COME INSIDE.

 

THERE is no life so full of joy and happiness as that of a Christian, a true, noble, wholehearted Christian. Far too many who profess to be Christians have only just enough religion to make them miserable. They have a longing desire to do certain things, yet they know it would not be right. If they yield to temptation their conscience troubles them, and if they refrain they feel that they are giving up all their happiness.

Such very naturally think that there is nothing enjoyable in the Christian's life. 

They know nothing of the peace and joy that comes of doing right because it is right, and because they love to do it. Their condition is somewhat like that of a gentleman who was frequently urged by a friend to go down and taste the apples, which grew in his garden. His friend asked him several times, but he never went, and at last the fruit-grower said,"I suppose you think my apples are good for nothing, so you won't come and try them."

"Well, to tell the truth," said he, "I have tasted them. As I went along the road, I picked up one that fell over the wall, and I never tasted anything so sour in all my life, and I do not particularly want any more of your fruit."

"Oh," said the owner of the garden, "I thought it must be so. Why, don't you know, these apples around the outside are for the special benefit of the boys. I went fifty miles to select the sourest sorts to plant all around the orchard, so the boys might give them up as not worth stealing; but if you will come inside you will find that we grow a very different quality there, sweet as honey."

Thus it is. There are many who perhaps have tasted of the bitter fruits which grow on the outskirts of religion, the, "Thou shalt nots," and "Thou shalts," and they do not particularly desire any more. They would rather remain as much in the world as possible. But if they would give themselves entirely to Jesus and live for him, they would find that the fruit of the Christian life is tenfold sweeter than that of the half-and-half professor who serves God only for fear of the punishment that awaits the evildoer. When once "inside," when once heartily engaged in the service of God, they would be able to say with the Psalmist, "Thy ways are ways of pleasantness, and all thy paths are peace."





M. K. W.