Character and Conduct – 2 June – Heredity

THIS tracing of the sin to its root now suggests this further topic – its cure.   Christianity professes to cure anything.   The process may be slow, the discipline may be severe, but it can be done.   But is not temper a constitutional thing?   Is it not hereditary, a family failing, a matter of temperament, and can that be cured?   Yes, if there is anything in Christianity.   If there is no provision for that, then Christianity stands convicted of being unequal to human need.

What course then did the father take, in the case before us, to pacify the angry passions of his ill-natured son?   Mark that he made no attempt in the first instance to reason with him!   To do so is a common mistake, and utterly useless both with ourselves and others.   We are perfectly convinced of the puerility of it all, but that does not help us in the least to mend it.   The malady has its seat in the affections, and therefore the father went there at once.   Reason came in its place, and the son was supplied with valid arguments – stated in the last verse of the chapter – against his conduct, but he was first plied with love.

The Ideal Life, HENRY DRUMMOND

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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.