Smyrna times., 1857-10-14
Selected articles.
Speech of Rev. Peter Smith.
Smyrna, Oct 1857.
G. X. EVANS.

SUBJECT-HUMAN CHARIrY-RepOrted bu
AuthOrity.-My Beloved Brethren: [ have
long been OF the opinion, indeed, | have thou ght
so ever since have had the honor of being in
the ministry, that there are many persons who
think that "human charity" is great Christian
virtue. They seem generally TO believe, too,
that IT 1t is well practlced upon those who have
means. and power, and influence in their hands,
It will be sure to bring water right to their
mill. and will pay well, yea, that if il is rightly
dispensed it will yield better per cent. than
shaving notes, or even selling city lots; which,
10 our day, has got to be great business, you
know, my beloved brethren.
These Christians are Just as ready to give as
any other sinners, if their property will be en-
hanced by II, or their custom be enlarged, or
their names be trumpeted abroad. With them
intereSt-their own iRtereSt-is always the
propeliiDg power ftlcir benevolent machinery,
while they close their purses against all those
causes that will not cater 10 their whms, bow
to their prejudces or yield to their passions
Their Charity is only mere human charity, aud
think, very selfish at that, my beloved breth-
ern. 1t can not, we know, be baptized Chris
tan" charity, however much such professors
may practice it. Indeed. it is not, in my esti.
nation, as lovely or 5 goOd as the kind-heart-
etness which we read of among pagans and in
hdels 10 the lands of darkness. In this Chris
tan country, my beloved brethren, with the BIZ
Bile in all our hands, and with churches and
school-housps every where, all the people ought
to know well, and perfectly. the difference be-
tween Christian charity and mere human chari-
ty--and it seems to me they would if their
hearts were only right. The good old Book
says, you know, my beloved brethren, that " if
any man love the world, the love of the Father
IL NOT irl st.. =.
to measure yourselves by. you may depend upon
II. For where the heart is full of big farms, or
"~ild lands,' on costly furniture and fine
houses, or bank bills and gold eagles, there is
not even room in the kitchen Of the heart, nv
beloved brethren, for any thing that is very
good, or benevolent, or charitable.
How many do you suppose there are in this
assembly, my beloved brethern, who had ever
inquired the Lord when to give, and how
much, and to whom they should give it! Alas,
Tor Christian charity, how many only give TO
preserve the respectaOility of their Church re-
latlonship, while many haven't even that much
pride, and never give anything, only when it is
fairly "dogged out of them Have YOU any
such Christians among you, my beloved breth.
ernl !" Faith and we have Jest sich," ex-
claimed bold Irish tongue near by US, "and
sorry CHRISTIANS they are too. Well thrade
all affiill ye, brother Smeth, eff yell only take
them.
Thank you, my dear brother O'Lafferty; I'd
much rather you would keep them yourselves
I'm sure / could not get any wool off of such
sheep; and have to preach to enough of that
sort now
Yes, my beloved brethren, as was Just saw
ing, there are some Christians who don't like
to give if they can help it !; and as have often
observed, my beloved brethern, this sort of pro.
fessors are generally the very foremost ones ia
finding fault with the preacher and if they
don't like him at all, which is very apt to be
the case why they very "piously stop the feed
on him." and try to starye him to death l.
have no doubt, my beloved, that hell is larpely
filled up with just such Christian professors to-
day, while there are many others on their ionr.
ney, It IS TO be feared, to the same fearful place
All my beloved brethren. this is yery seriops
subject, ! assure you /, for it is what YOU give
and the spirit you give it in, when taken in
connection with your means, which decides
here as we'll as hereafter whether your gifts a re
the offsErngs Of "human" or "Christian',
charity. May the Lord open your eyes to see
the truth and to know your own hearts, my be.
loved bretlrenl A few amens" here come
from the right.hand corner of the church, and
one brother, away out in the congregation. re.
sponded amen with sfvim,n al the very
top Of hg voice.1 s =
Ibegin to feel, my beloved brethren. that I'm
coming into close quarters; but nv motto In.
"Cry loud ani spare not" and do hope the
rood lefd will heP me, and that neither my