aws from the soil the stimulating sap,
without which life could not be maintained, the leaves no less remind
us of the grace of giving, and of purifying. They impart to the
atmosphere a grateful moisture; they provide for the traveller a
refreshing shade, and they purify the air poisoned by the breathings
of animal life.

Well, too, is the tree repaid for all that it gives out through its
leaves. The thin stimulating sap that comes from the root, which
could not of itself build up the tree, thickens in giving out its
moisture, and through the leaves possesses itself of carbon from the
atmosphere. Thus enriched, the sap goes back through the tree,
building it up until the tiniest rootlets are as much nourished by
the leaves as the latter are fed by the roots. Keep a tree despoiled
of its leaves sufficiently long and it will surely die. So unless the
believer is giving as well as receiving, purifying his life and
influence, he cannot grow nor properly maintain his own vitality. But
he who delights in the Law of the LORD, and meditates in it day and
night--his leaf shall not wither.

V. Uniform Prosperity.--"Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Could
any promise go beyond this? It is the privilege of the child of GOD
to see the hand of GOD in all his circumstances and surroundings, and
to serve GOD in all his avocations and duties. Whether he eat or
drink, work or rest, speak or be silent; in all his occupations,
spiritual, domestic, or secular, he is alike the servant of GOD.
Nothing lawful to him is too small to afford an opportunity of
glorifying GOD; duties in themselves trivial or wearisome become
exalted and glorified when the believer recognises his power through
them to gladden and satisfy the loving heart of his ever-observant
MASTER. And he who in all things recognises himself as the servant of
GOD may count on a sufficiency from GOD for all manner of need, and
look with confident expectation to GOD to really prosper him in
whatever he does.

But this prosperity will not always be apparent, except to the eye of
faith. When Chorazin and Bethsaida rejected our LORD'S message, it
needed the eye of faith to rejoice in spirit and say, "Even so,
FATHER; for so it seemed good in Thy sight." Doubtless the legions of
hell rejoiced when they saw the LORD of Glory nailed to the accursed
tree; yet we know that never was our blessed LORD more prospered than
when, as our High Priest, He offered Himself as our atoning
sacri