Being and Doing – 29 November – Bondage to Rules

THE Pharisees wanted not to serve God and man, but to gratify the petty pride of having done exactly what they had to do;  a pardonable feeling in mere trifles, a mischievous feeling when it goes beyond trifles, and downright ruin when it takes possession of the whole life.   Something of the same sort is very possible still.   And the only way to avoid it is always to press the gaze of our consciences towards God and God’s will, rather than toward ourselves.

Bishop TEMPLE

HISTORY and experience are not without examples of a hard self-obliteration in most things, which makes a soul as cruel to others as it is to itself.   Rigid in observation of rule, such souls fail utterly in the cultivation of the spirit and the temper, which alone is valuable.  It may be the outcome of obstinate nature. It may be the sad result of narrowness of mind, it may be a form of subtle self-pleasing…  but it has the deathly pallor of fanaticism, not the clear complexion of the religion of Christ.

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.