An old proverb tells us that the Devil
finds work for those who do not make it for themselves.
If we Englishmen have succeeded as a race, it has been due in no small
measure to the fact that we have worked hard. Not only so, but we have
induced the forces of Nature to work for us. "Steam," says Emerson, "is
almost an Englishman."
The power of work has especially characterized our greatest men. Cecil
said of Sir W. Raleigh that he "could toil terribly."
We are most of us proud of belonging to the greatest Empire the world has
ever seen. It may be said of us with especial truth in Wordsworth's words
that
"The world is too much with us; late and soon
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers."
Yes, but what world? The world will be with us sure enough, and whether we
please or not. But what sort of world it will be for us will depend
greatly on ourselves.
We are told to pray not to be taken out of the world, but to be kept from
the evil.
There are various ways of working.
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