LIVE AND LET LIVE by E. Goodrich

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 3, 1860

LIVE AND LET LIVE.

By E. Goodrich

This is quite a popular motto; and although it does not contain all that amount of selfishness that might otherwise be expressed, yet it is selfish and only selfish. It is akin to that charity that always begins and ends at home. For while it may say, Be ye warmed and be ye fed, it does nothing for the relief either of the needy or distressed. At best its virtues and properties are but negative and passive; for when analyzed it is found to contain not one particle of that active benevolence or philanthropy recommended in the word of God and everywhere exhibited in the system of Christianity, which is a system of active, positive remedy and relief. Some seem quite contented with themselves if they are found refraining from doing wrong. This is a great error. It is man's duty not only to cease to do evil, but it is his imperative duty to learn to do well also.

It is not enough that we are willing that our neighbor should live if he can; but it is our duty as we would that he should do unto us, to do unto him. It is not enough that we are willing to, or even do, rejoice in seeing the cause of God move onward; but it is our duty also to move with it, suffering when it suffers, and rejoicing when it is advanced. The church of Christ is a mutual compact, a body composed of many members; and only by positive investment and action can any member secure the right and privilege of said body. Because all rights (whether natural, political or religious) are but the result of positive relations sustained, and can only equal the duties imposed by the same relations. Such a thing as duty without privilege is downright tyranny; and such a thing as privilege without duty is not liberty, but open indulgence.

The rights, immunities and privileges of this commonwealth are, and can only be, secured by and to its willing and obedient citizens. And so it is with God-fellowism. None can claim its benefits but those who are positively connected therewith and aid in sustaining the system. The law here set forth is that of mutual insurance; viz., no member or person shall claim the right of being confessed or insured but such as confess and live for the interest of the entire body.

This is the doctrine everywhere taught in the Scriptures, the rock upon which Christ's church is built, and the law by which she is governed in all her relations. Hence it is that the declaration of the Saviour [Matt. x, 32, 33], Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven; but whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven, is a moral and legal truth; and none but those who are willing to lay down their lives for their Master's sake, can ever be accounted worthy to reign with him who laid down his life for them.

Again, the health and strength of the body (the mystical body of Christ) is the health and strength of its members. And as "health is the harmonious action of every organ and faculty of the system," when any member fails to discharge the duties that devolve upon it from the relation that it sustains to the body, it is then that the body becomes diseased, and the disease (whether it be in the form of debility, derangement or inflammation), though at the first it may only be local, yet the law of the system says that it shall be healed or else become general. Otherwise the body would not be one, and when one member suffers all suffer with it. But "the body is one," and each member has a place in which it should act for the good of the body.

"The body is one," and local injuries ofttimes excite general inflammation to that extent that the healing strength of the system is wasted in a vain attempt to restore the afflicted part, and putrefaction and death ensue. It is true, men are separate identities, and we need not follow or be drawn down to perdition by our fellows; nevertheless, we are bound together in our relations by the law of general good, and no one can save himself without laboring earnestly for the salvation of his fellows. This is what the scripture teaches when it says, "We ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." How essential then that each and every member of the body of Christ should fill the place designed by the Head, and instead of having a motto that says, "Live and let live," have one that reads, Live and help to live. E. GOODRICH. Edinboro, Pa.