THE name given in the Sacred Volume to this most valuable and nutritious description of corn, is 7, (Cheteh.) This name signifies to push forth. It is given on account of the great number of its stems; but more especially because of the very great number

E

of grains produced by each seed. The remarks of Pliny, a heathen naturalist, on this seed, are truly striking, and even worthy of one who possesses, knows, and believes in Divine Revelation. He says, "Nothing is more fertile than wheat. Nature (that is God), has given it this quality, because by it chiefly she feeds mankind; for, from one bushel, if the soil be suitable, as in Byzacium, a country of Africa, a hundred and fifty bushels will be returned."

As some of my youthful readers may be students of Botany, the following description of wheat may be acceptable. It is a genus of plants of the class triandria, and order di-gynia. In the natural system, it ranges under the fourth order gramina. The calyx is bi-valve, and generally contains three florets. The corolla also is bi-valve, one valve being bluntish, and the other acute. Of this most remarkable, nutritious, hardy, and useful plant, there are no less than nineteen species.

It is very interesting to observe, and contemplate the peculiarities of this grain. It is that on which human beings depend for sustenance in almost all the civilized portions of the globe. Its prolific qualities are most powerful and abundant. More than any other grain does it possess farinaceous richness. It grows luxuriantly in a great variety of climates; and it can withstand, to an astonishing degree, the most violent and piercing cold of winter. When we think of these valuable peculiarities, we may say in the language of the prophet, Zech. ix. 17: “O Lord, how great is thy goodness! corn shall make the young men cheerful, and new wine the maids."

Let us now notice the figurative and spiritual use made of wheat in the word of God. Jesus is called a Corn of Wheat. Why? Because of those rich, nourishing, and lasting blessings, of which he is the author. And also, because of the fruitfulness of his gospel when accompanied by the power of his Spirit. John xii. 24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you,

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." Here our Saviour evidently alludes to himself, to his death, and to the rich blessings of salvation, the glorious fruits of his death and atonement. Saints are compared to wheat. Why? Because of their usefulness, and their fruitfulness in good works. Matt. iii. 12. "He will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into his garner." The word is likened unto wheat, because it is the rich and nourishing food of believing souls. Jer. xxiii. 28. "He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the Lord." Those who hear, believe, and enjoy the gospel purely dispensed, are fed upon the finest of the wheat. Ps.

Ixxxi. 16.

In conclusion, we may observe, that the inspired Apostle employs wheat in its sowing, its death, its vegetation, and its fruitfulness, as illustrative of the blessed resurrection of the bodies of the saints at the last day. 1 Cor. xv. 35-38, 42-44. "But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come ? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body which shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of WHEAT, or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body."

May the Holy Spirit teach us in faith, to give utterance to the following delightful expressions :

"We sing his love who once was slain,
Who soon o'er death revived again,

That all his saints through him might have
Eternal conquests o'er the grave.

Chorus. Soon shall the trumpet sound, and we
Shall rise to immortality!

52

SERMON IV.

GOD IS LOVE.

"God is love."—John iv. 8.

"God is

of

BELOVED young friends, this sentence love," is the most delightful and wonderful the eyes man or angels ever saw. Search, if you had the power, all the books in the universe, and such another sentence cannot be found. It consists only of three words. But these three words contain more than the bed of the ocean. All the water of the ocean is no more than a drop, when compared with what these three words contain, "God is love." They contain the boundless fulness of Jehovah. And when millions of years, and ages, and centuries, have passed away, we shall never be able fully to comprehend this wonderful sentence, "God is love."

By the aid of the Holy Spirit, I propose, first, to make some general observations on our text to excite your wonder and secondly, show wherein God appears as the God of love, namely, in Creation, Providence, and Redemption.

Before I enter upon this sacred and delightful duty, allow me to present the following prayer to the Holy Spirit in your behalf. Oh, unite with me while I present it!

"Come, Holy Spirit, from above,

And fill these children's heart with love;
Soften to flesh their hearts of stone,

And let the God of love be known!"

I. I now proceed to make some general observations on our text, to excite your wonder.

1st. If you compare the Bible to a cabinet, or box of jewels, "God is love," is the most precious jewel in

the whole collection. And it is so precious, that all the archangels in heaven cannot conceive its worth.

2d. If you compare the Bible to the firmament, with its bright and glorious stars, "God is love,” is the brightest star shining in the firmament of the word of God. It surpasses all the rest in glory. Behold! admire the glorious star.

3d. Suppose a company of angels were sent down from heaven, to appear in the midst of us, to deliver the most important message which even God himself could send to sinful man; what, think you, would this message be? I will tell you. It would be this, "God is love." Oh, what a message from a Holy God, to a sinful world! and from a just God, to a guilty world!

4th. If you had an opportunity of asking the angels what is the noblest, the sweetest, the loftiest song they sing in heaven, they would answer thus: The noblest, sweetest, loftiest, song we sing in heaven, is this-" God is love."

5th. A host of angels was sent from heaven to tell the humble shepherds of the birth of Christ. When they delivered the tidings, they sung a lovely song. What was the subject of the song? It was the love of God, and a God of love. It was this-"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good will toward men." What is the meaning of this song? It is this "God is love." It was on a most loving occasion the angels sung this song. It was when God gave a most marvellous display of his love. When the infant Jesus was born-when God sent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the law, the angels sung this song. Beloved children, was it not amazing love in Jesus to become a little babe, a little child, to save little children? When you think of this, may you feel a desire to sing the same song which the dear children sung when they followed Jesus in the Temple ; "Hosanna to the son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!" Matt. xxi. 9.