Sympathy for the Erring
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to him a tender father and has smoothed his pathway. He should have
been true to his knowledge of truth, and served God with singleness of
heart, irrespective of censure, envy, and false accusations. It was the
position you took, Brother A, that was the finishing stroke to Brother
D. But he should not have let go his hold on God, though ministers
and people did take a course in which he could see no justice. Riveted
to the eternal Rock, he should have stood firm to principle and carried
out his faith and the truth at all hazards. Oh, what necessity for Brother
D to cling more closely to the Arm that is mighty to save.
All the worth and greatness of this life is derived from its connec-
tion with heaven and the future, immortal life. God’s everlasting arm
encircles the soul that turns to Him for aid, however feeble that soul
may be. The precious things of the hills shall perish; but the soul that
lives for God, unmoved by censure, unperverted by applause, shall
abide forever with Him. The city of God will open its golden gates to
receive him who learned while on earth to lean on God for guidance
and wisdom, for comfort and hope amid loss and affliction. The songs
of angels will welcome him there, and for him the tree of life will yield
its fruits.
Brother D has failed where he should have been victorious. But
the pitying eye of God is upon him. Although the compassion of man
may fail, still God loves and pities, and reaches out His helping hand.
If he will only be humble, meek, and lowly of heart, He will yet lift
up his head and plant his feet firmly upon the Rock of Ages. “The
mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness
shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be
removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.”
Not one of us is excusable, under any form of trial, for letting our
hold upon God become loosened. He is our source of strength, our
stronghold in every trial. When we cry unto Him for help, his hand
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will be stretched forth mightily to save. Brother D should have felt
that, having God for his father, he could hope and rejoice, though
every human friend should forsake him. I entreat him not to rob God
of his service because frail man has misjudged him, but make haste
and consecrate himself to God and serve Him with all the powers of
his being. God loves him, and he loves God; and his works must be
in accordance with his faith, whatever course men may pursue toward
him. His enemies may point to his present position as an evidence