Character and Conduct – 21 September – Trustees

FOR the Christian there can be but one ideal, the perfect development of every man for the occupation of his appointed place, for the fulfilment of his peculiar office in the ‘Body of Christ’;  and as a first step towards this, we are all bound as Christians to bring to our country the offering of our individual service in return for the opportunities of culture and labour which we receive from its organisation.   We are all as Christians trustees and stewards of everything which we possess, of our time, our intellect, our in-fluence, no less than of our riches.   We ourselves are not our own:  still less can we say of that which we inherit or acquire, ‘It is my own.’   We all belong, in the fulness of life ‘in Christ, to our fellow-citizens, and our nation belongs to mankind.   What we hold for a time is to be administered for the relief of distresses, and for the elevation of those among whom we are placed.   Personal and social egoism are equally at variance with this conception of humanity.   The repression of individuality and the individual appropriation of the fruits of special vigour and insight equally tend to impoverish the race.   Service always ready to become sacrifice is the condition of our growth, and the condition of our joy.

Christian Social Union Addresses, Bishop WESTCOTT

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.