The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-21
Christ's Sympathy.

We have reason to guard against re-
hgiouS SeIfsh1aeSS. This is but another
form of the fallen principle we have been
endeavoring to combat-it is selfshness
in Christian disguise. A child of God
may be so exclusively embodied within
his own religious privileges and enjoy
ments, as to overlook his obligation and
pledge to promote the spiritual we'll
being of others Satisfied of his own
conversion-nourished in rich pastures
and experiencing high spiritual enjoy
ment, he may become selfshly and crimi-
nally indifferent to the multitudes within
his reach living in sin and ignorance,
restitution and neglect, hearing of no
Saviour, possessing no Bible, attending
no sanctuary, and each day passing into
hopeless eternity, uttering the fearful
wail' and the bitter reproof, " No man
cared for n1y SouIi" But this must not
be. Forbid it, the religion and the love
of Him who sacrificed himself for us
What an example of selt-denying, self
sacrificing, selfconsuming, disinterested
benevolence, sympathy, and labor was
Christ's He had griefs that needed as
suaging, loneliness that needed cheering.
depressions that needed soothing, wounds
that needed healing, wants that needed
supplying, weakness that needed strength
ening, and yet he buried all within the
deep, silent cloisters of his own bosom,
and went about doing good. Let us
initiate him God converted us that we
might be instrumental in converting
others. Through grace we have found
Jesus. that we may bring our fell
low-sinners to Jesus. The light of life
has been enkindled within our soul, that
its bright shining might guide the steps
of those who are stumbling on the dark
mountains of death to the Saviour. The
Lord, therefore, deposited this rich grace
in our heart, that it might be dispersed
abroad in self-denying efforts to win souls
to Christ. Arise, then, and let us labor.
This is day of glad tidings, and we dare
not hold our peace. We must be salts
fed with our own salvation, but seek,
ALSO the salvation of others. We must
love our neighbor as ourselves. And
what is the nature of the love we are to
cherish for him? A self-denying SYM
pathy for his souls eternal happiness.
And who is our neighbor? Not simply
him who dwells beneath the shadow Of
our own abode, but the sinner, the
wanderer, the sufferer, the child of sor
row and of want, be he who and where
he may He is your neighbor. Be
willing for a while to forego your own
religious advantage, to relinquish some
personal spiritual enjoyment, to find him
out and tell him of Christ. How can
you 60 to and fro to the rich banquet of
the gospel week after week and feel no
concern for and make no effort in behalf
of those within your reach who are dv-.
ing of spiritual starvation amid the
plenty Of which you have enough and to
spare? This is religious selfshness of a
fearfully responsible kind The Lord
deliver us from blood guiltinessl You
must deny yourself of some spiritual
privileges for the spiritual benefit of
others If you are true disciple
and imitator of the Saviour Restrict
not your evangelical sympathy and
labors within the limits of your own
vicinity. AT home or abroad, in your
native or in foreign land, be a herald
of salvation, missionary Of the gospel,
a witness for Christ, recognizing him as
your -neighbor and your brother who
needs word of instruction, a look of
kindness, and uplifting hand-the oil
and the wine of Christian sympathy and
love poured into a wounded and bleed
ing heart-in word, some one to speak
to him of Jesus OctaUius TV1,1SLog,
d. d.