Being and Doing – 24 July – Some Soul of Goodness in Things Evil
THERE is some soul of goodness in things evil
Would men observingly distil it out.
SHAKESPEARE
WE MUST learn to see the good in the midst of much that is unlovely.
GEORGE ELIOT
…I WOULD be bold, and bear
To look into the swarthiest face of things,
For God’s sake who made them.
E. B. BROWNING
EVERYONE must admire the courage which she displayed, but those who know by experience what the lowest of the masses in our large towns are like – how all decency and every vestige of humanity seems to be stamped out of their nature will alone be in a condition to appreciate her power. That power should more properly be called the utmost cultivation of all her faculties. This enabled her first to see the image of God, defiled and darkened, though it might be, impressed upon every living soul, to feel her kinship with it, to lay her hand, not upon the defilements and impurity, but through the means of her infinite love and tenderness, upon the one spot yet capable of being healed, thus kindling the faintest spark into a living flame.
From Biography of Sister Dora
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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 