The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-28
YOUNG PEOPLES SOCIETIES.
Topic: "Cumberers of the Ground"
luke xiii. So

TIE various young peoples societies VIII
have as their conference topic tomorrow
evening, the parable OF The zig Tree" as
recorded In Luke xiii. "a. Tie theme an
nounced Is. "CunbereTs Of the Ground" re-
lating to the baGe1nsss Of The iiS tree in
question.
The parable IS ex.eed'nzIy bries. and Is
uttered. SO lar as We know. with 70 &c
<compaTying word OF explanation 1t IS pos
Nbie that what mn. .ti 'tely precsdeS the
Nrable has 2 close ~ i-rlCl 20 Its meaning
an If 50, 1t was intended - = further re-
BUN OF those Who md brought Christ the
story OF the Gali.cauS. whose blood PLATE
had mingled with their sacrifices But even
IL 70, the parable has q much wider spp.iga-
ton. including all N every age who. TiL-
tree Ike. have been planted in the spiritual
vineyard OF the Lord And the great les
planted is expected TO bear fruit
The parable also emphasizes tho care
which the Lord of the vineyard beStoWs up
on every fig tree IN MS vineyard. II Il bear
no fruit. then strict justice would demand
that Il be cut down as Il Cumbe.er os the
ground But the dresser Of the vineyard"
who Is none other thar the nlecCIfgI Christ.
says, Let II s one This year also. tin shall
dig about 1t and dung II; II II bear fruit.
wei; and II not, then after that thou shalt
cut Il down. Let il be noted that the mas
ter % the vineyard had already given ..
tfTee years trial, but mercy pleads that an
other year be added So rhs Chris. yys!III
nave rs understand that the lonE-sUfTeEia..
mercy OF God gives every soul a chance -
redeem itself. but also distinctly declares
AlAfhi ti-eT- - a aiEll1- 10 even COTS mercy
IN the matter Of :ruit-bearin in the life Of
his disciples.
The practical lesson from the pa-lble
therefore, &. are We approaching the time
limit Of service in the vineyard Of the Lord
Are We barren or fruitful fig tres? Are we
profitable TO the Lord OF he vineyard or
arc We cuuibe-eTs Of the rr0UnG2 certainly.
no more pointed questions can be submitted
Tor our consideration the disciples OF
Christ. Doubtless We have been enrolled az
such for more than three years" and il
.iS Just possible that the Lord Of the vine
gard has often come seeking fruit to find
Zone. Nothing but !aavts'' may be sfl-
|pToGriate!y sung by many Of Us and with
no small degree Of rGthos.
But II may not DE too late to make
anasfids GOD IN his providence ard on the
grounds OF the interceSsion of Christ NAV
nave extended our time another year ami
II go, We should not fail to redeem the time
Perhaps Wa have not been looking for on
pofTGiltieS as we should have done and
even havinS found Them, il is just possible
We have neglected TO improve, them Shall
We continue 10 do despite "a the spirit Of
Erace Is there not word that we NAV
speak. or an act that We may perform, that
viii result In fruit 10 the honor nnd glory
OF todg Surely tae eye Of the Master Is j!ron
nH and ne must no ErIevel al h.. harm
ness OF our lives.
Selected thoughts: Every life without
work is n menace to other lives" The
word is borne down 10y the weight Of non
producers" He who works for works sa Ila
snail never want for wages" NO honest
WORKER need be ashamed to face tod or.
man. The man who stands stilI always
lnpeGes the worlds progress" God cam
not use a man who is afraid Of work"