stooping, of condescension when they serve others, and so can be of
service 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.