| Things to Live For |
Chapter 7 |
Page 3 |
This teaching invests every life with a sacredness to disregard which is a sacrilege. We must look upon every one as if he were the Christ. We dare not pass by any one carelessly. We know not to whom we may have a duty of love. The stranger whom mere seeming chance brings into our presence for an hour may have been sent to us that in some way we may serve him. We are always safe in assuming that we have an errand to every one we meet. We need not announce our mission, and we must never display officiousness in the discharge of our duty of love. We need only to hold ourselves in readiness, with all of love’s humility, alacrity, and gentleness, to do whatever heart or hand may find to do in serving him. Our duty to him may be nothing more than the showing of a kindly spirit in our manner, the giving of a hearty salutation, or the inspiration of a cheerful countenance. But however small the service may be which it is ours to render, it is a divine ministry, and its value to the person we never may know.
Nothing is small that helps a human life. The Koran tells of the sending of Gabriel to the earth to keep Solomon from some sin, and at the same time to help a little toiling ant to get home with its burden. The latter service was as angelic as the former. No ministry on which God sends us can be considered small.
No mere theoretical acknowledgment of this universal obligation of man to man will avail. Fine sentiment is not enough; we must get the sentiment into practical life. We must bring our visions down out of ethereal mists into something substantial and real. We must let the love of our heart flow out in life and act and helpful ministry. Stern old Cromwell showed good common sense when, seeing some silver statues in dusty niches, and learning that they were the twelve apostles, he gave orders that they be taken down, converted into money, and sent out to do good. That is what we should do with our fine professions of brotherly love. Brotherly love has no right to pose forever in mere creed and sentiment; there is something far better for it to do. In this world in which there are so much need, sorrow, and heart hunger, it has a hold mission everywhere. If we would be Christlike, we must, like our Master, go about doing good.
Page 3