The Elbert County tribune., 1908-03-26
THE HARVEST TIME
REwARos WE REAP FOR THE
EFFORTS WE MAKE.
CROPS ARE OF MANY KINDS
Some Remarks Of a HomeIy charac-
ter for Application to Everyday
Atalrs-Few Have Real
Cause for Complaint.


There is a harvest time for all.
Some reap their rewards late in life,
others in early manhood; but none
need expect to SOW tares and garner
any valuable crop. "As ye SOW, SO
shall ye reap" Often we do the SOW
Ing and some one else gathers the
crop, and we only get the stubbles
But this is our harvest. Sometimes
we plant, and find our growing fields
devastated by the elements. Our
harvest is barely worth the reaping
Still, Is there any cause why we
should complain that nature is un-
kind TO us? Are we not to blame
more often than we think? Have we
not the warning that we shall reap
as we SOW? The planting implies
that intelligence be used in selecting
the soil, in choosing the place least
likely to be within the storm belt, and
where the lightning will not strike
nor the hall fall. Then the quality of
the soil and its preparation 1t can
not be expected that among the rocks
and stones in the barren places the
seed planted will grow. Nor is 1t wise
to not carefully select the seed, some
that may not germinate. And don't
forget that when your choice is made
to see that the winnowing is properly
done, and that no obnoxious weeds
have chance to spring up with the
golden grain.
TOO many of us-and some one has
said. an honest confession is good for
the soul-neglect to plant the proper
kind of crop. Instead of honor, good
health, riches of mind and material
wealth, We reap instead the seyerest
criticisms of public opinion, shattered
nerves and poverty. A happy mind
and disposition. and a feeling of kind
ness toward all fellowmen is crop
worth reaping. To have the respect
OF the masses that we come daily IN
contact with, Is another thing desir-
able and an honorable name, good
health and a conscience at peace is
harvest that is greater than many
men OF millions can ever hope to
garner.
Yes, we may make mistakes In our
sowing, and be disappointed with the
results of the harvest time, but still
there is contentment in store for the
husbandman who after exercising care
finds in spite of all disappointment
comes, and drought and pests destroy
Still despair not of the future, for
harvest time for all will come, and
diligence and perseverance will
eventually bring the reward sought.
In all affairs of life the elements OF
chance play an eminent part. Life is
not a mathematical problem that is
positive. Neither is 1t theoretical
Still all there is bends to natural laws
unchangeable. unalterable, and even
the calamities that befall, are con
trolled by these same laws; but the
mind OF the mortal fails to under
stand them. Life is a conflict. The
little spear of wheat seeks its exist
ence with no certainty. The tares. the
thistles battle with 1t and threaten
annihilation. The careful gardener
knows the danger of weeds rendering
his work loss. He removes the rank
and useless growth, that his plants
may get their share OF nitrogen and
oxygen and may thrive. But how
ever great his care. still chance must
be struggled with. The heat of the
sun, those life-giving rays. may ever
destroy; the hurricane may level, ant
the hail cut down.
Much in similitude is mans harvest
to the harvest of the poor gardener
Yet, there are other seasons, anc
other harvests coming. No use Il
despair. The brave man In battle has
the fewest fears. Let us strive tc
have our harvest time come with itl
plenty. and let us work that it will bt
harvest OF good. Success some
times comes only after long waiting
But let us be careful in our springtimt
sowing, and 1t is hardly possible tha
we will not reap a just harvest
/ n NJ CApp