Occupation and Devotion

Bless Thou… O Lord my God, Thy servants and Thy handmaidens who have attained unto Thee. It is seemingly, that the servant should, after each prayer, supplicate God to bestow mercy and forgiveness upon his parents. Monasticism and asceticism are not sanctioned. Occupation and labor are devotion. I rejoice to hear that thou takes pains with thine art, for in this wonderful new age, art is worship. All effort and exertion put forth by man, from the fullness of his heart, is worship. It is enjoined upon every one of you to engage in some form of occupation, such as crafts, trades, and the like. At present, the state of affairs is in turmoil…however the hand of God is at work. The ultimate object of all learning is the knowledge of God, but education should also fit a child to earn a living when it grows up. O Lord, whether traveling or at home, or in my occupation, or in my work, I place my whole trust in Thee.