A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations / Consisting of Choice Passages from the Sacred Poetry of All Ages and Countries, Classified and Arranged, for Facility of Reference, Under Subject Headings; Illustrated by Striking Passages from Scripture, and Forming Altogether a Complete Book of Devotional Poetry.

by Unknown

HARVEST.

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.—Jeremiah, viii. 20.

Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.—Matthew, ix. 37, 38.

The harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.—Matthew, xiii. 39.

Life hath its seasons:

And time, on a chariot of hours,

Rolls to eternity’s gate

Adown a dim valley, where flowers,

Bereft of their beauty,

Lie, withered and scattered by fate.

Hearts have their harvests:

And sorrow goes after the reapers

To mildew the yellowing grain;

While pity, in tears,

Stands watching the labouring weepers

Go reaping a harvest of pain.

Youth is the seed-time:

The season of sunshine and showers,

That nurtures the delicate germ

Which, in life’s autumn,

Will bring to our bosom sweet flowers,

Or thorns and a cankering worm.

God is the harvest:

Whose sickle by mercy is wielded

Among the ripe grain and the tares:

Unto his garner

The sheaves of the gleaner are yielded

With harvest-home anthem and prayers.

Anon.

Then glory to the steel

That shines in the reaper’s hand;

And thanks to God, who has bless’d the sod,

And crowns the harvest land!

Eliza Cook.