Chapter IX: Harvest Home

Go and stand on the hill yonder, and look round. What do you see? Gold here--gold there--gold everywhere!

All so busy--so earnest.

"How is Mr. Sharp's barley?" says one. "How will Mr. Bell's wheat turn out, think you?" says another. "Oh," cries a third, "if the fine weather does but hold we shall do well. It was a very good change of the moon, and I hope to get in my bit in safety."

The trouble is to get labourers. When there is no work about there is plenty of grumbling among labourers; and no wonder, for if they don't work, how can they eat? and when there is abundance of work there is plenty of grumbling among employers; and no wonder, for if hands are so scarce, and wages run so high, that it is almost impossible to house the grain and seed in time, where is the rent to come from? Well, this is a world where grumbling is to be looked for, but there is a harvest coming at the close of it when all murmurs, all cares, will be done away; when the reapers, who will be the holy angels, will be enough for their work, and when no fear that a single grain of good seed will perish, but all will be safely gathered into the heavenly garner.

Now, here is a true story, though the names of the people are not given, because they are yet alive; very likely they may see this, and if they do, they will exclaim, "Oh, yes; this is true indeed!"

There was a great revival of religion in a certain parish; many persons who had lived in utter deadness as to God and a world to come were awakened out of their sleep, and wept and prayed earnestly for faith to the saving of their souls. The picture of the great Harvest Home was brought before them with such power that they felt nothing was of consequence compared with the question of their being among the tares or the wheat.

A lady, who was staying there on a visit, was much touched by what she saw around her, and especially interested in one woman, who gave proof that her repentance was sincere, and her faith a living faith.

She often thought of this poor woman--for she was very poor--after her return home; and having met with a book which she thought would give comfort and encouragement, she put it by, determining to send it some time. But "some time" did not satisfy her, she had so strong a desire to do it at once, that she folded it up to post it. Still, she was not satisfied--what more had she to do? It came into her mind, "Put in half-a-crown; she is very poor, and it will be a help to her." So she put in the half-crown, directed the parcel plainly and fully, and put it in the post. The postman next day duly delivered the packet to the woman. "Oh," she said, not opening it, "this must be a mistake, I don't know anybody that would send a book to me. You had best inquire who expected one" (perhaps there were others of her name in the place, but this I do not know). The postman recommended her to open it and see if she could make out that it was hers, he would inquire on his return if she still said it was not.

With the parcel in her hand she met a neighbour who, like herself, now feared the Lord and lived in prayer. "What have you there?" she said. "Oh, it's a parcel that must have come by mistake," she replied. "I know nobody away from home--and look!" she exclaimed as she untied the paper and the half-crown dropped out. They consulted together, and wondered much who it could be that had sent it; but guessed wrong altogether, and made sure they had done so. At length the neighbour said, "Have you been asking the Lord for anything lately?" "No, nothing particular, except it was for the money to pay my club that is due to-day, and if I don't pay in I am forfeit, you know!" "Good, now," said the neighbour; "don't you see who has sent it? Why, the Lord, to be sure. He heard your prayer, and knew it was just what you wanted; so He put it into some Christian heart to send it. Go and pay it in (it was just the money), and give Him the thanks."

Now, see what it is to be one of the grains of wheat that are to be gathered into His garner! When the harvest comes the angels will look after the very smallest, and not only so, but till then the very smallest and meanest will be kept and cared for and ministering spirits, either of their fellow Christians (like this lady) or those blessed creatures who, we are told, "are sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation," will be employed by their Saviour to help them in every need.

"Ah! but I have seen Christians left a long time in great trouble," says one. "So have I," says another. Have you? Well, be sure of this, while God's word stands true it must have been that they neglected fervent prayer to be helped out of it; or else their remaining in trouble was for their good in the end; for it is written, "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive," and it is written also, "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

A gentleman who farmed his own land and was known to treat his labourers well had a company of Irishmen every year--year after year, who came to work all through the harvest. They were very sober, clean, hard-working, and well conducted; so that they were allowed to sleep in a barn, and had the use of a fire in the back kitchen to boil their milk (which was given them) and their potatoes. They felt quite at home when they got to this estate, and had as much confidence in the kindness of their employers as they had in them.

One day one of them, Paddy Brady, asked to see the lady of the house. She was a most benevolent woman, and took a lively interest in these Irish reapers. Paddy, making his most genteel bow (she used to say they were quite gentlemen in their manners), asked her if she would be so obliging as to direct a letter for him.

"Surely, Paddy, I will," she answered, "but if you can write a whole letter yourself, why can't you direct it?"

"Sure, it's another thing quite," said Paddy. "Biddy Brady, my wife, knows me so well she can read the inside as plain as if I was speaking; but there's never a one of the men as'll carry it across the water as has got the least bit of notion of me, and how can they read my writing, so strong of the brogue?"

The lady couldn't see the wisdom of this reason, but she didn't like to interfere with Paddy's view, and he was satisfied with it. So, though she laughed to herself, the letter was directed according to his desire.

"And now, my lady, if you'd just do me the favour to give me one of them things to put in the corner, I'll pay you for it and thank you all the same as if you gave it out of your free generosity," said Paddy, who looked with admiration at the direction, which, however, would have given him more trouble to read than his own writing--"so strong of the brogue" within.

The lady took a Queen's head and put it on the letter, refusing the penny. "Put by the penny," she said, "you will have that much more to carry home to your wife."

"God bless you, my lady! I hope I'll have to work for you many years yet; and beyant all and everything I hope we'll both get good luck in the grand harvest that's to come at the end!"

His eyes were full of grateful feeling as he spoke, and she was, as you will believe, much touched with his simple earnestness.

There was everything in Paddy's wish. Whether he knew anything of the Lord of the harvest, and, in spite of ignorance and the false teaching of his priest, looked for His coming with hope and love, I cannot say; but certain it is, to be under the care of the angel reapers there, instead of being left to the winds of destruction, should be every one's chief concern.

J. AND W. RIDER, PRINTERS, LONDON.

BOOKS FOR WORKING PEOPLE.

Published by The Religious Tract Society.

Talks about Home Life. By the Rev. George Everard, M.A., Vicar of St. Mark's, Wolverhampton. Fcap. 8vo. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

A Help to Family Worship; or, Short Forms of Morning and Evening Prayer for Four Weeks. By the Rev. F. Bourdillon, M.A. Crown 8vo. 1s. cloth. Large Type Edition, 2s. cloth boards.

Daily Life: a Book of Scraps and Fragments for Labouring People in Town and Country. By the Rev. F. Bourdillon, M.A. In large type, crown 8vo., 1s. 4d. cloth boards.

Bible Readings from the Gospels. For Mothers' Meetings, &c. By Mrs. Frederick Locker. Crown 8vo. In clear type, 2s. cloth boards.

The Christian Home. By the Rev. Canon Garbett. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

Christian Home Life. A Book of Examples and Principles. Crown 8vo. 3s. cloth boards.

Christian Manliness. A Book of Examples and Principles for Young Men. 3s. cloth boards.

A Secret Worth Knowing, and other Stories: Gleanings for Mothers' Meetings, Cottage Readings, and District Visitors. 2s. cloth boards.

Half-hour Readings for Sunday Afternoons. In Prose and Verse. By the Rev. Thomas Milner, M.A., author of "The Heavens and the Earth," etc. Crown 8vo. 3s. cloth boards.

Home in Humble Life. With frontispiece. Fcap. 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

The Home Circle. A Record of Births, Marriages, and Deaths. With a daily register for names. Handsomely printed in colours. 2s. cloth boards.

Homes, Homely and Happy. New Series of Large Type Books. Crown 8vo. 1s. 4d. cloth boards.

Homes Made and Marred. A book for working men and their wives. Engravings. Imp. 16mo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

Hours with Working Women. A book for mothers' meetings, etc. 18mo. 1s. cloth boards.

The Mother's Mission. Sketches from real life, illustrating the importance of home training. With Illustrations. New edition. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

Readings for Winter Gatherings, Temperance and Mothers' Meetings, etc. First, second, and third series. Edited by the Rev. Canon Fleming, B.D. Crown 8vo. Each 1s. neat cover; 1s. 6d. cloth.

The Cottager's Family Prayers for a Week. 16mo. 2d. paper; 4d. cloth.

Prayer and Praise for Domestic Servants. Crown 8vo. 10d. cloth limp.

Scenes and Incidents from Old Testament History. Considered practically in a series of short sermons. By the Rev. F. Bourdillon, M.A. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

Chapters on Every-day Things: or, Histories and Marvels in Common Life. Profusely Illustrated. Imperial 16mo. 4s. cloth boards, gilt edges.

Sunbeams for Dark Days. Arranged for a Month. Neatly printed on toned and rolled paper. Super-royal 32mo. 6d. cloth boards, gilt.

True Tales about India, its Native Princes and British Rulers. By S. J. Ballard, of Mangalore. Map and numerous Illustrations. Fcap. 8vo. 3s. cloth boards.

Learn of Me; or, Words of Truth and Love from the Best Teacher. 1s. 4d. cloth boards.

David Saunders, the Shepherd of Salisbury Plain, and other True Stories of Cottage Piety. 1s. 4d. cloth boards.

Acceptable Words: Choice Quotations and Texts for Every Day in the Year. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

The Poor Clerk and his Crooked Sixpence. By G. E. Sargent. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

An Old Sailor's Story. By G. E. Sargent. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

A Peep behind the Scenes. By Mrs. Walton, author of "Christie's Old Organ," "Little Dot," etc. 3s. 6d. cloth, gilt edges.

Janet Darney's Story. A Tale of Fisher Life in Chale Bay. By Sarah Doudney. Illustrated by L. Mahoney. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. cloth, gilt edges.

The Kingdom and the People; or, the Parables of our Lord Jesus Christ Explained and Applied. By Mary Seeley. Crown 8vo. 3s. bevelled boards, red edges.

Karl Krapp's Little Maidens and their Good Gift. By the Author of "Harry's Perplexity, and What came of it," etc. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. cloth, gilt edges.

Once upon a Time; or, the Boy's Book of Adventures. With Illustrations. 3s. cloth boards.

Ten Steps in the Narrow Way; or, the Commandments Illustrated. A Book for Girls. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

Father's Motto; or, the Cloud with a Silver Lining, and other Stories. A Book for Boys and their Sisters. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 3s. 6d. cloth boards.

Alfred Arnold's Choice, and what came of It. A Tale of Factory Life. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. 6d. cloth boards.

The Day after To-morrow. By Mrs. Prosser. With Illustrations. Crown 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

City Sparrows, and Who Cared for them. By Ruth Lynn. Fcap. 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

By the Author of "Jessica's First Prayer." _Each with Engravings._

The Fishers of Derby Haven. New Edition in crown 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

Pilgrim Street: a Story of Manchester Life. New Edition in crown 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

Max Kromer: a Story of the Siege of Strasbourg. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

Little Meg's Children. Royal 16mo. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

Alone in London. Royal 16mo. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

The Children of Cloverley. New Edition in crown 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

Fern's Hollow. New Edition in crown 8vo. 2s. cloth boards.

Kardoo, the Hindoo Orphan. By a Zenana Missionary. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

Quality Fogg's Old Ledger. By Mrs. Prosser, author of "Original Fables," etc. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

The Cottage on the Shore. By the Author of "Deepdale End," etc. 1s. 6d. cloth boards.

THE LEISURE HOUR LIBRARY. _Each with Engravings, 2s. cloth boards._

1. Remarkable Adventures from Real Life.

2. Sea Sketches about Ships and Sailors.

3. Sunday in Many Lands.

4. A Race for Life, and other Tales.

5. Cedar Creek. A Canadian Emigration Tale.

6. Birds and Bird Life.

7. Barthel Winkler, and other German Tales.

8. Commercial Tales and Sketches.

9. Shades and Echoes of Old London.

10. Original Fables and Sketches.

11. The Ferrol Family, and other Tales.

12. Frank Layton: a Story of Australian Life. By G. E. Sargent.

13. Fairley-cum-Forelands: and other Village Tales.

14. Adventures Ashore and Afloat.

15. The Exile's Trust. By Frances Browne.

COTTAGE SERIES. Containing 160 pages in good-sized type, bound in limp cloth. 6d. each.

1. Bible Reader's Help; for the Use of Plain Persons and the Young.
Also in cloth boards, 9d.

2. Gems from Christian Writers.

3. Lessons from Life.

4. 'Tis All for the Best, and other Narratives, by Mrs. Hannah More.

5. Goodly Pearls; or, Choice Extracts from the Best Authors.

6. Cottage Readings in Biography.

7. Gleanings from the Poets for Cottage Homes.

8. Cottage Readings in Poetry.

9. The Two Journeys, and other Tales.

10. Our Lads; their Ups and Downs.

11. Our Lasses; their Helps and Hindrances.

12. Till the Doctor comes, and How to Help him.
Also in cloth boards, 9d.

DECORATIONS FOR COTTAGES, MISSION-ROOMS, INSTITUTES, CLUB-ROOMS, NURSERIES, HOSPITALS, Etc. _A Detailed List will be found in the Society's General Catalogue, which may be obtained, post-free, from the Depots._

TWOPENCE EACH.

Natural History Pictures. A Series of 36 Pictures beautifully printed in Oil Colours, after Drawings by Harrison Weir. With descriptive letterpress, in large type. Each on a sheet 12 by 18 inches. May be had also, mounted on cardboard and varnished, with eyelets and tape for hanging, 8d. each. Or, in Two Sets of Twelve Pictures each in Wrapper, mounted on Roller, with cord, 2s. 6d.

Texts on Broadsheets. A Series of 25 Texts. Size 30 by 20 inches. Each printed in two colours with border. May be had varnished, mounted on stout linen, with eyelets for fastening on walls, 10d. each.

THREEPENCE EACH.

Cottage Pictures. A Series of 42 Pictures beautifully printed in Oil Colours, by Kronheim. Size 15 by 18 inches. May be had also mounted on stout Cardboard, with imitation Maple or Rosewood Frame, Varnished, with tape for hanging on wall, 1s. each.

Coloured Picture Hymn Sheets. Twelve Simple Hymns in Clear Type, with attractive Pictures and Borders, well printed in Oil Colours. Size 22 by 16 inches. May be had also mounted on Canvas and Varnished, with eyelets for fastening to the wall, 10d. each. Or the set in Wrapper, mounted on Roller, with cord, 3s. 6d.

Hymns on Broadsheets. Twelve Hymns. Size 35 by 22 inches. Each printed in two colours. Clear type. Also supplied with beading top and bottom, 6d. each. The set complete, with wrapper and mounted on Roller, with string for hanging on wall, 3s. 6d.

SIXPENCE EACH.

English History Pictures. A Series of Six highly finished Coloured Pictures of Historical Subjects. Size 22 by 17 inches. May be had strained on Canvas and Varnished, 2s. each.

"Happy as a King" Series. Six Pictures from well-known Paintings. Handsomely printed in Oil Colours. Size 21 by 17 inches. May be had also mounted on Frame and Canvas, Varnished, 2s. each.

PENNY BOOKS FOR THE PEOPLE. FULL OF LARGE ILLUSTRATIONS.

_The Stories are written in a pithy, interesting style, and printed in a clear, readable type._

No. 1, entitled A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK, Contains: A Chip of the Old Block--The Light in the Window--The Gospel Message--The Man who dug his own Grave--Nelly the Orange Girl--The Woodman--Our Jane going to Service--Come to Jesus.

No. 2, entitled MRS. BURTON'S BEST BEDROOM, Contains: Mrs. Burton's Best Bedroom, by the Author of "Jessica's First Prayer"--"Well done, Cabby!"--Mad! quite Mad!--The Best Robe--Song of the Train--Is there a Holy Spirit?--Two Kinds of Seed--The Pipe, and What it leads to--The New Year's Gift.

No. 3, entitled THE HARWOODS' TWO CHRISTMAS DAYS, Contains: The Harwoods' Two Christmas Days--The Shortest Way Home--"It will soon be over!"--What's behind the Hedge?--A Hero in Humble Life--The Way of Death--The Saviour of Sinners.

No. 4, entitled HOW JOHN WALTERS GOT RICH, Contains: How John Walters got Rich--Trust the Pilot--The Factory Girl--Thoughts to think about--Seeking Work at Harvest Time--Our Wedding Day--"I am afraid he'll never forgive me"--Working Men, come to Jesus.

No. 5, entitled THE BEST JUG TO FETCH BEER IN, Consists of Temperance Tales and Sketches: The Best Jug to Fetch Beer in--Farmer Jackson's Christmas Eve--The Drunkard's Pet--The Ballad Singer--"Try that"--The Biggest Drop--A Palace for the Poor.

No. 6, entitled THE MAN THAT KILLED HIS NEIGHBOURS, Contains: The Man that Killed his Neighbours--The Palm Pickers--The Village Shop--Little Mary's Answer--What do you want?--"Come, what'll you have?"--Come Home!

No. 7, entitled THE FOOLS' PENCE, Contains: The Fools' Pence--My Clever Cousin--Going to the Golden City--By the Sea--Sober Truths about Drunkenness--The Two Pilots--Come to Jesus for Peace.

No. 8, entitled JOHN HAMMOND'S TWO WEDDING DAYS, Contains: John Hammond's Two Wedding Days, and Come to Jesus.

No. 9, entitled "A SHORT LIFE AND A MERRY ONE," Contains: "A Short Life and a Merry One"--Lucy Forbes' Letter--The Widow's Mite--Swallowing the Bible--Ned's Decision--Tom Take-a-Text, the Tinker of Fellside--"I have drunk my Last Glass"--The Best Shop to go to--"He's so obliging"--The Flaw in the Tire--Surface Smiles--The Wise Shilling--The Sunny Side.

No. 10, entitled THE GUNNER'S YEOMAN, Contains: The Gunner's Yeoman; or, the Narrow Squeak--Keep Looking up--Home Again--The Emigrant's Wife--The Return of the Castaway--A Cheer for the Lifeboat--The Bitten Strap--Safe in the Lifeboat.

No. 11, entitled DICK WILSON'S HOME AND WHAT CHANGED IT, Contains: Dick Wilson's Home, and What changed it--England's Brave Firemen--Sandy Beith, the Highland Drover--How to choose a Wife--Be Diligent--At Grandmother's Grave--Sowing and Reaping--The Lost One's Return--Aunt Jenny's Trust.

No. 12, entitled SHOW YOUR COLOURS, Contains: Show your Colours--An Old Lancer's True Tale--"Don't be Afraid, Little One"--The Dying Soldier and his Bible--Soldiers of Christ--Every Inch a Soldier, Every Inch a Christian--The Return of the Wounded--Be True to your Colours--Love your Enemies--An Incident of the Franco-German War.

_The above 12 Books are bound in a volume, entitled_-- MRS. BURTON'S BEST BEDROOM, By the Author of "Jessica's First Prayer," and other Readings for Working Men's Homes. With coloured Frontispiece of "The Snow Sweepers," by Sir John Gilbert, and upwards of One Hundred large Engravings by Barnes, French, Gilbert, Staniland, Fildes, and other eminent artists. 2s. cloth boards.

_For the Working Classes in Town and Country._

ONE PENNY MONTHLY.

THE COTTAGER AND ARTISAN consists of Eight Large Pages Monthly, Beautifully Illustrated with _Engravings by the best Artists._ And is full of interesting and instructive reading printed in clear type.

THE VOLUMES

Are profusely illustrated with pictures of Natural History, Town and Country Life, etc., by eminent English and foreign artists. They form suitable presents to the Club, Institute, or District Library, and are interesting and instructive books for the home reading of working people in the city, town, or village. 1s. 6d. in cover, printed in oil colours; 2s. 6d. cloth boards, gilt edges.

"Its bright sunny pictures are excellent specimens of art, and its
brief and striking articles are sure to become favourites with old
and young."--_Christian._

"Noted for its superior wood engravings and suitable
letterpress."--_Literary World._

"Full of good pictures."--_Scotsman._

"A very presentable volume, with its bold, striking cuts, its
short tales, and its articles in large type for aged or weak
eyes."--_Sunday School Chronicle._

London: 56, Paternoster Row; 65, St. Paul's Churchyard; and 164, Piccadilly.

_May be had of any Bookseller._