Character and Conduct – 22 September – Not to Destroy but to Fulfil

CHRIST took the world as He found it, He left it as it was.   He had no quarrel with existing institutions.   He did not overthrow the Church – He went to Church.   He said nothing against politics – He supported the government of the country.   He did not denounce society – His first public action was to go to a marriage.   His great aim, in fact, outwardly, and all along, was to be as normal, as little eccentric as possible.   The true fanatic always tries the opposite.   The spirit alone was singular in Jesus;  a fanatic always spoils his cause by extending it to the letter.   Christ came not to destroy, but to fulfil.   A fanatic comes not to fulfil, but to destroy.   If we would follow the eccentricity of our Master, let it not be in asceticism, in denunciation, in punctiliousness, and scruples about trifles, but in largeness of heart, singleness of eye, true breadth of character, true love to men, and heroism for Christ.

The Ideal Life, HENRY DRUMMOND

RELIGION has been treated as if it were a special exercise of a special power, not as if it were the possible loftiness of everything that a man could think or be or do.

PHILLIPS BROOKS

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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.