The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-01

ity or atheism, will wait, like the eager
sparrows or starlings, to catch away such
surface-sown grain. The word of Truth
can find no Judgment in such souls No
harvest in the appointed season fol ingath
ering can be garncred from these hardened
lives. The heart world-hardened, selfish,
prejudiced, habitually surrendering to the
sway of the senses, cannot, in the nature
of things, be in its present state susceptible
to the influence from above through the
Gospel.
The scribes were the present represen-
tatives of the hardened class.
2. Seed Falls on a Light Soil
Over a ROck,-vs. 6, 10.
There are still found places on the Cen
nessaret plain where, as the travellers tell
us, thin rich mold covers a solid ledge.
When rain has softened the mold, the
warm rock underneath will cause the seeds
to sprout and grow as in ho-bed But
in the next period of sunshine the moisture
will be dried up the shallow-rooted plants
will wither and die.
The Teacher explained the human par
allel to be those who receive the word with
surface readiness and Joy, but have I'M
touched selfish hearts within. The friend
ship, the devotion, the professions of such
people will be ardent while they last, but
not to be depended upon. Their religion
can be at its best a rootless, fibreless plant,
and however tenderly cared for will be
short-lived.
An impenetrable rock under soft sur
face, describes an existing class of man.
kind.
3. Seed Falls Among ThOrns,-
VS. 7, ID.
There are still to be seen in the fertile
wheat-felds of the Gennessaret plain
patches given over to thistles. These
thistles are strongly-rooted and vigorous
growers. Grain seed falling in such COM
pany may germinate it may begin 10
grow. But the bread-baring plants will
soon be choked. The young grain will in
little while be covered from sight by the
rank and thriving thorns.
The parallel is fulfilled in the souls that
hear the word of Truth with a kind of
faith, but allow it to be crowded out with
the cares of the world, or the deceitfulness
of riches, or by sensual pleasures. When
one is a subject of the witchery of
the love of riches; when one is deluded
into believing that the supreme end of en-
deavor should be to become rich,-he can
not of course rightly esteem the things
which in their very nature claim to be bet
ter than riches. Again, devotee of pleas
ure, who finds delight only in things which
perish with the using,-the things which
transgress and dissipate the inner life
cannot do otherwise than spurn the Gospel.
Care-burdened people, people absorbed
in worldly cares; idolators of riches, mis-
ers, whose souls are metallic like their idol,
lovers of money and exclusive believers in
worldly fortune; lovers of pleasure, who
make theatre-going, baseball, horse-racing,
dancing, and such little things, not diver
sions, not recreations, hut designations,
whose pleasure-seeking is an exclusive and
shallow idolatry, these are classes in many
a modern community. Still do thorns
choke out the Word from many hearts
4. Seed Falls into Good Ground,
VS.. 8, IS.
The sower in the Gennessaret plain scat
tered seed, of course, on numerous sections
of prepared soil, where it would take root
and thrive and yield bountiful harvest
Notwithstanding that but little of the seed
which fell on the trodden path, or into the
mold above the hidden rock, or into the
weed-appropriated patches, would come to
fruitage, the sower could nevertheless hope
for large yield. He could scatter his
seed on the Gennessaret plain, in the con-
fident expectation of securing the largest
erain-yield that would be reaped in the
whole country.
The parallel in human life is found in
those who, in an honest and good heart,
Aavine heard the 7Uord Keep ii, and bring
forth fruit aVith patience.
Such must have been the mass of hearers
before Jesus.
Such receive the word with candor.
They take pains to understand it. The
gospel of the Fatherhood of God appeals
to them as the gracious Truth. 1t thrills
them with unearthly joy. 1t brings to
them fathomless peace. 1t awakes them
to immortal hope. 1t makes them oon-
scious of heavenly union with the Father.
AS they receive they give. They become
themselves sewers of good. Of their SYM
pathy, of their money, of their work, they
are generous givers. They try to be of
use to other souls. Their sowing will
prosper. With unspeakable Joy they shall
find that their endeavors haye brought
fruit thirty, sixty, an hundred fold.
The general application of this para
Bile is TO THE DAY WHICH NOW IS. These
hindrances to the Saving Word are not
necessarily finalties.
A pillow run through the trodden soil will
make it soft again. Trouble, affection,
Disappointment, has in many human life
made the hardened heart once more sus-
ceptible to Divine appeals.
The rock will in the course of ages dis
integrate, and become soil in which plants
can find sustenance. So the rocky heart
MUST go through a process of pulverizing,
and be made at the last responsive to the
Word of Life.
II 4