At last, one fine Spring morning the man
was made happy beyond measure by the
assurance that the much-boasted tree was
in bloom. The bloom was beautiful and
| fragrant. Time wore on and the young
fruit was formed. Eagerly did the man
inquire of the gardener as to when the
fruit would perhaps ripen, and was
thrown into passion over the skepticism
of the domestic in doubling that the tree
was of an extraordinary variety, and in
| opCethlhS VI IL CoLlIllOI-
place. But time, the great adjuster of all
disputes, would solve this problem AT
last the fruit began to wear a golden hue.
although the size was excessively small,
The proprietor was notified, and determin-
ed to celebrate the bearing of the good
tree. Friends were called in, fruit-grow-
ers were there, many men learned in tree
culture were there. A feast was made,
and the new fruit was to be tested. AS d
last effort to save his master from ridicule,
the gardener ventured to demonstrate
against his presenting the golden apples.
But the mans pride in his new tree was
not to be shaken. 'Y ou will note, gentle
men," said he, as the diminutive specimens
were brought to the table, "the peculiarly
fine and sweet flavor of this fruit. Unfor-
tunately the fruit is small this year, but
another season will develop it in all its
beauty
But there was roar of laughter, loud
and long, from the assembled guests.
The enthusiastic proprietor of the golden
apples, amid his veXation, inquired why
there was such lack of appreciation on
the part of men who should be judges of
fine fruit taste itv' suggested one.
The man complied. Then a sudden light
dawned upon him. A great veil of pref