MOST of our young readers are in all probability fond of that delicious fruit, the grape; but very likely you have never been into a vineyard, and, if so, you would like to hear something about the places where the grapes grow. I dare say you know there are many vineyards in France and Switzerland; but there are none in England. If you have ever been on a hop-ground, you may form some idea of what they are like; for the vines are planted in long rows, like hops. Sometimes the vineyards are on the sides of the mountains, and it is a very pretty sight to see the long rows of vines rising one above another, and the clustering bunches of purple and white grapes peeping out from the green leaves. If you were to pay a visit to these countries in the month of October, you would find everybody busy and gay—the little boys and girls dancing and singing with glee, and the young men with their hats and waistcoats gaily decorated with flowers and ribbons. But perhaps you ask, “Why are they all so happy?” I will tell you: it is because the vintage time has come, when all the ripe juicy fruit is gathered. Oh, how you would like to be there then! you would see a great many people—men, women, and children—all occupied in gathering grapes. Would you like to know how it is done? I will try and explain it to you. Each person is supplied with a basket, and goes from vine to vine (always keeping to one row) gathering grapes, until his basket is full; then a man with a tub, which he carries on his back, comes to receive the fruit, and to carry it to the roadside, where it is put into large casks. There another man is occupied in pressing the grapes with a long stick. After that, these grapes are taken to the winepress (for you know the juice of grapes is made into wine); there they are placed in a very large round tub, and again pressed until all the juice is squeezed out, which is then called “muse.” I will not tell you of the process of wine-making, as I think you will like to hear more of the vintage. At twelve o’clock the merry groups of workers are ready for their dinner, which they bring with them, and partake of under the shade of some large tree. In the evening, when all the grapes are gathered, the young men, still decorated with flowers, go through the villages, dancing, singing, and playing music, to express their joy at the return of the vintage.
In the holy Scripture there are many allusions to the vine: I should like to refer you to some. In the Old Testament God speaks of the children of Israel (who, you know were his people at that time) under the figure of a vine. He says, he had planted them a noble vine, wholly a right seed (Jer. 2:2121Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me? (Jeremiah 2:21)) and in Isaiah 5 there is a beautiful and touching allusion to the vintage. If God compares his people to a vine, what he expects from them is fruit. Does my little reader wonder what this can mean? If you will turn to the New Testament you will find in the 5th of Galatians, “For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” When God sees this blessed fruit in his children, it is what gives him joy. Do you think at the vintage time there would be such gladness as I have been describing to you if there were no fruit? It could not be; and it is just so when the people of God do not manifest his ways; and remember, dear children, what I am saying applies to you as much as to grown-up people. There are many among you who have professed to know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, and to have your sins washed away in his precious blood. My heart rejoices at it; but I do ask such, earnestly and affectionately, what sort of fruit are you bringing forth? Is it such as to give joy and, gladness to the heart of the Lord? The Lord grant that it may never be said of you, what he said of Israel, that he looked for grapes, but they brought forth wild grapes.
There are two references to the vine in the New Testament which I cannot pass over. In the loth of John, the Lord Jesus, speaking of himself, says, “I am, the true vine.” This could be said of none beside; it was only true of him that he always did that which was well-pleasing to his Father, and his fruit was ever perfect. In this same chapter God’s people are spoken of as “branches” in the true vine. Dear child, are you a branch in this living vine? Do you belong to Jesus?
The last Scripture to which I will refer you is a very solemn one. I have been telling you of a vintage time when all is joy and gladness; but in the verses I am going to point out to you, God speaks of a vintage—not a time of gathering of grapes, but of fearful judgments, which will one day fall on those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. In Revelation 14:18,18And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. (Revelation 14:18) we read, “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud voice to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and east it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.” It is a fearfully solemn thing; dear children, to be numbered amongst those who are here called the vine of the earth. Thanks be unto God, he is a God of love; he does not wish people to be punished. We read in his holy Word, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).) Will you not, dear little one, believe this love? Jesus himself invites you to come to him. Listen to his own sweet words: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14-1614But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:14‑16).) Come, then, to this precious Saviour; believe his love. Then when God’s judgments are upon the earth, you will have nothing to fear; for you will be safe and happy in the fold of Jesus.
E. H.