Conditions Among God’s People
51
Then all came to see my fruit. They said, “These are high-bush
berries, firm and good. We did not think we could find anything on the
high bushes, so we hunted for low-bush berries only, and found but
few of these.”
Then I said, “Will you take care of these berries, and then go with
me to look for more fruit on the high bushes?” But they had made
no preparation to care for the fruit. There were dishes and sacks in
abundance but they had been used to hold food. I became tired of
waiting, and finally asked, “Did you not come to gather fruit? Then
why are you not prepared to take care of it?”
[48]
One responded, “Sister White, we did not really expect to find any
fruit where there were so many houses, and so much going on; but
as you seemed so anxious to gather fruit, we decided to come with
you. We thought we would bring enough to eat, and would enjoy the
recreation, if we did not gather any fruit.”
I answered, “I cannot understand this kind of work. I shall go to
the bushes again at once. The day is already far spent, soon the night
will be here, in which we can gather no fruit.” Some went with me,
but others remained by the wagon to eat.
In one place a little company had collected, and were busily talking
about something in which they seemed much interested. I drew near,
and found that a little child in a woman’s arms had attracted their
attention. I said, “You have but a little time, and might better work
while you can.”
The attention of many was attracted by a young man and a young
woman who were running a race to the wagon. On reaching it, they
were so tired that they had to sit down and rest. Others also had thrown
themselves down on the grass to rest.
Thus the day wore on, and very little was accomplished. At last I
said: “Brethren, you call this an unsuccessful expedition. If this is the
way you work, I do not wonder at your lack of success. Your success
or failure depends upon the way you take hold of the work. There are
berries here; for I have found them. Some of you have been searching
the low bushes in vain; others have found a few berries; but the high
bushes have been passed by, simply because you did not expect to find
fruit on them. You see that the fruit which I have gathered is large and
ripe. In a little while other berries will ripen, and we can go over the
bushes again. This is the way in which I was taught to gather fruit. If