The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-30
"WHo IS MY NE1GHBoR2n

Ncighbor is q word we are constantly
using without, perhaps, ever having exam.
ined its full meaning. 1t is word Of the
Simplest construction, and points back to a
primitive peri d. 1t is one Of those COM
pounds which in the childhood Of speech
man made, as children make such COM
pounds now, by putting together two words
both. It is simply, near dweller, and was
coined to designate those whose dwelling.
places were near together. 1t still retains
of course this original meaning, but with
the advance of thought and the perception
of other relations between men than those OF
mere local vicinity neighbor has obtained o
broader application. and looking at our
duties as neighbors with this wider vision,
we shall see that those duties do not depend
upon any mere outward conditions, and that
it is impossible for any of us to escape their
obligation.
We are by our common humln nature
each others ncishbors, and however we
may disown or dishonor, VIC cannot destroy
the relationship. The great English jurist
Burke has sail that there is law OF neigh
borhood which does not leave man per-
fectly master on his own ground. And it is
equally true that there Is q law Of moral
and spiritual ncighborhood which puts it
out Of our power to it olatc ourselves III ao-
solutc independence from each other.
Placed then, as we are by the will OF God,
in The great general ncishborhooI OF hl'lnan-
ity, and elch one of us in the immediate
spneciic neighborhood in which We live, there
can he no lesson of Jesus that we need more
10 learn, none upon which we have more
constant occasion to act, than the lesson lie
teaches US of our duties a' ncighbors.
, Taking first the literal and familiar sense
of the word, we all know well enough what
It is 10 be coed Ecighbor. There is no rcpu-
tation more to he priced than that. There
is nothing which We are better pleased. nor
with better reason pleased, to have SAID OF us
by the people we live among than that we
are good ne:ghbors. But such reputation,
Won bv deserving it. That is tit.e which
is never empty and unmeaning, but always
vouvhcs for reality of character. A mans
wealth, or social or business or po o'itical in
fuence. NAV comma al submission or fear or
obscouious dcfLrencc-thcy cannot, nor can
any other such considerations, make people
cali him good neighbor III less he is one
and acts Ike one. And the true way TO
secure this cnviab!c distinction. the secret OF
being good neighbor, will be found, be,
lieyc. in that for which Jesus commended
the Samaritan-in the spirit which, uncon-
ccrncd about the duties Of others towards us
and undctcrrcd even by their rcmissncSs, Is
occupied about our duties towards them.
That man is good ncighbor who IS al
wavs quick to 81 c and to use an opportunity
for doing a kindness, WHO is always ready to
lend hand, who thinks of how he can ser;.a
and please his ncighEors and likes to do It
for his neighbors' sake. The service may be
what we call very small onc-sueh as stop
ping to sec if there are letters for the post,
or putting up the bars which had been for
gotten; it may hc turning in with n heavy
good will and Il fresh team in some perpieX-
ing ress Of work or in block on the road;
it may be some of those acts of friendly re-
mcm6rance and helpful sympathy with
which woman can so pleasantly break the
monotony of daily care or so eitrctua!ly
tighten the bueicn of aiIliction; but whether
it seems small or not. the spirit in which II
is done makes it great.
For man or women cannot have the
habit of doing such things without the Good
Samaritan spirit. 1t is no more possible 70
be a good ncighbor in the ordinary inter-
course Of life than to he so in such an emer-
gency as that depicted in the parable unless,
like the Samaritan. we have the true unset
fshness of heart which goes out into action;
and that is greatness of character.