p. 30 | THE BARREN FIG-TREE by Arville B. Gardner

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 6, 1874

THE BARREN FIG-TREE

By Arville B. Gardner

Nothing but leaves! O Saviour! can it be My worthless life Is like that barren tree? No ripened fruit appears; Alas! the Spirit grieves Over a life which yields Nothing but leaves. Lord, look in mercy down on me! Spare thou, another year, this tree!

Nothing but leaves! I've wrought no kindly deed, No blessing brought To those who are in need. My hands have idle been; I have no garnered sheaves; My hoarded treasure, all Is naught but leaves. Although no fruit doth yet appear, Oh! spare this tree another year.

Nothing but leaves! On me thy light is shed; Thy blessing still Is resting on my head. But should the Reaper come To gather in his sheaves My aimless life would yield Nothing but leaves. Lord, canst thou yet a season spare And let this fig-tree be thy care?

Nothing but leaves! Prune each unfruitful bough, And rob the earth Of all that charms me now. Bright scenes of pleasure lure My feet to turn aside, From paths of truth and grace I wander wide. I would be thine, of thee I'd learn! Earth yields but leaves, to Heaven I'll turn!

Nothing but leaves! It shall no longer be! A better way By faith in Christ I see. For me his blood was shed; For me the Saviour grieves; No longer shall my life Yield naught but leaves. Some precious fruit I fain would bring To offer to the Heavenly King.

ARVILLE B. GARDNER.