The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-03-03
SlOTHFUlNESS.

"Hs That IL slothfui in His Work Il
Brother to Him That ID Great
Wsster."
Many are the combinations Of Solo
mons truthful words: HE becometh
poor that dealeth with slack hand;
but the hand Of the diligent maketh
rich" The wonders which may DO
achieved by diligence in business often
claim the highest admiration, while tho
sad effects of idolence may be seen in
many form Of restitution and suffer-
ing. 1t should not be forgotten that
the pioneers in every great and good
cause have always been distinguished
for their laborious industry. They
have had great aims accompanied with
great endeavors; hence their great
achievements.
This was conspicuously true Of Will
lam Carey, in the workings Of whose
mind originated the first modern mis-
sionary movement which has given
character to the last century. From his
shoemaker's bench, where he made
rudely-fashioned shoes, always sitting
with his book before him, and frequent
ly tracing with his waxed fingers an old
map which was instrumental in direct
ing his attention and sympathy to the
"poor heathen'' from this lowly con-
dition Of the rustic artisan, he rose by
his untiring industry to great distinc-
ton as a scholar, a philanthrOpist and
Christian missionary, highly honored
of both God and man, as the chief
agent in giving to the heather the
Word of God in forty different Ian
guages, embracing the vernaculsr OF
nearly three millions of human beings.
Nothing great ever came of little
effort, but the most stupendOus effects
of continued application may every
where be seen. Pertinently has it
been said: "A little worm, starting
at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. by
persevering toll builds up vast islands
of coral, against which the stanchest
ships are dashed, and whereon whole
colonies of men may live." When
Cicero recommended Pompey as can
didate for high public Office, he
enumerated the qualities which adorn
greatness. and in which he said his
friend excelled: Labor in business.
valor in dangers, industry in acting,
counsel in planning and experiences in
performing" Such qualifications will
always be highly commendatory, and
can hardly fail to insure success even
in the highest aims. Some one has
well said: IAN industrious individual,
however obscure he may be at the out
set, who early fixes his heart and will
ON q specific enterprise, and thence.
forth perpetually aims at its accom-.
plishment, is almost certain ultimately
to succeed"
BY all the astonishing results of in
dustry with which all are familiar, the
great waste of slothfulness may be seen.
These results are wasted by him "that
is slothful in his work" Whatever
any one fails to accomplish for want OF
industrious activity is so much Wasted.
Action is the great demand of life.
The active only are true to the design
of their existence. 1t is true of all
mankind that they live in this world in
order that they may make themselves
useful by exerting their powers of &C.
ton in blessing all to whose welfare
they may contribute. Unless the world
is better for their living in it, they have
lived in vain, if not worse than in vain.
All may accomplish much for their own
good. and for the good of others, and
those who achieve but little In these
directions are not excusable. Their
want of success is no triAing matter.
1t is not without criminality.
The great hindrance of this success
is inactivity. Whoever exerts himself
to the full extent Of his capabilities will
not ordinarily, if ever, fail in useful
undertakings; and all who thus bless
others will themselves be blessed,
Slothful inactivity is responsible fol
the greatest failures in all life, and
quite as much in Christian life as any,
The contrast between the loss of mao
tivity and the gsin of activity being su.
perlatively great, affords the strongest
possible motive to fidelity in the life
work given all to do, that, Away
Astounding therein, they may escap,
the fearful consequences of slOthfuI
ness which is sure to be attended will
wasting, in accordance with the i'm
pressive declarations: HE that I
slothful in his work is brother to hin
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