The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1908-09-11
~ r.
4RptMar
PUBIC
INFLUENCE OF SMALL THINGS.
By Rev. DIR. Abram 8. Isaacs.

For who hath aespisei the day OF
small thingss~-Zach. iv, 10.
The real things that tend to make
Or mar our careers are often the small
things. The vital issues Of defeat or
victory ma spring from the veriest
~tri.es. The mc,si fatal defects or weak
nesses. too. can te apparently insignih-
! can't. escaping observation ike the tiny
worm which pierces the docks massive
foundation OF cuts through the ships
, side. The prophet does not always
speak In rapt visions or restrict his
message TO a heavenly Jerusalem, Ills
| dominant motive is 10 arouse Ia a sense
of each days Importance and TO con-
duct as the essential factor In religion.
| And as the minutes control the hours
and mere fractions of time the months
| and years, SO u character Is The re-
| sultant OF single acts and thought
| which become In their turn Irresistible
habits and impulses. like he separate
| delicate threads which can be- welded
| into an unyielding chain.
The painters canvas giows with life
and beauty by his deft use OF bits oil
| pigment-small fragments Of color that
| give rise TO figure and landscape oil
SURPRISING charm. So b gentle traits
| the modest qualities, the quiet tastes
| the u~nobtrusive deeds. the unselfish nj.
| titude. the little attentions. IL Is just
| these small things which render our
life fragrant, giving g~enuineness and
character TO our religion.
But there is another view of the text
We are Judged less by the trend OF oui
| life In its vastness and sweep. by the
| ain and extent Of our purposes and
| ambitions. than by the little acts Una
make up each days passing
| chance word we utter, b flash or all
ger, the burst OF p~etulance, the wills
per of wrong, the bitter taunt, the petit,
gratification-acts triiing and transient
In themselves but expressive of charac
ter TO the casual observer. How impor
tant. then, TO be on our guard les
such things acquire the mastery Owe
us. They must not be despisei, To-
they may lead To traits and tendencies
that may oyerwhelm our lives, leavin;
wreckage where once were smllini
streams and happy homes.
The sage who knew the stars bette
than the roads OF his native town, tn
PHILOSOPHER so intent on the secrets o
"a Il 49, tA F.ll aatA N ditch h,
tho wayside-are not these but In
stances when In the vain grasp afte
the iilimitable and vague we dcspise tn
small things that are real and nearg 5
we narrow too generally our conception
of religion to the atmosphere OF churcl
or synagogue, to swelling music, I
stately ceremonial, the solemn litanie
and holy vestments. But even thes
may fail In their purpose IL we realiz
not the sacredness OF small thing
which we ignore or despise-the dee
that uplifts although 1t Is unheralded
the word that inspires. although nj
tered SO gently that your neighbors d
not hear 1t the hand clasp which put
your brother firmly on his feet withou
public applause.
The small things, then. which ar
usually vital and decisive for success o
failure are not In the far heavens o
across the distant seas. They are clos
to us. so close hat they are indisper
sable for our growth, u discipline
our perfect development. Hence, the
dare not be despised by those Of us VIII
wish to rise to higher things.