Norwich bulletin., 1913-08-16
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
THE SECOND MILE.

Whoever shall compel thee to go mile, go with him twain said the Master to puzzled congregation on the slopes of Kurn Hattin. They had never heard the law so interpreted. They had been taught to pay back an offender in his own coin. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth re- presented their accepted code of just ice. If a churlish traveller compelled you to accompany him mile out of your way, catch him unaware some time and carry him at least a mile out of his way. That was only fair. But here another program was set forth. ar from the spirit of retalia tion, enc was to be impelled by spirit of extraordinary generosity If a man takes away your coat let hlIn have your cloak also, if he compels you to go mile with him, give good meas ure by going two miles Good men must exceed all usual limits in kind ness.
 Perhaps the great Teacher d.. not expect that we should interpret his words in badly literal fashion. He doubtless realized that disciples in suc- ceeding ages. full or human nature, would claim sufficient rebate on his commands. But he did propose to state the principle by which a really good life IS 10 pc SON6TH6U. f1S WISHES lO LtdIS in our human sky a gleaming star toward which the hearts of men might aspire.
 There are two ideals of life for those who desire to live we'll. One may do just his duty or one may do a little more than his duty. He may fulfil re- quirements or go some distance beyond them
 There are people in the world who, in whatever line they undertake, do just enough to get by." There are those on the other hand. who do just little more than the immediate occasion com pels. There is a certain flavor of en- thusiasm and abundance about their work that gives it distinction.
 You like to trade with the man who gives good measure who won't split potato or twist a fig to make the scales overfiows bit it gives him no dis tress. He would rather give you full moneys worth than not.
 Accounting for differing degrees of success we may well bear in mind the principle of the second mile. Willing ness to do a little more than required distinguishes the exceptional from the average man. There is room for him at the top. Mediocre workers abound. There are plenty of students content just to cling to the payroll.
 The ambitious man longs to pull away from the rank and file and do the exceptional thing. He goes little farther. works little harder, disre- gards the whistle or the bell
 The man who goes the second mile is the only one in whom the world has any real interest. Let one be fussy about doing inst his share" and his- tory will consign him to oblivion They are the great souls, whose biographies we love to read who have done more than their share. Their rich person. alities have yielded generously and gladly beyond what the ordinary re- quirements of life call for.
 Life sparkles only at the brim." Not until 1t begins to run over does it begin to count. To do ones duty is good but to live up to the measure of ones privilege is better.
 Here is the difference between the moral and the genuinely Christian man. One is a decent, law abiding and use ful citizen. The other simply goes farther. He seeks to live in the in- spirations rather than merely in the commandments. He has exceeded the bounds of what he must do to keep out of the police court and entered the gracious realm of what he may do in order to please Ged His is the joy of gefefaeus and uneaicuiating service,
 TaE "A RGaM