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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
iation. The strongest and noblest characters rest upon the foundation
of patience and love, and trusting submission to the will of God.
Charity “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” The heart in which love rules
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will not be filled with passion or revenge, by injuries which pride and
self-love would deem unbearable. Love is unsuspecting, ever placing
the most favorable construction upon the motives and acts of others.
Love will never needlessly expose the faults of others. It does not
listen eagerly to unfavorable reports, but rather seeks to bring to mind
some good qualities of the one defamed.
Love “rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.” He
whose heart is imbued with love is filled with sorrow at the errors
and weaknesses of others; but when truth triumphs, when the cloud
that darkened the fair fame of another is removed, or when sins are
confessed and wrongs corrected, he rejoices.
“Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.” Love not only bears with others’ faults, but cheerfully sub-
mits to whatever suffering or inconvenience such forbearance makes
necessary. This love “never faileth.” It can never lose its value; it is
the attribute of heaven. As a precious treasure it will be carried by its
possessor through the portals of the city of God.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, and peace. Discord and strife
are the work of Satan and the fruit of sin. If we would as a people
enjoy peace and love, we must put away our sins; we must come into
harmony with God, and we shall be in harmony with one another. Let
each ask himself: Do I possess the grace of love? Have I learned to
suffer long and to be kind? Talents, learning, and eloquence, without
this heavenly attribute, will be as meaningless as sounding brass or a
tinkling cymbal. Alas that this precious treasure is so lightly valued
and so little sought by many who profess the faith!
Paul writes to the Colossians: “Put on therefore, as the elect of
God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving
one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
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forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in
your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye