A. F. PLACE by A. F. PLACE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1914

A. F. PLACE

By A. F. PLACE

“Judge Not”—No. 4

A. F. PLACE

Another reason why it is inconsistent for any one to criticize or judge others is that no person enjoys being judged, and especially do all dislike being judged wrongfully. And, as I believe we have already seen, it is practically impossible for any one to judge another without misjudging. How applicable then is the question of Paul, “Who art thou that judgest another man's servant?” Says a modern writer:—

“There is so much good in the worst of us, And so much bad in the best of us, It does not behoove any of us To find fault with the rest of us.”

Therefore, after long years of struggles

known only to myself and God, I am, as never before, settling down to individual, personal study and service, with a firm determination to look as little as possible upon the apparent faults of my fellow men, whether they are brethren or otherwise; and, instead, let my search be for Christ manifested in the flesh, and lighting every man that comes into the world.

This looking for Christ in men brings to my mind a touching experience in the life of Miss Frances Willard. It is said that at one time that noble woman met a rough, profane cowboy at the close of one of her meetings, and asked him to sign the temperance pledge. In very unkind words he refused. But patiently she persisted, saying, “Do it for the sake of that mother who bore you.” But the lad cursed his mother. Finally she cried, “My boy, for the sake of the Christ which I see [in possibility] in you, sign this pledge.” He stood looking steadily at her for a moment, then asked, “Do you see any of Christ in me?” She quickly replied, “Yes, my boy, I do.” He waited a moment longer, then said, “Then I'll sign, and I'll keep it, too.” He did both. He signed, and he kept his pledge, and later became a strong temperance worker for God. He, too, went forth looking for Christ instead of the devil in his fellow men.

Brethren and sisters, ministers and laity, can we not see that so long as we listen to reports, so long as we look for weaknesses and sin in our brethren, and judge accordingly, we are breaking the golden rule, crucifying Jesus Christ afresh, and driving workers, possibly good workers, from the church and the field, and bringing leanness to our own souls? While, on the other hand, by searching in men for the One who died on the cross for us all, we cry, For the sake of the Christ which I see in you, let us reason together. Thus we shall find men, and also women, who will be ready to sign, and to “keep it, too;” and workers, by the scores, will be rapidly prepared for the great field, which is the world.

“Whatsoever things are of good report . . . think on these things.”

San Jose, Cal.