The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-11

OF this world and the deceitfulness OF
riches choke the word and he becom.
eth unfruitful." There are many noble
people represented also by the por'
ton OF the parable. There are many
who. II freed from the spirit OF the
world, from its ambitions and wealth
and influence. its love OF the good
things Of this life, would be very
fruitful In righteousness. When we
look about US and see the thrift and
energy OF many people OF civilized
lands. we say to ourselves. properly
il these lives were really turned into
the way of the Lord. and were rid OF
these earthly encumbrances. what
grand. noble characters they would
make. However. their strength, their
energy. 10 absorbed by worldly affairs
and cares. and they do not bring forth
the fruitage demanded as the neces
sary qualification for the higher hon
ors of q place with Christ in his
Kingdom. The Masters message to
such Ii, You cannot give your time
and strength and influence to worldly
matters and at the same time make
your calling and election sure" to a
place with Me In My Kingdom. Who
ever would be My disciple. let him
take up his cross and follow Me.
Where am there shall My disciple be-
Herein IL My Father glorified that
We bear much fruit" said our Mas
ter. In this parable the good ground
varies In its productiveness-thirty
sixty and an hundred fold. The larger
the returns, the greater will be the
Fathers pleasure and the Savior's
glory. Nor IL the statement an ex-
trcme one, as some might suppose.
The new miracle wheat" some times
produces more than two hundred
grains from one. This parable seems
to imply that the responsibility for
the fruitfulness Of the heart and life
and character depends very greatly
upon the individual and how he re-
ceives the message Of the Kingdom.
Those In whom the fruits will be the
most abundant will be such an grasp
the invitation most intelligently and
earnestly. He that heareth the word
and understandeth II" and whose
heart is In a condition Of loyalty to
God and who frees himself from
hindrances and worldly ambitions and
aspirations and. like the Apostle Paul,
can say, This one thing do" Will
surely gain the Kingdom.
II Is not sufficient that we hear the
message Of the Kingdom; II 10 not
sufficient that we have good hearts or
good intentions in respect TO 1t; 1t is
additionally necessary, az the Master
says. that we should understand the
Kingdom message: hence the need Of
Bible study. Intelligent people consid-
er II very wise and proper that sew
eral years OF study be devoted to pre-
paration for the few years Of earthly
life How much study, then. should
be considered proper for our prepare
ton for the eternal life and Kingdom
blessings? The time and effort thus
consumed In character development
for the Kingdom are wisely spent.
and the harvest Of thirty, sixty or q
hundred fold illustrates the degree
and intensity of our earnestness. The
rewards In the Kingdom will also be
proportionate. AS star differeth from
star in glory, 30 shall Il be In the resur'
rection OF the dead" Varying degrees
OF glory In the Kingdom will be mani
tested, yet none will be acceptable to
the Father who shall not have brought
forth fruitage In good measure.