The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-10
RY WILLIAM r ELLIS.

Is w LILLIAN L. EI1LlS.
There is a deal of good work I'M
done in the world simply because no
body in particular has had the doing
of 1t laid upon him definitely. Con-
slider what would follow if all the
well-meaning persons in a city were
organized to do, the beneficent tasks
that wait performance. This man
would always call on the way to his
work, for a word of cheer at the sick
room of a lonely friend. This one
would regularly bear flower to a
solitary oIdwomans 1t would be the
appointed daily task of this girl of
leisure to care for the many little
children of a certain busy housewife
for an hour, while the weary mother
obtained a rest. This woman with a
talent for mothering would open her
home daily to some young man who
is alone amid the great city's tempta-
ton. This employer would sys-
tematically interest himself helpfully
in the personal affairs of some one of
his helpers every day. The man of
wealth would have as his regular task
the searching out of some fresh case
of need. The person with aptitude for
letter-writing would eonduct a private
daily postoffice mission. All these
simple, practicable tasks, and an
indefinite number besides, would not
wait upon mood or impulse or special
urging; they would be done as a part
cause society would be organized to
this end. Somewhat of this general
nature is the advantage of the COM
mittee work of the young peoples
societies. 1t is making good work the
order of the day, part of life's
systematic programme.
There is no training without
regularity and obligation. The COM
mittee idea is fundamental to the
genius of Christian Endeavor as a
training school.
The ideal church finds definite work
for every member. according to his
individual powers. Each has some
peculiar skill whiehthe other does not
gifts" To enlist the several abilities
of all the members for one common
end of service is the aim of every
well-organized body.
mot to be ministered unto. but to
minister was principle constantly
emphasized in the early days of the
young peoples movement. Com
mittee work is the concrete embodi-
ment of the idea of service. 1t
stresses the worshipfulness of work
Deeds are devotion. To practice is
homely tasks for Christ is as religious
a performance as preaching a sermon.
The larger . meaning of small ser
vices is well set forth in Arson G.
Chester's poem, THE Tapestry
Weavers:"
Let us take to our hearts a lesson
No lesson could. drawer be
From the ways of the tapestry |
WedVerS.
On the other side of the sea.
Above their heads the pattern hangs. |
They study it with care,
The while their fingers deftly work
Their eyes are fastened there.
They tell this curious thing besides.
OF the patient toiling weaver,
He works on the wrong side evermore.
But works for the right side ever. |
Is is only when the weaving stops.
And the web is loosed and turned, |
That he sees his real handiwork,
That his marvellous skill is learned. |
Ali the sight of its delicate beauty,
How it pays him for all its cost
No rarer, daintier work than his,
Was ever done by the frost
Then the master bringeth him golden
hire,
And giveth him praise as we'll
And how happy the heart of the |
weaver is,
No tongue but his can tell.
The years of man are the looms of God,