Thistle-Down | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 22, 1865

Thistle-Down.

A THISTLE grew up by the wayside, tall and rank, and after a time its many beautiful amethyst blossoms expanded in the sunshine. There was no fear of any hand spoiling their beauty. Even the child shrank back from spoils which must be gathered at such a cost. So the thistle perfected its seeds, and by-and-by a strong east wind sprang up and scattered the airy fleet far and wide. Away sped a troop of them, on wings of down, over the farmer's choice grain-field, settling down finally in comfortable quarters, where the soil was the richest and likely to bring forth the greatest harvest. Now they trooped in a gay procession through the palings, which surrounded the garden, nestling down by the side of roses and lilies and gentle violets, giving promise of most undesirable neighbors. Here a little child's breath was sufficient to speed them on, as he danced along the dusty highway. Now they hovered irresolutely over the river, and finally they touched the surface lightly, to be borne still further onward to a new resting place. Some seeds were lost, indeed, but enough were sown broadcast to reap a harvest a hundred-fold.

What an emblem of our careless words is thistle-down! What evil seeds they sow wherever they fall! We little know what soil is ready to receive them, nor what harm they may do, even long after our heads are laid low. "Bury my influence with me," was the remorseful cry of a dying man. As well might we try to recall the seeds which the winds of heaven have scattered. Did you ever reflect that a little jest on a Scripture text, a sneering remark on one of Christ's followers, a thoughtless criticism on a religious discourse, may be the means of ruining a soul? That is the fruit which such seed-sowing too often bears. Truly "life and death are in the power of the tongue."

The thistle-seeds are sometimes lost, but no idle word have we ever spoken but we shall one day meet again, and "give an account thereof." "If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man."—S. S. Times.