To accomplish a really great work in the world and become a blessing to others, a man must abandon once for all the idea of caring for self, whether by way of laying up money or of getting himself a name and [83] worldly glory. These things, though they may seem to spur a man to effort, are in his way and prevent him from doing his best work. It is only as a man dies to self, and in proportion as he dies, that he becomes fruitful unto God and to his fellow-men. "Except a grain of wheat fall onto the earth and die, it abideth by itself alone; but if it die, it beareth much fruit. He that loveth his life loseth it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal." (John 12:24, 25.) But many a man's promise is killed and his usefulness thwarted by the shadow of his own self falling upon his work.

[TAG 83-84]