Being and Doing – 17 October – Religion

IT was thought in the old time that the best way of serving God was by the sacrifice of rams and lambs;  but men grew gradually into the blessed belief that a lowly heart and a contrite spirit – these, and these only – are the sacrifices acceptable to God.  From costly offerings, elaborate ritual, and useless ceremonial, men grew into the belief that the visitation of the orphan and the widow, and a charitable life, were the Ritual of true Religion.

GEORGE DAWSON

RELIGION does not consist in the performance of certain a ceremonial acts at specified times, outside which acts and times it has no place:  but consists in

framing our whole life, and all our acts, upon a distinct view of our position as created beings, charged, by the fact of our creation, with duties both to our fellow creatures and to our Creator.

EDWARD DENISON

IT must never be absent from the mind that Religion is not a set of opinions, but life in Jesus Christ.

From Ecce Deus

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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.