A Bit of Good Salt. 
JESUS CHRIST startled His disciples one day 
when He told them they must take themselves 
very seriously, for they were the salt of the earth. 
I believe they could not have been more surprised 
if something akin to a bombshell had fallen at their 
feet. Some of them might possibly have heard of 
the Roman proverb that it is salt that keeps the 
world alive and sweet.*' At any rate, they all knew 
of its power to preserve things and to cleanse 
and heal. I never forgot this latter ministry of 
salt after going as a scholar with our Sunday School 
for the annual outing, or treat. When the seaside 
was reached, it was a race between us as to which 
lad could divest himself of boots and stockings first 
and be in the water. It was a close thing amongst 
several of us as to whom was first. But though 
there was no certainty about the one in first, we 
were all positively sure about the one who came 
out first. He was the lad who had forgotten he 
had a bad scratch on his leg until the salt in the 
water reminded him of it. How he shouted and 
danced, and, would you believe it — cried ! And yet 
the salt was doing his leg good. When I think of 
the condition of things which prevail in a heathen 
town, I am driven to one conclusion, and that is, 
no one can be a true Christian amongst these con- 
ditions unless he is as positive and unyielding, as 
