The palm is also the emblem of victory; it raises its beautiful crown towards the heavens, fearless of the heat of the sultry sun, or of the burning hot wind from the desert. From its beauty it was one of the ornaments of Solomon's, as it is to be of Ezekiel's temple. When our SAVIOUR was received at Jerusalem as the KING of Israel the people took branches of palm-trees and went forth to meet Him; and in the glorious day of His espousals, "a great multitude, which no man" can "number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues," shall stand "before the throne and before the LAMB, clothed with white robes"; and with palms of victory in their hands shall ascribe their "salvation to our GOD which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the LAMB." But if she resembles the palm she also resembles the vine. Much she needs the culture of the Husbandman, and well does she repay it. Abiding in CHRIST, the true source of fruitfulness, she brings forth clusters of grapes, luscious and refreshing, as well as sustaining, like the fruit of the palm--luscious and refreshing to Himself, the owner of the vineyard, as well as to the weary, thirsty world in which He has placed it. The vine has its own suggestive lessons: it needs and seeks support; the sharp knife of the pruner often cuts away unsparingly its tender garlands, and mars its appearance, while increasing its fruitfulness. It has been beautifully written:-- The living Vine, CHRIST chose it for Himself:-- GOD gave to man for use and sustenance Corn, wine, and oil, and each of these is good: And CHRIST is Bread of life and Light of life. But yet, He did not choose the summer corn, That shoots up straight and free in one quick growth. And has its day, is done, and springs no more; Nor yet the olive, all whose boughs are spread In the soft air, and never lose a leaf, Flowering and fruitful in perpetual peace; But only this, for Him and His is one,-- That everlasting, ever-quickening Vine, That gives the heat and passion of the world, Through its own life-blood, still renewed and shed. . . . . . . The Vine from every living limb bleeds wine; Is it the poorer for that spirit shed? The drunkard and the wanton drink thereof; Are they the richer for that gift's excess? _Measure thy life by loss instead of gain;_ _Not by the wine drunk, but the wine poured forth;_ _For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice;_ _And whoso suffers most, hath most to give._ Yet one figure more is used by the Bridegroom: "The smell of thy breath [is] like apples," or rather citrons. In the first section the bride exclaims:--