Character and Conduct – 1 September – Unrequited Love

IT was the old problem, of love that may not even spend itself for those it loves.   Some hold that the purpose of such privation – as bitter to the spirit as the loss of light, and warmth, and air to the body – is to teach men to love God, and not their fellow-men.   Rather, it is to teach them to love human beings more, with love not separate from the love of God, but near to His own heart.   Such love is never fruitless, though it may seem to be.   Our longing to serve personally is often only longing for the personal reward of service;  and love that serves in finite fashion often misses the mark.   We hurt where we desire to heal:  we bind a greater burden on the life whose load we only strive to lighten.   God’s cross is always a crown:  our crowns are often crosses.   The cup of water that we put to our friend’s lips is from a poisoned spring.   Only the cup that we give God to bear to him, is always pure and cool.

Turkish Bonds, MAY KENDALL

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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.