Seed Sowing by E. K. SLADE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1908

Seed Sowing

By E. K. SLADE

E. K. SLADE

That “faith which worketh by love” will lead every believer of the truth to embrace the opportunities still offered of sowing seed which is promised to give such results in the great harvest-time soon to come. Every one who has received the good “gift” is required to minister the same as a faithful steward of the manifold grace of God.

The most precious gift that God has bestowed upon his children is the truth contained in his Word. There are many forms of ministry in which the children of God may engage, but that which calls for our passing on to others the light of truth that we have received is a ministry in which every true believer is permitted to engage. It is a lack of faith that leads so many of our people to fail in the good work of passing out books, tracts, and papers from time to time to those who know not the truth. Because immediate or visible results are not seen, or because prejudice and indifference exist, many have refrained from this all-important work. Every one who has received the precious light of present truth ought to engage in sowing the seed. There need be no fear or serious question as to the results. It is promised of this seed that it will not fail nor prove ineffective. The conditions of the soil or climate often result in the decay of the seed sown by the farmer, yet it is a notable fact that under such circumstances he usually displays more real faith than is manifested by those who should have all confidence in the unfailing qualities of the seed that Christians are permitted to sow.

All are required to sow this seed, and they are enjoined to do so all of the time: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand.” While engaged in other pursuits, every opportunity is to be embraced of planting seeds here and there in the great fields surrounding us. Not only are we to sow all the time, but we are required to sow in all places. We are directed to “sow beside all waters,” which, according to Scriptural interpretation, refers to all peoples. It is not for us to question the propriety of sowing the seeds of truth among certain classes of people. An intelligent faith will lead us to embrace every opportunity of scattering such seed.

If our church-members in all our conferences were following the requirements set forth in what the Lord has said about seed sowing, a mighty work would be in progress wherever there are believers. Our publishing houses would be found more busy than ever in their endeavors to supply the printed page. Our tract societies would be doing a much larger volume of work than they have ever done as yet. The work thus carried on by wisely distributing our books, tracts, and papers, would no doubt result in bringing many more into the truth than will be brought in by all of the paid laborers of our various conferences. There are those who are carrying out this instruction, who are embracing every opportunity week by week and month by month to scatter the printed pages of the third angel’s message. What an encouragement to true faith to know that one has large quantities of this unfailing seed liberally sown as directed by the great Husbandman, the results of which will be seen in the harvest-time!

There is another thought in connection with seed sowing that the sower should bear in mind. First of all he is to heed the instruction, “Sow to yourselves in righteousness.” Thus he becomes a receiver of the good gift which will fit him to minister the same to others. Such seed sowing results in that new birth referred to by Peter in the statement, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” The results of such sowing will lead to that regeneration that will make possible the missionary activity so much needed in the ranks of God’s people. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” “Freely ye have received, freely give.”

Holly, Mich.