This Journal article from May 1900, Planting by M.J.A expands on a citation in this week’s Lesson from I Corinthians 3: 6 – “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (Paul founded the Church; Apollos followed Paul as an instructor)
“At one time I was in a part of the country where the land was fertile, but, owing to fires and drouth, there were no trees. My mother, being very much interested in the country, felt it to be her duty to prove that trees could be grown successfully there. She spent much time, labor, and money in proving it. One season she had a quantity of black walnuts to plant. The man she engaged to do the work, said to her one day, “Don’t you think it very foolish and a waste of time for you to plant these walnuts? They are of very slow growth and you are not young; you will never live to see them trees.” My mother answered him, saying, “Don’t you think I shall do pretty well if I live to plant them? that is my work.” That answer made a lasting impression upon me, and ever since then I have been interested in watching people plant seed, and especially the seed of Christian Science.”
“Let us be up and doing, planting faithfully, honestly, loyally the seed our beloved Leader has given us, the seed of Christian Science. Some may fall by the wayside, some on stony ground, yet there is good, well-prepared soil ready and waiting to receive it. If we do the planting, God will give the increase, whether we ever see the full-grown tree or not. Our work is to plant.”
I am so grateful to be reminded that we are all “engaged in the one design” and that it is God who brings all work to fruition. His grace abounds.