| Week-Day Religion |
Chapter 14 |
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Social life presents also countless opportunities for these wayside ministries. It would be hard to imagine anything more icy and cold, more devoid of the sweet charities of life, than much of the formal intercourse of society, especially in circles of wealth and fashion. It is regulated by arbitrary rules which leave no room for tender heart play. It is oftentimes insincere. The staple of its conversation is the emptiest of idle gossip or the most merciless dissection of character.
And yet what opportunities does this very social intercourse afford for the most beautiful wayside ministries! What words of kindness can be spoken! How often, too, where they are most sorely needed and craved! There are hearts starving under these icy formalities. There are gentle spirits amid all this mad whirl that long for something true and real. There are sorrows under all this glitter. The doors are shut to those who come professedly to bring blessing. Even Christ stands outside, perchance, knocking in vain. There is no open entrance to any who would come with avowed intent to do good. And yet the Christian woman who enters the doors, even in the most formal way, may carry with her Heaven’s sweetest benedictions. Many earnest Christians in early, primitive days voluntarily became slaves to gain access to the homes of the noble that they might at least live out the holy religion of Jesus in the heart of their households, and perchance win souls for heaven. Missionaries study medicine that they may be admitted into the homes of the people as physicians, and while there in that capacity they cannot but scatter some of the holy fragrance of the love of Christ.
To those whose hearts are full of the spirit of grace there are large opportunities for quiet and unpurposed usefulness opened in the formalities of social life. There need be nothing ostentatious: indeed, ostentation shuts the door at once. What is wanted is a deep and sincere piety that breathes out unconsciously in face and word and act and manner, like the fragrance of a flower, like the shining of a star, like the irresistible charm of rare beauty or tender music. Indeed, its unconsciousness is its greatest power. She who goes intending to say certain things or carry certain blessings or leave certain influences may fail. But, going from house to house with a soul full of goodness, purity and love, with a heart sincerely longing to leave blessing everywhere, with a speech seasoned with grace and breathing kindness and peace; it is impossible not to leave heavenly influences in every drawing room. Impulses are given to better life. Strength is imparted to struggling weakness. Comfort is breathed softly into hearts that are sore with grief. Flowers from heaven’s gardens are planted in earthly soil. Glimpses into a new and richer life are given. No woman with deep piety in her heart and Christ like grace in her life can go in and out in the formal routine of social life and not unwittingly perform a blessed ministry of good, leaving behind her many a bit of brightness and many a lovely flower.
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