The Hazlehurst signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1883-1885, 1883-12-13
Little Things.

WhOsocvcr dcspisc, The worth ant
influence of little things fails To under.
stand the Divine mcthod:o working in
nature. history and character. In the
search for the hiding places OF life tho
microscope discloses the bioplasts,. the
builders Of all organic tissues. working
within cells so minute that their diane.
ter is from six to three times less than
the edge of razor's blade. And yet
these almost iniinitesimal life-forccs
construct the entire fabric Of the ycge.
table and animal kingdom. Endowed
and guided by the power OF their Gre
atOr, thcy erect the monarch of the for
est trees, fabricatc the most exquisite
forms of beauty In flower and lea. or
weave the brain of q Shakespeare. Ono
of the most impressive lessons that his
tory teaches Is the part that compara.
lively trivial circumstances have played
in directing and changing the course OF
events that have eliminated in cpochs
that are the tide marks that distinguish
the worlds progress in civilization as
represented In government. art. litcra-
turc and religion. Failure In the DIS.
charge Of little duties has often ruined
the best laid plans Of the wiscst states
men and bravcst Generals. Attention
to the smallest details Is found to be n
characteristic OF those whose uniform
success has been the puzzle and admira-
ton of the world. 49,.
It is, however, In the realm Of per onal
experience and character that the in
iluence of little things Is most potent
for good or evil. This truth Is Impress
lively illustrated by the Apostle James,
who, In writing Of certain rich men.
says their garments are mott-catcn."
This pest among insects is diminutiye
In sisc, but It's capacity for destruction
Is dreaded by every careful housckccper.
The costly flirs that were laid away In
the spring. when taken from their place
for lisc again, seem at first glance in
tact, but, under the light, tho first Wig
orous shake to remove the dust discloses
innumerable rents, and the once val'la-
ble garment Is found to be worthless.
Stcalthily and in the dark the tiny in.
sccts have accomplished their work OF
destruction. ~ ! irrf lf-.r
How often It happens that the com.
munity Is startled BY some story Of
crime, and tho surprise isl expressed
that such an act should have boon com.
mtted by one whose outward action
hst herctoforp bcon decent and respect
able. II Is only the true character come
to light. In manner concealed from
the cycs of the world moth.like sins
have been eating into the woof and
warp of character, and when an overt
act has brought il into the light OF truth
the real worthlcssness Is made known.
Little sins, or rather, sins often re-
poated. are the strands that form tho
chains of habit that onthrall tho soul 10
q bondage worse than death.
On the other hand, noble character
and the fruit OF It's service is the result
of faithfilncss In little things. There Is
no realm in experience or period in life
where the most trivial circumstances
may not prove OF vast Importance, or
where little things do not mako up the
sum and product of the noblcst achieve:
ments. Our acts from moment to mo-
ment arc the shuttle that carries tho
threads that are weaving the pattern ot
an immortal life. Care and thought In
the little details Of tho present duty Is
the true test OF character. In the light
OF this truth every position and service
In life Is recognized rs full OF gracious
opportunity. Trivial circumstances
prove To, be- turning points In experience,
Tho faithful discharge Of little duties
leads to the highest promotion. add
those who arc faithful in the use of,their
ono talent often prove that the "last
shall be iirst."-ReU.gE! b. Sanford, ~