Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-16
Religion an0 Coll,
By Capt. Theodore Valiant, Evangelist.

candidate for the glories of another world.
There is an idea abroad that certain oc
equations, as that Of a missionary or
Christian minister, are peculiarly sacred
and that they must devote themselves
with higher conservation than others
who engage in what are called secular
pursuits We would not for a moment
depreciate the exalted character of the
ministry, but neither do we intend to de-
pre@ate the divineness in any proper
and useful calling of life. If God calls
one man into the ministry, He also calls
another into secular pursuits. He called
Bezaleel and Aholiab to be silversmiths.
stonecutters and manufacturers of temple
furniture. The less conspicuous workers
are just as Indispensable, and therefore
rightly just as honorable as the promi-
nent. 1t is in this that the life of one is
interviewer into the life of all others, and
it is here that we find the basis Of human
brotherhood. We cannot be Independent
of each other. The daughter of the mil
lionaire is absolutely dependent upon the
rustic laborer that tills the field and the
ignorant negro that picks the cotton from
it's native bulb.
A man is digging trench for a gas
pipe; poor work, you say. for an immortal
being Is it? The lighting Of the streets
of a city does much to Danish violence,
protect life and property, and make the
home safe. Helping in such a work is
neither bad nor dishonorable. Without
him many of our city people would move
to the country for safety and protection.
All, but here is a scavenger that is low
enough, indeed. Who would think of
crawling down to such depths of humility
unless forced to do it? But without him
the pestience would sweep the city; the
angel of death would knock at every door.
and there would be wailing and sorrow
| in every home. Just in proportion as. the
scavenger is diligent and faithful are the
people safe.
There is low way and lofty way to
look at everything. When toll has no
other motive than personal greed; when
the laborer rises early and works late.
no regard for the comfort and well-being
of Others then the toll is mean, because
the motive is despicable; but when the
toll is sanctifed by the spirit Of carrying
han =
once rises to the dignity of divine call.
What drudgery for the good housewife,
who sweeps and scours, washes and
bakes, darns and mends. 1t looks like the
poor animal forced to constant motion in
the tread mill. But while she tolls she is
thinking. and the thought is pleasing:
When my children return from school and
my husband from his work they will find
a good dinner, a clean house, pleasant
home that I have prepared them. And
the thought makes her sing while she
works and smiles welcome for those
who are to enjoy the fruits of 1t. 1t is
thus that God sanctifes all honorable
labor and makes it contribute to the gen.
eral good in which the laborer must share.
To fail in the labor to which. in the prov
idence of God, a man has been called, is
to dishonor his call and depreciate him
self. To do your duty in your vocation
is not only to succeed in it and to make
others better by 1t. but to win at last the
divine approval and to hear the well
done. good and faithful servant: enter into
the joy of thy Lord" May God teach us
to blend religion and toll so that our toll
may become a blessing to US, is my prayer
In your behalf.