brance of thee to a man that hath peace in his possessions." (Ecclus. xli. i.)
III. " If a master of a family did know at what hour the thief would come, he would surely watch and would not suffer his house to be broken open." (Luke xii. 39.) Death will certainly come as a thief and break open the soul's habitation, which is the body; but the day and hour are uncertain. Hence, God wishes us to be on our guard every day of our lives, in order that we may not be surprised at the moment when our eternal doom is to be fixed.
FRIDAY.
The Vine and Its Branches.
I. "I am the vine and you are the branches." (John xv. 5.) Christ is a true vine, both in regard to the most precious wine which He poured forth on the cross, and in as much as His blood is daily presented to His Father for us, in the chalice of salvation. Every one may be a branch of this vine; hence, He invites all. Of this vine it is said by the Psalmist, " It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river." (Ps. lxxix. 12.) Every branch and every bough that belong to this vine are kept alive by the influence of grace derived from the parent stock, which is Christ, and these branches bear fruit because they are thus connected with it. How happy are you if you be a branch of this sacred vine.
II. Fruitfulness is an evident sign that you are connected with this tree. " He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same beareth much fruit." (John xv. 5.) Hence you may discover by the fruit which you bear, whether
