| The Joy of Service |
Chapter 22 |
Page 4 |
The same is true in every household. The legacy which a parent transmits to a child is a legacy of unfinished work. It is something to guard, to use, to augment, to pass on to the next generation. It is not merely something to live upon, to enjoy, to consume, to do with as we will; it is a sacred trust, to impair which would be a sin, a wrong to the honour of him who gave it in charge, and to those for whom it is to be kept. Many a child wrecks and destroys all the good that in a long lifetime a godly parent has wrought in the world. A man by industry, diligence, economy, and honesty gathers a fortune. Every dollar of it represents toil and self denial. At his death it passes into the hands of his children. They are responsible for the continuance of the good life, the thrift, and the prosperity of their father. He only began a career which it is theirs to carry forward into still larger success. The money which comes into their hands is not theirs to use in any selfish way; it is a sacred trust for which they are responsible.
A man by true living wins for himself a name of honour among men. His conduct is exemplary. He conducts his business affairs on principles of truth, integrity, and uprightness. He is broad minded and liberal. His hand dispenses kindness and charity. He becomes a blessing to a whole community. His influence reaches far, and the fragrance of his good name breathes everywhere. Then his work ends, and he goes away, leaving his goodly heritage of honour to his children. They are responsible for the perpetuation of the life which he has begun. He has started blessings in the world which it is theirs to continue. They cannot, without disloyalty to their father, lower the tone of the noble living which marked his course. They cannot, without dishonouring him, deviate from the lofty principles which characterized his career. The heritage of his good name is theirs to preserve unsullied. They are responsible for the continuance in the community of the good work and the wholesome influence which he started. If they fail to maintain in their own life the beauty, the truth, the wroth, the purity, the unselfishness, and the usefulness of their father, they are not true to the sacred trust which he has committed to them.
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