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<p>We mistake, when we think that only <em>great </em>deeds make <em>worthy service</em>. In no life can there be many <em>large </em>and <em>conspicuous </em>things; the years must chiefly be filled with <em>little things</em>.<br><br>
  Take even the story of the life of <em>Jesus</em>. In it there were, as recorded, a definite number of <em>miracles </em>which stand out in the narrative, as stars of the first magnitude in the heavens. But strewn through all the days, filling all the moments, crowded into all the interstices of that wonderful life—were innumerable <em>kindnesses </em>and <em>thoughtfulnesses</em>, unrecorded, even unremembered <em>words</em>and <em>acts</em>. Jesus was not always <em>working miracles</em>—but He was always <em>doing good</em>; and the greater measure of the blessing He left in the world came, not from His few supernatural works—but from the countless common human kindnesses He wrought. "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written!" John 21:25. "He went around doing good" Acts 10:38.<br><br>
  It is so in every really great and holy life. Now and then there may be some <em>conspicuous </em>deed done, which wins the applause of men—an account of which gets into the newspapers, and which is talked about near and far. But <em>on all the days of all the years</em>, there is going on a <em>ministry of love </em>which uplifts many people, which give pleasure to old and young, which leaves inspiration of holiness and beauty in countless hearts, which makes one spot of the world sweeter.<br><br>
  Sometimes it happens, that <em>those who seek human applause </em>for what they can accomplish, striving to do things that are<em>conspicuous </em>and that make a <em>sensation </em>in the world—have no <em>beautiful ministry of kindness </em>to fill and brighten the days of their common life. When they give alms—they <em>sound a trumpet </em>proclaiming the fact, that their good deeds may be seen and praised of men. But when they are not exhibiting their charity or their generosity, that is, <em>when others are not watching</em>, they are neither charitable nor generous! They do not take the trouble to be kind or loving—when there is nothing to be <em>gained </em>by it. That is, their doing of good is spurious, because it is something enacted for <em>men's </em>eyes, not for <em>God's</em>. The staple of their life is <em>selfishness</em>. When they are not <em>posing for effect</em>—their days are full of things which are not lovely!<br><br>
  It may be set down as a principle, that <em>the true test of a life </em>is found in the things that are done—when no human eye is watching—the things of the <em>quiet </em>days. The ten thousand little <em>acts </em>and <em>words </em>and manifestations of <em>disposition</em>, which make up the substance of living, much more justly index the real character—than do the one or two ostentatious things which people talk about.<br><br>
  After all, the greatness is not in the <em>conspicuousness </em>of that which is done—but in its spirit, its <em>moral quality</em>.<br><br>
  "With God there is neither little nor great;<br>
  there is only straight or crooked."<br><br>
  That which we do really for God—is great; though it seems but a trifle in human eyes. That which we do only for men is small; though in bulk—it is as large as a mountain! "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." Matthew 6:1<br><br>
  We never know what will be in the <em>end </em>of the smallest good we do in this world. It may start a series of blessings which shall extend, with increasing benefit, through centuries! There are <em>single sentences </em>in the Bible which have been helping, comforting, strengthening, guiding, cheering, and inspiring men and women for thousands of years and in all lands! There have been <em>single acts of simple kindness</em>, done even without the thought that they would be helpful—which have proved the beginning of endless chains of blessing! Says one, "When men do <em>anything </em>for God—the very <em>least </em>thing—they never know where it will end, nor what amount of work it will do for Him. Love's secret, therefore, is to be always doing things for God, and not to mind because they are<em>very little ones</em>."<br><br>
  When they get <em>home to heaven </em>at last, and all the <em>harvest </em>of their lives has been gathered in, godly people will experience <em>two great surprises. </em>They will be surprised to find that certain things which they have done, which they regarded as <em>great things </em>and<em>largely useful</em>—were really of very small account, received but slight commendation by God, and left but small blessing in the world. But they will be surprised, on the other hand—at the <em>great beauty </em>and the <em>rare value—</em>of <em>many little things </em>which they have done, which they had not considered as of any importance; things, perhaps, they do not even remember doing; or were done with so little thought, that they could be of any worth!<br><br>
  It is a law of God's kingdom—that what we do with thought of <em>SELF </em>lacks one of the finest elements of moral quality. Consciousness of doing good things—mars the beauty. What we do, <em>intending </em>that it shall be fine and winsome—is of far less worth in God's sight—than what we do, when our <em>left </em>hand does not know what our <em>right </em>hand is doing!<br><br>
  There are <em>two classes of ministry </em>in every life. There are the things which a man does <em>purposely</em>, which he <em>plans </em>to do, which he<em>trains </em>himself to do, which he does with <em>special thought </em>and <em>deliberation</em>. Then there is a <em>wayside ministry</em>, which he does without previous purpose, as he goes along through life, engaged in his allotted duties. This embraces the <em>countless little things </em>of common courtesy and kindness; the things done without forethought; the greetings and the amenities of the street—the words of cheer, comfort, or encouragement, spoken as men meet each other.<br><br>
  We are apt not to make much account of these <em>wayside services</em>; while we usually set a high value on the things we have done with care, thought, and preparation. Yet it may be, that ofttimes the <em>former </em>are of more worth to God—than the <em>latter</em>. There is less of <em>SELF </em>in them, less thought of <em>being seen by men</em>—and more of the <em>simple outworking of the heart's love.</em><br><br>
  The <em>doing of God's will </em>is always a great thing—whether it is something that affects the welfare of a nation, or something that concerns only the good or the comfort of the lowliest of <em>Christ's little ones</em>.<br><br>
  There is a <em>legend </em>of an <em>angel </em>who was sent to earth to keep a <em>king </em>from sinning; and also to help a little struggling <em>ant </em>home with its burden. Both tasks were alike noble, because both were God's will.<br><br>
  In a great painting by one of the masters—there is a <em>kitchen </em>in which <em>angels </em>are doing their work. One is putting the kettle on the fire, one is lifting a pail of water, one is reaching up after a plate. These angels appear just as <em>heavenly </em>in this <em>lowly </em>work—as if they were doing Divine errands around God's throne!<br><br>
  We need to <em>learn the lesson: </em>that anything that is <em>God's will—</em>is great; and that whatever is not God's will—is unworthy and ignoble, though it be to sway a scepter over a nation, or being the world's idol. Many of us have to spend most of our life—in what seems 'drudgery'. Perhaps we think it is <em>unworthy </em>of us. We feel that we are capable of <em>greater </em>things, and should not be required to spend our time in matters so <em>trivial</em>, perhaps so <em>menial</em>. But if it is<em> God's will </em>that we are doing, our drudgery, as it appears to God's eyes, is as radiant as angel's ministry!<br><br>
  Some people, when they think of how <em>little </em>they are able do to help others, despair of making of their life anything worth while. They cannot leave <em>blessings </em>in the world. They cannot speak <em>words </em>that will impress others, or write <em>books </em>that will give cheer, comfort, and hope to anyone. They cannot do <em>kindnesses </em>which the recording angel will care to write down to their account. But God can use the smallest <em>deeds</em>, the smallest <em>words</em>, even a <em>smile </em>which comes from a loving heart, in making the world happier and sweeter. Nothing that has love in it—ever perishes or fails to be useful.<br><br>
  "The <em>look </em>of sympathy, the gentle <em>word<br>
    </em>Spoken so low that only angels heard,<br>
  The secret act of pure self sacrifice<br>
  Unseen by men but marked by angels' eyes–<br>
  These are not lost!<br><br>
  "The kindly <em>plans </em>devised for others' good,<br>
  So seldom guessed, so little understood,<br>
  The quiet, steadfast love that strove to win<br>
  Some wanderer from the woeful ways of sin–<br>
  These are not lost!"<br><br>
  It has been said that 'he who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before—is a benefactor.' He has done that which makes one small spot of the world, a little brighter and more beautiful.<br><br>
  There is a story of a nobleman who always carried <em>acorns </em>in his pocket, and, whenever he found a bare place on his estate, he would plant one of them, that a tree might spring up to brighten the dreariness. That was something <em>worth while</em>. He who watches ever for lives that are bare of gladness, and drops a <em>kindness </em>to grow into a blessing, is doing work worthy of the archangel!<br><br>
  We need never vex ourselves over the <em>smallness </em>of our opportunities; our only care should be that we <em>use </em>the opportunities that are given to us. Our one little word or kindly act, our one look that gives a moment's cheer—may reap fruit for ages! We need not fear to waste our strength in lowliest ministry, to wear out our life in serving others. Nothing is really wasted, which is poured out on God's altar—in service of love for Christ and for His little ones!<br><br>
  Matthew 25:31-40:<br>
  When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His <em>right</em>—and the goats on the left. <br>
  Then the King will say to those on His <em>right</em>, &lsquo;Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.&rsquo;<br>
  Then the righteous will answer Him, &lsquo;Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?&rsquo; <br>
  And the King will answer them, &lsquo;I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me!&rsquo;
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