Do Not Be Concerned About Outward Things
The Voice of Christ
MY CHILD, there are many matters of which it is well for you to be ignorant, and to consider
yourself as one who is dead upon the earth and to whom the whole world is crucified. There are
many things, too, which it is well to pass by with a deaf ear, thinking, instead, of what is more to
your peace. It is more profitable to turn away from things which displease you and to leave to every
man his own opinion than to take part in quarrelsome talk. If you stand well with God and look to
His judgment, you will more easily bear being worsted.
The Disciple
To what have we come, Lord? Behold, we bewail a temporal loss. We labor and fret for a small
gain, while loss of the soul is forgotten and scarcely ever returns to mind. That which is of little or
no value claims our attention, whereas that which is of highest necessity is neglected—all because
man gives himself wholly to outward things. And unless he withdraws himself quickly, he willingly
lies immersed in externals.