own liberty
and in the indulgence of our own tastes and desires. It may be
pleasant for us to lie late in bed in the morning, and we may be
inclined to regard the habit as only a little amiable self-indulgence.
But there is a more serious side to the practice. It breaks the
harmonious flow of the household life. It causes confusion in the
family plans for the day. It makes extra work for faithful
housekeepers or servants. It sorely tries the patience of love.

The other day an important committee of fifteen was kept waiting for
ten minutes for one tardy member, whose presence was necessary before
anything could be done. At last he came sauntering in without even an
apology for having caused fourteen busy men a loss of time that to them
was very valuable, besides having put a sore strain on their patience
and good nature. We have no right to forget or disregard the
convenience of others. A conscientious application of the Golden Rule
would cure us of all such carelessness.

These are but illustrations of the way other people impinge upon our
life. They are so close to us that we cannot move without touching
them. We cannot speak but that our words affect others. We cannot act
in the simplest things without first thinking whether what we are about
to do will help or hurt others. We are but one of a great family, and
we dare not live for ourselves. We must never forget that there are
other people.

CHAPTER XII.

THE BLESSING OF FAITHFULNESS.

"It must be done by both; God never without me,
I never without God."
--JOHANNES SCHEFFLER.

"Faithful servant" will be the commendation on the judgment-day of
those who have lived well on the earth. Not great deeds will be
commended, but faithfulness. The smallest ministries will rank with
the most conspicuous, if they are all that the weak hands could do.
Indeed, the widow's two mites were more in value than the rich men's
large coins.

"Two mites, two drops, but all her house and land
Fell from an earnest heart but trembling hand;
The others' wanton wealth foamed high and brave;
The others cast away, she only gave."

Yet faithfulness as a measure of requirement is not something that can
be reached without effort. It does not furnish a pillow for indolence.
It is not a letting down of obligation to a low standard, to make life
easy. It is indeed a lofty measurement. "Thou hast been faithful" is
the highest possible comm