“I gathered from this good man one practical thought which was the main fruit––the fruit by which I know that he was good. If all the labor of God was to bring sons into glory, lifting them out of the abyss of evil bondage up to the rock of His pure freedom, the only worthy end of life must be to work in the same direction––to be a fellow worker with God. Might I not, then, do such in my own small way? The urging, the hope, grew in me. Then my teacher taught me that the way for me to help others was not to tell them of their duty, but myself to learn of Him who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows. As I learned of Him, I should be able to help them. I have never had any theory since then but just to be their friend––to do for them the best I can. When I feel I may, I tell them what has done me good, but I never urge any belief of mine upon their acceptance.” -George MacDonald, The Vicar’s Daughter