The Little Foxes

There comes a time in the year when the gardener finds it very necessary to worm his vegetables. If he should neglect doing so the worms (though very small) would devour his entire garden.

Just as the gardener finds it necessary to hunt out and kill the worms, equally does the Christian find it necessary to hunt out and kill the "little foxes."

I now invite the reader to assist me in finding the little foxes. Let us also kill them as we find them.

The first little fox that usually spoils a person's Christian experience is the fox of neglecting secret prayer. Have you got him If so, kill him at once.

Second.-The next fox is, neglecting to read and meditate upon the Word, and also other good, helpful books.

The third is the Sabbath-desecration fox, viz., riding Sunday excursions, getting shaved, writing letters, sending telegrams (unnecessarily), talking on business topics, etc.

The fourth, the talkative fox, viz., light talk, jesting, evil speaking, and meddling into the affairs of others.

Fifth, the love-of-luxuries fox. There is not a greater enemy to godliness than the love of luxuries, i. e., costly foods, costly clothing, costly house furnishings, costly photos, etc.

Sixth, the fox of sloth, i. e., lying in bed half of the Sabbath, giving way to sleep rather than attending the prayer-meetings, not being on time to the Sabbath service, etc.

Seventh, the short talk fox, i. e., speaking crossly to the folks at home, scolding, fault-finding and bossing.

Eighth, the magazine and newspaper fox. Some people spend more time on these things than they do on the Bible, hence they lose their heavenly mind and become like the nations around them.

Ninth, the worldly care fox. I usually feel a little fearful for a spiritual man or woman when I see them becoming too much absorbed in worldly cares. I am made to think of the words of Jesus, who says, "And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares" (Luke 21; 34).