He is a Christian

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 5, 1865

He is a Christian.

He is a Christian! Then he is a man of truth. Upon his word you may implicitly rely. His promises are faithfully fulfilled. His representations he believes to be scrupulously exact. He would not hazard his veracity upon a contingency. "He that speaketh truth, sheweth forth righteousness."

He is a Christian! Then he is an honest man. He had rather wrong himself than wrong his neighbor. In whatever business he may be engaged, you may be sure that his dealings will be honorable and upright. "Provide things honest in the sight of all men." "The way of the just is uprightness."

He is a Christian! Then he is an humble man. He thinks of his own infirmities, acknowledges his dependence upon God, and regards the wealthiest and poorest of his brethren as men, and worthy of his Redeemer's love, and worthy of his attention and interest. "God giveth grace to the humble." "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

He is a Christian! Then he is a kind man. He feels interested for his neighbors, and has ever a pleasant word for those he meets. He strives to promote the welfare and happiness of those with whom he is associated. His generous heart delights in diffusing enjoyment. "The law of kindness is in his tongue." "To godliness add brotherly kindness."

He is a Christian! Then he is charitable. He is prompt to attribute right motives to others, rather than wrong, wherever it is possible. Knowing his own liability to err, he will regard with a charitable heart the failures of others, and will be more ready to reclaim and restore than to censure them. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." "Charity suffereth long, and is kind."

He is a Christian! Then he is forgiving. Wrong does not wrankle in his heart, craving for revenge. The forgiving word is ready upon his lip for his most implacable enemy. "If you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses." "Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

He is a Christian! Then he is benevolent. He feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, ministers to the sick. Human distresses touch his heart and open his hand. The spiritual maladies of mankind excite his commiseration, and to relieve and remove them his influence and property will be cheerfully contributed. "Freely ye have received, freely give." "Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"