Sowing the Seed by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 5, 1911

Sowing the Seed

By W. A. S.

“BLESSED are ye that sow beside all waters.” Isa. 32:20.

We do not know just where the fruitage may appear. Our part is to sow everywhere. “The seed is the word.” And truly, as we hear reports from all quarters of the earth, our hearts are inspired to cast in the seed on the right and on the left. The results everywhere and always come from the convicting, converting power of the living word.

In a report from South Africa, we are told of a teacher who heard the phrase, “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Somehow the words kept ringing in the ear, and appealing to the heart with a power that gave no rest, until she surrendered to keep the fourth commandment.

Often a word dropped almost unthinkingly, is the word that proves the means used by God for the saving of a soul. Little efforts often bring great results. We continually meet with evidence that Providence often uses apparently roundabout means to win a way into the heart for the living word. The following experience was told by Elder J. F. Huenergardt, of Hungary:—

Not long ago I received a letter from a railroad man who had heard of the Sabbath through an unbeliever. He began to read his Bible and became convinced. When I visited him, he told me that he was ready to abandon his position in order to keep the Sabbath. This he soon did, and was happy that he and his wife could be received into the church. He labored with his relatives and sent them reading-matter. His father-in-law, who was also a railroad man, readily made a study of the truth and also became convinced. He declared that he would obey, but must wait a while yet. On hearing that his son-in-law was preparing to leave his position, he wrote him to postpone the matter. Somehow or other, the old gentleman, while getting the letter ready for the mail, unknowingly placed a blank paper in the envelope instead of the written sheet. When the young man received this, he could not understand what it should mean. In a flash the first few lines of that beautiful hymn came into his mind:—

“Nothing but leaves! the spirit grieves O’er years of wasted life,” etc.

These he at once wrote down upon the blank paper, put it into an envelope, and sent it back to his father-in-law. When the old gentleman received the letter and read the lines, they made a deep impression upon him. Soon afterward he also was baptized.

So the Lord is working through great things and small things to gather his people from all nations, tongues, and peoples. We are thankful that we have a part in this great work and in this dark field. May our brethren and sisters pray for all those out in these needy countries where there is yet many an honest soul waiting for the truth.

There is a God in heaven watching over his work on earth; and as in faith we scatter the publications bearing his words, and talk of the truth as the opportunities come, we may know that the Lord and the angels will work to make the word effective. “It shall not return unto me void,” he says, but “it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

We are seeing this demonstrated in all the world. The angels of God are flying to and fro over land and sea, and the Holy Spirit is being poured out upon all flesh. Seed-sowing done in one part may bring forth harvest in lands far away. Thus Elder Huenergardt reported further:—

A short time ago a Rumanian and a Servian, both able and intelligent men, accepted the truth in Canada, and returned to their native country to work among their people. We are glad they came, and hope they will not be the last to come over and help us.

The Lord has made bare his arm for the finishing of his work. We can read it in the workings of his providence as well as in the sure word of prophecy.

Now, let us go on sowing broadcast the seed of the kingdom. “Blessed are ye,” says the Lord, “that sow beside all waters.”

W. A. S.