[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0915":3},"SEPTEMBER 15\r\nBlow upon my garden that the spices may flow old (Song of Sol. 4:16).\r\nSome of the spices mentioned in this chapter are quite suggestive. The aloe was a bitter spice, and it tells of the sweetness of\r\nbitter things, the bitter-sweet, which has its own fine application\r\nthat only those can understand who have felt it The myrrh was used to embalm the dead, and it tells of death to something. It is the\r\nsweetness which comes to the heart after it has died to its self-will and pride and sin.\r\nOn, the inexpressible charm that hovers about some Christians\r\nsimply because they bear upon the chastened countenance and mellow\r\nspirit the impress of the cross, the holy evidence of having died\r\nto something that was once proud and strong, but is now forever at the feet of Jesus. It is the heavenly charm of a broken spirit and\r\na contrite heart the music that springs from the minor key, the\r\nsweetness that comes from the touch of the frost upon the ripened fruit\r\nAnd then the frankincense was a fragrance that came from the touch of the fire. It was the burning powder that rose in clouds of\r\nsweetness from the bosom of the flames. It tells of the heart whose\r\nsweetness has been called forth, perhaps by the flames of\r\naffliction, until the holy place of the soul is filled with clouds\r\nof praise and prayer. Beloved, are we giving out the spices, the\r\nperfumes, the sweet odors of the heart? --The Love-Life of Our Lord\r\nA Persian fable says: One day\r\nA wanderer found a lump of clay So redolent of sweet perfume\r\nIts odors scented all the room.\r\n\"What are thou?\" was his quick demand,\r\n\"Art thou some gem from Samarcand, Or spikenard in this rude disguise,\r\nOr other costly merchandise?\"\r\n\r\n\"Nay: I am but a lump of clay.\"\r\n\"Then whence this wondrous perfume-say!\" \"Friend, if the secret I disclose,\r\nI have been dwelling with the rose.\"\r\nSweet parable! and will not those\r\nWho love to dwell with Sharon's rose, Distill sweet odors all around,\r\nThough low and mean themselves are found? Dear Lord, abide with us that we\r\nMay draw our perfume fresh from Thee.",1783499793855]