Being and Doing – 18 April – Friendship
IT is pleasant to think that Christ sanctified distinctiveness in love and friendship. No character can be beautiful, though it may be excellent, which can give the same amount of affection to all alike. It argues a want of delicacy, and worse still, a want of individuality in the character which at once negatives its beauty. There are some who think that they should strive to bestow equal love on all, and who on religious grounds avoid particular friendships. It was not Christ’s way and it ends badly. They only succeed in spoiling their power of loving and power of sympathy. These are gained and strengthened by strongly felt love and special love for a few. If you want to give love and sympathy to all, have profound love for particular persons: for you cannot gain the power of loving otherwise than in a natural manner, and it is unnatural to love all alike. But love, easily going forth to those whom you find it easy to love, learns to grow deep and to double its power, and then spreads abroad like a stream which is most impetuous at its fountains.
STOFFORD BROOKE
DEVOTION is the exercise of love, by which it grows.
R. L. STEVENSON
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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.
Suffolk Vicar 