Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-01-18
SOWING and Reapinu.


make no display, and their names it may be
are by and by with difficulty rescued from
oblivion. For the brilliant results of their |
labors do not always or even often develop |
themselves till the dust of years or centuries |
has settled upon their histories. Butwhen |
the day of their coronation comes, as come |
it will, it will be all the more glorious for
the long delay. This very Inconsistencies
of the sower, or of the founder, is an essen
tial element of his greatness. What he
does is done from the simple promptings
of the good and heroic impulses in HIM,
and not so much from an expectation of
immediate fruits, or of present glory, and
then, moreover, it is true-especially true
in spiritual things-that in all the rewards
or wages of the reaper, the sower has his
full and proportionate share-sO that both
he that soweth and he that reapeth rejoice
together"
How apt are men specifically and with.
out reason to pronounce upon causes =
How often is a result ascribed to some i'm
mediate or conspicuous occasion of its oc-
currence, when the grand agency or agen-
cies that lie back at some distance, and so
far out Of sight as to require some investi-
Gation to find them, are utterly disregardedl
How strikingly is this true of spiritual
changes? A worldly man is hopefully |
converted to Christ. We say, tbs earnest |
exhortation of brother B. in the prayer |
meeting-Or, the presentation of tract by |
godly neighbor was the cause of his con-
version. There might have been the occa-
ion of this change, and ought to have the |
credit Of it. But very likely it was only !
the last drop that made the full vessel to |
overflow. 1t was by no means the might
lest fundamentally in the securing of the
result. All along through that mans his
tory you can trace the action Of many in
duences tending to this great change. To
the cursory observer, and possibly to him
self at times, these influences seemed to
have spent their power in vain. His mind
may have seemed to revert to its worldli
ness with increased devotion and all traces
OF previous hopeful experience to be wiped
out. But this is a mistake. The cOunsels
OF mothers piety breathed long ago into
the ears Of her boy have come back now
and then fresh as in the hour of their first
utterance. Nay, the lapse of years, and
! the thought that the dear counselor is in
the bosom of her Saviour, have given to
uer remembered words a continually in
creased power. 20 also a lesson of truth
impaired by Sabbath school teacher, a
sermon from pastor, the kind expostula-
tions of christian friend, some alarming
providence, or certain special striyings of
Spirit, have been brought at times wildly
to the recollection, and revived the deep
and tender experiences of former days.
And this last instrumentality of the exhor-
,ation of the tract becomes efficient by Gods
grace, only as it acts from a back ground
OF many other and it may be mightier in
luences.
Religion is revived in a church. A noted
evangelist is invited to aid the pastor, and
to preach for a series of days or weeks
Sinners are awakened, and in great mum.
bers are hopefully converted to God. How
apt men are to herald abroad the name o.
him who was thus called in as a helper il
the work, and to give to him the chief glory
Of it. The labors and prayers of godly pa
rents, OF teachers in the Sunday school, o
the pastor, of the living christian men anC
women Of that church. who have stood
there firmly at their posts as faithful wit
! nesses for Christ, for so many years, ant
have prepared the way for this revival ant
rendered it possible, are all overlooked
. Even Gods spirit with difficulty escape
dishoner in the disproportionate homag
paid to the labors of single man. Now
10 is not our aim to disparage the evangelist
1t may, or may not have been wise for
church to employ such helper in a give
clse. We rejoice in whatever of good h
nay have been the means of mplishing
= ut we protest against such an underratin
# the regular and established means {
:, grace, we regard as wrong and mischevou
:, the tendency to make so much of the den
= onstrative, the extraordinary, the occasion
al, and so little of the secret working, tn
70 ordinary, the every day influences that al
., operating so effectively for the salvation {
men, and the building up of the church.
We say then to christians, do not under
value labors for Christ and for the souls
men in ordinary times and in the ordinar
n ways Of doing good. Do not indulge tt
le feeling, that because there is no reviva
ir therefore you can accomplish nothing. 1t
- no one say: The church is cold, and me
E. are worldly, and the preaching of the mir
OF Ister falls upon dead congregation, Their,
IN fore, all that | can do will be like wat,
Q. spilled upon the ground" Perhaps tt
49, church to which you belong is divided,
IS t may be, destitute of pastor, religion
IT. matters may be going at loose ends in yol
u; community. Your responsibility and yol
n privilege to work for Christ are not ther
lst by lessened but rather augmented Ar
lit your labors will tell. You will do good
- The mother at home; the teacher in
we class the christian visitor in the chamb
De- Of sickness, the hamlet of poverty, or Il
lt- highways of neglect; the friend in convC
in. sdtion with friend, will do good. Not
nd word or deed, not tear or prayer, or si
we will be lost. Seed sown with weeping. wi
he tender love for souls, and devotion to t
by honor of Jesus is precious seed" Possit
cir my brother, or sister, you may yourself
OF permitted to come again, rejoicing, brir
the lng your sheaves with you" Buff che
sss. in IS that saying true, one soweth and Z
fer othe; reapeth," still rejoice, assured Il
the the harvest will certainly be gathered.
nee And what though it may never be kno
will on earth, how much you have accomplish
e is how many souls you have quickened, bic
low ed, saved, bear in mind, that there is {
,ose who knows how to render honor to VIII
! to honor is due. He who made himself b
Gu below Of "no reputation" will see Il
ght those who suffer and toll with him sh
=. share in his glory. Even while pursu
you. labors, you will be blessed. w
you do in secret will be rewarded oper
The reward will come in some unlool
for way perhaps, but in way to no
like Gods royal munifcence, and then, a
ing respects the future, have it for your conn
a. that they that turn many to righteousr