| Making the Most of Life |
Chapter 1 |
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People said that Harriet Newell’s beautiful life was wasted when she gave it to missions, and then died and was buried far from home – bride, missionary, mother, saint, all in one short year, – without even telling to one heathen human or child the story of the Saviour. But was that lovely young life indeed wasted? No; all this century her name has been one of the strongest inspirations to missionary work, and her influence has brooded everywhere, touching thousands of hearts of gentle women and strong men, as the story of her consecration has been told. Had Harriet Newell lived a thousand years of quiet, sweet life at home, she could not have done the work that she did in one short year by giving her life, as it seemed, an unavailing sacrifice. She lost her life that she might save it. She died that she might live. She offered herself a living sacrifice that she might become useful.
In heart and spirit we must all do the same if we would ever be a real blessing in the world. We must be willing to lose our life – to sacrifice ourselves, to give up our own way, our own ease, our own comfort, possibly even our own life; for there come times when one’s life must literally be lost in order to be saved.
It was a mine in England. There had been a fearful explosion, and the men came rushing up from the lower level, right into the danger of the deathly after blast; when the only chance of safety was in another shaft. And one man knew this and stood there in the dangerous passage, warning the men. When urged to go himself the safe way, he said, “No; some one must stay here to guide the others.” Is there any heroism of this world’s life finer than that?
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