Being and Doing – 2 July – The Higher Life
ALL things else, joy, beauty, life itself, are of account only to the degree in which they are consciously used to subserve that higher life. His ultimate standard of value to which everything, alike in art and in social and political relations, is referred, is not success, not enjoyment, whether sensuous, sentimental, or aesthetic, but – the measure in which may thereby be trained up that higher life of humanity.’
J. C. BROWN, from Ethics of George Eliot.
(Note: George Eliot was the pen name of Mary Ann Evans [1819-1880] a Victorian novelist. Not all knew her gender as is reflected in the quote above)
WHO with a toward or untoward lot,
Prosperous or adverse, to his wish or not,
Plays, in the many games of Life, that ones
Where what he most doth value must be won;
Whom neither shape of danger can dismay,
Nor thought of tender happiness betray;
Who, not content that former worth stand fast,
Looks forward, persevering to the last.”
WORDSWORTH.
SELF-EASE is pain, thy only rest
To labour for a worthy end.
WHITTIER
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 