BENEVOLENCE by S. B. Whipple

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

BENEVOLENCE.

By S. B. Whipple

The great plan of salvation had its foundation in infinite love, and disinterested benevolence. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John iii, 16. Nor was the unspeakable gift, our Lord Jesus Christ, a passive instrument in carrying out this great plan. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” 2 Cor. viii, 9. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. ii, 5–8.

What benevolence was this! In his life upon the earth this principle was manifested in all his acts. No alloy of selfishness was mingled with the purity of his benevolence. “He went about doing good.” “He is our example, that we should walk in his steps.”

And we are not left to walk in our own strength. The religion of Christ purifies the heart, changes the current of the affections, and ennobles the entire moral being. It is a glorious characteristic of the economy of grace, that when we by faith receive him as our Saviour, our guide, and our pattern, he imparts a measure of his nature and Spirit to us, so that those duties which, in a state of nature, would be a burden, become a delight. We are not left to do the duties which the gospel enjoins, merely through the exercise of our own will, but the Spirit of Jesus sweetly constrains us; and if our hearts are in that state of perfect submission which the word of God requires, it will be as our meat and drink to do the will of our Father in heaven.

It is vain for us to flatter ourselves that we are the followers of Christ, while we are actuated only by selfish principles. For what is it to be a Christian? To possess the Spirit of Christ, and to imitate his example. “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Rom. viii, 9. If this principle dwells in our hearts, it will be all-pervading, affecting our feelings, our manners, and our acts. It will be manifested in all the circumstances and relations of life, leading us to respect the rights and feelings of others, even in the most humble circumstances. It will lead us to put the most charitable construction on the acts of others which facts will allow, and will lead us to seek for virtues and redeeming qualities, rather than for faults and failings in our fellow-creatures. It will lead us to feel our individual responsibility to do all the good we can to others, to their bodies as well as to their souls.

Sometimes the only avenue to the soul, to influence for good, is through attention to temporal necessities and comforts. With this principle in active exercise, we shall not find it hard to obey the apostolic injunction, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. ii, 4. We shall find it very easy to “use hospitality one to another without grudging” [1 Pet. iv, 9], and the most natural thing imaginable to “be pitiful,” and to “be courteous.” 1 Pet. iii, 8. And all other requirements of similar import will be easily and naturally obeyed, when our hearts are brought into this unselfish state.

There are two general rules laid down in the New Testament to guide our conduct in reference to the duty of benevolence. Do we wish to know what and where we shall do good? We can find an answer in Gal. vi, 10. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” But how shall we do good, when we have opportunity, in what manner, spirit and measure? “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” Matt. vii, 12. Have we ever considered that the Golden Rule strikes directly at the root of all selfishness? The Saviour of mankind understood human nature. He knew that every individual lived as it were in a little world of his own, and that everything pertaining to his own interests was inexpressibly dear to him. He gave us a rule, therefore, which he knew we could readily comprehend. In every case which requires our consideration we have only to look within our own hearts, and ascertain what we should feel and desire under similar circumstances, to understand our duty.

These requirements are binding upon us if we would be Christians; and if obeyed in the right spirit will make us unselfish, and thus bring us into sympathy with Christ. Sin has entered our world, the curse rests upon it, and a countless train of sorrows and evils has followed in consequence. If Christ came into this world to seek and to save that which was lost, to illustrate in his life the principle of benevolence, by doing good to the bodies and souls of men, and finally died an ignominious death, that a way of escape might be opened for us from sin and its awful consequences, should not his followers do what they can to alleviate human misery, and to lead perishing sinners to Christ.

The true followers of Christ exemplify in their lives the principles of the gospel to an unbelieving world. Hence the words of Christ, Ye are the light of the world. Those who have been governed by the blessed principles of the gospel, have always been lights, no matter how dense the moral darkness around them. It is perhaps worthy of remark, that the world judge of our piety, more from our works than from any religious tenets that we may hold. In these days of much religion, but too little Christianity, some public manifestations of adherence to creed and denomination are expected, and these amount to but little with the intelligent unbeliever. But the professed Christian who is scrupulously honest in business, habitually courteous and kind, benevolent without ostentation, in everything by his works giving evidence that the Golden Rule is the rule of his life, will possess Christian influence; and whenever he speaks upon religious subjects, his testimony will have weight. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. v, 16.

True benevolence is opposed to bigotry and intolerance, and cannot be confined within sectarian limits. Our duty may call us to move in certain directions, and expend our energies upon certain objects, but our sympathies will not be restricted to them. The nearer we approach to our Lord's great heart of love, the more expansive will our benevolence become; it will know no sectarian or geographical boundaries.

In that remarkable expression of our Lord's, recorded in Luke vi, 38, there seems to be involved the idea of reciprocation or recompense. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.” This idea is in harmony with the constitution of the human mind, and shows that our Saviour's commands are consistent and reasonable, and in accordance with the nature of things. The manifestation of this principle recommends itself to the gratitude and admiration of men.

The feeling of gratitude is more readily brought into exercise in the mind of man, than many suppose. It is often remarked that this is a cold, selfish, and ungrateful world. This is too true; but if the principles of the gospel were lived out by those who profess to be governed by them, we should see less cause for complaint on this ground. The recipients of bounty may not always be able to repay, but who ever knew the truly benevolent to lack friends? They sometimes find them, too, among those who are not governed by the same principles, but who have appreciation enough to respect and admire them in others. The influence of benevolent example is powerful. How much has been accomplished by it, eternity alone will reveal.

How much was accomplished by John Howard and Elizabeth Fry, not only through their immediate labors, but also through their example before the world! It seems hardly possible that one could read the history of their lives and labors, without admiration of the principles which led them to such heroic acts of self-sacrifice in their efforts to save their unfortunate and degraded fellow-beings from a life of sin and misery, and from eternal death, and without being stimulated to do all the good they can in the world.

It falls to the lot of comparatively few to be able to do great acts of benevolence, but if we do what we can in our sphere, be it ever so humble, we shall be accepted, and have our reward with those who through more favorable circumstances were able to do much more. It is a comforting thought that God knows the heart; and while the benevolent are often pained that they can do no more, God understands it all.

In showing mercy to others, whether in the bestowment of means, or in rendering service in other ways, much depends upon the manner in which it is done, so far as the feelings of the receiver are concerned. To many of those who by misfortune are brought into circumstances where they are under the necessity of receiving favors from others, it would be far more blessed to give than to receive. Benevolent, sensitive, and independent in their natures, it causes a feeling of pain to receive, without the power of rendering an equivalent. If then these favors are bestowed as if grudgingly, how much is added to that sensation of pain! But if bestowed cheerfully, as if it were a privilege, a delight, with that true delicacy which shows them that their feelings are appreciated, how different the feeling, and how grateful to the suffering heart! The remembrance of such kindness clings to the

heart while life and memory last.

Let us then so far overcome the selfishness of our natures that opportunities of doing good, and of showing mercy, may be received by us with feelings of gratitude, and out-gushing benevolence, which not only bless doubly the receiver, but are happifying to our own hearts. Such benevolence brings with it its own reward. An enlargement of soul, a pure and elevated happiness, which the sordid and selfish know nothing of.

But God, as if to place a double blessing upon those who strive to live out these principles, has left in his word many precious promises, and words of encouragement to them—promises which not only have reference to the life that now is, but that which is to come. We see in the light of this subject, that it is not only our duty, but our privilege, to cultivate in our hearts this blessed principle, and manifest it in our lives. As Christians, we should ever bear in mind the words of the apostle, “We are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” 1 Cor. vi, 20. We are left in the world after we are converted to God, to do good, to be missionaries for him. His cause in the world is carried forward through human agencies. His servants are appointed to preach the word, and those whom he has made stewards over his substance, are to sustain and co-operate with them in their work, with their property and influence, according to their ability. If we truly love God our interests are identified with the interests of his cause in the world. He has no idlers in his vineyard; all have their work assigned them; and happy will it be for each one of us if at the close of our life we shall be able to say as did our divine Master, “I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work thou gavest me to do.” John xvii, 9.

Do we realize our individual responsibility? And do we believe that the night cometh speedily, wherein no man can work? How important then to us is the injunction of our Saviour. “Work while the day lasts!” We must soon give an account of our stewardship. May God help us to be diligent in every good work, doing with our might what our hands find to do, that in the grand review to which all our acts will soon be subjected, it may be said unto each of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord.”

S. B. WHIPPLE.

Perry's Mills, N. Y.