The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-11
uPos FIDELITY IN LITTLE THINGS.


afsat virtues are rare; the occasions for |
mem are very rare, and when they do oc-
cur. we are prepared for them, we are excit- !
ed By the grandeur Of the sacrifice, we are
Supported either by the splendor of the deed
IN the eyes Of the world, or By the self-com>
plaeency that we experience from the per.
formance OF an uncommon action. Little
taings are unforeseen; they return every
moment; they come in contact with our
pride. our Incidence, our haughtiness, our
readiness to take offence they contradict
our inclinations perpetually. We would
much rather make certain great sacrifices to
God, however violent aud painful they might
be. upon condition that we should be re-
warded by liberty TO follow our own desires
and habits in the details Of life. II is, how
ever. only by fidelity in little things, that a
true and constant lore to God can be disIin-
guished from a passing fervor Of spirit.
ALI great things are only great number
of small things that have been carefully col
lected together. He who loses nothing will
soon grow rich. Besides, let us remember,
that God looks in our actions only for the
motive. The world judges US BY appear.
ance God counts for nothing what is most
dazzling to man. What he desires is pure
intenlon, true dociity, and sincere self.
remuneration. All this is exercised more
frequently, and in way thar tries US more
severely, on common than on great occa-
sions. Sometimes we cling more tenacious
~ to trife than to great interest. |,
would give US mere pain to relinqu,sh an
amusement than to bestow great sum IN
charity. We are more easily led away BY
little things, because we believe them more
innocent, and imagine that we are less at.
tached to them; nevertheless. when God
depriyes US Of them, we soon discover, from
the pain of privalion, how excessive and in
excusable was our attachment to them. The
sincerity Of our pieiy is also ;mPeached BY
the neglect Of minor duties. What proba.
biiity is there, that we should not hesitate
to make great sacrifices, when We shrink
FROM slight ones
But what is most dangerous to the mind
is the habit il acquires Of unfaithfnlness.
True love to God thinks nothing small. All
that can please or dispease him is great. II
does not produce constraint and weak seru.
Piles, but it places no limits to It's fidelity
II acts with simplicity, and as it is no, en-
barrassed with things that God has not CON
manded, il never hesitaies moment about
what he does command, whether il be great
or small.
These persons who are naturally less ex-
act, ought to make an iayiolable law with
themselves about triAes. They are tempted
to despise them they have habit Of think.
ing them of no consequence; they are not
aware Of the inseasible growth OF the pas
sions; they forget even their own most fatal
experience. They trust to decisive eour-
age, though il has before failed ihem, Tor the
support Of their fidelity.
lit is trife,r they say, !" il is nothing
True; but il is nothing that will be every.
thing TO you, trife that you prefer to the
will Of God, trife that will be your ruin
There is no real elevation Of mind in con
tempt Of little things it is, on the contrary
from too narrow views, that We conside
those things Of little importance, which hav'
in fact such extensive consequences. Tn,
more apt we are to neglect small things, th'
more We ought to fear the eifecs OF this neg
Ilgence, be watchfsl over ourselves, anC
place around Us. if possible, some insur
mo8ntaDle barrier to this remissness. ID
not let u be troubled al this constant atten
ton to trifles; at first il will require cour
age 10 maintain il, bat it is a penance tina
we have need Of, aud that will at last brin.
rs peace and serenity. God will gradually
render this state pleasant and easy 70 us.
Fsnsioa.