Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1914-08-01

Sam was wondering II the discs were
sharp enough to cut the old, tough
roots, and how much the harrow and
roller would jump around going over
that rough land. The Sand Farmer
was thinking how life's pillow had gone
over his life, and the roller of adver-
sity and the harrow of ridicule had
smoothed out the rebellion, and got
ten him down to real life where he
could sympathiZe with the poor and
ignorant, and rejoice with the rich in
their refinement or luxury.
"Sam," said the Sand Farmer, 81
was very glad to hear you say you
had chosen God for your partner in
life, for you cannot live without Him.
You may raise large crops, or become
rich, but you would find that life is
not made of worldly possessions, nor
does all the good or bad which men
say about you make life. The Master
said: Il came that We might have
life, and have it more abundantly. Do
you suppose He meant what we hear
of sometimes as high life p"
Hardly that said Sam.
"Did He mean wealth and power,
like the Gar of Russia, or William of
Germany have?"
"If He did, He was not thinking
much about some of u.s." said Sam.
"Just what do you think He meant
by life?" asked the Sand Farmer.
81 don't know as | can tell exactly"
replied Sam, thoughtfully, but | have
been thinking about the old life lived
before | heard you tell that story
about the ears of corn. That Boston
chap had a good education, a good
home, and all the money he could
spend, but sometimes | feel as though
| would like to kick him for being so
stingy and refusing to help that
young man go to China as a medical
missionary, to heel those poor, suffer
ing women and children. | have
sometimes wondered if in the next
life, when he knows as he is known,
he will recognize those poor little
blind souls, who might have seen if
that young man could have gone to
teach their mothers how to care for
them, and if when they see him their
little fingers will point him out to all
the host of heaven, as they say: That
is the man who made US blind, and
kept Us in darkness Will he not
want TO hide his face for shame, and
will not those who in this life thought
he had all that could be desired wish
to get away from him as they would
leper ? He could not take his money
with him, and he must have entered
into Life empty handed. It makes me
Shudder to think about it, but all at
once the question came to me, Sam
what have you to take over yonder?
All ! could think of was sending
Mother away for a little rest. and
blowing No 6.
II had been thinking how | would
like to kick that Boston man, but now
the thought was up to me- and | just
stopped the team and knelt down in
those burrows, and | said: 'Oh, God,
! am just as mean as he is. ! have
not done as much, for all | have ever
done that you could call decent was
sending Ma away, and this here plOw-
ing. but | want to do something.
want to be Il man, and live so | can
help some of those little children.
do not care what you give me to do,
but just let me work with you, to
make this old world little better
place to live in, Amen
when l got up | felt differently.
| wasn't learning to pillow so | could
make more money on my farm, but
| was working with God, to make His
world a better place for His children,
and we were partners. That is as
near life as | can make it out just
now; at any rate, it suits me, and |
am going to join your Kings Union"
Good" cried the Sand Farmer. 81
had rather have you say that than
have you give me a thousand dollars"
Glad | can do something for you"
replied Sam, "for you have done lot
for me. will just tell my partner
that | have got three things now"
81 am glad that you can talk to
your Heavenly Father" said the Sand
Farmer. for the time will come to you,
as it does to all, when you will need
His comfort and advice. Lies plow-
share will some time turn your plans
upside down, and the dear ones you
/ have loved so well, and for whom you
want TO do so much, will be taken
| from you, and your aching heart will
either rebel against the Loving Father,
who can see the end from the begin
ming, and knows what is best, or you
will just want to put your hand in His
and let Him lead. After you have
plodded on for years, and gathered a
few dollars which you think will care
for you in your old age, some sudden
disaster, or the treachery of someone
you have trusted, may sweep it all
away and you will feel discouraged,
or vindictive, until you realize that
the cattle on thousand hills are His,
who has called us all His children,
and also notes the sparrow's fall as
well as our needs.
"The discs which may cut open your
heart may be making your life fit for
Lies seed, and the roller which
seemed to crush out your life you
will find was in reality only pressing
you nearer to the loving Fathers
heart. In our sorrow and affection we
learn to love as He loves, and in His
JOY we find Life. Our Heavenly
Father is happy tonight because one
of His sons has repented, and come
back to His today"
"Do you mean p" cried Sam. 81
never thought of it that way. | was