West Union, Iowa

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 6, 1870

Harvest.

The time of wheat harvest is ended. It has been a busy season indoors and out, and men of all classes and professions—the rich, the poor, the worldling and Christian, have worked in the same field together. We naturally suppose that the rich have talked of their gains, their trades and speculations; the poor, of their wages and their struggles with poverty. The tongue of the worldling has found no stopping-place; his conversation has been of any and everything, pure and impure, jesting or profanity, it matters not to the worldling. And we look for nothing better from him.

But the Christian! Ah! who can tell of what his conversation has been? Has he warned the rich of the deceitfulness of riches? Has he comforted the poor by pointing to a Saviour who freely giveth all things? Has he told the worldling that the love of the world is enmity to God? that the name of the Lord should not be taken in vain? or has he been so near like his companions that he could not raise the voice of warning? Can he answer these questions with a clear conscience before God? I fear some cannot.

O my brethren, can the worldling truly say of you, The Adventists were the wildest and biggest jokers in the field? They could tell of the funniest incidents, the biggest bargains and most trades; and worse still, could outdo the worldling in impure conversation. O my Saviour, how oft do thy professed followers offend and crucify thee! How oft art thou wounded in the house of thy friends! And do they mourn and repent for all this? Alas! no.

Oh! the hardness of heart which characterizes this generation. It seems that the prophet was speaking to the people of this age when he said, Seek righteousness, seek meekness; it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.