KINDNESS by C. G. Campbell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 19, 1877

KINDNESS

By C. G. Campbell

Kindness is a quality of human nature which renders lovely the individual in whom it is a predominant feature of character. It is one of the chief principles of the character and religion of Jesus Christ, who, while he sojourned among men, was constantly performing acts of kindness as he had opportunity. It is this feature which makes the character and person of the Saviour so lovable and attractive to the human mind, when first it comprehends the divine nature and religion of the Saviour. Would we win the heart and conquer the opposition of the opposer of the religion of Jesus, we must begin by kind words and kind acts. There is no nature existing in the breasts of humanity so rough but can be approached and touched in this way. How often have words spoken in cheerfulness and a kindly spirit been the means of rescuing from a life of crime and an ignominious death some fellow creature rendered desperate by a train of adverse circumstances in life.

“Be kindly affectioned one toward another,” is the injunction of the apostle to his brethren, proving the principle of kindness to be a requisite of Christian character. The true and humble follower of Jesus will manifest this principle, not only to the good and the gentle, but also to the froward and perverse. It is upon the latter class that he needs to bring to bear all the active and persuasive force of this heavenly principle. Words spoken in kindness often subdue the angry passions roused within the human breast, when harsh words would but serve as fuel to the flame. “A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.”

Mark the effects of kindness upon the little child. Its appearance has attracted your notice, and you wish to attract its attention to yourself. It is at first very timid and retiring. You smile as you speak in low gentle tones to the little one; and presently, little by little, unconsciously its reserve is thrown off, and its timidity is lost, and ere long it approaches you in the full confidence of a new-found friend. Thus by kindness you have made an impression on the heart of that child, which perhaps may never be obliterated, and by which you may have enchained yourself in its memory, where in after life, this incident may linger as one of the bright and sunny spots of childhood’s days.

Again, witness the effects of kind acts and words upon the brute creation, as may frequently be witnessed in the treatment of our domestic animals. Take for instance the unbroken colt. You approach him in a careful manner, speaking in gentle tones, endeavoring to attract its attention; but at first it shuns you in fear. You still persevere in your efforts until at last you have gained its confidence, and it suffers itself to be approached and led away, recognizing you as a friend instead of an enemy. On the other hand, mark the effects of the treatment of a horse at the hands of the person of hasty temper. Very often from the first, the experience of the horse is one of ill treatment. He is often beaten and whipped, to make him do that which he has never been accustomed to do, and of which he knows nothing. As the effect of such a course of treatment, the horse will be sullen and stubborn, or else so fearful that he can scarcely be approached in safety.

To draw further illustrations is needless; for we are all witnesses to the fact that the effects of kindness, whether exercised toward our fellow creatures or toward the brute creation, are powerful. But we would earnestly recommend to all who profess to be the followers of Christ to cultivate this principle so highly essential to the Christian character. And not to the professor of religion alone, would we recommend the cultivation of this humane and Christian grace, but unto all who may chance to peruse the thoughts here set forth, though perhaps but poorly presented. If happily they shall be the means of arresting the attention of some poor fallible fellow creature and directing his mind in a channel of exercise wherein he may develop the strong and healthy powers of a manly and Christian character, one object of the writer will be accomplished.

C. G. CAMPBELL.

New Haven, Minn.