THE HARVEST by C. A. Smith

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 16, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 24.

THE HARVEST.

By C. A. Smith

BY C. A. SMITH.

DREADFUL day, the day of binding Sheaves from seeds sown long ago In the hearts of men, unmining What the enemy might sow!

Warned they were, but that unheeding; Now the bitter fruits appear, Tares that blight and choke the seeding Which the Master watched with care.

Offered long were terms of favor, To renew corrupted minds, Power to change, a living savor, Turning tares to fruitful kinds.

Rain and sunshine, care and blessing Came from heaven through all the years, Watchers sent with precious dressing, Wrought with mortals' prayers and tears.

Wheat and tares alike receiving What the "Husbandman" bestows, Each from this rich bounty living, Each their kind of fruitage shows.

But the time of harvest hastens; Even now the message sounds; Angel hands the binding fastens; Tares are thick through all the grounds.

Do you understand the token? Are the harvest signals seen? Yes, the "Harvest Lord" hath spoken, "Gather all my faithful in."

Gather first the tares for burning; They have cumbered long my ground, All my invitations spurning, No redeeming strength have found.

One short hour of hope remaining, Every hindrance must be braved; Failing else thy life regaining, Harvest passed thou art not saved.

But a "harvest shout" is ringing, For the angel-garnered grain; All the living join in singing Praises to the Lamb once slain, Endless glory to him bringing Who hath banished sin and pain.

Delavan, Wis.