p. 259 | PRESS TOGETHER by Mrs. H. E. S. Hopkins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1901

PRESS TOGETHER

By Mrs. H. E. S. Hopkins

MRS. H. E. S. HOPKINS

(Battle Creek, Mich.)

If there was ever a time in this world's history when we needed one another's help and prayers, it is the present. To dwell upon and talk about the faults and imperfections we discover in others is not the way to help them. Such a course lessens our esteem for them, and repels them.

Let us see what the Lord says on this subject. First, we notice a command: “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:17. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” 1 John 4:11. In the third chapter we have a statement still stronger: “We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”—not tear the brethren down.

In Ps. 15:1–3 we read: “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? . . . He that backbiteth not . . . nor taketh [“receiveth,” margin] up a reproach against his neighbor.” The Lord further says: “Thou shalt not raise [“receive,” margin] a false report.” Ex. 23:1. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.” Lev. 19:16. “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” Ps. 105:15.

How careful we should be not to scatter the influence of those in positions of trust, but stay up the hands of ministers, physicians, editors, and others. They have much to perplex and try them while engaged in the duties devolving upon them, and we should remember them in our prayers.

Every moment is precious. Why not improve time by taking advance steps in the upward way? Let us heed the instruction, “Press together,” and thus follow the golden rule, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”