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A Father to the Poor, August 28
Pure Religion Defined
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I
searched out.
Job 29:16
This was an evidence that Job had righteousness that was after
Christ’s order. Through Jesus men may possess a spirit of tender pity to-
ward the needy and distressed.... He descended to the lowest humiliation
and was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, that He might
exalt us to be joint heirs with Himself. The whole world was in need of
that which Christ alone could give them. He did not withdraw Himself
from those who called upon Him for help. He did not do as many now
do, say, “I wish they would not trouble me with their affairs. I want to
hoard up my means, to invest it in houses and lands.” Jesus, the Majesty
of heaven, turned from the splendor of His heavenly home, and in the
gracious purpose of His heart He demonstrated the character of God to
men throughout the world.
Take away poverty, and we should have no way of understanding
the mercy and love of God, no way of knowing the compassionate and
sympathetic heavenly Father.
First meet the temporal necessities of the needy and relieve their
physical wants and sufferings, and you will then find an open avenue to
the heart, where you may plant the good seeds of virtue and religion.
Never does the gospel put on an aspect of greater loveliness than
when it is brought to the most needy and destitute regions.... Truth
from the Word of God enters the hovel of the peasant and lights up the
rude cottages of the poor.... Rays from the Sun of Righteousness bring
gladness to the sick and suffering. Angels of God are there.... Those who
have been loathed and abandoned are raised through faith and pardon to
the dignity of sons and daughters of God.
* * * * *
Christianity is the solace of the poor.
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