'For the Master's sake!

For the Master's sake!

It is said that Leonardo da Vinci, while still a pupil, and before his genius burst into beauty and brilliancy, received a special inspiration and development in the following way:

His old and famous master, feeling obliged to suspend his own labors by his increasing infirmities, bade Da Vinci to complete for him a picture which he had begun, and to do his best.

The young man had such a reverence for his master's skill that he shrank from the task; but to every objection, the artist replied simply, "Do your best."

At last Da Vinci tremblingly seized the brush, and kneeling before the easel, prayed: "It is for the sake of my beloved master, that I beg for skill and power for this undertaking."

As he proceeded, his hand grew steady, his eye awoke with slumbering genius; he forgot himself and was filled with enthusiasm for his work. When all was done, his master was carried into the studio to pass judgment on the result.

It was a triumph of art on which his eye fell, and, throwing his arms about the young artist, he exclaimed, "My son, I shall paint no more!"

So should it be with every Christian who stands in awe of the work to which his Master calls him. Let him kneel reverently before the task assigned to him, and pray for the beloved Master's sake, for skill and ability; and then let him "do his best."

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