Being and Doing – 6 May – Fellow-feeling
We are much bound to them that do succeed.
But, in a more pathetic sense are bound to.
To such as fail.
JEAN INGELOW
Look thou with pity on a brother’s fall,
But dwell not with stern anger on his fault;
The grace of God alone holds thee, holds all;
Were that withdrawn, thou too would’st swerve
and halt.
EDMESTON
WITHOUT this fellow feeling how are we to get enough patience and charity towards our stumbling, falling companions in the long changeful journey? And there is but one way in which a strong determined soul can learn it — by getting his heart-strings bound round the weak and erring, so that he must share not only the outward consequence of their error, but their inward suffering. This is a long and hard lesson.
GEORGE ELIOT
oooOOOooo
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 