Scattering Wheat or Tares.
By Max Hill
In the time of the seed-sowing a husbandman sent his servant with grain to sow in the fields of his estate. With a strong arm the servant scattered the golden grain, having faith that the rains would descend, the sun shine, and the soil would nourish the seed, and that a bountiful harvest would result. With a song he labored on, cheering his own heart and his fellow-workers as well. As the sun rose higher and higher, he paused to rest by the wayside, and there he found a great measure of tare seed, which an enemy had purposely left there to tempt the good man's servants. Now the wheat was heavy, while the worthless seed of the tares was light, and, thinking to lighten his load, the laborer took of the tares and sowed it with the wheat. Again and again he took from the enemy's measure, using less and less of the wheat. At length the master came to see how the work progressed. Overcome with sorrow for his wickedness, the servant fell before his master and craved forgiveness. Being merciful of heart, the master forgave him, and set him again to scattering good seed. But soon the heat became oppressive, the load heavy, and the weak servant, despite his good promises and resolutions, mixed tare seed with the wheat, at first sparingly, and then before he realized it, he was sowing nothing but tares in the master's field. Again the master came, and again the servant plead for mercy. Tho knowing his sin and his weakness, the master forgave him again. But the servant had indulged his natural inclinations so long that no sooner had the master gone than he threw aside the wheat and began scattering tares. Even then when he found him disobeying him, the master forgave. Over and over he pardoned him, until at length there was no hope for him, and he cast him forth from his estate as an unprofitable servant, one whom he could no longer use in his service. And none of the other servants pitied the outcast, nor blamed the master of the estate. In His love the Saviour of the world sends forth His servants to labor for Him in the great world-wide field, to sow the seed of truth. He sends the rain and promises the increase, and all He asks of His servants is that they sow the seed and guard it well that no tares be mixed with it. But O how many there are who grieve Him by unfaithful labor, who mix with the pure Gospel seed the seeds of error, who scatter sparingly where the soil is rich, who throw away the pure seed altogether, and scatter only tares. Still the Master is merciful, full of compassion, and ready to forgive. Again and again He pardons the backslidings of His servants, and puts within their hands good seed to sow. But as with the wicked servant of the parable, justice must speak at length, mercy will some time be withdrawn, and then the unprofitable servant will be cast into outer darkness and be lost. Now "whosoever will may come," enter the service of the King, and receive the reward; but soon the day of human probation will close, when sin will receive its just punishment. In the judgment day those who receive the reward of eternal life will be those who sow the good seed now. Max Hill.