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Be Ye Kind

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 12, 1862

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 20, No. 11.

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"Be Ye Kind."

By Geo. Wright

THAT the apostle Paul possessed a kind heart in an eminent Christian sense, none who are familiar with his history will deny. And that he faithfully and affectionately enjoined this heaven-born principle on the churches he planted, is equally true. Hear him to the church at Ephesus: "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice, and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted," &c. The saints and faithful brethren at Colosse he exhorts to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, &c.; and to his brethren at Corinth he writes, Charity, or love, suffereth long, and is kind. One round, as the Christian ascends Peter's ladder of holiness, is brotherly kindness, and next to the last, or crowning grace, love. This binds all together, and without this all is but sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
The truly kind man is a blessing to all around him.
Like begets like; and he that would be beloved must show himself lovely. Kindness has a power that cruelty and tyranny never has possessed, and never can. The cruel man is despised. The tyrant may be feared, but never loved. How often has my heart been pained at scenes of cruelty to animals, especially to that noble and faithful animal, the horse. Often have I seen them neglected, and allowed to suffer for want of food, cruelly beaten, and taxed beyond their strength; and this, too, by some professing to be Christians. O shame, where is thy blush!
Isaiah, in visions of future glory in the new earth, saw there many of the animals with which we are surrounded, whether by a resurrection or new creation, we will not now stop to consider, though it would seem from Ps. civ, 29, 30, that it is by the latter. I believe that every creature that God pronounced good when he finished creation's work, will be represented there. Such was the faith of John Wesley, and a host of others, and such the Bible clearly teaches; and think you God will approbate us, or permit us to enjoy the glories of his holy mountain where they shall not hurt nor destroy, if we are cruel or unkind to the creatures he has placed in our care here? Never.
The Bible recognizes but two classes. This is clearly set forth in the following: "A righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." Prov. xii, 10. The line is drawn strait here, reader, and which side are you on? "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Here again the path of duty is made plain. If we would obtain mercy in the great day just before us, we must apply these tests of holy writ to our lives now.
Many exhibit great kindness of heart, and are ready to relieve suffering, and exercise a forgiving spirit to those they love and respect. This is comparatively easy. Thousands who know nothing of experimental religion will do this; but the humble child of God who is striving to walk in obedience to the faith of Jesus, will love his enemies, pray for them that despitefully use him, and be kind to the unthankful and the evil. This the carnal heart revolts at. Here is where the true Christian is distinguished from the worldling, among the thousands that are crying, Lord, Lord.
There is a remnant who are striving to walk with God, both in and out of Babylon. The voice of God will be heeded as proclaimed by his faithful servants. "Come out from among them and be ye separate." Such are despised by the world, and the proud, arrogant professor, and are counted as the filth and offscouring of the earth, but they are really the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. To them the sweet promise is given, "He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed."
Lord, help me to prove worthy of the fellowship of this dear people, be counted worthy to suffer with them for thy name, and to share in their work and labor of love. Let such smite me, it shall be a kindness, and reprove me when I am wrong. Let me but share in the blessing attending their noble work in time and eternity,
“And I ask, O, I ask for no more.”
GEO. WRIGHT.
Lapeer, Mich.