It was just an ordinary piece of land, grown over with weeds of every description and sadly neglected for years. Accepting the offer of the ground, we set to work to clear it, and weeks of real hard work it was. Then it was duly planted, hoed, and looked after, and the results were most satisfactory in the quality and quantity of the crops that were reaped.
There were also other things learned in working this old piece of ground which have greatly encouraged us in a wider sphere of cultivation. The servant of Christ is often discouraged as he surveys the ground of his labor which the Lord has assigned to him. But in hope he plows, and digs, and cleans, and back-aching and heartbreaking work it ofttimes is. This may be your line of things and as far as you are concerned no fruit will ever be seen as a result of your labor. But it is after all the most important, this breaking up, this preparation for the seed to be sown.
Again, beloved servant of Christ, you too may not be privileged to see any result of the sowing year after year of t h e precious, incorruptible seed, but this too is most necessary. Or your part may be to watch over the first shoots as they appear, and how gentle and patient must you be, giving each its proper treatment, in order to bring them on and get them established. And yet again, you may see no fruition to your labors.
And now finally the fruit, the blooms, the harvest-here it is, and to you, most honored of all servants, it is given to gather. Souls are yours, and joy in heaven as each and all are brought in, but in bringing these to the Lord of the harvest remember His word, "Other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors." He that soweth and he that reapeth will rejoice together, and He who sent them will tell each and all to enter into the joy of their Lord.