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Love for the Erring
71
You are not required to cloak sin, but to exercise that pitying love
for the erring which Christ has exercised toward you.
You are placed under the most favorable circumstances for the
development of good Christian characters. You are not where you
feel pinching want, or where your souls are galled and distressed
with the conduct of disobedient, rebellious children. In your family
there is no dissenting voice. You have all that heart can wish. Yet,
notwithstanding your favorable surroundings, you have faults and
errors, and much to overcome in order to be free from spiritual pride,
selfishness, a hasty spirit, jealousy, and evil surmisings.
Brother K has not the sin of evilspeaking to repent of, as very
many have, but he lacks a willingness to help those who most need
help. He is selfish. He loves his home, loves quiet, rest, freedom
from care, perplexities, and trials; therefore he pleases himself too
much. He does not bear the burdens which Heaven has assigned
him. He shuns disagreeable responsibilities, and shuts himself up
too much to his love of quietness. He has been quite liberal with
means, but when it is necessary to deny self to do some needed
good, when real sacrifice on his part is called for, he has but little
experience, and must gain it.
He fears that he will be blamed if he ventures to help the erring.
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,
and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor
for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but,
as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached Thee fell on
Me.” All who are partakers of this great salvation have something to
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do to help those who are hanging on the skirts of Zion. They should
not cut off their hold and thrust them away without making an effort
to help them to overcome and prepare for the judgment. No, indeed!
While these are bleating around the fold, they should be encouraged
and strengthened by all the aid which it is in our power to bestow.
You as a family have too rigid rules and set ideas which cannot be
made to fit every case. You lack love, gentleness, tenderness, and
pity for those who do not move as fast as they should. This spirit has
prevailed to such an extent that you are withering spiritually instead
of flourishing in the Lord. Your interest, and efforts, and anxieties
are for your family and your relatives. But you have not entertained
the idea of reaching out for others around you, overcoming your