Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-08-19
The Duty Of the Church in an
Epidemic.

Nashville Christian Advocate, l6th.l
That the church does not fully |
realize her duty to the poor and dis. !
tressed members in extraordinary
emergencies like the present is per-
fectly apparent to all. She has no
system by which an organization can
be effected. All seem to be imbued
with one Unsuitable desire-that is to
get away as quick as possible, regard
less of consequences that may follow,
leaving, Of course, the poor and needy
to suffer, sicken and die. Not so
with all secret societies. See the
principles enunciated by them; see
how faithfully they at once begin the
work of organization, and with what
promptness they seek to alleviate the
sick and distressed of their breth-
ren. Thus do they teach the
members Of Christ's church
lessen that should be taught and
carried out by the Christian churches.
First, these different secret societies
are now doing all the work that should
and would be done by the churches
were they as efficiently organized: and
why should they not be? Are they
not Of Christ's flock? Are they not
taught, Do unto others as We would
they should do unto you2 Yea, more
than that. Have they not been
taught. and do they not believe, that
Christ has said. 1.-THE moor We have
always with you?" Then why forsake
them? Why leave them without any
provisions, without any of the com
forts of life? Is it not the duty of the
church to provide for all of these,
in times Of an epidemic espec-
tally? Yea, more than that
the church should have all the
credit Of whatever good is done to man.
Yet she gets none, and should have
none so long as she remains in such an
unkind attitude. She virtually says to
the outside world, You provide for
your brethren; we have enough to do
to take care Of ourselves. Those who
have plenty, in the excitement Incl
dent to extreme panics, are more apt
to think of the best means of escape,
land thus, in the hurry to get off forget
Iall about those they have left behind
but when settled, and in their calm,
lsober thoughts, should they then not
at once set about and devise some
means through which suffering can be
Iallayed? The church ought, by all
means, to have her boards of relief
established, put them in charge OF
sober, dscrect and honest men, among
those who are willing to brave the
storm; those especiallywho, for Christ S
sake, are willing to sacrifice them
selves in the bestowment of such re-
lief as may be given them. D, breth-
ren, many of you have not looked at
this subject as you should Christ
says, " This is my commandment, that
ye love one another as | have loved
you" " Greater love hath no man
than this, that a man lay down his
life for his friends. y f" Ye are my
friends if ye do whatsoever / com
mand you" John XIV. u; xiii. II.
Again, / John iii. 16, II. Thereby
perceive we the love of God, because
he laid down his life for us, and we
ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. But whose hath this
worlds goods, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bow
els of compassion from him, how
dwelloth the love of God in him p
There are now several families who
need attention. None here to visit
and care for them. Yes, there are
some; Brothers Stewart and Malone
are both ready and willing to 90 forth.
They need but the means to supply
the wants of the suffering and needy.
They can do all that is necessary
provided the comforts were at hand to
supply their temporal wants. Many
have already been relieved through
my own instrumentality; but there
are yet three months before us; the
little left in my hands will soon be
exhausted. Brethren, what say you?
The matter rests with you. All will
be done that it is possible to do. We
will do the best we can with what we
have, Affecti9pqtely yours,
D. II. GOODYEAR,