Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-21
Little Things.

Whosoever despises the worth ana
influence of little things fails to under
stand the Divine method:of working Il
nature, history and character. In ths
search for the hiding places of life ths
microscope discloses the bioplasts, tha
builders of all organic tissues, workinu
within cells so minute that their diame]
ter is from six to three times less than
the edge of a razor's blade. And ve1
these almost infinitesimal life-forceJ
construct the entire fabric of the vece,
table and animal kingdom. Endowed
and guided by the power of their Gre,
ator, they erect the monarch of the for.
est trees, fabricate the most exquisite
forms of beauty in flower and leaf, or
weave the brain of a Shakespeare. One
OF the most impressive lessons that his.
tory teaches is the part that compare
lively trivial circumstances have played
in directing and changing the course Of
events that have eliminated in epochs
that are the tide marks that distinguish
the worlds progress in civilization al
represented in government, art, litera-
ture and religion. Failure in the dis.
charge of little duties has often ruined
the best laid plans of the wisest states,
men and bravest Generals. Attention
to the smallest details is found to be a
characteristic of those whose uniform
success has been the puzzle and admira,
ton of the world.
1t is, however, in the realm of personal
experience and character that the in
fluence 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 moth-eatep."
This pest among insect" is diminutiye
in size, but its capacity for destruction
is Dreaded by every careful %housekeeper.
The costly furs that were laid away in
the spring. when taken from their place
for use again, seem at first glance in
tact, but, under the light, the first Wig
orous shake to remove the dust discloses
innumerable rents, and the once valua-
bic garment is found to be worthless.
Stealthily and in the dark the tiny in
sects have accomplished their work Of
destruction.
How often it happens that the com.
munity is startled by some story Of
crime, and the surprise is expressed
that such an act should have been COM
mitted by one whose outward action
had heretofore been decent and respect
able. It is only the true character come
to light. In a manner concealed from
the eyes of the world moth-like sins
have been eating into the wool and
warp OF character, and when al overt
act has brought it into the light of truth
the real worthlessness is made known.
Little sins, or rather, sins often re-
peated, are the strands that form tho
chains of habit that enthrall the soul IN
a bondage worse than death.
On the other hand, noble character
and the fruit of its service is the result
OF f%aithfulness in little things. There Is
no realm in experience or perlodln lla
where the most trivial circumstances
may not prove OF vast importance, OF
where little things do not make up the
sum and product of the noblest achieve
ments. Our acts from moment to mo.
ment are the shuttle that carries the
threads that r weaving the pattern o.
an immortal life. Care and thought IL
the little details of the present duty Is
the true test of character, In the llshS
of this truth every position and serves
in life is recognized as full of gracious
opportunity. Trivial circumstances
prove to be turning points in experiente.
The faithful discharge of little aa.i n5
leads to the highest promotion Sltr ~.
those who are faithful in the use OF tnel.
one talent often prove that the "la;'
shall be rst."-Rev. E. B. Sahforu' 7"
Christian at W0rE.