The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-10-30
KINDLY AFFECTIONED.
Love is the FulhIling OF the Law
Blessing OF a Pure Heart.

tie voice, q winsome presence, cheer
full Christian life, are among the best
endowments and most blessed gifts
that can be in the possession of any
human being. Like sunshine, the
one who has these qualities scatters
the clouds, the fog, the shadows and
the chilline.s of the world. There is
altogether too little sunshine Of this
sort. Too many people find this very
hard world to live in. When we
think of the burdens, the sorrows, the
privations, the disappointments that
come to all, and that rests so crushing
ly on many, we begin to realize why it
is that the Bible 80 often urges Us to be
kind, gentle, tender-hearted, forgiving
and loving.
The law of the world Is selfishness,
but the law of the kingdom of God Is
kindness and love. Selfishness tends
segregation and isolation. Love tends
to companionship, combination, organ
ization, unity. Among savage people
tribes are very small numerically, aud
kings are very petty sOvereigns. Only
as men lay aside their warnings and
quarrels, their suspicion and dlstrust,
on the basis of mutual obedience TO
law and of mutual willingness to bear
the burdens of society, Is it possible for
any civilized life and order to ensue :?
But it is possible for country to
have q certain degree of civilization,
and yet to be filled with the spirit of
selfishness, unkintness and cruelty.
And even In our own Christian land
there is 80 much of this harsh and self.
seeking and bitter spirit rs to make Us
wonder if it has right TO be called a
Christian land. And even in the
church, among those who profess to
love aud serve the same Lord and Sa-
viour, there is 80 often the same spirit
of alienation and variance as sadly TO
interfere with the work that IL sought
to be done in His name. And still
further, In many a home where there
should be only peace and gentleness,
mutual respect and love, there is too
often q hard and malevolent spirit
which destroys the home and embit-
ters the life.
1t is not enough to be intellectual,
and 80 keenly 80 that one is able to
know the truth and to defend It, and
explain it and force 1t upon the con-
victions and consciences of others. 1t
il to he presumed that the impression
made by the Lord Jesus Christ upon
those who saw and heard HIM was not
so much that of intellectual strength
as of kindness and benevolence. While
possessed of all knowledge and able to
make known all truth, He went
about doing good, telling of Gods low
ing kindness, aud seeking to bring
men away from sin to love their
Heavenly Father and their fellowmen.
To be able to teach the Truth, and do
it so lovingly and 80 gently that men
will be melted, won and led to Jesus
Christ, is the crowning gift and grace.
A certain artist had made statue In
tended to represent Jesus Christ, and
when it was finished he called In lit
tie girl, who looked at it reverently,
and said, "It is great man." But
this was not what he wished to hear.
He was disappointed, and went to
work and wrought and prayed and
wrought for long months. Again he
called the little child. She gazed no
less reverentIy than before, but her
face lighted up into smile of gladness
as she said, ut is Suffer little chill
dren to come unto me.'" And the ar
tist rejoiced that there was something
of the masterful sweetness of Jesus on
the face which he had so lovingly
carved.
Let us strive to be not simply great
men and women. Let us seek to pos
sess that higher life and sublimer pow
er which brings joy aud gladness and
holiness like the sunshine of God.
Away with chickering's and contentious
and fault-findings. Down from their
place in our hearts with all harshness
and envyings and malice. Let our
hearts be filled with loving regard and
tenderness for others, seeking to DO
good to all, and where the good will
not be received, keeping the peace and
raising prayer.
We may we'll seek and pray for more
of this kind and loving, gentle and for
giving spirit. It is balm to the heart
where It resides. It is the very peace
of God within the soul. 1t comes from
God, and Is one of the evinences of his
presence and indwelling. 1t is in the
line of preparation for service hereaf-
ter. The heart that is full of it has
much of heaven ON earth. The home
that Is full of it is an earthly paradise.
The cb urch that is full of it is evident
Iy indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and is
drawing near to its Pentecost, when
that presence shall make itself known
in power.