The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1881-08-17
Parable of the Farmers,

week, the Parable of the Ten Virgins y
was read, and as We listened with atten'
tive ears to what the preacher had to say
about :hcm the parable of the Farm.
ers' occurred to us; which will.no doub:
be found in the revised edition of the
New Testament, as being applicable to
the times. Tho parable Of the Farm
ers'' reads rs follows:
l. Then shall the State of South Caroli'
ma be likencd unto a great multitude OF
farmers, that set out III the Sp:ing time
to plant the seed and harvest the yield
thereof.
=. And q few Of them were wise, and d
great multitude were foolish.
). They that were foolish took their
mules to tn, fields, and took no corn with
them.
4. But the wise took corn from their
cribs wherewith to nourish and invigor-
ate their animals. .
5. While the Spring tarried they all
lcite-ed, and made no provision for the
nourishlnent Of the animals wherewith
they would be enabled to harrow the
soil.
6. And at mid Spring there was a cry
from every hill: Behold the beauty OF
the sun :; feel the warm and pleasant air
lear the song of the winged tribe
20 We into nj! the fields and valleys, and
prepare the land for the
7. Then all those farm ers bestirred
themselves, and with pillow and gear pre-
pared Tor the great struggle.
5. And: the foolish said unto the wise.
give us of your corn; for our cribs are
empty.
O.. We have not hewn down the unpro-
fitablc tree. neither have we titled the
soil nigh unto the waters edge.
10. The excessive growth of that grain
| which doti, most chcaply appease the
cravlngs Of your pillow animals arc most
assuring to you, and Of your abundant
cribs We ask Il measure.
IL. But the wise answered, saying, Not
so; lest there be not enough for us and
you ; but go ye rather to them that sell
and buy for yourselves.
II. And while they were gone to buy OF
the merchant, eve of him who takes 4
lien upon the cotton and other growing
crops, while 4 mortgage secures to
him also Of the beast of burden. and
whatever else the foolish former might
possess, even unto the four footed beast
which wears the yoke, the wise farmers
natt prcplreu tile I'LL SOAl anu SoNH tlo
profitable seed.
Is. The rains descended on the ground
of the wise farmer, tho seed sprang up,
while the fields Of the foolish farmer,
who had gone to the distant city and en-
shaved himself that he and his OK might
eat, had not yet been stirred.
II. The wise farmers having done their
work i'll season, they gathered som htty
and others a hundred fold.
10. But because of neglect OF the hus
bandman the fields Of him who was lazy,
yea of him who loaied under the shade
Of tho forest, even while he promised an
Immense profit to him who held q lien
upon ali he had, would not in due sea-
son cause the seed thereof to germin-
ate, neither would it tructify the earth.
l6. In tho Fall Of year at the harvest
time the garners of the wise farmers were
filled, even to overlooking.
II. But the CAREERS OF the foolish far
mers were empty, and their cattle died
from hunger.
Is. The merchant who sold corn to
these foolish farmers then demanded the
shckels which were due to him, and all
the property OF the foolish farmer was
sold to furnish gold with which to satisfy
the lien to him who was wise.
l9. And it calne to pass in the Fall Of
that year, that the high sheriff, at the
command Of the wise merchant, sold ev-
crvtbing upon which the foolish farmer
had given Il lien, and the wise merchant
grew exceeding rich, and ON account OF
his gold, lis name was known far and
near.
20. In that year distress was great in
all parts OF the land, and many foolish
farmers began to complain ut fate, and
also 10 speak bitterly Of leaving the
homes Of their birth, 10 settle in tho re-
motcst bounds OF earth, ever i'll the
worst land known to man, which is some
times called the State OF Texas.
q. Others again Of the foolish farmers
looked with longing eyes to that land
called by the seductive name Of the
LAND productive of lowers, milk and
honey"
o.. But woe Is them that are deceived.
Their latter days shall he worse than the
first, and they shall be given to the CON
slant and ceaseless batting of flies and
gnats by day, and their cars at night
shall not be exempt from the music OF
the friendly mosquito.
%. And in after years the wife anu chill
dren OF the foolish farmer who left his
native land suffered greatly for bread,
{ ana he had not shoes 10 put upon their
! feet.
"a. And being unable to send them
10 school, and there being nc church or
synagogue within a days journey OF his
home, the offspring of his marriage be-
came not a pride to him who forsook tue
home and friends Of his nativity.
%. While all this evil betell tho foolish
farmer, tho wise farmer remained Al
home, and because Of his prudence ane
energy, is surrounded by friends anC
kindred, and his gold increaseth daily.
%. And when all these things became
known the tillers of the soil, from TIT
mountains to the sea, who remained il
the homes Of their birth were deeply i'm
pressed with their past folly, and witt
one accord all resolved to SOW their hill
sides in red oats, and determined to plan
the waste bottoms in corn.
&c. And when all these came to pass
the people throughout the length ane
breadth Of oil Abbeville, were happy
and rejoiced in the possession Of al
abundance of gold.
NF,cc J'pcrrY- nc (to1,,~hio Dbn In,