| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 14 |
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Every true Christian bears also in his body the marks of Jesus. The body is the scroll on which the spirit writes all the life’s story. If a man lives in self indulgence, giving way to appetite, to passion, to lust, the signs of his sensuality and sottishness soon begin to appear on his face. If one yields to anxiety, to discontent, to fretfulness, the countenance will register the inner unrest and feverishness. Bad temper declares its hideous unloveliness in the features. It is impossible for the envious man to conceal his envy; it writes itself all over his face, withering and wizening its freshness and beauty.
In all departments of life the body is the revealer of the spirit. We all carry about with us the marks of our servitude, the brands of our master. The horny hand that grasps yours tells of hard, unpitying toil. The sailor’s weather beaten face tells of rough seafaring. The wasted frame, the trembling limbs, the pale cheeks, tell of disease. The whitening hairs, the wrinkled face, the bowing form, declare that old age is advancing in your friend.
The finer spiritual qualities also show their indices in the body. As sottishness, sensuality, and selfishness put forth their symbols, so do nobleness, self restraint, and all moral qualities set their seal upon the features. A beautiful soul makes a beautiful face. Noble thoughts carve their majesty in strong lines on the brow.
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