A. P. LAWTON by A. P. Lawton

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 22, 1872

A. P. LAWTON

By A. P. Lawton

Labor.

In our labor, the time, manner, place, quality, and adaptation, should be carefully considered. The skillful gardener does not, after taking up a plant, lay it down, and consider his work accomplished. He knows that a little neglect just at this time will ruin the plant. He handles it carefully, and immediately puts it into soft, prepared earth, watches, waters, weeds and nurses it, until it has taken root. He understands the wants of each variety, and how to meet them. One unskilled in the use of the hoe will hack here and there, and the tender, valuable plant, as well as the weed, goes by the board; and if he could be made to understand the mischief he has done, it would be too late to repair it. Too much pruning will ruin the most promising tree, or orchard; while the right kind of care will greatly improve both the tree and its fruit.

If so much skill and care are requisite in a horticulturist, how much more in the watchman on the walls of Zion. “Souls are their charge. To them it is given to train them for their native Heaven.” A word spoken at the right time, manner, and place, is worth a thousand at some other time. To watch, means to be on the look out. This is their work. But can no one have a part in this work but those especially set apart to it? Every member of the body has a work of their own to do; and those who live near to God, will know what it is. Every one is not a wise reprover or teacher. May all have wisdom from above to know and do their own work. Then we shall have prosperity, and the building will go up, without the sound of ax or hammer.

A. P. LAWTON

W. Winfield, N. Y.