“Israel is an empty vine; he bringeth forth fruit unto himself” (Hosea x. 1).
HEN we were boys we knew the farmers whose apple trees were guarded by walls, dogs and guns and we also knew the largehearted people that had something to give away. The old Jewish law did not suffer any man to keep his fruit to himself but the wayfarer was allowed to eat all he wanted though he must carry nothing away. How many churches are run as selfishly as some big commercial enterprise for the glory and success of the scheme? How many revivals are desired to add to the membership and financial resources of a declining congregation? How many sermons are preached to make a preacher famous? How many gifts are bestowed as profitable advertisements, and how many of us might the devil ask, “Does Job fear God for naught?” Are you “bringing forth fruit unto yourself?”