p. 95 | Cutting the Stem

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 16, 1864

Cutting the Stem.

A CHRISTIAN minister was once visiting a botanic garden. As he was passing from plant to plant, he observed a very fine specimen of the pomegranate. On a closer examination, he perceived that the stem was almost cut through. He inquired of the gardener why this had been done. "Sir," said the gardener, "this tree used to shoot so strong that it bore nothing but leaves; I was therefore obliged to cut it in this manner, and when it was almost cut through, then it began to bear plenty of fruit."

How many professing Christians are like this pomegranate before the gardener commenced the process which caused it to bear fruit! They bear the leaves of a good name, and a fair outward profession, but little or no fruit. Jesus, in his infinite love, has given them a name and a place in his garden of precious plants; but when he comes into his garden to refresh himself with his fruits, he finds only leaves on these plants. Jesus is a faithful and skillful gardener. He knows what to do with such plants. He will certainly cut the stems. He knows just how many incisions to make, and when to make them. He may cut to the heart of the stem, but he will never cut quite through. No plant in his garden was ever destroyed by an incautious use of the knife. I could bear any other trial but this, says the suffering Christian. This affliction cuts to the very heart. No doubt it does. It is the Gardener's knife cutting almost through the stem.