The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-04-04
Competeat Workers.

>tSE. y. l. !1- 1!uII"S, i-''Si pooi. Lily
The worlds business demands
competence and generally Sc,
cures it through competition for
bread and butter, while philan,
thropy, depending upon volun
tary service, must take the work
ers and the work it can get, these
being often of doubtful value.
On the other hand: philanthropy.
in the temperance cause and
elsewhere, draws upon higher
powers and noblcr sentiments
than are necessary to the salts
faction Of employer and to sue.
cess in the market: and when
these, instead of ignoring busi-
ness qualities: undertake their
direction: according to ability
and opportunity, we have the
competent workers who are sure
to carry a good cause. through
stages of progress, to victory.
More commonly, however. Con-
science that does not command
consecration stirs to various
measures of activity, or the per
suasion Of parent, pastor, OF
friend secures some kind of CO.
operation which may even, with
its social connections. be accept
ed for the most important Of
fees. Thus a noble cause may
be represented-and hindered-
by a half-hearted president, a
disorderly treasurer, or a istless
secretary-aIl OF them "Chr!s-
tian" people, conventionally cor,
rect and spiritually incompetent.
The temperance cause proba-
bly, has a full share of this kind
Of service. The writer recalls
some samples Of experience, es-
pecialIy in small places where
helpers were necessarily few. He
thinks Of doors closed at the
time appointed for meeting Of
contradictory announcements Of
the hour, of the neglect Of press
and pulpit notices, and Of the alb
sence Of temperance pledges; IN
each case because someone had
blundered. The same inetfici-
ency is often present, though
comparatively unobserved, in
the larger executive of populous
places and everywhere it means
the diminution of opportunity
and the restraint of power. A
sight of what might have been
would startle the incompetent,
especially if it flashed upon them
the conviction that they were re-
sponsible for the difference be-
tween the possible and the ac-
tual, for the waste of service and
the loss of souls. We are told
that the head shows the meas
ure of capacity, and the face the
use that has made of it. There
is truth in the saying, but far
less than the whole truth, for de-
votion discovers unexpected pow
ers, and faith works with God,
who "calleth those things that
be not as though they. were. ;"
::There are diversities of gifts, )"
but the one Spirit is ready to
make the best Of every one, and
under His fully accepted IN
fluence each worker becomes
competent for the duties of her
own place.
Competence is temperance
work, which is rightly judged by
the ". c.. T. =. to be spiritual
work, depends upon a steadfast
purpose, the use of common
means, and the experience of di-
vine aid.
Purpose corresponds with per-
sonality: as we will, 50 we are.
The dominant purpose Of most
lives is selfish; Christ teaches
love. A few learn from him
thoroughly many slightly. Where
the steadfast purpose is not
wrought by love, the work may
be interrupted or marred at any
moment by the intrusion of sell
fish interests. Where love is
perfect the opportunity of self
is the opportunity for sacrifice.
1t has been truly said that if two
angels were sent from heaven to
rule a world and to sweep a street,
they would not quarrel about
their respective parts. Christ
is the Lord of angels and the
Head of the body. the church, !"
every member Of which may
therefore manifest His spirit: as
it shares His life.
The competent worker will
make large use of common
means. Obviously some means
of influence and, service are avail
able only to certain classes or
individuals, but much is within
the reach Of all. though proba-
bly, most Of it is as generally un.
known as was the medicinal
property Of scores of plants and
minerals in unscientitic times.
The attraction of cheerful meet.
Eings and of popular music and
;.eloquence is not half so sure as
the magnetic influence Of a kind
word and a personal service,
however small. Human inter.
ests are infinitely various, ano
So are the MINISTRIES adapted
to them: and, as in the latest
light what seemed inert nature