any hurry
whatever; and yet they pass swiftly from task to task, doing each duty
well because they are calm and unflustered, and, with their wits about
them, work with clear eye, steady nerve, and skilful hand.

An eminent French surgeon used to say to his students, when they were
engaged in difficult and delicate operations, in which coolness and
firmness were needed, "Gentlemen, don't be in a hurry; for there's no
time to lose."

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 task never crowds another out, nor ever
compels hurried, and therefore imperfect, doing. The calm spirit works
methodically, doing one thing at a time, and doing it well; and it
therefore works swiftly, though never appearing to be in haste.

We need the peace of God in our heart just as really for the doing well
of the little things of our secular life as for the doing of the
greatest duties of Christ's kingdom. Our face ought to shine, and our
spirit ought to be tranquil, and our eye ought to be clear, and our
nerves ought to be steady, as we press through the tasks of our
commonest day. Then we shall do them all well, slurring nothing,
marring nothing. We want heart-peace before we begin any day's duties,
and we should wait at Christ's feet till we get his quieting touch upon
our heart ere we go forth.

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 unskilful 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.

The same is true of all spiritual ministry. We need a steady hand to
touch the work of Christ's kingdom. One of our Lord's earlier miracles
furnishes an illustrati