LOVE TOWARD THE ERRING.
By John Matteson
“BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.” Gal. vi, 1. Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost. We were all in error when he, like a good shepherd, went in search of the wandering, perishing sheep. Now, if he has tried to save us, and has manifested such longsuffering and tender compassion, how cruel in us to be indifferent and unfeeling, or even harsh to our failing brethren. I believe that many souls have been lost from our churches, and are now without hope, who might have been saved had we manifested that tender love and zeal for them which we ought to have done. Oh! let us cleanse our garments from those cruel stains of the blood of souls, and try to reach out after the erring brother or sister in the spirit of much meekness and humility, that they may be restored. Each church may be compared to a family. If one of the children in a family is taken sick, the parents care more for that child than all the rest. How they will watch over it, and pray for it, and spend labor and time and means freely, if the child may possibly be restored. And when their labors are crowned with success how happy they are, and rejoice more over this child that is brought back to health than over those who were never sick. And if, as often happens, the child dies in spite of all they can do, they are not sorry because they cared so much for it, but have a good conscience. So, likewise, in the church, we should direct the greatest care and exercise the tenderest love to the erring ones; for they are sick—sin-sick members of the family. If after much labor and prayer and toil that soul is converted, then we can rejoice in the promise, “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James v, 20. But if we should fail after having done all that we could to gain the erring one, then, my brethren, we are left with a conscience void of offense before God and men. How cruel, on the other hand, it does look, when the ignorant Hindoo carries his sick child out in the jungle, and cares nothing for it, but leaves it for wild beasts and ravenous birds to devour, which often begin their cruel work before life is extinct. But we act more cruel when we leave a poor soul to be destroyed by evil angels and men; for in this work eternal interests are at stake. And it is far worse to be exposed to the second death than to the first. May the Lord help us all to obtain more love toward the erring, and exercise the same. May we learn not so much to tear and devour, but the true art of healing. May we ourselves obtain the balm of Gilead, and love others, even as Christ loved us.