National Baptist world., 1894-09-14
UNFAIRLY JUDGED,
S. S. Times.

/
The True Mission of the Church-Minis-
tering in Pity and Mercy to Fallen
Brother.
An illustrated weekly has a cartoon
in two parts, entitled "a Mutual Ben
eft Arrangement" One part shows
how, ''in the days of his prosperity the
peculatOr stands by the church." the
other how, when his sins have found
him out the church stands by him" 1t
is intended to discredit the church.
Let us see if, in fact. the church is
discredited. The man whom the car
toons are intended to represent was un-
dOubtedly interested in the church
Being generous man and possessed of
MEANS he supported it literally. So
far as the church knew, or the public
or his friends, he was in every way an
honorable man, a publicspirited and
exemplary citizen, and one who loved
to serve his kind. 1t was a surprise to
them when he was accused of forgery,
and still greater surprise when he
was convicted Of it.
Up to this point there is certainly no
ground for cOndemning the church. If
the man was peculating, of which
there is at least a reasonable doubt
the church did not know it, and. of
course, can not be held responsible for
it; and it certainly was not in the
wrong in receiving his contributions.
But it is accused of standing by him
after he was convicted. A number of
members called on him in his cell, sung
hymns there, and left flowers for him.
Was that wrong? Not necessarily so.
His visitors probably did not believe
him guilty Of intentional wrong. A
judge of the supreme court, in a care
full review of the case, has expressed
the judicial opinion that the verdict
pending an appeal for a new trial.
Even suppose they did believe him
guilty, they could visit him, pray and
sing with him, and show their pity for
him, without palliating or excusing or
cOndoning his crime. Nay, more, they
were bound to do this, if they were
true Christions.
The Master did not forbid His fol-
lowers to visit criminals. On the con-
trary, He declared that to minister to
those in prison would be to minister
unto Him; and among the very last of
His own blessed ministratiOns were
those to the two thieves between whom
He was crucifed.
The church must not. of course, eX-
cuse crime. Its standard must not be
lower than that of the world. 1t must
unsparingly condemn all forms of sin,
immortality and crime, 1t must incul-
cate and insist upon purity of life. But
it must not hold itself alOOf from the
impure, the immoral and the criminal.
Its great object is to reach them and
reform them, and gather them into it's
fold. If some of its sheep go astray,
it must 60 after them and win them
back. If it is nursery, a university,
a fortress it is also a hospital. 1t un-
dertales to cure the diseases Of poor
mortality, to bind up it's wounds, and
to care for it's disabled.
SO when sin and shame come upon
brother. the church may not despise
him. When he goes far astray, the
church must not forget him. When
the law condemns, the church may, at
Justice, the church may minister in
mercy.
In this way it is a blessed thing for
the church to ''stand by the criminal,
not as palliating his crime or seeking
to avert punishment, but as expressing
its love, its care, it's interest. it's desire
to reform and restore to society. Some
one has said that in the particular
case referred to the church was not
ministering to a poor and obscure man.
He is not obscure, certainly; but he is
utterly broken down in fortune; he is
poor enough. If the church had
shown no interest in him, would
it not have been open to
much severer criticism? 1t
might then have been accused of court |
ing him in the day of his wealth and
influence, and forsaking him when his |
money had been swept away and dis
grace had come upon him.
The Gospel fits the worlds great need |
because it is for the sinful. The Son |
of Man came specially to seek and save
the lost, not to call the righteous, but |
sinners to repentance. And no man, |
however bad his life may have been,
need despair. And if there is hope for
all, why should not the church go to all
and minister to all?
Brethren, if man be overtaken in
any trespass, ye which are spiritual re-
store such one in the spirit of meek
ness, looking to thyself lest thou also
also be tempted Bear We one anoth-
er's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ IN. Y. Independent.
CHRIST AND ALEXANDER.