HEART-PEACE BEFORE MINISTRY.
PEACE in the heart is one of the conditions of good spiritual work. Indeed, this qualification is unnecessary, for the same is true of all kinds of work. We cannot do our best in anything if we are fretted and anxious. A feverish heart makes an inflamed brain, a clouded eye, and an unsteady hand. The people who really accomplish the most and achieve the best results are those of calm, self-controlled spirit. Those who are nervous and excited may be always busy, and always under pressure of haste; but in the end they do far less work than if they wrought calmly and steadily, and were never in a hurry. Nervous haste is always hindering haste; it does faulty work, and does but little of it in the end. Really rapid workers are always deliberate in their movements, never appearing to be in any hurry whatever; and yet they pass swiftly from task to task, doing each one well, because they are calm and unflustered, and with their wits about them, work with clear eye, steady nerve, and skillful hand. The people in all lines of duty who do the most work are the calmest, most unhurried people in the community. Duties never wildly chase each other in their lives; one duty never crowds another out, nor ever compels hurried and therefore imperfect doing. The calm spirit works methodically,533doing one thing at a time, and doing it well, and therefore works swiftly, though never appearing to be in haste. "Unhasting yet unresting" is the motto of quick and abundant achievement. Haste spoils work, and yet one dare not pause, for duty presses. "Haste not! let no thoughtless deed
Mar for aye the spirit's speed;
Ponder well and know the right,
Onward then with all thy might;
Haste not; years can ne'er atone
For one reckless action done. "Rest not! life is sweeping by,
Do and dare before you die;
Something mighty and sublime
Leave behind to conquer time;
Glorious 'tis to live for aye
When these forms have passed away." It is especially true in spiritual work that we must know the secret of peace before we can minister either swiftly or effectively to others, in our Master's name. Feverishness of spirit makes the hand unskillful in delicate duty. A troubled heart cannot give comfort to other troubled hearts; it must first become calm and quiet. It is often said that one who has suffered is prepared to help others in suffering; but this is true only when one has suffered victoriously, and has passed up out of the deep, dark valley of pain and tears to the radiant mountain-tops of peace. An uncomforted mourner cannot be a messenger of consolation to another in grief. One whose heart is still vexed and uncalmed cannot be a physician to hearts with bleeding wounds. We must first have been comforted of God ourselves before we can comfort others in their tribulations.—S. S. Times.