The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-05-10
LITTLE THINGS.

"How much more good might we, who are
professors of religion, accomp. p.ish," said my
friend, the doctor, "if we would but be con-
tent to do little things, when We cannot do
great ones, and keep on doing them. But
many of US seldom move unless there IS
something grand to excite US, to galYanlze
us into action, when we work Justify Tor
short time. and then fall back into our old
and sluggish habits. Depend upon it this Is
a too generous fault. 1t is only when we
hear 4 thrilling discourse, or attend some
great meeting held on the eve Of the depart.
ure of missionaries, that our soul is stirred
within us at the condition Of the heathen.
At other times it apparently has no power
to affect u.s.
"But," said I,"you surely do not condemn
the exercise Of O warm and generous emo
tion in good cause, however awakened, or
to the laying and carrying out OF the plans
of beneyolence on broad scale. Attempt
great things-expect great things you know
was the motto of DR.. Carey"
"Yes,I know It," was the reply; "and DR..
Carey did right in having just such one,
for be was essentially working man. But
be, nevertheless, accomplished great things
by constantly doing little things, and not
then by hasty and occasional leaps, but by
slow and steady walk. A strong progres.
sive principle urged him on day by day.
Feeling he doubtless had, but be was not
all feeling, depending wholly on the state OF
his emotions for action. And what we want
is that every member of Christs church
should possess what be possessed. an abid-
ing conviction Of the necessity of doing some
thing, no matter how small it may, each
day, for the spread of the gospel. We want
them to remember that if they cannot give
the Bible Society money enough to print
copy Of the Bible, they can give tents 10 the
Sunday School Union, to furnish some des.
titute Sunday School in the West with at
least single library book that If they cam
not preach sermon to whole congrega'
ton, they can drop seasonable word in the
ear of an acquaintance or friend. There IS
none so humble that he cannot do this
II have heard my friend sometimes called
"a queer fellow'-'a man with q great many
odd notions.' He is odd, and has bis faults,
but nevertheless like him. He Is great
stickler for principle, and advocates 1t wher.
ever he goes. Still l know scarcely another
man who can so easily be touched by tale
OF sorrow, whether spiritual or temporal, as
the doctor. we can't do without feeling
said he to me once, and yet in your religious
experience we can have too much OF II, II
we suffer ourselves to overestimate its real
value. When allied to principle 1t will ac-
celerate action, and help to accomplish more.
But mere tears and signs called forth by q
temporary excitement, are of very little, II
of any worth
II cannot but think that there Is q deal OF
truth in this opinion. 1t costs no self-denial
to heave sigh or shed a tear. 1t sounds
we'll to be incidentally connected with some
stupendous plan of benevolence; it is thrill
lug to ait In snug seat and listen to "a pow
erful appeal in behalf of good thing: But,
after all, it is far better to be humble day
laborer in the Lords vineyard, doing good
by STEALTH for IN this way we learn the val
ue Of even the littlest things. and see the i'm
portance Of being constantly employed.
Many there are complaining OF poverty, y,who
if they would but pursue the plan of laying
by those fractions of money which are spent
they know not how, would find themselves
able, ut the end of the year, to give whole
library to some destitute Sunday School. or
pay half months salary Of home mis-
sionary III the West."-lN. Y. Observer.