TREES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.
By W. T. Heald
Just as in spring the oak takes upon itself the covering of new leaves, so in the new birth the Christian takes upon himself the soft but substantial shades of divine grace, beneath which the weary traveler may rest his soul and delight himself in the glories of a new creation. Fresh from the hand of God as was Adam in the Garden of Eden, he becomes a creature of inspired and inspiring hope, to behold which is a comfort and relief to the soul longing for full and free salvation. In him the longing soul feels to repose its trust, yet never does the renewed feel himself worthy to hold in his own keeping the precious soul of a brother; but to his great Master he offers the honor of trust, and it is accepted of him as a jewel of rarest worth. How delightful it is to be clothed upon with the Spirit of God! Then is everything seen in a new and brighter light. The trees themselves seem to glory in their gift of new leaves, and we, having come in touch with creation itself, glory in the same God, whose bounties have given leaves to the trees and graces to his children.