New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-13
CHRISTIAN PHILANTHROPY,

men are to be judged of by their fruitsand than this
moro legitimate and equitable test OF worth and I'M
worth can scarcely be conceived-then the friends OF
Christianity need not be afraid to submit 1t to the severest
scrutny provided the rules Of honor and honesty be
observed in the Judgment that Is found. Very many
people are found who incapable of perceiyng
the moral and spiritual beauty Of the Christian system
but who cannot be blind to the material advantages that
have sprung from 1t. Unwilling TO acknowledge the
dvine origin OF the religion OF Christ, they find them
selves the ready take share in the indsputabe
blessings has conferred upon the world; and many OF
the most yirnlent opponents of Christianity their
ability and opportunity for assallng 10 the nOuris
ment 1t has afforded them-to the fostering care
IN has extended over them-are indebted to 1t
in fact for half their ordinary daily mercies Strange
aud sad 1t is, but not uncommon, y nqd that the
feather which directs the pointed at the Angel OF
Truth should have been taken from the pnion OF that
GER himself; his wing 1t was which famed the
arehers infant brow proved covering TO him during
the development OF his boyhoods powers and Is even
now and Will be continually folding ts YerieSt Toes
within its protecting guardianship, and shedding such
dewy fragrance along the pain tnTougn e 3 Rs th
breathngs OF a perpetual Spring.
Many OF the antagonists of Christianity are men who
have often met and sorry specimens of its pro-
fessors and acting on the principle disco
mes" nave hastily and illogcaly concluded that the
system and s friends like these; that religion
was but a synonym for Hypocrisy that their
creed was composed OF noble Words but put
and have come to camor for its suppression and
tnctiOn. This state of mind Is too accOrdant with the
natural enmty OF head towards God and truth 10
surprise u.s. persons ready 10 fasten on
the failures than the excelences OF professors; AS
men inclined 10 gaze nterestedly on the sun
when eclipsed than when shining IN its fun and I'M
couded spendo But OF such persons we beg an arrest
OF Judgment. We cry. "Strike, but hear"
MANS DEBT To CHRISTIANITY.
II is not my design in this paper to speak OF these
agencies OF Christian philanthropy which contemplate
direct spiritual results. With these know the world
has little sympathy; but rather of these which, as
have stated the world has learned to extent to
value and Of which It does not hesitate to avail ITSELF
want 10 show to what It Ia in Christianity, all In
these days indebted for the benefits they perhaps
unconscoy enjoy Yet must say IN passing that the
win which the church and, to a great extent.
the world Is familiar, are but the natural de-
veopment OF Christian philanthropy IN the mghest
phase IL is pity for Immortal souls perlshng III gho-
rance and guilt we'll as obedience to the divine COM
TO every creature" which has led to those grand and in
spirng operations which. as with chain OF golden
their due ineed OF universal acknowledgment, when
the glorious issues are qnyaed before an awed anu
Claimed with a trumpet that the religion OF Jesus Is
a spiritual system. commencing itself TO cultivated IN
telects and yet understood by the humble In spirit
while 1t supplies ample themes for meditation, which
will we'll repay the student and the recluse for the time
we design to show-an eminently practical and hui
namely benehcent religion, which was intended by
ts Divine Founder not only to draw men back TO Cod
but all men TO each other which, while blesses
the soul, besses the body also which Is not only TO
t man for tho enjoyment OF heaven butfor that OF the
earth too; a vast deal more than he could personally
do apart from The influence OF exercises the hopes II III
ners 10 has emblazened for ts legend the words that
formed burden OF the song OF Bethlehem Glory to
cod I'm the Highest, Earth Peace and Good Will 10
MANI Philanthropy love to man. did not begin with
Christianity not then first inculoated but was one
of the earliest enjoned our race. 10 was
call 10 obey the original instinct which God ere
ated within HIM but which was INTERRUPTED III its de
the principal and perhaps the very earliest 0t the prod
rSs p OF eders was ready TO cast the blame Of
the first transgression the other while the language
Of the premier murderer but the keynote to mil
yona NJ IN
Am my brothers keeperP Against this se!fshness
the divine protest was very early made.
PHILANTHROPY OLDER THAN CHRISTIANITY.
The injunction to show love to ono another, was, we
believe part Of the normal creed Of humanitya portion
OF the unwriten law surely 1t lies embodied In
the first recorded OF the divine oracle that
pressed the will OF tho God" Thou shalt love thy
neighbor as myself"
God has laid the axe TO the OF the hateful tree OF
seldshness by the most signal OF sefdenal his
own part which the universe ever beheld when he be-
slowed the unspeakable gift" OF Jesus Christ. That
the Father loved the Son, know. What then, that
love U.S. which led TO the surrender OF the oved one
who had dwe In the bosom of the Father Tor US men
and our salvation. That It might offer sacrifice for the
sin OF the world. he must needs become one OF u.s.
FOrasmuch the children partakers or flesh and
blood he also himself likewise took part OF the same;
that through death he might destroy him that had the
Of DEATH Here Is the grand Illustration OF divine
phlanthropy the ground OF tue Cross
Christianity teaches men TO love one
are theirs toward each other. 30 that now
the highest form OF human excellence In human rea-
selyes-that perhaps the ofest standard by which
to regulate the duty before Christianity came but now
the sentiment Is Of "a moro elevated characteristic
standard universally superior. His teaching Ia that
We love another Ihaye loved you" His was the
love OF who maksth his sun to rise on the evil aud
the good and sendeth rain on the just aud on the
unjust" who did till he could love US with the
love OF compaceney, could pronounce us perfect but
who remembered us in his low estate" He loved us
because he had become of us-nay, he became one
of because he loved us and here Is tremendous
mystery-whe We are 10 love one another because We
are brethren. involved In one common oalanity but In,
teresed grand scheme OF dellyerance falling all
of u.s. through relationship 10 the nrst man VINO Is
of the earth, eartny"-redeemed all OF us, through
the second man who Is the Lord from Heaven
AS one prao oa and easily dscernibe evidence OF HIS
love 10 u.s. and N example which we are 10 follow.
the great founder OF Christianity went about doing
good" He appealed 70 his works well as his words
"a proof that should ktisfy John the Baptist he Was
he mat should come" In blessing others ~ we shau
be- able we are 10 mitators Of Him. An order OF tho
nobityt the Order OF the Crossas been Instituted by
Iesns Christ Its insignia Is simple having this seal"
Nome OF us liyeth himself " aud on the diverse, "A
wa have therefore opportunity lot us do good unto
mi men, especially unto them who are Of tbs household
OF faith" While the broad ribbon " which tic seal