The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-30
THE RIGHT WAY,
Or. the Gospel Applied 10 the Inter
course Of Individuals and
Nations.
BY REV. JOSEPH A. COLLIER.
Duties Relating to Human Intercourse
(Continued.)
7. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBoR.

We have only to consider this LAW
OF LOVE, and trace it to its conse-
uuences, to see that it tends inevitably
to the preservation Of harmony among
men. They who honestly obey it will
be linked together by bond which
even the widest diversities of senti-
ment, or the most provoking acls of in
jury cannot sever. Where this love is
| in the heart, the word of resentment
canuot linger upon the tongue, and the
purpose of revenge, even if momenta-
rily aroused, cannot ripen into deliber-
ate action. The bitter retort that trem-
bles on the lip gives place to the "soft
answer" that "turneth away wrath :"
and the flashing eye ard menacing as
pect are lost in the look of kindness
and benevolence. The quarrel Is
avoided, hearts that were on the eve OF
sundering are knit yet more closely to-
gether, and love achieves the triumph
over hatred, and right over wrong.
This principle transforms the lion into
the lamb, The vulture into the dove,
the brutal, the degraded, and the un.
loving into beings all sympathy and
tenderness, and all glowing with the
noblest instincts of humanity. Where
it has been deeply implanted by Gods
grace-and it is only that it can fully
and permanently ahide-it assimilates
man to the angels; nay, to Christ him.
self, who 80 loved us as to give himself
for us, and to that Spirit whose richest
fruits are Glove" and peace" and to
God, who lis love-"
Many theories have been invented
by men for the worlds regeneration.
One plan after another, having for its
object the perfection of our nature, has
been in turn advanced and abandoned.
Upon far higher than human authori-
ty, we present as the grand means for
the elevation of our race, this LAW CT
LOVE. 1t is only in proportion as men
are governed by it, that they can arise
to their true worth Ind dignity in the
scale of being. For he who is not
freed from the thraldom Of angry pas
sions, is little else than slave while
he who is subject to this law of love,
which is the law of liberty, has acquir-
ed the true self-mastery, and has at
tanned, or is attaining the real nobility
of man. TO him, life is beautiful in
its varied opportunities for kindness,
and its numberless exercises of delight
full affection. Nan acquires new in
terest in his eyes, and God becomes
more than ever the object of happy
contemplation for he beholds mirror
ed in his own peaceful soul the loving
smile of Jehovah, the author and true
end of every benevolent emotion.
Viewing this law, then, in all its
length and breadth, as requiring love
to God and man-to God first, and then
through him and for him to man-it is
to do more for the advancement of our
race than all human means combined.
AS 1t becomes more and more preyn-
lent, it will be found to, effect, by Its
gradual workings. thorough renova-
ton of society. 1t will conquer pride,
sellishness, and passion, uproot preju-
dice. disarm enmity and resentment,
cause kind feelings and generous SYM
pathies to animate every bosom, and
conduct the world to its millennium OF
peace.
Such are to he, under God, the glori-
Gus results of universal obedience TO
this law. 1t is for US to do our part to-
wards Fastening such consummation,
first, by conforming our own hearts
and lives to it, and then by publishing
it TO others, as well by the power of a
beautiful example, as by direct efforts.
Every reader of this volume may thus
become, in however humble sphere,
the means of extending the triumph
of the gospel of peace.