tried one sort of cultivation after another, and had dressed
the land with different appliances; but all had failed; there was no hope
of success. Very likely some of you are disgusted that hitherto there
has been no improvement. There are times when you have really longed to
be better, but there has been nothing in yourself to give you hope. Now
what shall be done? Are we to remain as we are? Or shall we, like the
men of Jericho, seek help from One who delights to make the barren
fruitful, and to make the wilderness glad? This brings me to consider:--

II.--HOW TO CURE A SINFUL HEART; OR, A PICTURE OF TRUE CONVERSION.

The beginning of better days was when Elisha came to Jericho. The
farmers did not lose a chance. They would not allow the prophet to leave
them without having a proof of his skill. They told him their trouble,
and this was all he needed. Doubtless he as a farmer's son saw the
barren fields, and sympathised with them. And does not Jesus look at us
with pity? Is he not waiting to save now? But he will not save where
desire does not turn to prayer. If the men of Jericho had left the
matter where it was they would still have had to suffer loss, but they
stirred themselves to call on one who was mighty to deliver. Is not this
the secret? Are not some of us profitless and barren because we are too
indolent to pray?

But let us pause a moment to consider what a lesson there is here to the
pulpit. Elisha said, "_Bring me a new cruse_." The dish did not cure
the waters, but it had to be used, and therefore must be clean! God is
pleased to use human beings as the instruments of conversion. As the
prophet needed something to contain the healing salt, so preachers and
teachers convey the saving truth. We have no description of the dish, as
to its shape or colour; but being new, it was undefiled. We have this
treasure in earthen vessels, and if we are to be useful, we had better be
cracked, if clean, than entire, but vile.

Mark you, preacher, it is not enough that you are a cruse; you must be
filled with that which heals. Have we salt? It is not a question as to
the quality or style of pottery; it is salt that is needed. A common
flower-pot filled with salt was better than a vase of classic mould if
empty!

Elisha did not waste time by trying to heal the stream. "He went forth
TO THE SPRING." What expense and trouble are thrown away by vain
attempts to heal the water lower down! We sh