---
title: 'Uncle Jeremy’s “Sowing the Seed”'
type: post
author: 'R. Andrew Myers'
date: 2020-08-16
url: https://confessional.org/blog/2020-uncle-jeremys-sowing-the-seed
---

# Uncle Jeremy’s “Sowing the Seed”

> Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days (Eccl. 11:1).

Among the writings of “Uncle Jeremy” — as United Presbyterian minister [Jeremiah Rankin Johnston](/authors/jeremiah-rankin-johnson) (1836-1890) signed letters to children which were published in the *Youth’s Evangelist* — is a collection of devotional poems which reveal his artistic side. Published posthumously by his friend [James A. Grier](/authors/james-a-grier), the poems — as well as sermons, addresses and biography of Johnston — are a delight to read. Here is one extract for consideration on a Sabbath afternoon.

**Sowing the Seed**

> Let your seed be sown in the morning;
> While the stars are still in view,
> While the leaves are wet with dew;
> And watch for its verdant adorning,
> As you humbly wait and pray
> In the coming sunny day.
> 
> Let it scattered be at the nooning;
> When the sky is all aglow,
> When the tender breezes blow;
> And think in your happy communing,
> Of the day when it shall spread
> All its beauty o’er your head.
> 
> Let ev’ning forbid to withhold it;
> As the air collects its chill,
> As the shadows cloud the hill;
> And trust, as the earth shall enfold it,
> That its golden sheaves shall stand
> In the singing reaper’s hand.
> 
> But the see is His that you’re sowing;
> From His hand distill the rains
> That shall multiply your grains;
> And from Him is the love bestowing,
> That at last shall glory shed
> On the happy sower’s head.