The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-09-26
CHARITY.

An Essay Read by Miss Fannie Woods
Before the Union Meeting at Rabun
Creek Cburch on July 9th Uit.
The great question of antiquity
as Of the modern world Is;
What is the supreme good, the
supreme gift-the noblest object of
desire! Faith has been the key
note for centuries. Hope, like the
cleaning taper's light, adorns our
pathway.
ain faith and hope the world will dis
agree,
But all mankind's concern Is Charity"
Faith may be lost in sight, hope
In fruition, but charity is eternal,
turning each angels voice to one
viduality of each blood brought soul.
1t is a principle of prevai)ing love to
God,rand good will to men, which
lnclines us to glorify God and do
good to others.
Charity is the greatest Of all the
christian graces, and contains
beautiful characteristics almost in
Enumerable; like the sun 1t bright
ems every object on which 1t rests,
and cheers every abode of man.
Iii the soul of social life. In the
parent 1t IS care, in the children it
is reverence and submission; In a
friend it is f%aithfulness; it is public
spirit In the magistrate; 1t is pa
thence in the Judge, and loyalty in
the subject.
1t teaches to despiso no one, to
comfort the afflicted, to protect the
oppressed; it inspires forgiveness
toward our enemies; forms gentle
ness of temper, and prompts a Dr.
responding sympathy with those
who rejoice and those who weep.
True charity hreathes of univer-
sal liberality; it is not properly a
single virtue, but a disposition re-
siding in the heart as u fountain
from whence all virtue of benign
ity, fOrbearance, generosity, com
passion and ]iberality flow as 80
many native streams.
Charity teaches us to be liberal
in all our sentiments; for liberality
in the profession of religion is II
wise and innocent policy. The
charitable christian goes out of his
own church, associates with others
and gains improvement by all.
How wise Is the old Persian
proverb, ga liberal hand is better
than a strong arm" The dignity
of christianity is better supported
by acts of %liberality, than by accu-
racy of reasoning but when both
go together, when the heart is full
of charity, there is strength and
beauty.
In the great circle of human af-
fairs there is room enough for
everyone to be busy in loving and
giving unto the Lord. In all the
various relations in this life as
husband and wife, master and SER
want, parents and children, rela-
lions and friends, rulers and sub
jects, lnnumerable duties stand
ready to be performed, innumera-
BILE calls to activity present them
selves on every hand, sufficient to
fill up with advantage and honor
the whole time of life.
Everywhere we meet with sor-
row and pain, poverty and distress,
which we must endeavor to re-
lieve. Great results may crown
our feeblest efforts. Our weakest
endeavors may be q germ of giant
power.
Remember, we all have a power
for good, and the small still voice
of kindness, the cheering words of
comfort, the little influences of
love rule the world of affections,
and are ours for salvation.
"Do not, then, sit idly waiting,
For some greater deed to do,
Speak the word that cures the aching,
Look the look that lifts the soul.'
Sublimely beautiful we're the
teachings of charity in the life of
Jesus. His mission was one of
love and ours must be too. 1t is
love that banishes sorrow, dis
perses clouds, purifes pain, in
spires hope and explains God, be-
cause "God is love-"
Love is Immortality and the
only way to bring home this beau
tiful doctrine to those who believe
it not, is for us who are christians
to be rightly immortal now. To do
this we must spend u life in do
ing good to others in the service of
Thirst, and so prepare for the ages
at are to follow.
lay we cultivate that charity
'ch suffereth long and is kind"
%"thinketh no evil" lis not
provoked" These are the
hat will never be lost, but
it'll US into another world.
,rtilize our minds with
charity, which never
igor and happiness to
weave for ourselves
,ble deeds of love
orn u path on
fragrance rise to