The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1890-09-18
FOR SWEET CHlRIFY's SAKE.
IN ARTICLE THAT BREATHES THE
- TRUE CHRISTIAN SPIRIT. -
Though / BestOw All Ny Goods to
Feed the Poor, and Have not Char
ity, it Profiteth Ne NOthing."


Rev. r. Van Deventer, pastor of the
Henderson Baptist Church, contributes
the following fine and timely article to
the Biblical Recorder:
1t is a child OF Christianity. Before
the dawn of the Christian era there we're
terms which expressed to the Latins and
Greeks their ideas OF love, but it was left
to Jesus to give a new meaning to these
words.
Paul has given us more on the subject
OF charity in l Cor. xiii, than the world
ever knew. With the deliverance of the
divine mind on this subject, it is surpris-
ing that we are 80 deficient in our prac-
tice. We estimate charity in dollars and
cents, though it is contrary to the teach
ings OF Gods word. ''Though l bestow
all my goods to feed the poor, and hath
not charity, it profiteth lne nothing -
Here we see that Christian charity is
something more than money or it's equiv
alent. When man gives q large sum of
money to good cause, We say how
charitable! He may be, or he may not
be. Charity may not enter into the act
at all. Could we see the motive, we
might see no love for God or man.
Where there is charity, there will be gifts
according to the ability of the giver; but
there may be gifts and no charity.
Charity is a virtue of the heart rather
than OF the hand" at the same time the
heart power controls the action of the
hand.
We hear much about the "cold char
tiles OF the world" Christian charity il
not cold-cannot be SO. This world was
dead in sin. Man was insensible to hu-
man woe and sorrow God sent his Son.
and his coming brought sunlight and
life to a dead humanity. The frozen
streams were melted and closed svmpa-
thies opened, and new life was the re-
suit. Charity is that same love in man.
1t is kind. Who ever heard of kindness
chilling any one? 1t turns away wrath,
it opens stubborn hearts, it overcomes
preludices. It meets the despairing one
and gives hope; it wins the wayward
back to the right. The goodness of the
Lord leads to repentance So it is with
charity. 1t is good and kind.
There is a relation between charity and
gifts. 1t is like faith and works. So
when there is charity you will find gifts.
Charity has hands. The vision Ezekiel
saw OF the being with wings, and under
each wing a mans hand, is a beautiful
illustration of charity With the gospel
OF salvation the helping hand gives.
Not only to tell OF food and raiment, but
to give food and raiment. Not to say
warmed and fed, but to warm and feed.
The Egyptian has a symbol of charity
"a child with his heart in his hand
feeding a wingfess bee" Charity is q
virtue OF the heart and employs the
hand, and gives not to a bee with wings,
but to a bee that has met misfortune
and can't help it.
"Give as the morning that flows out of
Give as the waves when their channel is
worn;
Give as the pure air and sunshine are
Freely, lavishly. abundantly give.
Not the waste drops of thy cup overfowing,
Not the faint spark of the heart ever glow
ing,
Not the pale bud of the pure roses bloom
Give as lie gave thee, who gave thee to
live.
Pour out thy love like the rush of the river
Wasting its waters forever and ever,
Through the burnt sand that reward not
the giver.''
Inc Christian obligation is to be char
liable. 1t is our duty. do not believe
we should do our work moved by senti-
ment, but let duty move u.s. There can
be no higher reason than that God bids
us. He lays it on us. In our mission
work, do it not so much because there is
destitution, but because the Lord saws
do it. In our educational work, not so
much because young men are poor, or
because they are bright, but because it
is our duty. I'D.
The poor We will always haze with US.
There will be those who have no portion
among their brethren. See Deut. XIV, II
So it looks as if the Lord intended this
to be a lifelong duty.
This duty to be charitable rests upon
the relation the needy sustain to us.
They are our kinsmen. They are enti-
tied to something more than a poor
house and bare. necessaries. Give them
a home, and let them know what it is to
have ray OF sunshine in their lives.
Mr.. Spurgeon celebrates his birthday
at the Orphanage, and makes it a gala
day for the orphans.
Lay this Christian work on the heart
and conscience OF the people and it will
be sustained. R. VANDEyENTER.