iests and kings had to be
anointed with oil as a sign or emblem that they were to perform their
official duties from love. Hence the light that is fed by pure oil
beautifully symbolizes the truth that shines in the Christian's life,
warm with the love of God; but the light that comes from a wick in a
lamp destitute of oil symbolizes the life of the hypocrite, the vain
professor. It may burn for a little; but it will soon go out and leave
him in eternal darkness. The wise virgins represent those who make a
profession of faith in the light of truth and in the love of it. These
go in with the Lord to the marriage feast. But the foolish virgins
find the door shut. They call, "Lord, Lord, open to us." But he
answers by saying: "I know you not." "Not every one that saith unto me
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth
the will of my Father which is in heaven."

I recently heard of a preacher who had attended one of our meetings.
If I remember rightly, a good deal had that day been said on the
importance and value of good works. I think that one who had spoken
that day went so far as to quote these words of the Lord: "Every good
tree bringeth forth good fruit." Good works are good fruit, he had
also said. He had quoted this passage too: "Every tree that bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." Evil works
are evil fruit, he had also said. And I feel sure he had quoted these
words of the Lord: "They that have done good shall come unto the
resurrection of life: but they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation." The friend who told me had ridden a part
of the way home with the preacher before referred to, and in speaking
to this friend he said: "These Dunkards are odd people. I occasionally
go to their meetings, and every time I _do_ go I am sure to hear of
_works_! WORKS! as if works were necessary to salvation." In answer to
the friend who communicated this to me, I said: "I hope the _Dunkards_,
as he called us, will always be odd people in this regard, so long as
it is written: 'He that doeth good is of God; but he that doeth evil
hath not seen God.' 'A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit:
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. By their fruits ye
shall KNOW them.'"

Brethren, let us think closely upon the closing words of my text: "He
that DOETH the will of my Father which is in heaven." An apostle says:
"This is the will of God, even yo