THE MUSTARD TREE. MANY readers of the Bible have been much struck with wonder at the observation of our Lord respecting the mustard tree. "The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof," Matt. xiii. 31, 32. And if we consider the mustard seed spoken of, the same as that which produces the mustard plant in this country, there is every reason for our admiration, even though we allow largely for the extraordinary growth of plants and trees in hot climates; but the tree meant by our Saviour, was of a different kind to our mustard plant. The mustard tree grows abundantly in Palestine, and has the smallest seed of any tree in that country, and yet attains to a great height. As the small mustard seed becomes a large tree; so the smallest token, the feeblest sign of the Holy Spirit's teaching in the heart of a repentant sinner, spreads abroad, and extends itself until all around see the power and grace of the Giver of every perfect gift. E'en as the mustard seed, when set, So let thy grace, Almighty Lord, THE POMEGRANATE. THE Pomegranate tree grows in the East, and reaches a height of eighteen or twenty feet. Its appearance is very imposing, armed, as it is, with thorns, and bearing a large and beautiful scarlet flower. The leaf of this tree is deep green, small in size, and shaped like a lance; and the fruit, as large as an orange, is tawny, and full of seeds, each of which is enclosed in a crimson-coloured juicy covering. Fancy to yourselves large thickets of these trees, flourishing in all their beauty, adorned with glowing fruit, and melodious with the song of birds, which pour from them their delightful warblings. The fruit of the pomegranate, which is of three kinds, is very grateful, assuaging the thirst with its delicious juice. One kind is sweet, another sour, and a third blending the two together. To have fruit at all in hot climates is a great comfort; but to be supplied with such an abundant variety, is an unspeakable blessing. The allusions to the fruit of the pomegranate tree are very frequent in the word of God. While we feel grateful to the Father of mercies, for the fruits of the ground which he has so liberally provided; it behoves us to see that we are not barren nor unfruitful ourselves, but rather abounding in every good word and work, we may bring forth fruit to his glory. THE CINNAMON TREE. THIS tree grows in abundance in the island of Ceylon, in the East Indies: you may remember that this isle is more famous for Elephants than any other part of the world. The Cinnamon tree has oblong leaves, of a bright green colour, four or five inches long, its flowers are of a greenish yellow, and the outside of them is silky. These flowers, growing as they do in bunches at the ends of the branches, diffuse so strong a perfume around, that for many miles at sea it is observable to the mariner, whose swelling sails happen to have brought him near the coast. What though the spicy breezes Bow down to wood and stone! |