huslmndry," etc. 'l'he words lead us to look at Goel as the great Husbandman of human souls. As e. husbandman- I. HE 18 THOllOUGlll,Y ACQUAlNTJm WITH THE SOH,. 1. He knows its original slate. 'l'he soil in its_pristine state, with all its original powers, he knows. 2. He knows its present condition. Its present barren arid wilderness state he understands. To him it seems like the "field of the sloth[u!" mentioned by Solomon. 1t is stony, weedy, and thorny. 3. He knows its tillable capabilities. He knows what can be made of it, notwithstanding its present condition. He knows what every soul is capable of producing. He knows that some are far more capable than others. Some can become the majestic cedar, whilst others only the shrub. II. HE HAS ALL NECESSAILY INSTRUMENTALITIES. This stony, weedy ground requires certain well-contrived implements to work it into a fruitful condition. 1. He has them in the events of Ufe. All the dark and painful circumstances in life are his implements to break up the fallow ground. All the pleasant and propitious are instru- ments for mellowing the soil. 2. He has them in the reuelations of truth. 'l'bere i~ Law and love, Sinai and Calvary. All are soul-culturing implements. III. HE 1•ossESSES THE PROPElt SEED. The seed he has to sow is good seed, and seed adapted to the soil. What is it? His Word. His Word is seed in many respects. 1. In vitality. Every seed has life in it. His Word is Spirit and life. 2. In complete- qiess. The seed is complete in itself. 3. In prolificness. One seed. in course of time may cover a continent. The Word of God is wonderfully fruitful. IV. HE COMMANDS •rHE CULTURING ELEMENTS. The best agriculturists, who under- stand the soil, possess the best implements and the best seed, are thwarted iu their efforts, because the elements are not propitious. God has command over the elements. He is the great Husbandman of souls, and we his husbandry. Vers. 10-15.-The true fuimdation of character. "According to the grace of God," -etc. 'l'he words suggest certain important thoughts concerning character. I. 'l'hat there is an ANALOGY BETWEEN THE FORMATION OF CHARACTER AND THE EIIECTION OF A BUILDING. " If any man build," etc. It is like a building in three respects. 1. In the variety of its materials. Buildings are generally formed of a variety of materials-stone, wood, iron, etc. Moral character is built up by a variety of things-the impressions that are made ou us, the emotions that rise in us, etc. 2. In the unity of its design. Every building is formed on some plan. One design shapes the whole. So with character. The master-purpose of the soul, whatever it may be, gives unity to the whole. 3. In the function it fulfil.~. Buildings are generally residences of some kind or other. The soul lives in the character. It is its home. lu some cases the home is the mere sty of the animal ; iu some, the shop of the barterer ; in some, the prison of the guilty; in some, the temple of the saint. . II. THAT CHRIST IS THE ONLY FOUNDATION OF A TRUE CHARACTEll. "For other .foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesu~ Uhrist." There are some- times splendid edifices and poor foundations, and the reverse. All characters are based upon some one idea. 1. Some are based on the sensual idea; such as that on which .the prodigal son started, etc. 2. Some are based on the secular idea. Ou this Judas, .the young lawyer, and Demas built. 3. Some are based on the ambitious idea. Absalom, Haman, Herod, are examples. 4. Some are based on the Christian idea. What is that? Supreme sympathy with God; and this requires Christ. Christ is its Foundation, for he does two things to generate this supreme sympathy in the soul. (1) Demonstrates to man the propitiableness of God. (2) Reveals to man the moral loveliness of God. I!J. 'l'HAT TO CHRIST, AS AFOUNDATION, MEN BRING WORTHLESS AS WELL AS VALUABLE MATERIALS. Some build edifices of" gold, silver, precious stones," and some of" wood, hay, stubble." 1. 'l'here are edifices partially formed of "wood, hay, stubble." (1) 'l'he mere creedal character is wortliless. (2) 'l'he mere sentimental character is worthless. (3) 'l'he mere ritualistic character is worthless. All these characters are formed of "wood, hay, stubble "-things of no solidity, no value, no duration. 2. ·:rhere are edifices entirely formed of valuable materials brought to Christ. They are .formed of "gold, silver, precious stones." The profoundest thoughts, the strongest ") n,nathies, the gold and silver of the soul, are couneoted with Christ. I. C0llINTHIANS. II 98 THE FIRST EPISTLE 'l'O THE COHIN'l'HIANS. Lou. 111. 1-~J.
JY. THAT THERE IS AN F.RA TO DAWN WHF.N ALL THE EDIFICES DUII,T ON Tlllll FouKDATIOK SHALL BE TRIED. "Enry man's work shall be made mnnifest." Heaven has appointed a day for testing character. Individually, it is the day thnt dawns at the end of our mortal life; unh·crsally, it is the day that dawns at the end of this world's history. I. 'l'liis day will be in_furious to those who have built on this foundation with "'orthless materials. (1) They will suffer loss-the loss of labour, opportunity, position. (2) Though they suffer loss, tbey may be saved-" saved, yet so ns by fire."· Though his fa-rnurite theories and cherished hopes shall burn like" wood and hay," yet he himself may survive the flames. 2. This day will be advan/.ageous to those who have built on this Founilation with right materials, "If any man's work abide which. he hath built thereupon, be shall receive a reward."