Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ...our quick energy which wrought it out into achievement, or our deft hands to which the final success was due. It seems to us only just and right that the truth should be known, and there is only one way to have it made known, --we must tell our friends of our important part in the affair. But we are mistaken in all this. Possibly we may be in error concerning the relative largeness and importance of our own part in what has been accomplished. We are prone to see the value of our own work and influence writ large. We may stand so close to the achievement that we cannot see how many other hands have been at work in bringing it about. But even if we have been one of the chief actors, and if what we think of our own achievement is unexaggerated, it still remains true that it does not become us to talk about it. There is really no absolute necessity that the world should know of our fine achievement. It matters not who the human instrument in Christian work may be; we are secondary always, and the honor is the Master's. Much of the best work for Christ in this world is wrought anonymously. No one knows who did it; no name is written on it. What does it matter whether we are praised or not when we have been working for Christ? He knows what heart and hand have wrought for him, and that is publicity enough. Indeed, one of the marks of acceptable work is indicated by the great Teacher himself in his exhortation that we do not our righteousness before men to be seen of them; else we shall have no reward with our Father in heaven. Very explicit is the counsel that we do not sound a trumpet before us in synagogue or street when we do good; that we let not our left hand know what our right hand doeth; that our good deed may be in secret. Certain it is..