February 7

“’I have but done that which it was my duty to do.’ These words bring us another element of heroism – its simplicity. Whatsoever is not simple, whatsoever is affected, boastful, and wilful – covetous – tarnishes, even destroys, the heroic character of a deed; because all three faults spring out of self. On the other hand, wherever you find a perfectly simple, frank, unconscious character, there you have the possibility at least of heroic action. For it is nobler far to do the most commonplace duty ib the household or behind the counter, with a single eye to duty, simply because it must be done – nobler far, I say, than to go out of your way to attempt a brilliant deed with a double mind. . . . Do your duty first; it will be time after that to talk of being heroic. And, therefore, we must seriously warn the young, lest they mistake for heroism and self-sacrifice what is merely pride and self-will, discontent with the relations by which God has bound them, and the circumstances which God has appointed for them. I have known girls think they were doing a fine thing by leaving uncongenial parents, or disagreeable sisters, and cutting out for themselves, as they fancied, a more useful and elevated line of life than mere home duties, while, after all, poor things, they were only, in the name of God, neglecting the command of God to honour their father and mother.”

C. KINGSLEY, from Health and Education

“Each hour has its lesson, and each life;
And if we miss our life we shall not find
Its lesson in another.”

E. H. KING