et our Lord if we
sleep when we should sweat? How shall we bear it, if the members of
other religious societies tell us that our bad example corrupted them?
What will be our shame, if we find that those who expected us to gather
them in accuse us of slothfulness, and destroying their souls by our
neglect?

CAN WE EXPECT TO KEEP OUR CHILDREN, IF THEY SEE
OUR FARM POINTED OUT AS THE FIELD OF
THE SLUGGARD?

Will not very shame drive them from their own home to find one among
those whom we once taught the way to reap?

We wish that we could do with all drowsy Methodists what Jonah's captain
did with him. We should dearly like to give them a good shake and say,
"Awake, O sleeper!" We think of towns and villages, where, not very long
ago, there was the song of the reaper, but now, alas! he has gone fast
asleep. Shame will be the inheritance of those who are drowsy when they
ought to be at work. Why have contempt poured on thee, when glory is to
be won by work? Grasp the sickle and go out among the standing corn, or
the rust on thy reaping hook shall eat into thy soul for ever!

XXXI. "THE AXE IS LAID TO THE ROOT."

"_And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees_.
_Therefore_, _every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn
down and cast into the fire_."

If we want to preach, it will be wise for us to study the examples of
preaching given in the Bible. John was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
therefore taught of God: and it is easy to see that the man's nature was
allowed full play. The Holy Ghost does not destroy character, but uses
it, and these words of the Baptist are natural to him. Rugged strength
is in every figure of the speech he uses. But I am not preaching to
preachers, but to sinners, as John was, and in using the great Baptist's
words, I would have you to visit

THE DEVIL'S ORCHARD.

This is not the only time in the Bible when wicked men are compared to
trees. There is a notable example in Nebuchadnezzar, who, in his dream,
saw a tree great and high, and saw an angel come down from heaven, look
at it and then cry out--

"HEW DOWN THE TREE!"

But in his case it was not said, "Cast it into the fire," but leave the
stump with a band of iron and brass. You will remember this dream was
fulfilled, and the king of Babylon lost his reason, and became like a
beast, but the tree was allowed to grow again. Not so with these: John
is speaking about the trees to