Page:Cyclopedia of illustrations for public speakers, containing facts, incidents, stories, experiences, anecdotes, selections, etc., for illustrative purposes, with cross-references; (IA cyclopediaofillu00scotrich).pdf/686

 SERVICE, AUXILIARY

Many a humble parent or teacher might find comfort in the following pretty fable:

A taper lay in a drawer, when its owner took it and climbed a winding stair in a tower. "Where are you taking me?" asked the taper complainingly. "I am going to show big ships their way over the sea," answered the owner. "Why, no ship could see me or my little light," said the taper. "Leave that to me," added the owner as he lighted the big lantern, and then blew the taper out.

(2918)

SERVICE, HUMBLE

Our service ought to be positive. Every day brings with it some chance to help. If your service can not be great, let it be small, only let it be service in some way for the good of another and for the glory of God. An old Scotch woman in Edinburgh was arrested as a suspicious character. She was seen furtively picking some things from the sidewalk and putting them beneath her shawl. On examination it was found that the articles were only little bits of glass. Questioned, she replied that she was only picking up the stray pieces of glass that they might not cut the bairnies' feet.

Remember, there is glass to be taken from life's highways; there are thorns to be uprooted and roses to be planted.—

(2919)

See.

SERVICE, INTERESTED

Washington housekeepers are inclined to think that T. B. Witherspoon, of St. Louis, was romancing recently when he told of a negro servant who has been in his employ for fifteen years. It appears that the negro was given ten days' leave and money to spend for a trip down to New Orleans, but in three days turned up again, and here is the way Mr. Witherspoon explains the negro's return, quoting the servant:

"'You see, suh, it done get mighty miserably cold night after I lef' you, and I knows dat Miss Kate (my wife) ain't got no business tryin' to work dat furnace, and I know you ain't gwine to bother with it. Nary one of you got enny business with a dirty old furnace, least of all Miss Kate, who ain't got no right to soil her little han's. I couldn't sleep good thinkin' about it, an' dat's why I gits back quicker'n I 'spected.'

"There is a specimen act of an old-time, true-hearted darky, whose first thought is of the comfort of his employer."

(2920)

Service, Lowly—See.

SERVICE, METHOD OF

When Jael served her yellow-hued dainty to Sisera in that fine dish, she set an example that is worthy of being followed in more ways than in that hospitable one. Milton in his noble thoughts set in his lofty style has served his "butter in a lordly dish." A kindness or a benefaction dealt in a courteous spirit and in fine chivalry is equally "butter in a lordly dish." Above all, a life lived in the exercise of a character that is sterling and pure gold—serving viands of soul in divinest thoughts and sublimest virtues and inspirations that gods might envy, is "butter in a lordly dish." The substance of a deed is heightened in merit by its service when the mettle of the dish matches the quality of the meat.

(2921)

SERVICE, RELIGIOUS

If a child finds itself in want of anything, it runs in and asks its father for it—does it call that doing its father a service? If it begs for a toy or a piece of cake—does it call that serving its father? That, with God, is prayer, and He likes to hear it. He likes you to ask Him for cake when you want it; but He doesn't call that "serving Him." Begging is not serving; God likes mere beggars as little as you do; He likes honest servants, not beggars. So when a child loves its father very much, and is very happy, it may sing little songs about him; but it doesn't call that serving its father; neither is singing songs about God, serving God. It is enjoying ourselves, if it's anything; most probably it is nothing; but if it's anything, it is serving ourselves, not God.—

(2922)

Service Unnoticed-See.

SERVICE, UNSEEN

I heard of a young woman, a domestic in a home, who loved her Savior and whose heart He had filled with a love for her fellow men. Opportunities for service such as the world recognizes were few, but every