In Partnership by J. C. Rogers

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 7, 1902

In Partnership

By J. C. Rogers

Sowing and Planting for God

OUR soil being in the best possible state of tillage, the next thing to consider is the seed to be put into it. A recognized principle of agriculture is the selection of the best seed of its variety. One of the heads of departments in our State Agricultural College said to me, the other day: “We are learning more and more to appreciate the importance of selecting the largest and best quality of the seed we wish to sow.” If farmers would make this their practice, they could generally save the excessive prices which they are obliged to pay for new varieties.

Besides this we should see to it that we secure the best variety of the class we are dealing with. If, for example, you decide to grow corn, then it is your business to find the best known varieties of corn. More than that, you ought to get the particular variety best adapted to your soil and climate. Seed that produces abundantly in Texas or Georgia could hardly be depended upon for Michigan or Illinois.

When you sow your seed, reckon that you are sowing it for God. Ask him to care for it, and to give abundant increase. But while you do this, do not forget to count on giving the Lord the share he claims. The very fact of casting your seed into the ground to die shows that you have confidence in God that he will multiply it for you in time of harvest. Let God have confidence in you, from the day that your seed is put into the ground, that you will give back to him his own. Thus God and you will have a partnership interest in that piece of grain. This will be greatly to your advantage.

In Michigan last fall I was teaching a class in agriculture, and desired them to sow an acre of wheat for trial and observation. The only field available was one where late potatoes were planted. The class took hold with a will to dig the potatoes, and prepare the ground. It was pine land, sandy soil, and new, rough ground. October 11 came before it was ready for sowing.

We selected the best seed to be found in the neighborhood, of the “golden chaff” variety. The seed was thoroughly cleaned, spread on the barn floor, and carefully sprinkled with a solution of formalin (one ounce to three gallons of water) to kill any smut germs. After drying, it was sown October 11. A little less than one bushel and a half was put on the acre, and as we had no drill, it was sown broadcast. The fall was cold, and the wheat made little start, but it was committed to God, and he had it in keeping. At the time of sowing, the air was swarming with Hessian flies. But frosts destroyed these insects before our wheat was out of the ground to receive their eggs. The winter seemed unfavorable, but still God cared for his seed. From that acre twenty-two bushels of the finest quality of wheat was harvested. I do not know how much was lost in handling and in other ways.

Did you sow and plant for God last season? If not, do it this year. If you did, return him his own, and do it again. All the tithe of the seed is the Lord’s. Appear not before the Lord empty. Lev. 27:30; Deut. 16:16, 17. Sow for your Lord, and remember that the word, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap,” is true literally and spiritually. Be a fair and faithful partner.

J. C. ROGERS.