CASTE by Cornelia Snow

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 3, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 36.

CASTE

By Cornelia Snow

“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,”—a great love, opposed to all natural tendencies.

The old question, “Who is my neighbor?” is forever answered. He who is in need of thy love and care; the one whose path crosses thine, tho of another race, under the ban of social law which says, “The Jews and the Samaritans have no dealings.”

A nurse, returning home from a stirring temperance lecture, said to her companion, “How I wish I could help some one or do something in this great cause!” Just then they stumbled over a strange object lying in the path. It was a woman, drunk and dying in filth and degradation. “Help me to take her home,” said the companion of the one who was longing for some work for the Master. “What, touch that creature? No, never,” was the reply. “But I thought you said, a moment ago, you wished to help.” “Not such as she.” So the kind-hearted Samaritan carried the one fallen among thieves, while her friend passed by on the other side.

There are some who say, I will aid those in distress, but my love ends there. I can not meet them on an equality.

Satan has invented a most ingenious system of castes which greatly hinders the spread of Christ’s kingdom of love. Every condition of life has been made the basis upon which to build these barriers between man and man. The caste of education is one; this man is unlearned, I can not associate with him; this one is poor and I am rich, let him keep his level, and not presume to call me brother; these are of another race or color, and consequently below me in social rank. I will give my money to help them afar off, but to be neighbor to them, I can not.

Jesus disregarded caste. He sat upon the well and asked water of one who wondered at His words, yet that was the only way to win her to the truth. We resent the proffered aid which says, “Come not nigh, I am higher or holier than thou.” It is the one who raises us with his own hand who can help us to a higher plane.

“The Scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” Wonderful reply! The healing process requires personal contact.

Is this individual or this people below us, sick with ignorance, poverty or sin? We must go to them, break down the social barrier, before they can be restored.

On every hand Jesus met and rebuked the spirit of caste. “This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him; for she is a sinner,” said Simon. And Jesus did know, yet submitted to her touch, in spite of the reproach to Himself; because in that touch there was restoration for one sinner.

But, says one, if we disregard the boundaries which social custom has erected, we shall lose our influence with the higher classes; they will not listen to one who eats and drinks with publicans and sinners—social outcasts.

Truth and love are powerful; they draw the honest in heart, in spite of preconceived opinion. Jesus went calmly on His way, content to be of no reputation, fearing not the loss of hearers; while Nicodemus, daring not to face the scorn and ridicule of his own class, came secretly by night, drawn by the truth which draws all men.

CORNELIA SNOW.

Blaine, Maine.