The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-03
RELIGIOUS READING.
THE POWER OF KINDNESS.

No man hath measured tit is boundless; !;
no man hath seen its death-for it IS eternal.
In all ages of the world, in every cline.
among every kind, 1t hath shown out, a
bright and beautiful star, beaming glory!
Look at the case of Saul and David. Bitter
and blasting jealousy filled the heart OF Saul,
and he sought to take the young mans life. !"
With hellish hate he haunted him, even to
the dens and caves of the earth. But David
conquered his enemy-even the proud spirit
OF Saul he humbled. And how? Not with
sword and spear, not with harsh words and
coarse contumely, for these did never touch
the heart with gentle influence. No! but
with a weapon simple as the shepards sling,
vet sure as the arrow Of death. Twas kind
ness! This killed ranking hatred, and left
Saul to live. And when 1t had done its work.
Saul said to David, "Thou art more right
cous than I, for thou hast rewarded me good,
whereas I have rewarded thee evil. Was
not here victory more glorious, more God
like, than a Wellington ever knew
See Joseph In the hands Of his wicked
brethren. For a few pieces OF paltry silver
they sold him into Egypt. Providence in
kindness broke the bands which held him in
slavery and made him ruler there. Famine
spread over the land her mantle and the
cruel brethren Of Joseph hungered. They
went to Egypt for corn. And how acted Jo-
seph? More than once he filed their sacks
and returned their money. and then he made
himself anoM aOS ss1I am He your TD osGths fn
ess-forgiveness. And it crushed to death
the spirit Of jealousy that had once made
him slave. He had conquered.
Come farther down in the worlds history, and
tell me what word of all those spoken by the
meek and lowly Jesus"-the Prince of
Peace" the Saviour of the world'-was best
calculated to soften and subdue the hard
hearts OF his prosecutors? Are we not pointed
to the cross Of Calvary?
Are not asked to listen TO the soft, sweet
tones of that voice-"Father, forgive them"
Oh! here was kindness.
Look over our extended country at the
present day. What has changed those mis-.
cradle hovel of other days, where misery and
wretchedness had dwet, into the neat and
beautiful abodes of plenty and peace? What
has kindled anew the flame Of love and al
fection in hearts long estranged and freezing
with coldness2 What has made happy the
homes of thousands Of wives and tens OF
thousands of children? What, In short, has
been the great propellant of the late temper.
ance reformation, which has carried Joy ana
gladness oil over the land? What but kind
ness.
would make a friend, q neighbor who needs
repentance, fallen brother whomyou would
restore to sobriety and virtue? Forgetnot the
power of kindness.-Christian Sailor.
Let US not trouble ourselves with unprott-
able disputations, but all agree to spread to
the uttermost of our power the Gospel OF
Christ Nearly fifty years ago, great and
good man gave advice, for which have ever
since had occasion to bless God. If you
desire to be extensively useful do not
spend your time or strength in con-
tending for or against such things as
are OF disputable NATURE. but in tes,,
testifying against open, notorious vice, and
In promoting essential holiness Let US keep
this; leaving thousand disputable points to
those that have no better business than to
toss the ball of controversy to and fro. Let
us keep to our point Let US bear faithful
testimony in our several states as against all
ungodliness. and with all our might recon-
mend that inward and outward holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord
JOIN WESLEY.