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devoid of mercy and courtesy; and they would have exercised more
compassion toward a man on account of his very infirmity, considering
him entitled to the tenderest consideration and neighborly love. But
here was a blind man, a brother in Christ, and several of his brethren
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were sitting as judges upon his case.
More than once during the progress of the trial, while a brother
was being hunted like a rabbit to his death, you would break out into
a loud laugh. There sat Brother C, naturally so kind and sympathetic
that he censured his brethren for cruelty in killing game to subsist
upon, yet here was a poor blind man, of as much more value than birds
as man formed in the image of God is above the dumb creatures of
His care. Ye “strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel” would have been
the verdict of Him who spake as never man spake, had His voice been
heard in your assembly.
He who had such tender compassion for the birds might have
exercised a praiseworthy compassion and love for Christ in the person
of His afflicted saint. But you were as men blindfolded. Brother B
presented a smooth, able speech. Brother D was not a ready speaker.
His thoughts could not be clothed in language that would make a case,
and he was altogether too much surprised to make the best of the
situation. His sharp, criticizing brethren turned lawyers and placed the
blind man at great disadvantage. God saw and marked the transactions
of that day. These men, adepts in casting mist and making out a
case, apparently obtained a triumph, while the blind brother, misused
and abused, felt that everything was sinking beneath his feet. His
confidence in those whom he had believed were the representatives of
Christ was terribly shaken. The moral shock he received has nearly
proved his ruin, spiritually and physically. Everyone who was engaged
in this work should feel the deepest remorse and repentance before
God.
Brother D has made a mistake in sinking under this load of reproach
and undeserved criticism, which should have fallen on other heads
than his. He has loved the cause of God with his whole soul. God has
shown His care for the blind in giving him prosperity, but even this has
been turned against him by his envious brethren. God has put it into
the hearts of unbelievers to be kind and sympathetic to him because
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he is a blind man. Brother D has been a Christian gentleman, and has
made even his worldly enemies to be at peace with him. God has been