Rev. A.J. Ogden

We have often read about the beautiful, majestic sequoia trees which grow in abundance in California. I wanted to see the big one which is called “General Sherman,” a tree that really out shines them all. Perhaps I can see it from above now.

They say this large one is over 200 feet high, 2,000 years old, and 70 feet in circumference. That is some tree to stand the storms of life 2,000 plus years without falling.

A reporter said to the guide that the tree must have deep roots to hold it up when it faces all those storm winds. “No,” the guide said, “as a matter of fact, the roots are very shallow, and go down only a few inches below the soil.” The reporter asked, “Why do they not fall in a storm?” The guide explained that the sequoia trees only grown in droves or groves, and all the trees stand close together to brace one another in times of storms. Another way they get strength is that the roots from all the trees intertwine with each other under the surface of the earth. So, if a storm tries to blow one down its got to blow a whole forest down. They have a beautiful cooperative spirit that would be a great blessing for man, if he would practice it. Together those trees stand; divided they would fall.

Our local church, according to God’s word, should be like that. There is great power in the body of Christ when we all stand together. Acts 4:32, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” Then Peter continues by saying, “And great grace was upon them all.” The blessings of God fell on them.