Responsibility for the Lost.
By W. N. Glenn
THAT we are accountable for the influence we exert upon the conduct of others, the Bible emphatically teaches. We cannot evade the consequences of causing others to do wrong. That many will be lost through the negligence or misconduct of others, there can be no doubt. Adam and Eve were induced to disobey God, and suffered disgrace, through the wiles of Satan. Jacob was led into error and exile through the influence of his mother. The Israelites were doomed to forty years' wandering in the wilderness as a consequence of being persuaded by the ten false spies that they were unable to occupy the promised land. "Jeroboam the son of Nebat caused Israel to sin," by setting up idols for them to worship, to which they persistently clung until overtaken by captivity and utter dispersion. Through the teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees the Jews were led to reject their Messiah, and from that day to this the masses have been led astray by the precept and example of false teachers. In the 33d chapter of Ezekiel we find this word of the Lord: "If the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand." Also, in the 34th chapter, the prophesy is directed "against the shepherds," who fed themselves and did not feed the flock. And it is said the flock was scattered and became meat to every beast of the field. To this the Lord adds that he will "require the flock at the shepherds' hands." In Matt. 18 : 6 we have this testimony of Jesus: "Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." Then notice how careful Paul was in this matter of causing others to offend. "But meat commendeth us not to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, neither if we eat not are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak." 1 Cor. 8 : 8, 9. Also, verse 13: "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." And in like manner he cautions the Romans, in the 14th chapter of his letter to that church, and sums up the matter in verse 21 as follows: "It is good neither to eat flesh nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak." But let us for a moment view this subject from another stand-point, and put the question, "What consolation will it be to the lost to reflect that some one else caused them to sin and will have to suffer for it?" Some would fain seek comfort or excuse for themselves or friends from this source, but it will not avail in the Judgment. It is a trite saying, "If such an one is a Christian I don't want to be." Or it comes in this wise: A would have accepted the truth and become a Christian, had it not been for some act of this or that brother or sister; B believes the truth and knows his duty, but he sees so much inconsistency in the church that he thinks he can do just as well outside; C (who has perhaps been expelled for misconduct) would have remained steadfast and faithful had it not been for some one else's defects; Sister D has grown cold, and is about to give up altogether, because she has not been visited, or on account of some other imaginary grievance. And all these deluded individuals have their sympathizers in the church, who "charitably" make them believe they are perfectly justifiable, and that the church, the pastor, or some member, will be held accountable for their lost souls. Grant that such will be the result, how will this help the doomed sinner when he has taken his stand upon the left hand of the King of glory? How childish, how silly, such excuses sound at such a time; the gauzy garment will not cover the nakedness, neither will the rocks or the mountains be sufficient to hide. It was no avail to Eve that the serpent had beguiled her, notwithstanding the sentence upon the serpent; it was no help for Adam, that the woman gave him the fruit. Idolatry was not excused in Israel, although the king had established it and should meet his reward in consequence. The unbelieving Jews were not spared, although the rulers had not believed. The blind led the blind, and both fell into the ditch. "The soul that sinneth it shall die," no matter how it may have been led to sin. And now, brother or sister sympathizer, one more thought. Just think a moment, and consider whether it be not possible that you are responsible for the loss of A, or B, or C, or D. Have you not encouraged the defection of some of these parties by false sympathy and sentimental charity? Have you not fawned over their wrongs, or magnified their grievances, until they have come to consider themselves martyrs rather than wrong-doers? Charity is good, and forgiveness is good, but they can be misapplied to the ruin of souls. They are graces that a cunning enemy can transform into delusive snares. Charity does not cover one's faults from his own perception, nor do the smoothest words indicate the deepest sympathy. Let us beware how we "cause Israel to sin," or hinder those who would go into the kingdom of God.