A Noble Vine; Or, Practical Thoughts on Our Lord's Last Parable

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1882 Excerpt: ... VI. RESULTS. As the natural and fitting outcome of all his toil and care, all his pains and labour, the husbandman comes in due season to pluck for himself the purple clusters that hang ripe and ready on the branches of his well-tended vine. The divine Husbandman regards His Vine with equal hope, and visits it in just expectation of the same results. Fruit, much fruit, more fruit. This is to be the outcome of life in Christ. By this means is the Father glorified, in that the living branches of the living Vine produce good fruit. In proportion, O Christian, to the abundance of your privilege, and the expenditure of cost and care in your cultivation, should be the measure of your return. Thou art graffed into a noble Vine. Thou art placed in a choice climate and a very fruitful hill. Thou art tended and cared for in bounteous fashion. Nowhere and on no one shines the sun more warmly, falls the rain more plenteously, descends the dew more copiously, blows the breeze more freshly, toils the Vinedresser more zealously, more graciously, than on thee. What store of fruit oughtest thou to bear! The grapes of purest holiness to God, of highest service to thy fellow-men! Large grapes, ripe and sweet; grapes in clusters; so that the Husbandman, thy Owner, Tender, Trainer, Protector may pluck thy pleasant fruits of love and faith and duty, and press them into the cup of sacrifice and service that cheers the heart of God and man! Ponder a moment, O reader, before this little book is laid aside. Ponder on the claims which the Husbandman hath upon thee. What more could I have done unto my vineyard that I have not done? That will be the question put to thee direct in the time of the grape-harvest. If then thou art found unfruitful, if thy branch is bare and barren ...