Little Things
Life is made up of little things. From the animalcule which sports in the raindrop, to the huge leviathan
whose home is in the ocean; from the Humming Bird noted for the metallic brilliancy of its plumage, to
the Ostrich whose speed on foot surpasses that of the horse; from the modest violet, under the shady
bank, to the great trees of California; from the smallest dust which floats in the breeze, to this
ponderous globe, which is balanced on particles of air – all teach the same lesson, all speak the same
language. We hear it in the breeze, we feel it in the sunshine, we see it and know it and feel it in all of
God’s works & wonders.
And this is the first lesson we should learn – that life is made up of little things; so is character, so are all
the grand enterprises of the heart & soul, so are all the achievements of mind.
“Rome was not built in a day,” but after she had risen to the zenith of her glory & power, wielded the
scepter as “Mistress of the world” and ruled with an iron sway, until becoming polluted with
superstition sin & crime tottered & fell; neither was that beautiful temple whose foundation is laid deep
in the firm rock of the soul, and whose superstructure we denominate character, made and fashioned in
a day, a month or even a year. Thousands of little seconds of time have entered into its composition,
and hundreds of little influences, little acts of kindness, and words of encouragement, little thoughts,
deeds, impulses, aspiration, all these and many more, have entered into the soul and now form a part of
that beautiful or that ugly thing, which we denominate character. Too many people in the world
accomplish just nothing, simply because they aim too high; if they can’t do great deeds and be called
heroes, they are content to lag in the rear and be called cowards. Doing little things, disciplines the
mind, enlarges the sphere of our affections, inspires our better natures and prepares us for greater
achievements in life as they open up before us; like the little rill that gushes from the mountain’s base,
winding around rocks, through vale and glen, onward & onward until at last it reaches the mighty ocean;
like the fragrance of the flower the perfumes of which fill the air and beautify and adorn all on whom
they fall.
Let us then, like faithful gleaners in the harvest field come in and strive to pick up and save that which is
left, and often wasted on the fields of human industry and benevolence. Let us gather tenderly and
faithfully all the little deeds of charity & words of cheer, which too frequently drop out of the basket of
life, in our journey through this bustling, busy, selfish world, and bestow them on those who are in need
in times of sickness & distress, and by a generous hospitality and a cordial welcome gladden their hearts,
thus shall we merit the Divine benediction “inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these
my brethren ye have done it unto me”.
A.I.
11/28/79
Transcribed by Joy Ickes Denison Aug 2012
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