THE GllOWTII OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 



By Rev. J. B. Whiting, M.A. 



IN a very interesting paper, read before this Institute three 

 years ago, Professor Lobley traced the vast succession of 

 animal and vegetable creatures, as a preparation of the earth 

 for man.* This preparation, which ultimately covered the earth, 

 was orderly, gradual and final. It bore evidence of having 

 been planned by a mind of wisdom, and carried out by an arm 

 of power. The work was long, there was no hurry. It was 

 the work of God. 



We instinctively look for a similar process in what we 

 signify as the Kingdom of God. 



We believe in God. The idea of God leads to the 

 conviction that there has been purpose, plan and preparation. 

 We look for successful development; but that development 

 may not be obvious for a long time. 



It is, I think, only recently, that we are struck by the fact 

 that an enormous growth lias taken place, " The Kingdom of 

 God is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and 

 cast into his garden ; and it grew and waxed a great tree." 



" This Kingdom " is likened to a field, which contains both 

 tares and wheat. It is of the growth of this Kingdom of 

 God that we assert that it is the subject of an eternal purpose ; 

 a divine plan, an intelligent preparation, wherein God hath 

 abounded in all wisdom and prudence, and for which He has 

 " appointed " times and seasons. 



Before we proceed further let me adduce evidence of the 

 growth of this Kingdom of God; bearing in mind that it 

 consists of all who call themselves Christians. 



The evidence shall be (1) in regard to the population of the 

 world, (2) in regard to the shifting of political power from 

 non-Christian to Christian Governments. Both these lines of 

 inquiry lead us to perceive that this Kingdom of God has 

 become " a great Tree." 



When the Saviour became Incarnate, enormous tracts of the 

 earth's surface were without inhabitants. We may take an 

 illustration of this fact. Africa contains 12,000,000 square 

 miles, exactly one-fourth of the habitable surface of the earth, 



* Trans. Vict. Inst., vol. xxxiv. 



