A story is told about St. Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, and the little plant we call the Shamrock, the national emblem of Ireland.

Whether the story be true or only a legend, it has in it a great truth which every one of us must know for it lies at the very foundation of the Gospel.

When Patrick was preaching at Tara some of the Irish people came to him and said, "Your preaching is wrong. You tell us there is only one true God, and yet you speak of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. How can that be? You have three Gods, not one."

"I have one God in three," said Patrick.

The people shook their heads and said, "We cannot understand that."

Patrick seemed distressed at their ignorance. He stooped down and plucked a shamrock which grew close by his feet, and holding it up before them, asked, "How many leaves are there?" "One," said some of the people. "Three," said others.

"Both answers are right," said Patrick; "the one divides into three; the three unite in one, and my God is three in one and one in three—Father, Son, and Spirit—one God." This is one of the great mysteries of the Book of God at which the great and wise ones of earth have stumbled. It is one of God's revelations which we are called to believe just because He has made it known. The greatest wonder of all is that the three-one God should interest Himself in lost and ruined sinners.

This great truth is wonderfully unfolded in the gospel and in the salvation of a sinner. God loves the sinner. Christ died for him. The Spirit convicts and converts him. Thus the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—are deeply interested in you, reader. Have you believed the love of God? Have you rested on the blood of Christ? Have you yielded to the Spirit's stirrings? Can you say, "I know God as my Father, Jesus Christ as my Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as my Teacher and Guide"? They are truly rich who can say this in truth. "Without God" the wordling is poor, even though he may be worth millions.

—Home Friend