Article March 11, 1905 Issue

The Seed of Error

REV. WILLIAM P. MC KENZIE.

In well-nigh every community there is a story of some man who sought revenge by secretly casting evil seed into his neighbor's field. In one case it was the fluffy, floating seeds of the thistle which a man gathered and committed to the innocent breeze, so that in the subsoil ploughing and cultivating which his neighbor had to do to get rid of the troublesome weeds, about two years' use of his field was lost. In another case it was the yellow wild mustard which grew up in large patches where handfuls of the accursed seed had been liberally scattered in the night. Malice has even been successful in mingling the seed of troublesome and harmful weeds with the true seed which the very owner of the fields himself scattered upon them. All such secret acts of ill-will are vigorously condemned, and yet the sower of hurtful and distressing thoughts in a community is not condemned,—indeed, he is looked up to, if these thoughts are but presented in the name of medical science.

People go to certain sources to find out how to have health, and the theories given them they carefully cultivate, like the farmer who expected a clean crop and good increase; and like him they are surprised often when the crop appears. They sow for health, and with annoyance reap inexplicable and perplexing conditions of ill-health. They thought they had sown only the seed of strength, exuberance, vitality, but find that somehow the seeds of languor, fear, pain, and invalidism have been mingled with their sowing.

We would not say that it is purposeful malice which mixes the seed in every instance. It is rather that self-sufficiency of the human mind, exalted in pride because of its knowledge of evil, which scatters the seed of error. We give all honor to the devoted women who make it a life vocation to help the sick. The trained nurse who brings order into the chaos of a sick-room, establishes quiet and serenity where was panic and disorder, certainly brings blessing, and wins responsive gratitude. Her value for good is in proportion to her appreciation of the privilege of establishing peace instead of pain, and good cheer instead of dread and anticipation of evil. But should such an one "magnify the office" and seek to establish self-importance by recitals to the innocent of a variety of experiences in illness, then such a mind impregnates human consciousness with the seed of error.

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