HAVE CHARITY by Abbie A. Sargent

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1877

HAVE CHARITY.

By Abbie A. Sargent

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou be also tempted.” Gal. 6: 1. The first word of our lesson seems addressed to the children of God, or those trying to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. If, then, we are his disciples, we are ready and willing to be led and guided by the truth in whatever way it may present itself to us. If we are living as a band of brothers, our affections and interests for each other will be mutual, and we shall have no occasion for injuring or harming our brothers in any way; but if the Spirit of Christ abounds, we shall walk hand in hand, helping and being helped by each other, trying to raise the fallen and to strengthen and encourage the weak, which is nothing more than our reasonable service as God’s true children.

We are trying to imitate our Saviour’s example, which was forgiveness and love to the end of his sufferings. He left a record of that forgiving spirit, that we at this day may apply it as our daily rule of practice. Are we doing it as faithfully as we ought? Are there not many instances wherein we neglect this important duty? How apt are we, if a brother stumbles, or falls out by the way, to censure him with bitterness, or to speak evil of him instead of raising him up and helping him over the rough places in which he may have fallen. “If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one”—not cast him off, but in the spirit of meekness, with love and charity, not forgetting our Saviour’s dying words, “Father, forgive them,” with heart-felt sympathy, do all in our power to call the wanderer home, “considering ourselves lest we be also tempted.” Let us, then, at all times and under all circumstances be willing to help the weak, and raise the fallen; for by so doing we shall live out the example of love and charity, which is the key to Heaven and our future inheritance.

“Faith, Hope, and Charity: With these blest three, We can look up, And trust in thee, Our Saviour and our God, The first great Cause, Who ordered all our ways in love, E’en nature’s laws.

“He formed us as we are, Gave each our sphere, And bade us look In faith to him, till he appear. He made earth not too bright, Nor yet too sad, For hope to lend its cheering light, And make us glad.

“But greatest boon of all To mortals given Is Christ-like, holy Charity, Emblem of Heaven.”

MRS. ABBIE A. SARGENT,

West Randolph, Vt.