Zeal and Work

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 27, 4 July 1907, Page 9

Zeal and Work

Uncle Eben had no cenfidence in the sort of ambition that didn't move a man to work. And we have not an abiding faith in the zeal for the religious instruction of youth that does not follow its normal path of discharge. Zeal without works, like faith without works, is dead. We dedicate these gentle hints to our friends of the new and rather anaemic Bible Mischools League in Wellington. These good people seem to rest serenely content with long-range exhortation to' school committees to wa^e up and see about introducing the (Protestant version of the) Bible into the public schools. Their circulars (which, as" we have shown, are audaciously misleading in many grave questions of fact) remind us of the principle adopted in Pudd'nhead Wilson's Maxims. These Maxims (says Mark Twain) are the lazy man's 'wisdoms.' They are intended 'for the luring of youth to high moral altitudes.' The author, however, did not gather them from practice, but from, observation. 'To be' good,' said he, 'is noble, .but to ' show others how to be good is nobler, and is no trouble.' It is the sluggard's ignoble way. And it has never yet moved the world.