The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-09-26
{ From.tAe General Baptist Repository.
ON LOVE TO ENEMIES.

Noihlng perhaps more stio"S! "'s'"
euishes the moral character Of the Chris
tan religion from all other systems, thar
the temper and conduct which it require:
its votaries to exercise towards those who
are, or whom they esteem to be. thcil
enemies. The light Of nature and the
voice OF conscience teach. with sufficient
clearness, the equity and the proPrIety Of
itreating,our friends with Kindness, and OF
loving them tha. love US. Ingrati!ude has
always. in every cline, excited the mos'
lively detestation; and those who have
been guilty of it, have universally been
considered the basest mortals' Did Chris
tianitV therefore only inculcate the most
sacred obligations of gratitude; and did
its professors exhibit that virtue in its
brightest lustre, they would still be ex-
posed to the mortifying inquiry, "What
do ye more than others!" The Jews, the
Mahometan and the Pagan, all profess the
same principles; and each, as far as he
is attentive to the precepts of his own
faith practises the same virtues. But the
adorable Founder Of our religion, extended
the obligations of love and kindness, far
beyond the narrow limits to which others
eonfine them; and gave to his disciples
this memorable precept: IL say unto you,
Love your enemies, bless them that hate
you, and pray for them that despitefalIy
use you and persecute you."
- This extraordinary Injunction has been
reprobated by the infidel as mean and das.
tardly, inconsistent with the feelings of
nature, and encouraging cowardly pusil-
lanimityJ But is not this too hasty CEN
sur! Would not closer investigation
lead.to a very different RESULT The man
who, ,on receiving an offence or injury,
whether real or imaginary, is instantly
reused to resentment against the person
who has caused it, and INDUCES malici.
ods desire Of revenge against him, sinks
himself to q level with his enemy, and
debsses his, soul with the same illiberal
baneful passions that actuated the aggres.
sor. On the contrary, be who, though he
feels the injury that he has received, and
fully recognises the guilt Of the trausac.
ton, preserves his mind free from every
hostile emotion; checks the rising wish to
fender evil for evil; and, despising all per-
sonaI considerations, sincerely pities the
offender, and is mot only willing but de.
siroussto promote his welfare, eievates his
ehsracter for true magnanimisy and exal.
ted generosity, far above the unhappy
,mauwho has done, him the injury. The
,kssahens, unsssisted by revelation, could
discover that he is more Of a hero who
colquets himself, than he who scales the
strongest Notifications. The wisest OF
nsli assures us that SHE that is slow TO
sngs5is better than the mighty;, and he
that tsniesh his sspitis than he that t,taketh a
city,, And the same inspired sage has
Observed that she. that hath no rule>ove
his own spirit" but is borne away by his
faPesuoqs passions, !" is ike city That is
brSksn doyn and without wallis, wholly
st tt6e, mercy Of every invader.-And it
should always be recollected, that he who
repressss the malignant dispositions and
;cubivates feelings Of kindness towards
those that offend him, initiates the most
noble and perfect of beings, the Fountain
of all excellence, the Almighty Creator
and Governor Of the universe; who is con-
tinually bessowing The blessings of his
providence on those, who blaspheme his
name and. reject his authority. "He
makes hisisup to rise on the just and the
unjdst.r Now, what can be more honora-
BE, than for a creature to actupon the
same principles as his Creator! Surely
shat proceeding can never be justly es-
teemed mean, or those principles debas-
ing. which are sanctioned by the condpc.
of the "high aud lofty One that inhabi:
te.h eternity"
This heavenly disposition, however, is
.~Ao xs,pnI % 4