The robber at work in our meetings "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved," Luke 8:12. (Preached in Penticton FPC, 10/10/10 at the morning service. First preached Kilskeery FPC, 11th Jan 1979) What parallels there are between the physical and the spiritual realms! This is so often drawn out by the Saviour in His use of the pastoral scenes around him when He taught the people by parables. The parable of the 'Sower' is reported in all three gospels and is one of the few of which this is so. At the end of the parable there is a caution sounded. "Take heed therefore how ye hear," verse 18. It is important for the preacher to preach well but it is also important for the congregation to 'hear' well!