MORE CONSCIENCE by M. Rhodes, D. D.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Mar 30, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 13.

MORE CONSCIENCE.

By M. Rhodes, D. D.

WE want more conscience in all the trades of the day; then our carpentry, our plumbing, our cabinet-making, and our tailoring will not be what they are, but what they claim to be. The looms that weave our fabrics and the establishments that sell them to the people; the lawyers who propose to take care of our wills when we are dead, and to cut now the silver bond of marriage when it has rusted, and concerning which God has said, Let no man put it asunder; the legislators who so tenderly claim only to be the "servants of the people;" the dairyman who sells us milk; the groom who cares for our horses; the clerk who keeps our accounts—all these need more conscience.

There is a vast amount of slovenly, dishonest work done, and it has done much to degrade men and put them at a very serious disadvantage. A man who does not put truth into his work does not tell the truth, and he is doubly guilty when he makes the work or the fabric or the opportunity lie for him. Wherever you are employed, young men, and by whomsoever, put your conscience into your work, and, though your employer wrong you, never wrong yourself by slighting your task. Be very careful that circumstances, the removal of restraints, are not allowed to rob your conscience of its sublime liberty. Better maintain your conscience in doing your duty than to escape the reproach of men, and be careful to carry your conscience into the smallest duty. Nothing is indifferent, the faithful doing of which responds to moral obligation in a man.

Some men cannot be trusted with details. A thing of duty with them is determined by its massiveness, its quality, or the capacity it may have for the promotion of self-glorification. In all the universe very little things are important. It would seem that God was very careful in making a spire of grass, and there is more of wonder in the throat of a canary than in the shaggy head of a lion. The faithfulness of a man is not determined by the size of his work, and duty is never done when its force is expended on the great things at the expense of smaller obligations. When one confers the dignity of conscientious duty upon the smallest part of his work, he has not only served well, but he has laid the stairway of his own promotion.

It is nobler to be faithful than to be famous, and I assure you, young men, if you would give greatness to your duty, if you would ever climb to the ideal yet a dream in your mind, it will be by faithfulness in the smallest matters.—M. Rhodes, D. D.