The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-04-21
Spring work.

But we have no reference to ploughing
and narrowing and seeding the ground.
We want to say few words about anoth-
er kind of husbandry.
In all farming communities the winter
is the time of comparative leisure. We
do not mean, of course, that the wise and
diligent farmer does not find a good deal
to occupy his time during the winter
months. But there is not that pressure
upon him that comes when the seed is to
be sown and the growing crop culti-
yated. Hence it is true that he has more
time for any claims outside his farm
while the weather precludes tue work of
tillage.
In point of fact, therefore, it comes
about that there is more religious ac-
tvity in the churches during the winter
than at other seasons of the year. The
past winter has brought us the record of
unusual activity during the months just
ended, and the fruitage has been large
and gratifying. Now the question is,
shall this work come to an abrupt end as
the voice of spring is heard calling the
farmer forth to the fields? Is there any
good reason why this should be the case?
We know the strength Of the temptation;
but it is temptation of the Evil One,
and it ought to be resisted.
Yet let us not be misunderstood. Our
religion is one of ''swcet reasonable
ness" God does not ask impossibilities
of us. It is true, of course, that when
the season calls the farmer to work in
the fields he will not have the same
amount of spare time that he had when
those fields were held fast in the fcttcrs
of the frost. There cannot he the same
number of public religious services;
there cannot be the same amount of out
ward activity.
The danger, however, does not come
In intermitting these. But there is dan
ger that the claims of the regular church
services, both on the Sabbath and dur
ing the week, shall be more or less neg
lected. Religion is not matter of times
and seasons. If it is not good for the
whole year it is not good for any part of
the year. If religion is to flourish it
must be regularly nurtured. No one can
afford to neglect the stated 'smeans of
grace" And yet it is just here that the
temptation comes. Because extra SER
vices which may have been held are dis
continued, and because work presses,
not few come to feel that they may
intermit attendance upon the stated SER
vices which feed the life of the church
for the whole year.
i Here then is some "spring work" that
.clairns attention. Your interest in re-
igious things has been quickencd during
. season of greater church activity which
the winters leisure favored. Now are
Yon ready to surrender that intrest be-
cause teamwork now makes pressing
claims? You can arrange, IF gu wiU,
for attendance, in all ordinary cases,
upon the weekly service of prayer, as
well as upon the Sabbath services. You
need these means of grace for your own
good. And the church needs your
presence and your cooperation. In its
services you not only receive good, but
do good. Here then is work to be
planned for just Us carefully as you plan
the kinds of crop to which you will de-
vote your respective fields. Here is work
to be undertaken as diligently as you
plough and plant.
But with these public services your
s'spring work" is not ended. You have
work to do in your heart and by your per
sonal influence See to it, we beg of
you, that any newly-awakcned Or newly
Increased interest in religious things does
not decline. Do not let the cares of this
world choke the word of life. But rather
be on your guard against the temptations
that in this particular direction beset
you. Your heart is as much worth cul-
,tivating as yonr wheat field, and that cul-
tivation ought to 60 on in the spring as
much as in the winter.
Nor arc you to be any the less truly a
worker in the Masters vineyard now than
jim the months that are just gone. -ou
can use personal influence for Christ in
one month as we'll as in another The SOL
der of Christ is never 'off duty"
Think, friends, of the abundance of
rsSpring work" there is for you to do
and do it. And may the great Husband
man send you an abundant harvest!-
american Messenger.