A few weeks ago I heard something which rather impressed me in connection with Sunday School work, so I pass it on to you.
One Sunday a teacher had in her class a girl of ten who was exceedingly trying. After school was over, she spoke to this girl about her behavior, and as she did so, tears were in the teacher's eyes which did not escape the scholar's notice. Five years after, that girl was converted, but she always looks back to that Sunday as the commencement of God's work in her soul.
When I heard this little incident it brought to my mind Psa. 126: 5, 6. " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
Dear fellow-worker, this is the sowing time, but how are we sowing? Are we sowing in tears? There is surely much to make us weep, as we look at the boys and girls in our classes. How careless many of them are, how indifferent to the wonderful love of God in sending His dear Son to die for them! What effect has this on us? Does it send us into God's presence, there to plead on our knees in real earnestness, even with tears, that they may be won for the Savior?
Our verse is very plain, " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Yes, the reaping time is coming. If we are sowing precious seed now God has promised a reaping time by-and-by. Do not let us be discouraged, but let us go on, counting on God's faithfulness to fulfill His promise.
In Heb. 5: 7 we read that the Lord Jesus made supplication " with strong crying and tears," and should not we, who are seeking to follow Him, be really in earnest about the souls committed to us? While realizing the responsibility He has conferred upon us, may we be able to leave all results with Him, counting on the promise, " Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." Gal. 6: 9.
Oh! my fellow-worker, are you going on, or are you just about to give up because you see no conversions amongst your scholars? Remember the promise of a reaping time is to those who do not faint, or in other words, go on, and the exhortation is, " Let us not be weary " or " lose heart " (new trans.). How easy it is to do this when we, look at our scholars, but if our eyes are turned upward to our loving Savior Who died for each of them, and Who is longing to save them, we shall realize that the work is His and none are too hard for Him to reach.
Surely it is something for His heart when He sees us going on in spite of difficulties and discouragements, leaving all results with Himself. And in that coming day when the sowing time and the tears are forever gone, and all the golden sheaves are gathered in, how our hearts will rejoice as we enter into the meaning of those wonderful words, " He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." Isa. 53: 2.