Basic HTML Version
Duty to Orphans
297
duty,” and then bring up some trifling excuse. “Well,” says another,
“neither is it my duty;” and finally it is nobody’s duty, and the soul is
left uncared for to perish. It is the duty of every Christian to engage
in this self-denying, self-sacrificing enterprise. Cannot God return
into their granaries and increase their flocks, so that instead of loss
there shall be increase? “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth;
and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to
poverty.”
But every man’s work is to be tested, and brought into judgment,
and he be rewarded as his works have been. “Honor the Lord with thy
substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: so shall thy
barns be filled with plenty.” “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?
to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to
let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to
deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are
cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover
him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Read the
[332]
next verse, and notice the rich reward promised to those who do this.
“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health
shall spring forth speedily.” Here is an abundantly precious promise
for all who will interest themselves in the cases of those who need
help. How can God come in and bless and prosper those who have
no special care for anyone except themselves, and who do not use
that which He has entrusted to them, to glorify His name on the
earth?
Sister Hannah More is dead, and died a martyr to the selfishness
of a people who profess to be seeking for glory, honor, immortality,
and eternal life. Exiled from believers during the past cold winter,
this self-sacrificing missionary died because no heart was bountiful
enough to receive her. I blame no one. I am not judge. But when
the Judge of all the earth shall make investigation, somebody will be
found to blame. We are all narrowed up and consumed in our own
selfishness. May God tear away this cursed covering and give us
bowels of mercy, hearts of flesh, tenderness and compassion, is my
prayer, offered from an oppressed, anguished soul. I am sure that a
work must be done for us or we shall be found wanting in the day of
God.