The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-06-24
Charity for the Fallen.

''Neither do L condemn thee. 90, and sin no
How foreibly do these simple words of
Jesus portray his charity for a fallen
woman; but how different the charity Of
men and women protesting the same re-
ltgion! When woman falls a victim
to mans evil peTsuasiOns. il is the Gus
tom of all Christian people TO look upon
her as a thing beneath their notice, ex-
cept il be to point the finger of scorn at
and call vile names; and yet, If we pos
sessed one spark of the charity Of Jesus,
the worst accusation that we would feel
justified in making is that she was UeTy
UedE; and in many Instances, could We
know all the circumstances aud realize
the power of the tempteT, and the arts
and devices used to deceive and lead
astray, and how long and cunningly the
betrayer has pursued his victim, our
censure might be turned to admiration
for the strength that resisted so long
But we only see the fall; God alone sees
the conflict, aud He ouly Is competent
TO judge; He alone knows how to draw
the line between willful sin and the
temptations too strong for our resist
ance. Were we permitted to read one
chapter in. the pre- natal existence of
many persons, and know the traits of
character bequeathed to them by their
parents; how they were endowed with
prOpensities that were so indelibly
stamped into their existence that they
cannot be eTadicated by any teaching
and influence in after years, together
with weakness and indecisiOn that were
never taught to bow in Submission to
principle, we would pity the poor help
less creatures thus born with no armor
Of protection, for they are destined to
become an easy prey to the 1atlery and
temptation of unpriucipled men.
Parents, if you have an erring daugh-
ter that you would turn from the pro-
lection of your home aud love, look
back TO the time before that child was
cast upon the great sea of human trial,
aud see IL a remembrance of your former
selves cannot arouse within you feelings
of charity and pity for one you sent iuto
the world to battle with its temptations
with no shield, aud then perhaps you
may be able to say, "Neither do I con-
denim thee; go, and sin no more"
| know that such arguments and such
charity as I would urge in behalf of a
sister who has stepped from the pleas
ant path Of virtue would he met by
many with the taunting reply that "you
are as bad as she, or you would not have
U
think of casting reprOaches upon the
purity Of Jesus because Of bis charity ?
The virtuOus may sbhOr sin, yet pity
the sinner; and il is their love of virtue
that would prompt them To reclaim
with kindness those who have fuTsaken
its path. | might plead the same excuse
for men that have for women, did they
not already claim too much sympathy
from society but | plead for helpless
wOm-n, who are sintsd against So much
uOTe than they sin. Society supports
aud smiles upon man while he Injuries
woman, who can claim 40 redress. no
sympathy from the same source that
shields hin The wirkedne-s Of man
who pursues a Eomau tu her ruin Is
only w.nkvi at 10y society, white the
woman msy plead tor mercy may
wash uut her sin by night with hitter
Tears of repentance, and walk the earth
by day beneath the crushing sense Of
shame aud humiliation; but that Will
avail nothing. Society does not speak
the words Of Jesus; it only turns re-
prOachfully and says, "YOu have siuned
once. that is sufficient; there is no help
for YOU now. no hope, only to 90 down
10 deeper degradation and eternal mis-
cry" But who is much TO blame for
this state Of things? WoBlGR herself
Woman, remember that you are part
Of that society that would scorn you
should you fail. Be not you the one to
crush your fallen sister; DO not draw
your untarnished garments around you
with such an air Of superiority, but ever
think, "YOu might have fallen as low as
she, had you been tempted equally"
And you may yet see the time when
I you can say, "She has but stumbled in
I the natl n that I in weak ness trOd - Nh
| human being can be frozen back to a life
Of virtue more effectively than they can
/ be drawn back by kindness and true
/ charity. Few hearts are so innAtely bad
that they cannot be reformed by the
power of love.-OliUe Branch, ia WODl-
ans Exponent.