Gathering the Fruit—A Dream
In a dream given me Sept. 29, 1886, I was walking with a large
company who were looking for berries. There were many young men
and women in the company who were to help in gathering the fruit.
We seemed to be in a city, for there was very little vacant ground; but
around the city there were open fields, beautiful groves, and cultivated
gardens. A large wagon laden with provisions for our company went
before us.
Soon the wagon halted, and the party scattered in every direction
to look for fruit. All around the wagon were both high and low bushes,
bearing large, beautiful whortleberries; but the company were all
looking too far away to see them. I began to gather the fruit near by,
but very carefully, for fear of picking the green berries, which were so
mingled with the ripe fruit that I could pick only one or two berries
from a cluster.
Some of the nice large berries had fallen to the ground, and were
half consumed by worms and insects. “Oh,” thought I, “if this field
had only been entered before, all this precious fruit might have been
saved! But it is too late now. I will, however, pick these from the
ground, and see if there is any good in them. Even if the whole berry
is spoiled, I can at least show the brethren what they might have found
if they had not been too late.”
Just then two or three of the party came sauntering around where I
was. They were chatting, and seemed to be much occupied with each
other’s company. Seeing me, they said, “We have looked everywhere,
and can find no fruit.” They looked with astonishment at the quantity I
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had. I said, “There are more to be gathered from these bushes.” They
began picking, but soon stopped, saying, “It is not fair for us to pick
here; you found this spot, and the fruit is yours.” But I replied, “That
makes no difference. Gather wherever you can find anything. This
is God’s field, and these are His berries; it is your privilege to pick
them.”
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