Article November 20, 1926 Issue

Lessons from the Fruit Trees

FANNYE EARLY BOSTIC

In the fifteenth chapter of John, we read the words of the Master: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

There comes to the writer a picture of a large orchard near her home. In the fall of the year the trees, barren of fruit and foliage, present a gaunt and unattractive appearance, and it is at this time the farmer goes forth with his pruning hook, cutting away the old wood and carefully protecting the new boughs. Then through the months of rain, sleet, and snow, he patiently waits for the unfoldment of the fruit trees. Before the cold weather is over, there is a tinge of red, as bud after bud appears; and ere long, under the warm rays of the sun, the entire orchard emerges into a thing of beauty—a vision of pink and white; and soon the green fruit gives promise of the abundant crop that will follow in the coming months.

The farmer does the pruning for the trees; but each tree is compelled to grow, to unfold and produce its own fruit—not just one branch, but the entire tree. It does not stop growing. How like our experiences in Christian Science! As the understanding of God and the perfection of His creation commences to unfold in our consciousness, the process of pruning begins. In this process we find many things that are unlovely and unlike the Christ; but as we persevere in our pruning, one by one the worthless boughs of sinful beliefs—fear, hatred, sickness, sin, and death—are discarded.

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