"THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE."
By George I. Butler
The article in a late REVIEW, with the above heading, from the pen of Bro. White, has, to my notion, the true ring. It should be read and re-read, and deeply pondered. To the special classes referred to by him, it becomes me to say nothing. But I desire to express my hearty concurrence in the general scope of the article. The spirit of sacrifice is what we need, and what we must have if we ever fulfill the mission God has given us. Never has there existed a people from whom greater sacrifices should be expected. Noah sacrificed, no doubt, a very large fortune. The ark must have cost an immense sum. He put it all in cheerfully. Yet he might expect to save some things esteemed precious, to use after the flood abated. The children of Israel were required to sacrifice by the law, vastly more than people can think now of giving to the Lord. Three times a year were all the males to appear before the Lord in Jerusalem; and they were not to appear empty-handed. One-tenth part of every thing they raised was to be given to the Lord. Their offerings and sacrifices were much more. They were not permitted to take interest of their brethren. Dr. Clarke, after making an estimate of these and other requirements of the law, thinks they must have had the special blessing of Providence, to have been able to give so much and support their families. But that blessing was freely promised. No doubt those who feared God among that people joyfully followed the directions God had given. But they might plead many excuses for not sacrificing, which we cannot plead. They would naturally desire to provide well for old age, for their children, and for various future contingencies. The apostles left all. Some of them seem to have been well acquainted with the fishing business, having nets, boats, &c., with which to carry on their business. Others had good positions in the world, being tax-gatherers, which people nowadays think a very lucrative situation. These at the word of Jesus "forsook all" and followed him. Their first experience as ministers was to be sent out to preach, with not a cent of money—no bag to carry provisions, and only clothing sufficient for present purposes. This would seem rather trying to faith. So it was with the leaders at the first advent. They gave not only property, but life itself. They fully realized the example set them by the Master who, though possessed of all things, had given it for the sake of saving them. The rank and file learned to sacrifice. They sold their property, and laid it at the apostles' feet, determined that the infant cause should not fall for want of means. This was carried so far that the example affected hypocrites. They felt constrained to appear to do the same thing. Thus was the great gospel movement started, which has been stirring the world for eighteen hundred years. The principle of sacrifice for God and for others is all that has given it force; whenever that has been missing it has been paralyzed. Was there any greater reason why the early disciples should cherish such a spirit than that we should? Not as much. Where are we? Just at the close of earthly things; near the revelation of Christ. In a few short years at most, this earth is to be destitute of inhabitants. Every one of us either to be in the Jerusalem above, or dead upon the earth, destroyed by God's wrath. All our property utterly devoured. Either this is so, or we are the worst deceived people living. If any of us don't believe it we better withdraw at once from this body. Why a person believing thus can desire to lay up property for the indefinite future, I cannot understand. It is a problem I wish some of our wealthy brethren would figure on and give us the true result. It seems to me every one who truly believes this, would desire to have all the property he had, above what he needs for the comfort of himself and family, and a moderate capital for future wants, where it would be doing good in the cause of God. And above all, how important for ministers, from whom an example is expected, who are preaching this solemn truth, to be entirely above a money-making spirit. The words of Elisha to Gehazi are suggestive. 2 Kings v, 26. Naaman the leper was healed by following Elisha’s directions. He was wealthy, the minister of a king. He felt grateful, and offered valuable presents to Elisha. But Elisha would not receive them. But Gehazi thought differently. He ran after the man and received valuable gifts. When he came before Elisha he said to him, "Went not my heart with thee when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee and unto thy seed forever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." Elisha thought there would be a special impropriety in his receiving gifts at this time. God's judgments were about to descend upon Israel for their covetousness and injustice. The prophet of God was warning them of these things. How inappropriate that he or his should be made rich by this Syrian at such a time! and what a terrible judgment upon Gehazi, a "leper as white as snow." And I would ask, "Is it a time" for men who are preaching the most solemn message ever announced to the world, involving the depopulation of the earth, and the destruction of all its property; to desire these things, or to manifest love for them, while the fact is patent to us all, that for the love of these things the millions of the world, and I fear thousands of our own people, are going to eternal perdition, and so soon? Oh! for the spirit of sacrifice through all the branches of this work. We, as a people, are fearfully lacking in it. We measure ourselves by those around us, and sometimes we even come short of them. With all my heart would I second Bro. White's article by word and action. GEO. I. BUTLER.