Bear Ye One Another's Burdens.
By M. D. A.
The following which I found in the "Tract Journal," is a short, sweet treatise upon the text it bears. Those who think and wish to pass through life easily, without any burdens, never placing their necks beneath any yoke, may peruse it with profit; in fact, we may all read it and grow better. It is a true remark of somebody, that "some people pass through this world like straws upon a river; they do not go, but are carried." Others, a few, fear not to soil their hands or bend their hearts to others woes. Their aim is to do good somewhere to somebody. Such know what burdens are. They do not ask to live in this world without them. The sentiments of another come forcibly to my mind: "I hope we shall not be satisfied with being half a Christian. It is a day to elevate the standard of piety. We want more Judsons, Newels, and Huntingtons. These were devoted souls. It was not half-way work with them. Religion was all and in all. For this they lived, they suffered, and, supported by its consolations, they died. They have left a bright track for us to follow. Well may we tread closely in their steps; and then, though we share in their sufferings, we shall also inherit with them a crown of glory." "How tired you look, little girl! Isn't your pail very heavy?" "Oh, yes, ma'am, it is pretty heavy, but I shouldn't mind it so much if it didn't make my hands smart so." And the burden-bearer, a girl perhaps ten years old, showed the palms of her hand, red as blisters. "Poor thing! Give it to me a little while; I'll carry it for you, and rest you." I saw by the face of the kind young lady, as she lifted the pail, that it was heavier than she expected, but I heard no exclamation about the exceeding weight. Common politeness prompted me to step forward and relieve her of the unaccustomed burden; but I refrained, for two reasons. First, I knew I must turn at the second corner; and, next, I wanted to see if the lady would persevere in carrying so large a pail through the crowded street. She did. When I turned the corner she was in the midst of interesting inquiries about the child's brothers and sisters. I went on my way, thinking of the commandment which she was obeying, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." She was an utter stranger to me, but I felt that I knew her. I felt sure that the heart which prompted such sweet acts of wayside kindness was the home of kindly affections. "Help us to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Often do I hear this prayer uttered. Sometimes I see it answered. Sometimes I see Christians showing every day readier sympathy, a more helpful, loving spirit to their wayside companions in the path of life; drawing to them the afflicted, as our Lord drew to himself from far and near those "sick with divers diseases." Oftener this prayer goes up to Heaven, and brings no answer down. Why? We do not wish for an answer. We ask, to be sure, that we may bear each other's burdens, but how angrily should we start up if the burden of our nearest neighbor were laid upon our individual back. It is heavy. The very name, burden, implies a weary weight. We have now all the load that we can bear. Many of us think we have a greater one than we can carry. What shall we do? Shall we lie idly down and look up to the soft sky and say, "Gracious Father, let me die and come to Heaven, where there is no more weariness?" Not at all! Cast the burden which weighs you to the earth upon him whose strength is infinite, whose promise is that he "has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows;" who has bidden us cast our care upon him, because he careth for us. Then will you have a hand ready to help the struggling one at your side, strength to make somebody's burdens a little lighter. For this service you have all the promises of God. Paul's mighty prayer for the Colossians stands recorded for you and me. He implores God that they may be "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto—" Unto what? Unto "triumphings and gloryings, and the crown of life?" By no means. "Unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness." This is the end for which all the imperial attributes of our God do service to us; that we in our weakness, strengthened by his might, may be able to bear and suffer like our divine Master. St. Paul prays for the Colossians that they may be "fruitful in every good work, and always increasing in the knowledge of God." This is the other half of our work as Christians. But we must be willing to do the work and bear the burdens with Martha, as well as sit with Mary at the feet of our Lord to be taught the "knowledge of him." Our Saviour is perfect, both in knowledge and love; "though we fail indeed, he fails never;" his complete fullness hides our deficiencies. Let us do what we can, though it must be so little, remembering that the grandest monument ever raised to a mortal bore this inscription, "She hath done what she could."