ice to mankind. A man proves that he is the son of a heavenly
Father by his service for his least brother. When that dignity, heaven
born, is in a man's heart there is nothing in the dirt he may touch by
deeds of kindness that can defile him; contact does not contaminate.

Love never thinks of any of its services as loathsome. That from which
a superficial dignity would revolt love does with rejoicing. It thinks
nothing of the honour or the dishonour, but only of the helpfulness it
may render. It is not asking whether men are approving or whether
promotion is coming. It needs no promotion or approval; the work
itself is the highest reward; the service elevates to the loftiest of
all positions.

The world's sovereigns are its servants. He makes an alliance with God
who helps a fellow man. Work is that by which the Creator has lifted
man above the creatures of the field, and the work that sacrifices that
it may serve is that by which God lifts man to Himself. The heavenly
gate may be shut to robes and miters, epaulettes and crowns; but it
shall be open wide to that great throng who bear the stains of toil,
who have served their fellows, who wear the apron of sacrificing
service; and the Son of the carpenter shall lead them in.

This is a working world; its Maker is pictured as a worker; there is no
better evidence of religion than willingness to serve. Work determines
a man's worth to the world. And religion must be known by the things
it does, and not, as many have fondly supposed, by the dreams it has.

THE ORTHODOX SERVICE

This is a working world, with no place for the idler, whether he be
high or low, rich or poor. The measure of a man is the service he
renders humanity. Actions are measured by the same rule. The value of
religion to life, its right to time and place, is measured by this,
Does it help or inspire men to service, does it increase the quantity
or improve the quality of the work that they do for their world?

Men rightly ignore the piety that satisfies itself with platitudes on
the duties of others, or with philosophical speculations on problems
which, if they were accurately solved, would contribute nothing either
to our peace, our possessions, or our personal characters. Yet, how
many imagine that they are profoundly pious because they cherish
properly indorsed opinions, duly certified as to their antiquity.

They who profess to follow the Man of Nazareth cannot do it by sittin