184 RUEAL LIFE IN CANADA 



spirit of Christ brought into business life would give 

 all labor alike, on farm, in factory, or at the desk, the 

 dignity of service. Then each man, producer or trader, 

 would take out of the product or the turn-over, not a 

 fortune, but a livelihood, and let the rest form a contri- 

 bution to human well-being, in the form of zealous 

 labor, ample wages, or a good-value product. 



The minister is expected to serve for a stipend, a 

 living. The physician, though he charges fees, is 

 expected to put service before remuneration ; the soldier 

 serves for a livelihood, and is expected to lay down his 

 life at need. And all the truly great in the field of 

 science have been too devoted to their profession to seek 

 wealth. Our Christian business men must learn to live 

 thus as well. We are not to ask for this service up to 

 the measure of Christ, but in His spirit. His rule is to 

 be ours : " I am among you as one that serveth " ; but 

 His measure : " The Son of man hath not where to lay 

 his head," is not asked of others. We must say to men : 

 " Take your living, generous as it may be, but make 

 your occupation service." Any man who lives by this 

 rule would remain in the country, at his beloved occu- 

 pation; for the incentives which now call men away 

 would be gone. This, and not conscription of the youth 

 of a nation for some years' service in subduing nature 

 to man as proposed by Professor James is the 

 " moral equivalent of war," in calling out the qualities 

 of manhood in a people. 



Is this possible? Easily, where once the demand is 

 steadfastly made in Jesus' name. As great things have 

 been done through lesser motives. Honor has accom- 

 plished as much. We send and are sent as guests into 

 chambers with fittings of silver, and never a thought of 



