THINGS THOUGHTFUL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19846, 15 January 1920, Page 2

THINGS THOUGHTFUL.

Richness consisieth not in the greatness of thy possessions, but in the smallness of thy wants.

THOROUGHNESS.

Half-doing comes in great measure from only half-believing. If our creed were stronger, our carrying it out would be more thorough. One may assent with his head to many things that have little influence on bis actions, but what he really believes in his heart is sure to work itself out into his life.

We must love our neighbour for tho sake of our own peace of mind. Every relation other than that of kindness brings trouble and torment.

OUR ENGLISH SUNDAY,

We cannot afford to scrap our spiritual life or put spiritual things in a subordinate place. If we calmly reflect on the amount of time we spend on business, social duties, pleasures, and then think of the time we give to God in praise and adoration, or spend upon our souls that will live for ever, can we wonder that our store of spiritual strength is so inadequate for life's work, that wo reflect so little ol God's brightness in our lives? Certainly we cannot afford to surrender our EugIsh Sunday, which for many is the only refuge from the world and the only guarantee that the spiritual side of our life will not get howolcsslv atrophied.— Rev C. H. Ridsdalo* M.A'.‘ RECOMPENSE.

I saw two sowers in Life’s field at morn. To whom came one in angel guise anti said, “Is it for labour that a man is born? Lo, a m Eease. Come yo and eat my bread!” Then gladly one forsook lii.s task undone And with tho Tpmpter went his slothful way. The_ other toiled until the sotting sun With stealing shadows blurred the dustv dav.

Ere harvest time, upon earth’s peaceful breast, Each laid doivn among the uureaping dead. “ Labour bath other recompense than rest, . w Else Avcre the toiler like the fool,” I said: “ God meteth him not less, but rathet more, Because lie sowed and others reaped his store.” —Liutenant-Coloncl John M/Crae. PATIENCE. Web avenee d not only to be patient, with others, but also to be patient with ourselves, to take fresh courage after every defeat, after every hour of Aveakness. Success may have eluded us yesterday, temper aud courage may have failed; avc are sorry aud ashamed, but we must rise up and go bravely on. THE EYE’S BLENCH. There are two things that can make the eye blench; it can be done by lightning, and it can bo done by light. A sudden lightning flash can destroy the steady serenity of the vision. But light can do it as well as lightning. The glory of dazzling sunshine can rob the sight of its quiet contemplation. And this is true in the business of living. The glory of the favouring world can blind our eyes, and, therefore, damage our life. Some men can stand the lightning who are not proof against the light. Many a man has renifiined stable in the days of adversity who has blenched in the sunny days of success. 1 lie lotus-land has greater perils than the appalling desert.—Rev J. H. Jowett, D.D. GROWTH OF THE SOUL. We have only to be patient, to pray, and do His will, according to our present light and strength, and the growth of the soul Anil go on. r lhe plant grows in the mist ,and under clouds as truly as under sunshine.—Channing. THE ETERNAL BATTLE. One of the qualities of Liberty is that, as long as it is being striven after, it goes on expanding. Therefore, the man who stands still in the struggle and says, “ I have it,” merely shows by so doing that he has just lost it.-Henrik Ibsen.

TIME AXD YOUTH. How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, Stolen on, his wing my tbree-and-twentieth year! My hasting days fly on with full career, But my lute spring no bud on blossom shew Th. Perhaps my semblance bight deceive the truth That I to manhood can arrive so near; And inward ripeness doth much less appear, That some more timely-happy spirits endirth. be it less or more, or soon or slow, It shall be still in strictly measure even Jo that same lot however moan or high, 'loward which Time leads me, and the will of Heaven, All is, if I have grace to use it so, As over in my great Task-Master's eye, —Milton.

GUIDES TO SUCCESS

If you wish success in life, make Perseverance your bosom friend, Experience your wise counsellor, Caution your elder brother, and Hope vour guardian genius—Joseph Addison"

GYMNASIA OF THE SOUL. It is man s business to be strono 1 and to he, trained. Man is bis own devil W hen ho is strong enough to whip himself, all other enemies are as straw and may ho laid flat by the. pnsh’ofa Knuckle. Hie real gymnasium is the one in winch the muscles of the soul are made competent.—Richard Wightmaii. THE IDEA. Lot the idea of time and of the whole 01 substance be constantly before thv thoughts, and thou wilt fin’d that all individual things as to substance are a grain of fig. and ns to time, tho turnmg of a gimlet.—Marcus Aurelius. modesty, “It is better to he obscure than io bo a cinder in the public eve,” someone has said. Yet there aro’ncrsohs so covetous of attention that thev would rather lie disagreeably noticeable than not to bo noticed at all. Tlmro are some who apparently do not know the aitterenco between being notable and being notorious.