Tests of Character by John M. Hopkins

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 19, 1903

Tests of Character

By John M. Hopkins

JOHN M. HOPKINS

Some one has said that “as a ray of sunlight will shine through a very small opening, so small deeds reveal character.” And Jesus said, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10. Why is this?—Evidently because of a lack of principle. The Master commended the poor widow who gave her mite, all she had, not because of the value of the gift, but because the gift, though small, expressed her fidelity and faithfulness. In the sight of heaven it expressed much more than millions would have done without the principle of love for the right as the prompting motive. All the gold in the universe, all the genius, all the native and acquired talent and ability the world ever possessed are not so valuable in the sight of God as fidelity to principle. Principle can not be estimated by dollars. There is no comparison between character and wealth

—either gold, silver, landed estates, or any kind of riches. Character is above and outshines them all.

The very large majority of the human family deal with what is denominated the lesser things of life. Comparatively few have a part in the weightier things of earth. Only a few are generals in the great armies of earth. Only a few are lawmakers. Only a few are teachers, as compared with the large number of learners. Only a few are rich, as compared with the millions in poverty. And it is from the rank and file in these great majorities who deal with the lesser matters that God will gather his people. From among the humble ones he will gather his jewels—men and women who have been tested in their various stations in life—tested “in that which is least,” and have been faithful. The writer is acquainted with a professed Christian who contends that it is no harm to shake dice for a ten-cent cigar. But the amount of the consideration does not alter the character of the deed. It is just as wrong as to shake dice for ten dollars, or ten thousand dollars, so far as the nature of the act is concerned. Principle is the standard, not money. It is just as wrong to cheat a man out of ten cents as ten dollars; the same principle is involved.

And in the home life it is the careful and thoughtful attention to the little things, the little deeds of helpfulness, the little courtesies, the little amenities, which indicate character. In the business world it is the careful attention to details. I once knew a man who started in business with only eight hundred dollars. That was all he had—home, and all. He began by buying hides from farmers. In a short time, however, he managed to get possession of a meat market. Soon he began a wholesale grocery business, buying and shipping stock. He gave much attention to the details of the business, and took great pains to have even the smallest matters carefully attended to. In twenty years he cleared fifty thousand dollars; he then went to Chicago, where he engaged in another line of business, and is now president of one of the wealthy firms in that great city.

And so it is in our religious lives, in character building. Promptness in duty, strict adherence to truth, uprightness in business, are required. In everything the Christian should endeavor to do just what Jesus would do if in his place.

A brother recently remarked to me that a man ought to live in such a way that he can respect himself. It means a great deal to live so that in every particular one may have the approbation of his own judgment, of his own conscience; in every particular to live the life of a true Christian lady or gentleman; in every thought and word and act to be a living representative of the Lord Jesus. What a beautiful, happy life! That would be to “walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Blessed life! God help every reader of these lines to live such a life. How beautiful earth would be if all its one billion four hundred million inhabitants would so live! May the Lord help us to be faithful men and women, true to God, true to principle in all the minutiae of life.