The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-11-05
LITTLE THINGS.

Of religion, its application to the com
mon and small concerns of life.
The results Of scientific research are
of very little comparative value as long
MS they consist of mere statements OF
fact. They are of Importance only
when they are made to add to our COIN
fort and convenience. The theories con
corning electricity, for example, are al
ways interesting and always claim our
admiring attention, but while they are
simply speculative they are 10 better
than Il pleasant dream. When. how
ever that subtle huid is harnessed to
car or made to drive an engine, when
it flashes along the wire and carries our
messages of love or business to distant
points then we appreciate its practical
worth and make it "A component part OF
our lives.
SO religion, when it comes to us in the
shape of a theology, is a guest whom we
receive into our household with respect
and reverence, but it is always n Stran-
ger to us. one whom we cannot quite
understand and whose demands are so
complicated that we never feel entirely
at home with it. But when it sits
at our fireside as Il fellow traveller and,
with words Of wisdom, tells us how to
bear our burdens, how to fill our daily
task with sweetness and how TO make
the most Of our contracted environment,
then ii is moi Il stranger, but a friend,
a very welcome friend, whom we are
glad TO have under our roof.
The kind of religion | prize most Is
the kind which sanctiles the lesser
duties and gives them a value which in
our ordinary thinking they do not pos
sess | can easily see the grandeur that
surrounds the sacrifice of life in Il noble
cause. the daring and conspicuous deeds
Of heroism which save the country III
It's moment of peril and which many
generation will applaud, but il is harder
for me to see that if | do my daily
work faithfully, if | resist the tempta-
lions which beset me in my private life.
II ! make my heBle happy though
have little to make it happy with,
really achieve the highest destiny that
m0ltals are capable OF, and though the
world will he silent and Indifferent
when die, | shall lie received in heaven
with the honors which true heroism
commands.
When the sister Of Lazarus anointed
tho feee Of the Saviour the disciples
cried, Why was this waste of the oint-
ment made? They knew nothing of tne
higher philosophy which it was His pur-
pose to reveal. They were s0rdid, mar
row. ignorant But while they seoldetl
lie praised and declared that in all fu
ture time this incident should be kept
IN remembrance They could see noth
ing but the three hundred pence which
the ointment was worth, but lie saw
the love and gratitude in the woman's
heart which ii represented. What was
to them Il wanton waste was TO Him
Il token Of priceless value.
One cannot appreciate Christianity I'M.
til his emotions are stirred. Religion
may consist largely of great thoughts,
but great thoughts must rouse noble
feelings before the circle can be COM
plete. Religion is feeling mere than think
ing. and thinking must lead TO feeling
before the journey will end. Give me
the heart of man and | am not afraid
that his brains will carry him far away
from me- If | have the love Of my
friend and his confidence | have the
best part of him. / do not care for his
costly gifts because they are costly, but
do care for any gift however small it
may he, which shows that The and j are
ment which gives ii its value.
And it seems to me that what we
chiefly lack in onr domestic relations is
that something which prompted Mary
to an0int the feet of her divine guest at
Rethany. There is too much of the
commonplace in our lives and too little
of that sentiment or romance which af-
ter all is worth more than anything
e. L.
the glory of many home circle obliter-
ated, or at any rate obscured, because
the little attentions which in earlier
days we were 50 eager to bestow and re-
ceiye have given way to the humdrum
and monot0nOus routine or married life.
If we could keep alive the sentiment
which once EMBODIED every word and
act, and which made those days Il lyric
poem, the home would always be the
heaven we promised ourselves and each
other that it should be, and these sad
arrangements which have made a
tragedy of so many lives would be inl-
possible. Hearts that have once beat i'll
unison would never make discordant
sounds, but the music would grow more
sweet and rich and mellow if we would
live for each other as we used to do and
lie as DOllte To ana as cOHSluefaIe OF
each other as we are to strangers.
The religion Of fine home life is the re-
ligion which Christ preached 1t WAS
sentiment on the part of Mary to anoinJ
the Masters feet, but sentiment has
more to do with human happiness than
wealth or social position. To crafty
the desires with costly gifts is one thing,
hut Il simple rose which carries your
heart with it is worth more than them
all. Whatever represents affection,
though it be only word or look.
throws a spell over the household and
charms it with contentment. We can
bear all things while love is true, but
all things are burdens, even riches and
fame when love is absent.
| know no better religion than that
which teaches me to keep my heart
young and to cherish that sentiment
which daily blesses me and others. The
little things Of life are the only great
and important things after all.
GEORGE III. HEPWORTH.