Article February 22, 1919 Issue

Sowing and Reaping

SARAH M. DAVISON

The thought of harvest time has ever made a strong appeal to mankind. It represents the culmination of persistent effort on the farmer's part. Careful preparation of the soil, early sowing, patient cultivation through the hot summer days, result at last in fruitage, in garnered sheaves. A bountiful harvest is the one thing the husbandman greatly desires, and to obtain this he labors diligently. His first step is to prepare the ground; then he sows the seed, but not in a haphazard fashion. So definite and universal is the law governing harvest that no uncertainty exists in the agriculturalist's mind that he will reap what he sows. If he would gather corn he must sow corn; and if he is wise he obtains the best seed possible.

Not only in the so-called physical realm does this law prevail; it is equally operative in the mental realm. The great Metaphysician referred to it in order to emphasize a point he was teaching. Warning his hearers to beware of hypocrites, he gave them an unfailing test for distinguishing such. "Ye shall know them by their fruits," he declared, and added impressively, "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" From a sowing of evil thoughts there can be but one result. Vanity and pretense cannot conceal or change it.

Mortal mind may at times rebel against the inexorableness of this law of divine Mind, but that does not change it one whit. However much mortal mind would like to sow the seeds of idleness, pleasure, injustice, or hatred, expecting to reap a harvest of happiness, justice, and peace, it cannot do so. Furthermore, it cannot avoid reaping what has been sown. Sooner or later, whether one will or no, the harvest is sure to follow and the reaping is bound to come.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors