SOW THE SEED | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 15, 1900

SOW THE SEED.

My goods were packed ready for the cars. I had said, “Anywhere, dear Saviour,” and was not quite sure whether to go, or stay.

After some strange occurrences, which I did not quite understand, a place was offered me at a less rent than I had ever paid, yet worth double the price asked for it. I accepted gladly, and wondered what there was for me to do there.

I soon discovered that my nearest neighbors were not noted for quietness. There would often break out the most terrific screams from little children, mingled with loud and angry threats, while heavy blows from a whip could be heard distinctly. The most shameful and cruel language came from a woman who claimed to be mother to two children, both under five years of age. At first this shocked me so greatly that I tried to shut out the noise, and bar my senses from seeing and hearing anything of it.

Still I did pray most earnestly; there was need enough of it: but it was weeks before I could summon courage to speak to them, or even to look at them, as I had at once decided to have “nothing to do with such neighbors.” When at last I did venture, it was in answer to the Lord’s question, “Have n’t you let those folks alone about long enough?” I quickly answered, “Yes, Lord, I believe so; what will you have me to do?” I first made the acquaintance of the mother, and found that she would be glad to have me take the little girl of four and one-half years, and do what I pleased to interest or instruct her. She was “so hard to manage, and such a bad child.”

I had no trouble whatever in getting the child to stay with me several hours each day; indeed, she would stay all day if I could give her the necessary attention, but I had duties that called me sometimes from home. Whenever she came to me, my first business was to wash her and comb her hair, and then pin a clean towel or apron on her, and give her something to do. She had been taught nothing, hence she was always in mischief. The mother was a snuff-taker and had no knowledge of a child’s needs, and with her violent temper, took no pains to love or instruct her children.

It would be too long a story to tell how the hours passed by in pleasant, happy employment requiring a good deal of patience, and careful, firm treatment. Perhaps you would like to have a few particulars however. The first lesson was on being tidy and clean “for Jesus to see.” She had to be told who Jesus is, for she had never heard of him nor of heaven and the good angels. She was so bright and quick to learn that every day a new lesson was fastened in her mind, which she delighted in rehearsing not only to me but to her parents as well.

Meanwhile the mother was astonished. She did not expect me to notice her “bad child.” But the poor neglected baby, so little and so young, full of inventions and activity, could not fairly be blamed, when she was taught nothing. I always kissed the little clean hands, and said, “They must make pretty biscuits now for Jesus and papa to see;” and she was delighted with her first baking, and all subsequent ones. Then she could never look at the pretty pictures without clean hands, because the books and pictures would soon be soiled if she handled them with soiled hands. So she had that first settled in her mind, and never refused to be made clean, taking pride in doing it herself after a while, asking oftentimes, “Are me getting ready now to go up there? Can’t Gylo go too if he’s clean?” She had always lived upstairs, and the ground had a great attraction for her. I took her out walking with me sometimes to give her a treat, and to teach her how to behave on the street.

Her mother had relinquished her so much as to tell me to do what I pleased with her; but I felt it was not best to assume too much, and relieve the parent of all responsibility. So, many were the hours I spent in giving the poor woman timely instruction, and urging her to become acquainted with my Friend above, who would also be her friend and helper if she would let him.

The family have now moved away, and I have lost sight of them; but my interest and prayers will follow them, and I am thankful I could sow the good seed in a little child’s heart.