“What Will the Harvest Be?”
By Emma Thurber
“Every word you utter, and every act of your life, is a seed which will bear good or evil fruit, and will result in joy or sorrow to the sower of the seed.” Do we realize this? Do we realize that we are forming characters for eternity? How careful and prayerful we ought to be. It is only by constant watching and praying that we shall ever overcome. Oh! for more of that earnest, agonizing spirit and more of that deep love of God in the heart, that will not shrink from self-sacrifice, but will make a full and complete surrender to God. All our words and actions are being recorded in Heaven. All our thoughts are open to the eyes of our Heavenly Father. Are we laying up treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal? or are our treasures here on the earth, to be consumed by the fires of the last days? Are we careful to exert a good influence over those around us? The closing scenes of earth’s history are just upon us. Soon the opening heavens will reveal the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and glory. Oh! that we may hear the welcome words, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Shall we reap a rich harvest in the kingdom of Heaven? or shall our part be with those on the left hand, who shall depart forever from the presence of the Lord of life and glory, and go away into everlasting punishment. May God help us to hold fast our confidence to the end. Marblehead, Mass., March 14, 1875.