The Care of Orphans
Among all whose needs demand our interest, the widow and the
fatherless have the strongest claims upon our tender sympathy. They
are the objects of the Lord’s special care. They are lent to Christians in
trust for God. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father
is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to
keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:27
.
Many a father who has died in the faith, resting upon the eternal
promise of God, has left his loved ones in full trust that the Lord would
care for them. And how does the Lord provide for these bereaved
ones? He does not work a miracle in sending manna from heaven; He
does not send ravens to bring them food; but He works a miracle upon
human hearts, expelling selfishness from the soul and unsealing the
fountains of benevolence. He tests the love of His professed followers
by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones.
Let those who have the love of God open their hearts and homes
to take in these children. It is not the best plan to care for the orphans
in large institutions. If they have no relatives able to provide for them,
the members of our churches should either adopt these little ones into
their families or find suitable homes for them in other households.
These children are in a special sense the ones whom Christ looks
upon, whom it is an offense to Him to neglect. Every kind act done to
them in the name of Jesus is accepted by Him as done to Himself.
Those who in any way rob them of the means they should have,
those who regard their wants with indifference, will be dealt with by
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the Judge of all the earth. “Shall not God avenge His own elect, which
cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you
that He will avenge them speedily.” “He shall have judgment without
mercy, that hath showed no mercy.”
Luke 18:7, 8
;
2:13
. The Lord
bids us: “Bring the poor that are cast out to thy house.”
Isaiah 58:7
.
Christianity must supply fathers and mothers and homes for these
destitute ones. Compassion for the widow and orphan, manifested
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