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W. E. GERALD

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 11, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 50.

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W. E. GERALD

By W. E. Gerald

Sociability

W. E. GERALD

THERE is, perhaps, no quality of the human soul that is more beautiful and prolific of blessing than that of sociability.
Solomon says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” This text shows that one of the rewards of sociability is a quickening of the understanding.
Humility must accompany sociability in order to make it pleasurable. In a free discussion it behooves each one to have due respect for the others’ opinions. Egotism and conceit can have no place in ideal sociability. Sociability will lead a man to attend the prayer-meeting, the teachers’ meeting, the Sabbath-school, the preaching service; and he is a stupid listener who comes back without having learned something.
In the exchange of thoughts in social contact, the mind is stimulated into greater brilliancy. It is easier to kindle a fire in a hot stove than in a cold one. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, touches this subject when he enumerates the sins into which the backslider falls. “Without natural affection” are the words given in the Authorized Version. The marginal rendering gives the word “unsociable.” In another place where Paul says that no man “liveth to himself,” he is simply stating the rule under which any and every man must live if he is at his best.
The prophet Isaiah teaches that God does not expect us to hide ourselves from our own flesh, and perform monkish ceremonies and acts of penance. The Siamese twins could not be separated, because their vital organs were united. So the great web of humanity has one warp. Still closer is the relationship in the true church of Christ. Paul indicates this in his letter to the Ephesians by the following expressions: “The head, even Christ;” “the whole body fitly joined together;” “compacted by that which every joint supplieth;” “maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
Wonderful arrangement! Who has fully sounded the depths of this mystery? It is the gospel that enables us to enter into this experience and to appreciate more and more this glorious fellowship.
Portland, Maine.