Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1908-09-11
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INFLUENCE OF SMALL THINGS.
BY Rev. DR.. Abram s. Isaacs

For who hath despised the day or
small things 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 may spring from the verlest
trifles. The most fatal defects or weak
nesses, too can be apparently insignia
cant, escaping observation like the tiny
worm which pierces the docks massive
foundation or cuts through the ships
side. The prophet does not always
speak in rapt visions or restrict MS
message to a heavenly Jerusalem. his
dominant motive is to arouse to 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 our character is the re-
sultant of single acts and thoughts
which become in their turn irresistible
habits and impulses, like the separate
delicate threads which can be welded
into an unyielding chain.
The painters canvas CLOVIS with life
and beauty by his deft use Of bits OF
pigment-small fragments Of color that
give rise to figure and landscape or
surprising charm. SO the gentle traits
the modest qualities, the quiet tastes,
the unobtrusive deeds, the unselhsh at
titude, the little attentions. 1t is just
these small things which render our
life fragrant. giving genuineness and
character to our religion.
But there is another view of the text.
We are judged less by the trend of our
life in its vastness and sweep, by the
aim and extent Of our purposes and
ambitions. than by the little acts that
make up each days passing recOrd-the
chance word we utter, the flash of an
ger, the burst of petulance, the Whls-
per of wrong, the bitter taunt, the petty
gratifica tion-acts trif1ing and transient
in themselves but expressive OF cnarac-
ter to the casual observer. How lnpor-
tant. then, to be on our guard lest
such things acquire the mastery over
us. They must not be desplsed, for
they may lead to traits and tendencies
that may overwhelm oEr lives, leaving
wreckage where once were sl9lllng
streams and happy homes.
The sage who knew the stars better
than the roads of his native town, the
philosopher so intent on the secrets OF
the skies that he fell into a ditch by
the wayside-are not these but in
stances when In the vain grasp after
the illimitable and vague we desplse the
small things that are real and near! so
we narrow too generally our conception
Of religion to the atmosphere OF church
or synagogue to swelling music, to
stately ceremonial, the solemn litan1es
and hoiy vestments. But even these
NAV fail in their purpose if we realize
not the Sacredness of small things
which we ignore or despise-the deed
that uplifts although it is unheralded;
the word that inspires, although ut
tered so gently that your neighbors do
not hear it the hand clasp which puts
your brother firmly on his feet without
public applause.
The small things, then, which are
usually vital and decisive for success or
allure are not In the far heavens or
across the distant seas. They are close
to us, so close that they are indispen-
sable for our growth, our discipline,
our perfect development. Hence, they
dare not be despised by those of us who
wish to rise TO higher things.