Unnoticed, but Most Useful
By A. C. Gilbert
A PERSON may be of humble parentage, possessing little wealth or education, and filling only a small place in the world's mighty progress. Yet he need not despair. It often occurs that the things that are unseen or obscure, are giving the most valuable help. If the rudder of the ship were placed inside the hull, so that it could be seen, it would lose its value. If it were attached, by mistake, to the topmost deck, or joined to some towering mast, in order to be conspicuous, its usefulness would be destroyed. But contentedly occupying its intended position, at the rear, far beneath the surface, it becomes one of the most valuable portions of the ship. Silently and unnoticed, it does its appointed work, while the vessel pushes its way across the sea, carrying its load of human lives. The truest Christian is the most valuable factor in God's sovereign plan of salvation — most valuable, not because he has the most talents, the strongest personality, the largest number of acquired abilities, but because he has most of Christ dwelling in his heart. He may be the humblest in the eyes of the world, occupying some inconspicuous position; but he has allowed the Most High, who inhabits eternity, to dwell in his soul, and therefore he is called the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.