THE GARDEN WELL KEPT.

 THE GARDEN WELL KEPT. Solomon gives a picture of what your soul should be, and Isaiah of what it should not be. Everything had been done for the Beloved's vineyard, and in return He received only wild grapes (Isaiah 5.). But the garden in the Song was stocked with all rich and beautiful things. It gave pleasure to every sense: its fine forms and colours gladdened the eye, its ripe fruits gratified the palate, its exquisite perfumes gave delight, and its leaves yielded an additional joy by their agreeable shade. A holy soul is compared to such a garden. It is the most beautiful thing in the world, a paradise of heaven on earth. "How can my soul be a fruitful garden of God?" do you ask. The answer is, by good cultivation; and that is the work of God and man. For "we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry" (1 Corinthians 3:9) All your powers should be gladly devoted to this God-like work of keeping your own vineyard. I remember visiting in spring a poor widow residing in a miserable corner of the city. Her soul was a garden of God. On the window-sill she had some flowers in jelly-dishes and spoutless teapots — a touching proof of that love of the country which city life wakens in all but the broken-hearted. I took notice of the flowers. "Yes," she said, "I take many a bit lesson from them; if I neglect them for a day or two, they hang their bit heads and wither. And my soul does the very same if it is not always watered with the grace of God." God help you so to cultivate the garden of your soul as that you shall bring much fruit to His praise!

(James Wells.)

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