p. 10 | CHRISTIAN KINDNESS

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1861

CHRISTIAN KINDNESS.

THE grace of christian kindness cannot be too highly prized, nor can it be too freely exercised in this life of vicissitudes, where all are alike subject to trials, temptations and besetments, and where the christian warfare never ceases. No one but the fault-finding Pharisee boasts of his having attained to the high state of christian perfection, where he can look down upon his less favored brother with an air of "christian contempt," nor does any but the cold-hearted scoffer taunt them when they stumble and fall. In times of temptation the charitable Christian will suffer long and be kind. When we are bereaved and sorrow has stricken our heart, the sympathizing brother will soothe our griefs and administer words of comfort, and when it is ours to be sorely tried, the true-hearted Christian will in some way exercise toward us the grace of christian kindness. Oh! how quieting to the desponding soul are the words, sweet words of christian kindness! And to the weary pilgrim, when tired and almost forsaken, how comforting are kind words and acts exercised towards him by a fellow Christian! The best Christians are not always on the mountain of delights, nor are they exempt from the buffetings of Satan. All are liable to err, and are alike exposed to the poisoned arrows of the enemy. Let us consider the matter wisely, and not forget that we are frail, erring mortals, and that in us dwelleth no good thing. Let us, instead of watching for the haltings of others, and seeking an opportunity to expose real or imaginary error in a fellow traveler, turn our eyes within, and by the light of the gospel examine ourselves, and see whether we are altogether as pure in heart and as free from errors as we could desire. "Charity suffereth long and is kind;" therefore let us exercise this grace also, and be willing to do unto others as we would that they should do unto us. Instead of hunting up and magnifying the faults of erring brethren, we should endeavor to hide them from the eager gaze of a cold-hearted, uncharitable, and selfish world. Let us not exult when our brother stumbleth, nor be glad at his calamities; rather let us be grieved for the afflictions of Joseph, and administer kind words and christian sympathy. Do not say with an air of satisfaction when thy brother is tempted, "Ah! it is his own fault; he is always getting out of the way." These things ought not so to be. Christians ought to love one another and try to build one another up,

Christians are the light of the world; but if the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! "Ye are the salt of the earth." As it is with salt so with the Christian; if its saving properties are lost, it is thenceforth good for nothing. If the Christian does not exert a christian influence, and is not alive unto God for the salvation of souls, he is like salt that has lost its saltness,—good for nothing. The soldier of the cross is always expected to be at his post with his harness on, ready for the coming conflict, prepared for war. There should be no discord in the ranks, no bickerings in the church of Christ; but love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness and truth. "For ye are members one of another." Be ye therefore, brethren, "kind and tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." A loving brother will not suffer his tongue to slander his neighbor, nor will he credit, without good and sufficient evidence, evil reports that may be in circulation against his neighbor, whether he be a member of the church or not. A true disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus will not be harsh and overbearing in his conversation, but will use kind words and gentle means to reclaim the erring one.

Let the grace of christian kindness be exercised, and all wrongs will be removed; minds that have been at war with each other, hearts that have long since ceased to beat in unison, will again be united, and the warm gush of love and affection will begin to flow. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Speak kind words, O my brethren, and use kind and gentle means if you would break up the deep fountain of the heart, and cause the tears of true penitence to flow. Is there a brother or a sister whose heart you have caused to bleed, and whose spirit you have wounded? Go to that brother or sister, and say to him or her in the language of a true penitent, "Brother, sister, be comforted. I am sorry for the wounds I have inflicted. Forgive me; I will do so no more." Let the kindly accents prove that you are sincere, and how soon the bleeding will cease, and the wound begin to heal! Let the spirit of meekness and christian love have liberty to exercise itself, and all misunderstandings, jealousies, and hateful animosities are at once removed. "Let brotherly love continue." Be not in haste to avenge the wrong done you. Remember it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord." Do not misrepresent thy brother by putting a wrong construction upon his language. Be as careful of his reputation as you would of your own. When thy brother is in trouble, when the clouds of adversity lower upon him, and losses, crosses, and disappointments are his lot, if it is in thy power to relieve him, do not call down the curse of God upon your own head by neglecting to discharge the obligations you are under to that afflicted brother.

Let the love that worketh no ill to his neighbor prompt thee to action. Do not grudge to give a penny to the poor, nor turn a deaf ear to the voice of the stranger. Hast thou by cold neglect and scornful indifference saddened the heart of an humble disciple of Jesus? Hast thou by misrepresentation or otherwise awakened jealousy and suspicion in the minds of others toward him? Go and make reparation. Take with you kind words, and a cup of oil and wine. Is thy brother offended? Win him back to thee by kindness. Prove to him by words and acts that you do not mean to offend. It is not weakness to confess a fault, but it is an indication of a weak mind to cultivate a spirit of retaliation and revenge. Jealousy, hatred and revenge are not the fruits of the spirit of holiness, but are the poisoned arrows of the demon of darkness, sent up from the pit to wound the hearts of Christians. 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 also be tempted. Do not be a sower of discord among brethren. No rich blessing is promised to them that stir up strife. A quiet and peace-making spirit is a healing balm, and a star of light in the midst of the camp. Let us in all our business transactions be honest, upright, truthful, benevolent. It is the duty of the Christian to elevate the standard of piety, and bear living testimony in the cause of truth and holiness. Fidelity in the cause of Christ should mark the Christian's career through life, and by the grace of God it will be his comfort and solace in the hour of death.