It is his duty to remove the trees when the time comes. Mark you, he
does not cut all down. The trees which bear good fruit he transplants to
grow for ever in THE PARADISE OF GOD. Yes, death differs in his action,
and those of us who live a holy life need not to dread him. He is rough,
but he means well by us, and though we may feel it when he pulls us up by
the roots, it is to grow in better soil, and under fairer skies.
You, though, who bear evil fruit, YOU DO WELL TO FEAR DEATH. Keep good
friends with the doctor, so that you may have no difficulty in getting
him day or night, but remember that he is useless when the woodman aims a
blow at the root.
THE WISEST AND MOST SKILFUL OF MEDICAL MEN
CANNOT TAKE THE AXE OUT OF DEATH'S HAND!
There will be no escape when the woodman gets his orders. Mark you, the
axe is at the root this time. He has lopped off some of the branches. I
see in the graveyard, headstones with names of infants low down, and
space left for the father's and mother's names. Yes, he will come for
you next. What will you do then? THE TREE IS HELPLESS, IT CANNOT GET
AWAY FROM THE AXE! Blow upon blow descends, there is no help for it, and
so it will be with you. What is it that your heart says,--"I will send
for praying people?" Yes, and if they come, what then? Perhaps God will
hear, and say to the woodman, "Put up thy axe for another year or two.
Let us see if he will keep his word and bear fruit." One wonders at the
forbearance of God! There are some in this place, who, when in
affliction, sent for the godly, and promised if only they were spared,
they would bear good fruit. But alas! they are worse than ever now. Let
such hardened sinners remember where the axe lies. The woodman can pick
it up any moment, and it will be useless to pray then. Can you not hear
the step of the feller of trees? He is on his way with orders which
brook no delay, thy hour is at hand, and thou shalt fall, to be cast into
the fire!