Character and Conduct – 1 March – The Sin of Indifference
THEY hear no more the cries of their brothers caught in the nets of misery: ‘Help us, we are perishing! The curtains of their comfort are fast drawn; they sit at home wrapt in family ease. Outside, the sleet is falling, the bitter wind is blowing, thousands of the children of sorrow are dying in the fierce weather.
God Himself is knocking at the door, calling ‘Come forth and seek the lost with Jesus.’ We hear nothing, the cotton of comfort stops our ears. For a time, till God Himself breaks in on us with storm, and disperses our comfort to the winds, we can run no Christian race… Therefore, lay aside, not all comfort – men have a right to that – but that excess of it which softens and enfeebles the soul; which sends to sleep the longing for God’s perfection; which makes our life too slothful to follow Christ, the Healer of the world!
The Gospel of Joy, STOPFORD BROOKE.
ALL my soul is full
Of pity for the sickness of this world;
Which I will heal, if healing may be found
By uttermost renouncing and strong strife.
The Light of Asia, E. ARNOLD.
oooOOOooo
These quotes are from ‘Character and Conduct’ A selection of helpful thoughts from various authors arranged for daily reading.
Collected by Constance M Whishaw and first published in 1905 as a follow up to her volume of Daily Readings for members of the Being and Doing Guild who asked for an additional volume
In her preface Whishaw writes:
‘This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it.’
It is my hope in publishing them here readers may be inspired to imitate the example of the authors.
Suffolk Vicar 