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THE FIG-TREE.

THE Fig-tree was distinguished in a very early period of the world by a very remarkable circumstance. Our first parents having eaten the forbidden fruit, felt on that occasion for the first time, the humiliating sensation of shame, and as nature seeks to conceal that of which she is

ashamed, "they sewed fig leaves themselves aprons," Gen. iii. 7.

together and made Naturalists inform

us that there are eleven different species of this tree, and that the leaf of that which is called the Indian fig is much the largest, some of them being of an extraordinary size, it has been said equal to two English yards in length and one in breadth, whence it is inferred that the leaves of this species of fig-tree were probably used by our first parents as aprons.

Turn to the first chapter of John's gospel, and read from the 43rd verse, and you will find that the leaves of this tree afforded a shade for retirement and devotion, which no eye but that of Omniscience could penetrate.

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Dr. Shaw informs us that they had, in the Holy Land, three different kinds of figs, the first of which he calls the boccore, which ripen about the middle or latter end of June; the second the kermez, or summer fig, which seldom ripens before August; and the third he calls the winter fig. No sooner," says he, "doth the boccore, or early fig, draw near to perfection in the middle or latter end of June, than the kermez or summer fig begins to be formed, though it rarely ripens before August; about which time the same tree throws out a third crop, or the winter fig as we may call it. This is usually of a much longer shape and darker complexion than the summer fig, hanging and ripening upon the tree even after the leaves are shed; and provided the winter proves mild and temperate, is gathered as a delicious morsel in the spring."

Attention to this will throw light upon many passages in the prophetical writings. For instance, Hosea elegantly says―

"Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel; Like the first ripe fig in her prime, I saw your fathers"-ch. ix. 10. The prophet Micah, ch. vii. 1, 2, says

"Woe is me, for I am become

As the gatherers of late figs, as the gleaners of the vintage;
There is no cluster to eat:

My soul desireth the first ripe fig.

The good man is perished from the land

And there is none upright among men."

In this way did the inspired writers give lessons on religious subjects, borrowing figures from the natural productions around them.

And so did our blessed Lord, on more than one occasion. Luke records in the 13th chapter a parable which he delivered on the barren fig-tree. Read it, my young friend, and take care that you be not cut down as a cumberer of the ground; but rather let your fruit be unto holiness, that your end may be everlasting life.

ANNA REGINA.

THE illustrious Bengel had twelve children, six of whom died in their infancy. The early loss of these children occasioned severe sufferings to so affectionate a father. The following extracts will show with what meek resignation he submitted to the chastisement of his Heavenly Father.

The following

Anna Regina lived only a year. very interesting and affecting letter was written by Bengel to his parents, immediately after her funeral.

"We thank you for the wreaths you sent us, to dress the coffin of our departed and still beloved child, Anna Regina; and we thank you still more for your affectionate and parental sympathy, as also for your consoling letter. I feel constrained to give you, in return, some simple account of what God has discovered to us under this visitation of his love. When, six weeks before our child's illness, I was suffering by scarlet fever, I endeavoured, as I had done during a former illness, to get my heart into a state of more than ordinary tenderness; but I was unable, this time, to bring my feelings into such entire self-abasement as I wished. I complained of it to a friend who visited me, and expressed to him my expectation that some severer affliction, which would better answer the purpose, awaited me. It has arrived, and answered my wishes. While our dear child was lying under so much suffering, and very near its end, I felt the keenest pangs at the thought of losing it; far more so than I had ever felt before, even when I lost our other dear children. Indeed, no occasion of the kind ever distressed me so much. I was led, during the whole time, to medi

tate deeply upon two things; 1st, The righteousness of God, which had thus disfigured and destroyed such a little tender frame of body on account of sin inherited from its parents, and through us from the stock of Adam; and, 2nd, That grace of God in Christ by which such a transit through death conducts to life everlasting. My spirit became so cheered and strengthened, that, notwithstanding this additional affliction at the prospect of another bereavement, I felt, in the inward man, much comfort and enjoyment. And, as I reclined my head upon my dying child's little couch, I thought I could gladly die with it that moment. After its precious soul was departed, I went into it was laid out, and reclined again by the side of it to repose awhile, and again thought how desirable such an exchange must be. David, at his wretched Absalom's death, was urged by his feelings to exclaim, 'Oh, that I had died FOR thee!' But there was no need for me to use such lamentation as this for a child that had never lived to enter into the seductions of a wicked world. In my own case, it was sufficient that I could utter the sweet plaint of a christian parent's love, 'Oh, that I had died WITH thee!'

the room where

The bills of mortality show that more than half

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