Evening star., 1914-08-08
aitbful III little Tbings.

Bp
Ren. Dr. Tlopn 0M. Tomkins,

suppose 1t is because Of our growth
and our acceptance of new ideas that we
are always looking for big things and
neglecting little things
We live in an age of wonders when
great discoveries and inventions hold US.
Every day brings some new thing. and,
like the Athenians (Acts 17:2D. We grow
accustomed to look for and rejoice in sur
prises.
Hence we neglect the little opportuni-
ties and the little courtesies, or else
slight them It is a mistake.
Faithfulness in that which is least fits
fidelity to the present demands gives
strength for the future experiences.
have always loved the tenderness of
the wisdom of Gods message in Jere-
miah 1913: "If thou hast run with the
footmen. and they have wearied thee,
then how canst thou contend with horses?
And if in the land Of peace wherein
thou trustedst. they wearied thee, then
how wilt thou do in the swelling OF Jor-
DAM
The boy learns how to do mans work
by doing a boys work well. Each task
HAS uouule llHpoTldHce-lliS us oWIi'
and second the larger task to which il
leads. and the second depends upon the
first; that is, if ! think anything is un-
important I slight it, and SO l am not
prepared or drilled for the larger call
awaiting me. and when it comes fail.
All education means just this. 1t is a
structure built upon foundation stones.
Unless ! learn my multiplication table
well in childhood / am seriously handi-
capped later on. Unless I master my
history and my spelling and my reading
in school ] am held back because of my
ignorance when I grow up.
But our message emphasizes the real
Importance Of life's little doings and say
ings in and of themselves. For the use
fulness of life and the good it can do
are found not in great and heroic deeds
and words, but in the influence and the
character created by the ordinary and
the so-called common The most helpful
and blessed people in the world are they
who never neglect little things. The sin
cerity and loyalty Of their friendships.
the readiness with which they respond to
every appeal the honesty Of their deal
ings, the sunshine which they spread
upon the way, the sympathy they have
for others-these make them like angels
on earth. and the world moves on toward
perfection because of their influence.
/ have nothing to criticise In great
heroes and lofty artists and inspired
poets and splendid statesmen. They are
worthy of all praise and their works are
powerful. But they are not the men and
women who, after all. constitute the bone
and sinew of nation or a race. and
make humanity advance in civilization
and goodness. Rather it Is the large
mass of faithful men and women. hvlns
their uneyentful lives and doing their un-
heroic deeds and singing their little
songs as they move along life's highway,
loyal in home and church and community
to all that is pure and right ana true,
these it is who make a nation strons anu
keep back the noous OF shdiie ar"
wrong and vice.
good general is necessary for an
army. but he could do little did he not
have in the rank and file good brave men
to carry out his orders. NOT as slaves oul
as intelligent and true soldiers.
Thank Cod we all have a place in the
bringing of the kingdom. and as We are
faithful, each one of US. in daily living
we shall find the kingdom drawing near
er. Intemperance is best conquered py
every man being a total abstalner I'M
purity is conquered most surely by every
man and woman holding modestly and
firmly to self-respect. Dishonesty Will
be overcome when. and only when, every
one of us is held by honor in our mutual
dealings Peace will come when every
man loves and practices peace daily
Church unity will come when every Chris
tian loves and trusts every other Chris
tian and browns his pride and conceit In
the waves of a warm-hearted fellowship.
The world will be converted to Jesus
Christ when every believer prays and
gives and works for evangelization and
tries to bring to the cross some compan-
ion who is wandering. AS the ocean Is
iilled by the infiowing of countless rills
and rivulets which in their turn are fed
by the drops of rain, SO the glory of a
perfect world is to come through the
quiet shining of millions OF lives. ssrv-
Ing, hoping, striving for goodness and