Miscellaneous Papers 
THE MINISTRY OF TOIL. 
BY JENNIE M. FIELD, MADISON. 
[Read before the Castalian Society of the University of Wisconsin, June 9, 1876.] 
As I have wandered in the daily-deepening shadows of the woods 
in early June, almost able to see the leaves broadening in outline 
and the branches steadily lengthening as if a being imprisoned within 
were stretching its arms heavenward in mute appeal for release, I 
have thought—how nature works. Since the warm sun awoke from 
their winter of inaction the sleeping life forces in innumerable plants 
they have toiled incessantly, gathering food from earth and air, 
weaving for themselves garments of exquisite beauty, and not con¬ 
tent with merely living, pressing forward into greater completeness 
ot life. These busy plant workers give to summer half its gladness. 
They are constantly at work, yet without hurry or worry, and the 
perfection of the finished product gives evidence of joyous doing. 
As I have listened to the sweet twittering of birds over their 
spring-time building, watched the tireless flight of the bee as it hives 
summer’s sweetness, or noted the quick movements of some provi¬ 
dent squirrel in October woods, I have thought, labor can not be 
irksome to these little creatures; they seem to toil from very love of 
it. Again, as I have observed some merry and enterprising child- 
neighbors, engaged in their would-be-work, with guns improvised 
from the wood-pile, marching boldly to battle, or with miniature 
wheel-barrows,gathering loads of dry leaves and dead sticks, merely 
for the pleasure of transporting them, I have said to myself—surely 
it was intended that all should find pleasure in work. 
To do something is the natural impulse of every healthy child. 
