QUIET HOUR

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 May 1927, Page 18

QUIET HOUR

FRAGMENTS OF THOUGHT.

SAFETY IN THE HEIGHTS,

The naturalist, John Burroughs, said, that when «• hawk .is attacked by crows or Kingbirds, as lie i.s occasionally, he does not make a customer attack, but •soars in ever widening circles. higher and higher, until his pestilent tormentors no. longer teel safe to follow iiim, and at last leaves him in peace. Many of us might well profit by his example. How often the good man, or the successful man finds himself the object of pestilent attacks by little souls, who are perhaps unsympathetic with lus ideais or envious ox Jus success. He cannot retaliate in kind without belittling himself. 'There is just one thing to do—mount to those high altitudes of patience and forbearance and self control which are always attainable by the lielp of God. There he is secure against attack, and no enemy can possibly defeat him.

“It is hard to know just how to treat a lie when it is about yourself,’’ says •a modern writer. “Yon cannot very well go out of your way to deny it, for that puts you on the defensive, and sending the truth after a lie that has a Tunning sta,rt is often a hopeless chase. 'The best way to meet a lie is to lace it with a calm and dignified demeanour. No .lie has yet been able to stand any length of time before a good life consistently lived day . after day. lies have a. way of blushing when so stared at.’’ No better advice could possibly be given than this. A good life goes farther than any lie can travel, it reaches the ears of more people- and it carries persuasive eloquence that in the end is bound to make itself heard, for it speaks a language that everyone can understand. Moreover, there is no variation in the testimony, while every lie is apt to- contradict itself again and again. -God lovetih a cheerful giver. He also loveth a. cheerful worker, and when we think of it aright, out work is no small part of our gift to the world’s need. If it is worthy work, it is a part of our offering to- God.

THE SHADOW,

There is something appealing about the Bible record which tells of the desire. of the people to have people’s shadow fall on them that they might be healed. The experience of the woman who touched the garment of Christ, and was cured because of her. simple faith, gives ground for the- assurance that some whom, Peter’s shadow touched were healed because -they had real faith in Peter’s Master rather than mere superstitious regard for the Apostle’s shadow. Manj’ who have read the -simple statement have thought: “What a wonderful thing it would be- if allthose- who- came near us might be helped by the contact. ’ ’ For the satisfaction of ksuch a desire, all that is required is the unselfish, unassuming regard for others that is the possession of those who live in close touch with Him who went about doing good. The world is blessed by the presence of multitudes of people who unconscously, but none the less, effectively, are influencing others. It seems almost as if it would'be worth while to- have this •shadow fall on th-ase about- them.

A- preacher once said: ‘‘A man’s shadow is the result of his position as regards the sun. Similarly, the influence of -a man’s character is entirely conditioned' by his relationship to the wards Jesus Christ determines also what 1 am towards men, for relationship with Him controls the quality of my entire life. And just as in the sunlight a shadow is silently oast without the putting forth of an effort, and is often quite unnoticed by the man by whom at is cast, so in the nature of the case is our unconscious influence. It is silent, effortless, j and unavoidable, and falls either this way or that upon all who are in our pathway. It- is therefore, not a matter of opinion, but of compulsion that we who are professed desciples of the Lord should lay to heart this fact, and should seek that our Jives in these unconscious outgoings may at all times minister to His glory.”