THERE is a tree found in the West Indies, called the manchineel. It is a good-looking tree. The fruit that bears looks like the golden pippin. It is beautiful to the eye, and has a fragrant smell; but when eaten, it produces certain death. The juice of this fruit is so deadly that the Indians dip their arrows in it, for the purpose of poisoning their enemies when they wound them. It is remarkable that wherever this tree grows, there is always found not far from it a plant, the juice of which counteracts and cures the poison of the manchineel.
How well this poison may represent the sad effect of sin! And then, in the effect produced by this healing plant, we see illustrated the influence exerted by God’s blessed Word on souls that are poisoned by sin. “He sent His word, and healed them.” (Psa. 107:2020He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:20).)
ML-09/04/1960