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THE UNFRUITFUL TREE.ToC<br />
A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought<br />
fruit thereon, but found none. Then he called to the gardener who attended to his<br />
vineyard, and said to him, "Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this<br />
fig-tree, and find none. Cut it down. Why does it encumber the ground?"<br />
The gardener answered him and said, "Lord, let it alone this year also, till I<br />
shall dig about it and manure it. And if it bear fruit then, it is well; but if not,<br />
then, after that, thou shalt cut it down."<br />
In this parable the vineyard means the world, and the fig-tree ungodly people<br />
whose lives do not produce good works—do not produce fruit in the service of<br />
God. The Lord of the vineyard, that is, God, would destroy such people, but<br />
Christ intercedes in their behalf, that time for repentance may be given. "He is<br />
not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Christ<br />
came and sought to change men's hearts, and make their lives fruitful for God.<br />
The warning has been given, and when the Lord of the vineyard comes again to<br />
seek good fruit the unfruitful trees shall be destroyed.<br />
Am I a barren tree, dear Lord?<br />
A cumberer of the ground.<br />
Oh! give me grace to fruitful be,<br />
And in Thy work abound.
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