you would
have found that while the wheat is growing the grain is enclosed in a
thin covering called chaff, just the same as Indian corn or sweet corn
is enclosed by the husks which grow about it. So it is with us; while we
are in this world, there are many things which are essential to our
growth and well-being. They minister to our physical needs and supply
our temporal wants. Although we cannot wholly dispense with these
things while we are in this world, yet they are not the sole objects of
our living. The wheat does not exist for the chaff, or the husk in which
it is enclosed, but the husks or chaff exist for the wheat.

After a time, when the harvest comes, the farmer enters the field and
cuts down the wheat, and it is then taken to the barn or threshing
floor. Years ago, when I was a boy, farmers used to spend a large
portion of the winter in threshing grain. They would spread it out upon
the floor of the barn and beat it with a heavy stick, which was tied so
as to swing easily at the end of a long handle. This was called a flail.
Machines for threshing grain were not then common, as they are to-day.
When the farmer threshes his grain, he does not do it to destroy the
wheat, but simply to separate it from the chaff.

The Bible tells us that we must enter into the kingdom of God through
much "tribulation." And do you know that the word "tribulation" comes
from a Latin word, _tribulum_, which means a flail? So the teaching of
this passage of Scripture is, that God places you and me under the
flail, and smites again and again, in order that the noblest, best and
most Christ-like in us may be separated by trials and tribulations from
that which is worthless; and which needs to be cast off in order that
just as the farmer gathers the wheat into his garner or granary here on
earth, so God may gather us eventually into His garner above.

Boys and girls oftentimes have tribulations in this world, just the same
as older people do. Disappointments come to them, and because of
ambitions which are not lawful or right, purposes which are not in
harmony with God's word and with God's will; because of needed
discipline, or for some good reason God is tribulating them by sorrows,
disappointments and trials, and making them better by means of the
experiences through which they are called upon to pass.

[Illustration: Winnowing or Separating Wheat and Chaff.]

If you have been with the farmer in his barn after he is through wi