It was recently stated by H. H. Jessup, that on mount Lebanon, seven thousand feet above the sea, are several large cedars that tower up from their massive trunks to a great height, and shoot out their wide-spreading branches on every side. The inhabitants of the vicinity call them, by way of distinction, the "Twelve Patriarchs." Just by one of these there has grown up a tall slender cedar, which, above fifty feet from the ground, enters one of its huge branches, and becomes incorporated with it, while its trunk has been almost severed by decay from its own root. It hangs there in the embrace of that majestic cedar, and draws its life and strength from that gigantic trunk.
Thus it is with the soul that lives by faith. He has grown up into Christ. He lives in him, and is sustained by him, and grows and thrives by virtue of an endearing union. Formerly he was attached to earth from which his strength, such as it was, was derived. Now he hangs solely on Christ, and in a manner so contrary to what may be called the order of nature, and so detached from the world, that others cannot but admire the manner and means of his wonderful support.—Am. Messenger.