rew.

Now, I think that we may learn a very profitable lesson from the leaves
in this respect. I think that you will find, when you are able to study
with a little closeness of observation, that the scholars of different
Sunday-schools are different from each other, at least in some respects.
Those who come from the school where good order is maintained, where
there are consecrated, devoted teachers who give themselves carefully to
the preparation of the lesson, secure the attention of their scholars,
impress the truth deeply upon the minds, and hearts and consciences--you
will find that the scholars of this school become attentive and orderly,
and well behaved, and all the scholars in the school partake of the
influences which are exerted over them from Sunday to Sunday. The
scholars who attend a school where the superintendent does not keep good
order, where the teachers are irregular and disinterested, and where
everything is permitted to go along as by mere chance, these scholars
will partake of the influence of the school, and will individually
become like the school. So you see how important it is that each and
every scholar should be attentive and thoughtful, and give the very
largest amount of help possible to the superintendent and teachers to
render the school orderly, and to encourage the teachers who desire to
devote themselves to the teaching of Bible truth and the impressing of
the spiritual lessons, so that those who are under their influence may
be brought to a saving acquaintance with Christ.

What I have said with reference to the Sunday-school is also true with
reference to the Church. There is an old saying, that "like priest, like
people." When a pastor continues for a long period of years in the same
pulpit, ministering to the same people, if he has their sympathy,
co-operation and assistance the people will become very much like each
other in their spiritual character, and all will become more and more
like the pastor and his teachings. If he is godly, and consecrated, and
upright, his people will become increasingly so. And you will find not
only that each scholar becomes a miniature of the Sunday-school which he
attends, but each Christian becomes a miniature of the congregation of
which he is a member.

But the leaves teach us another lesson. The great trees which you see in
the forest are the result of the united efforts and labors of the
leaves. Each leaf is gifted with individual power, an