The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-04-25

have been adopted into the Divine family
and to be paricipants in the blessings OF
salvation. If any Thing is calculated to melt
hearts into sympathy with each "lher'
these considerations must surely DO it,
Do we expect that the children OF the
same parents should love each other with
tenderness, and that they whose wishes
are the same, would be gamers by mutual
confidence-then we say that children OF
the Heavenly King, who are SO closely
united that what makes the benefit OF one
is for the interest of all, ought not to need
to be exhorted. "Be kindly afectioned
one to another with brotherly love-"
We might here remark, that merely to
love some who are Christians dues not full
fill the Apostolic Injunction. There are
many who are in every sense worldly,
who, for various reasons, maintain feel
ing of friendliness towards those Of their
aco ouaintances who bear the Christian name
who will not at all be suspected for maxi
ing religion the ground of this attachment.
Friends are loved for amiable qualities,
complaisant manners, or for the benefits
which they have conferred-while the es-
timation in which they are held in the eyes
of the Master, so far from being recon-
mendation, is simply borne with. Chris
tians love one another because they are
mutually partakers of Christ's love to them
all. This affection is not the offspring of
natural instinct, refinement, or gratitude
but is awakened in the truly spiritual mind
by the discovery of qualities most coEgen-
ial to itself.
We may remark that one Of the lowest
exercises of Christian affection consists in
the forgiveness Of our brethren when they
have injured us.
1t sometimes happens that Divine grace
is grated on tempers naturally disagreea-
Bile. Now while it is believed that where
grace exists it will soften down the asperi-
ties of temper, there are moments when
sudden temptations will show the tenden-
cies of nature. True Christian affection
will lead us to bear much, and to forgive
much-the remembrance that our offender
IS Christian brother may make the wound.
At the time, felt more deeply, but will
AXE from our sensibility the color of re-
sentiment. Pity, for one who has no self
government, will lead US to prayer on his
behalf. Prayer will melt the soul into a !
iorglving frame--and if the injurer actual.
y felt more at the time than was express
I'd by hasty word, the assurance given
~ our openness of manner that we felt
IN EN- otion bu. kindness, will put stop
o malevolence at the very threshhold.-I
sorbearing one another, and forgiving one
mother, is but another form of express.
ng the precept, "Be. kindly affectioned
,ne to another"
Moreover, kindly Christian affection
IMPLIES that there should be something
more than speaking acquaintance be-
ween members Of the same Church. In
he case of many congregations, it is fear
ID, there is not even this. Individuals
meet and part at the communion table,
Who would not be able to recognize each
,ther in the streets. Where however,
rom fewness of numbers this canntt oc-
:ur, the little care taken to keep UP a
friendly intercourse among fellow profess
,rs, gives rise also to an equal degree Of
We may love religion in
he abstract, butt is maintained with truth,
hat love 20 the brethren to be kept in
lively exercise, requires that professors !
hould know each other as intimately as
will allow. The intercourse
hus arising would be followed by the allie
Nations Of those burdens in which the
whole body share. Many mistakes would
oe corrected, and all would be edifed.- ,
The apostolic precept forbids that fashion
should be suffered to bind so tight within
he chain of caste, that the brother of low
legree may not claim kindred with him
n