Being and Doing – 28 January – Character of Charles Kingsley

HE (Kingsley) was what he was, not by virtue of his office, but by virtue of what God had made him in himself.  He was, we might almost say, a layman in the guise or disguise of a clergyman – fishing with the fishermen, hunting with the huntsmen, able to hold his own in tent and camp, with courtier or with soldier; an example that a genial companion may be a Christian gentleman, that a Christian clergyman need not be a member of a separate caste, and a stranger to the common interests of his countrymen.

Yet, human genial layman as he was, he still was not the less – nay, he was ten times more a pastor than he would have been had he shut himself out from the haunts and walks of men.  He was sent by Providence, as it were, ‘far off to the Gentiles’ far off, not to other lands or other races of mankind, but far off from the usual sphere of minister or priest, to find fresh worlds of thoughts and wild tracts of character, in which he found a response to himself, because he gave a response to them.

A.P. STANLEY, Funeral Sermon on Charles Kingsley.

I AM made all things to all men…  and this I do for the Gospel’s sake.

1 Corinthians 9v22.

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These quotes are from ‘Being and Doing’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.

Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1908 for members of the Being and Doing Guild whose object is to do all they can for the relief of suffering and misery.

Most of the writers are 19th Century Christians from Britain and Europe who were committed to living their faith through deeds as well as words – Being AND Doing.

For many years these words have kept me company and encouraged me on the journey of faith.  I hope they will encourage others also.