p. 171 | Sow the Seed by John Nevins Ayers

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 13, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 11.

Sow the Seed.

By John Nevins Ayers

"In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." Eccl. 11 : 6.

Youth is here represented by the "morning," old age by the "evening," showing the necessity there is for all, young and old, to be at work. Each has his place to fill, his work to do, and as we are living in the closing days of the gospel dispensation, how necessary it is that all should be at work "while it is day," remembering that "the night cometh, when no man can work." John 9 : 4. Jesus is soon coming; probation will soon close; the world must be warned; the time to sow is almost past. Oh! where are the sowers? Where are those that have been sowing? "No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Luke 9 : 62. Where are those that want to work, and no one has hired them? "Go ye also into the vineyard and whatsoever is right I will give you." Matt. 24 : 7. Jesus is talking; do you believe him? Will you work for Jesus? He will see that you are paid.

"For we are laborers together with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." 1 Cor. 3 : 9. "Husbandry," the business of cultivating the earth. Paul here gives us an illustration that all may understand. We all know how the farmer goes to work to raise a crop. He plows the ground, harrows it until all the clods are thoroughly pulverized, sows the seed and covers it so that the fowls will not pick it up, and leaves it to grow. But all this labor would be in vain if God did not give the increase. "Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground? When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat, and the appointed barley, and the rye in their place? For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him." Isa. 28 : 24-26.

God works by means, and when he has a work to do on the earth among men, he raises up a people to do it; and if they fail he will raise up others to take their places and their crowns. The time for the third message arrived; the Seventh-day Adventists were raised up, and are now carrying the message to the world. The day of its proclamation is far spent, and we know it is to go with a "loud voice."

Now for the work. A husbandman does not sow his seed before the ground is plowed, and if it is cloddy after he has broken it up, he will harrow and roll it, until he gets it thoroughly pulverized and level; then he will sow the seed. The seed to be sown is all ready, in the shape of tracts, pamphlets, books, and papers. The man that sows no grain in seed-time cannot expect to reap in the time of harvest. If he does not prepare his ground, he cannot expect to reap much but weeds; there may be a few sickly stalks, but very little grain. So if we want a plentiful harvest, we must first prepare the ground for the seed. Do this by gentleness. If the man with whom you are conversing breaks up rough and cloddy, smooth him down with love and kindness; get all the anger out of him, and then before leaving hand him a tract on the subject you have had under discussion. Pursue this course in the fear of the Lord, being very careful not to offend, so as to choke the seed already sown, and persevere until you have his mind well seeded with the truths of the message. Then the living preacher can water the seed, and God will give the increase. But we must first have our own hearts broken up and brought into subjection to God's will, getting self entirely out of the way.

"Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labors." 1 Cor. 3 : 8. The devil will be at work, picking up all the seed he can before it gets rooted; and you will see some that will not understand. Others will receive the truth with gladness, but in a short time they will give up and go back to the world; while others will bring forth fruit, some sixty, some an hundred fold. Matt. 13 : 18-23.

"Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters." Isa. 32 : 20. "They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Ps. 126 : 5, 6. Who will sow the seed? —Eld. J. N. Ayers.