Being and Doing – 30 April – Sympathy
IT is wonderful how men change to a changed heart. We ourselves, being ennobled, see noble things, and loving, find out love. Little touches of goodness, of love, of courage in men, which formerly, looking for perfection, we passed over, now attract us like flowers on a dusty highway. We take them as keys to the character, and door after door flies open to us. The man reveals the treasures of his heart. We find aspiration, penitence, tenderness, in those we thought grovelling, hard, and selfish. We trust men, we throw ourselves upon the good in them, and they become better now that they are not suspected of being evil… Driven by our new principle to seek for good and not for evil, and to find it in all, we take notice of ordinary men whom we have passed over, and it is with an exquisite surprise that we become conscious of the vast amount of daily sacrifice done by common men and women, by those whom we call ‘ dull,’ by those who have to fight a hard battle like the poor.
STOPFORD BROOKE
HOW many an angel lies enthralled within rough human souls, needing only an Angelo to set him free. The first step in the art is faith in goodness; the second, love of goodness; the third, employment of the heavenly weapons kindness, and influence, and prayer.
KNOX LITTLE
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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 