OUR DUTY TO THE ERRING by Lela May King

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jan 29, 1902

OUR DUTY TO THE ERRING.

By Lela May King

In that wonderful prayer that Jesus offered just before His betrayal, He said, in speaking of His followers, “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” That is, He has commissioned His followers to do the same kind of work in the world that He did when here among men. It is always safe to take Him as our example in all things.

He says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” His work was not among the “higher class” of society; but wherever sorrow or suffering reigned, His gentle presence was seen and felt.

When Nicodemus, a proud and wealthy ruler, came to Jesus, and with flattering words desired a conference with Him, Jesus met him with the cutting truth that unless he should be born again, he could not see the kingdom of God. But how different was his manner upon another occasion. There was brought to Him a fallen woman; one from whom the self-righteous Pharisees turned in holy horror, drawing their ample skirts around them, that they might not come in contact with her polluting presence. But He who could read all hearts looked beneath the exterior, and saw in her heart sorrow, repentance, and deep contrition for her sin. In a manner that awed her accusers, He commanded, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” In the presence of those searching eyes not one dared to remain; but, “convicted by their own conscience,” they went out one by one, leaving the sinner in the presence of her Creator. Then was shown the wonderful tenderness and compassion of the Saviour, as he softly said, “Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.”

O, if we could catch more of that spirit,—more of the love, pity, and compassion of Him who gave His life to redeem even us from the power of sin!

We must remember that we are to be in the world as He was in the world. He has commissioned us to seek and to find the lost.

We do not know the circumstances which have led to the degradation of these unfortunate ones. We have great reason to thank God that He has surrounded us with Christian influences, and given us a home, with parents and friends to shield us from the temptations which come to those who are thrown out upon the world to battle alone for their daily bread.

Many a young girl, with a heart as pure as that of a little child, has gone out from her home to seek employment, that she might assist in bearing the family expenses, and thus relieve the over-burdened parents. Her only chance for work may be among coarse and unrefined people; and although her sensitive nature shrinks from such associations, she has no choice. She must work where work is to be obtained, or see her loved ones suffer for the help that she can give. She feels that she must accept the situation, with all its baneful influences.

Day after day this young girl, separated from all home influences and restraint, breathes in this polluted atmosphere. Again and again she hears coarse remarks and vulgar jests. “By beholding we become changed.” Is it any wonder that so many girls by degrees lose the horror which they at first felt at the approach of vulgarity and vice, and step down from womanhood’s high estate?

One wrong step brings upon a girl the cold frown of a self-righteous world. She is made to feel that she is forever shut out from the society of respectable people. Instead of encouraging and helping her back to virtue’s path, she is driven to the depths of misery and shame.

O, how many aching and despairing hearts, how many longings after a better life, are hidden under a defiant and reckless manner! How many are left to wander in sin, just because there is no one to reach out a helping hand, and, with patience and love, make them feel that there is still hope for them. How do we know what we might have been if we had been placed in their circumstances?

Let us be learners in the school of Christ, how to deal with these needy ones. We can not help them if we approach them in the Pharisaical spirit that plainly says, “I am holier than thou.” We must come in the spirit of Christ, making them feel that we love them and truly desire to help them.

Let us look beyond the exterior, and see in them a soul for whom Jesus shed His precious blood. Let us think, “What if she were my sister?” She is somebody’s sister or daughter, and some mother’s heart has ached for her. Let us work for her as we would wish some one to work for our sister, if she were in the same place. Let us follow the example of our divine Pattern, and say, “Neither do I condemn thee.” LELA MAY KING.

Santa Rosa, Cal.