and the inhabitants of Jerusalem desire the purifying waters; and in that day, in that state, their desire is granted. Their prayer is, "Create within us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us;" and their prayer is heard, and the prophecy is fulfilled within them, to the everlasting joy of their souls.
September Second.
THE DIFFERENT SOILS ON WHICH THE SEED OF TRUTH FALLS.
"And these are they which are sown among thorns."—Mark iv. 18.
THERE are many grievous lusts in which the soul indulges, of which small account is taken; and it appears, that there is a class of persons who hear the Word, and who cannot, therefore, plead ignorance of its contents,—who yet suffer the lusts of other things so to engross their affections, as to render the Word they hear unproductive, if not injurious: "The cares of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful." To be deeply impressed with divine truth, and see the necessity of obedience to it, requires, on the part of man, a spirit of constant watchfulness and prayer; and such a spirit can only be acquired by waiting constantly on the Lord, and humbly listening to what he shall instruct us in, through the medium of his most Holy Word. The various classes on whom the seed of truth falls, are so differently affected by it, that very few seem to bring forth fruit to perfection. Some are all zeal and energy for a time, who, when they have heard the Word, immediately receive it with
