November 14

Who hath despised the day of small things?

ZECH. iv. 10.

Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. — JOHN vi. 12.

THIS utterance of our Lord is one of the many side-lights to be found in the gospel narratives. It ushers us into the realm of purely temporal things and is nothing more than a commonplace order such as any one might find in the mouth of an average housewife. This homely injunction not to waste even the remains of a dinner is severely practical, and forms a sharp contrast to the sublime spiritual truths which our Saviour had so recently given his disciples on the mountain-top. A great descent, we exclaim, and yet what a testimony to the completeness of Christ's character! Unlike the majority of men, our Lord was many-sided. He was not so lost in contemplation as to be unmindful of the wants of the body. He who discoursed so eloquently upon the glories of God's kingdom was not above practising the little economies of life and inculcating the importance of frugality. Both by precept and example Christ taught that wastefulness is sin. Saving may be one of the minor virtues perhaps, still, let us remember that the command to "gather up the fragments" came from him who was able to feed five thousand. The liberal Christian is usually the man who has learned this lesson of economy. It is not given us to multiply loaves of bread; but where is the man who cannot save something and become instrumental in sending the bread of life to those who have it not?

John L. Scudder

Scorn not the slightest word or deed,

Nor deem it void of power;

There's fruit in each wind-wafted seed

That waits its natal hour.

ANONYMOUS.