The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-04-15

first day after his triumphal entry
into Jersualem, and Rev. Biggs led
in conservatory prayer.
4 Rev Fred A. Flora then delivered
the discourse on the features of that
cay-The Denunciation of the Fig
Tree and the Cleansing of the Temple.
The fig tree was in full foliage and
had all the outward appearance of a
I thrifty and profitable tree. When he
investigated it he found neither ling
ing fruit. 1t should have had one or
the other. or it might have both. 1t
must not be inferred that as it was not
the regular time for ripe figs that
Jesus was peevish and unreasonable,
and in fit of bad temper revenged
himself. He was strikingly emphasiz-
ing doctrine which he was teaching
all through his busy life, and now in
this the busiest and most strained
week of his life, right in the feverish
stare and crouching rage of the most
cruel death. he was fastening these
great lessons onto his followers who
must be His witnesses The fig tree
was to represent the people, particul
arly the Jewish people Every tree
therefore, that bringest not forth
good fruit is hewn down, and cast in
to the fire"
Every branch in me that beareth
not fruit, he taketh it away: and eve
ry branch which beareth fruit, he
cleaenseth it, that it may bear more
fruit" The leaves Of the tree are
for the trees own specific good, its
maintenance. They are the avenues
of its supply. the guardians of its
vitality and potential. The fruit of
the tree are the rewards to the hus-
bandman, they are the guaranty to it's
right of existence the compensation
for guardianship, the proof of well d.
rected effort
Trees are not for ornamental alone.
They can only be ornamental when
they are profitable. Mankind has in
many cases forgotten or neglected the
point in which it's value lies. Bust
ness, society, industries are largely
devoted to personal ornamentation, |
and delectation-leaf bearing, orna-
mental trees. Just as the fruit grower
delights in developing the larget
most palatable and persistent fruits /
of every variety so the divine takes
delight in producing in men the same
idea until He has the evergreen, every
bearing, bountiful crop. The whole
the following refreshing picture: Gle
showed me a river of water of life.
bright as crystal. proceeding out of
the throne of God and of the Lamb,
in the midst of the street thereof. And
on this side of the river and on that
was the tree of life bearing twelve
manner of fruits, yielding its fruit
every month: and the leaves of the ,
rec were for the healing of the ma
ions" Christian fruitage is not alone |
he fine house we inhabit, the home
comforts in which we revel, the bank s
ccOunt we flourish the acres we can q
nor the recognition we gain
d in our club or society, the pose
re can command among our fellows, Y
or the devotional exercise we can
ull off at church each Sunday; it is n
he fellow feeling we can arouse and
evelop in ourselves, the relief and L
sSistance and sustenance and for
achievement we can make the fore
ping things work into the lives of
hers. Fruitage to God is not the
'ofession but it is the possession of
le good which our Father would have II
oroughly worked out in every mans OF
'e. AS the tree glorious with flour Sc
hing leaves withered because it was 60
IT returning anything so will the a.
an perish who presumes to do vi
thing but florish leaves-whO m
ars no fruit to Him who neurishes w
ID adorns him. ar
will be held at the Breth g.
n church, 81 East First street, the ~
cond of the Passion Week series. sn