Great Results from Small Causes
J. C. Jones, D. D. John 4:35-38 Say not you, There are yet four months, and then comes harvest? behold, I say to you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields… How often will a small cause set in motion a train of events that will issue in universal good, May I be allowed to recapitulate what, I have no doubt, some of you have either heard or read before? About two hundred years ago a travelling pedlar with his bundle on his back entered a Shropshire village. He called at a farm-house and offered for sale a copy of the "Bruised Reed" by Richard Sibbes. The farmer bought the book, and the farmer's son read it, and through it found salvation in Christ. That farmer's son was none other than Richard Baxter. Baxter wrote a book called the "Everlasting Rest of the Saints," which was read by a young man, who was led by it to consecrate himself to the service of God. That young man was Dr. Doddridge. Doddridge in his turn wrote a book called "The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul." That book was diligently perused by another young man, who was led by it to a life of holiness and widespread influence. That young man was William Wilberforce, the liberator of the slave. In his turn he wrote a book entitled "A Practical View of Christianity," the study of which was blessed to the conversion of Legh Richmond. Again, Legh Richmond wrote a book called "The Dairyman's Daughter," a book blessed to the salvation of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Englishmen all over the world. Let us therefore take encouragement, and labour in season and out of season, for we know not which will prosper, this or that. (J. C. Jones, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. WEB: Don't you say, 'There are yet four months until the harvest?' Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.