June 16

Labourers together with God. — 1 COR. iii. 9.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. — JOHN iv. 36.

THE cheering lesson of this verse is that immediate results often follow Christian work. Usually seed-time and harvest are divided by a considerable interval of time; but here we learn that they may follow in quick succession. This cheering truth is impressed by our Lord's experience, when, as the result of his wayside sowing in his words to the woman of Samaria, a rich harvest was reaped on the selfsame day. So it was on the day of Pentecost, and so it has been in many other instances when the Spirit of God has given the truth immediate power, and the sower and the reaper have rejoiced together.

An insight is also given us into the nature of Christian service. It is a co-operative system, and God is a liberal master. He gives those who work for him a share in the profits that accrue, — that is, the blessings and results that follow such work. "He that reapeth receiveth wages." The Master here distinctly encourages us to expect immediate results in Christian work at home and abroad, and happy are they who midst the tears of sowing hear the joyous shout of the reapers.

B. C. Henry

The harvest dawn is near, The year delays not long; And he who sows with many a tear, Shall reap with many a song

GEORGE BURGESS.