A Present Need by Gertrude Abell

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 20, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 19.

A Present Need.

By Gertrude Abell

"This is my commandment that ye love one another as I have loved you." These words spoken by the Saviour so many years ago, are as binding now as they were then. "That ye love one another as I have loved you." What a wondrous love that was, a love that brought the Son of the most high God from his Father's house to die for us; to die the ignominious death of the cross, for you, for me.

This is the manner of love he would have us bear one toward another. Have we this love in our hearts? Are we striving day by day to show our love for each other by helping the weary brother on his way, by comforting and cheering the sad, discouraged sister, in her doubts and perplexities? Are we ever ready to lend a helping hand, or to listen with patience and sympathy to the tale of another's troubles? Are we ready to excuse the shortcomings of our brothers and sisters, not knowing the causes that led to them?

Or, instead, are we not too often found criticising and judging others? are we not too ready to find fault and censure? We forget that others have trials and temptations as well as ourselves, and when they falter, and perhaps stumble, we forget that we might do the same if placed in like circumstances; and so, instead of holding out the helping hand in love and kindness, we do as the priest and the Levite, turn to the other side and pass on.

It seems to me that among Seventh-day Adventists, this love one for another must wax stronger, or we shall fall short at the last day. We as a people stand alone, far more than any other people, and the time is hastening when we shall be all alone. We then will be as one family, having one faith, one hope, and one doctrine. All the members of one household are expected to love and cherish one another. If we are ever to belong to the King's household, we must begin now to cultivate our affection for each and all of the King's children.

There must be less backbiting, less faultfinding, and less judging of the brethren. There must be more union of hearts and wills, more earnest prayer for this love, and more willingness to sacrifice our own pleasures and comforts, if need be, for the pleasure and comforts of others. GERTRUDE ABELL.

Livermore, Cal.