Palm Tree Christians by E. ENGLES

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 2, 1869

Palm Tree Christians.

By E. ENGLES

In Ps. xcii, 12, it is stated that “the righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree;” “they shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.” What properties has a palm-tree which caused David to use it as the emblem of a righteous man? Perhaps the following: It stands in the desert; it has water at its roots; it gives out a refreshing shelter from its spreading top; it bears rich fruit upon its crown—fruit which increases in size and richness with the age of the tree: and, finally, it shoots up again, more beautiful than ever, when it has been cut down.

With these facts before us, how clear is the resemblance between the Christian pilgrim and the tree which is the ornament and wealth of the desert; The Christian also stands or sojourns in a wilderness; in his heart there is a living spring; John iv, 14; he is a protection and a shade to all who come under his influence; he is a fruit-bearer to the praise of his God, and the benefit of his fellows; Gal. v, 22–24; and, finally, he shall come forth from his grave on the resurrection morning, bright with the glory, and perfect in the image of God. Phil. iii, 21.

E. ENGLES.