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True Education
at once. Diligent, persevering work must be put forth to prepare the
ground, sow the seed, and cultivate the crop. So it must be in the
spiritual sowing. The garden of the heart must be cultivated. The
soil of the heart must be broken up by repentance. Evil growth that
chokes good grain must be uprooted. As land once overgrown by
thorns can be reclaimed only by diligent work, so the evil tendencies
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of the heart can be overcome only by earnest effort in the name and
strength of Christ.
In the cultivation of the soil the thoughtful workers will find that
treasures little dreamed of open up before them. No one can succeed
in agriculture or gardening without attention to the laws involved.
The special needs of every variety of plant must be studied. Different
varieties require different soil and cultivation, and conformity to the
laws regulating each is the condition of success.
The attention required in transplanting—so that not even a root
fiber is crowded or misplaced—the care of the young plants, pruning
and watering, weeding and controlling pests, not only teach impor-
tant lessons concerning the development of character, but the work
itself is a means of development. Cultivating carefulness, patience,
attention to detail, and obedience to law, imparts a most essential
training. The constant contact with the mystery of life and the loveli-
ness of nature, as well as the tenderness called forth in ministering to
these beautiful objects of God’s creation, tends to quicken the mind
and refine and elevate the character. The lessons taught prepare the
worker to deal more successfully with other minds.
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