goodness of heart, when employed in removing what, in religion, is worthless, is described by "the axe being laid to the root of the tree: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire." (Matt. iii. 10.) The iron axe, when separated from the wood or helve, is a knowledge of truth separated from goodness or holiness of life. In this case it is powerless, and sinks in the water as useless. The prophet threw in a stick where the iron fell: it swam to the wood and was restored. This was done to instruct us that whenever goodness of heart is put forth, it-will draw to itself its corresponding truth: thus the wood is thrown in, the iron swims to join it, and is restored to its proper use. Mere science or knowledge, independent of goodness, can never build up the church in man; hence in the building of Solomon's temple, where nothing of man's intelligence, merely, was to be employed, it is said, "that there was neither hammer nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." (1 Kings vi. 7.) If we possess truth without goodness of life, the truth does not really belong to us, but to those only who use it for amendment of life: hence the lost axe-head is said to be borrowed. Truth known merely to be displayed in talk, is, "alas! master," nothing but a borrpwed axe, and can only become our own by putting forth goodness to join it. O reader! let the truth be fastened firmly in thine affections, and all with thee will be well.
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