( 172 ) 
tlie blood of the martyrs was the “fruitful seed from which new Christians 
constantly sprang up.” 
There are also, even in the smallest sentences of the evangelical doc¬ 
trine, concealed, as in the mustard-seed, great and powerful truths; for 
how many have been converted and become saints by one single sentence of 
the Gospel, well pondered and put into practice! 
[Vjyrrlp 
“I yielded a sweet odor like the best myrrh.” 
—Eccl. xxiv, 20. 
Myrrh is a transparent gum-resin, usually of an am- 
color, of an aromatic odor, and a hitter, slightly pungent 
e. It is used for its odor and for its medicinal prop- 
BS. 
* 
Self-Denial. 
TyT HILE self-indulgence is in some or other degree, sinful, nay, even 
JCfi- criminal; self-denial is a virtue which the Christian religion re¬ 
quires of us all. 
I know, if Christ had taught us contempt of the world, and had not 
given us an instance of it in His own person, it could hardly be expected 
that we should follow 7 His doctrine of self-denial. 
But what an example we now find in Him, since He had not where 
to lay His head in life, nor a rag to cover Him in death, nor anything but a 
borrowed gown in burial. 
What manner of persons ought v r e all to be in unselfishness when we 
have such a Lord ! He hath not said to us in matters of self-denial, “Take 
up thy Cross and go,” but, (c Come take up thy Cross and follow Me.” 
