The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-10-16
SYMPATHY.
In a Form of Christian service-Calis
for Enacement OF Self.

service. II is not n favor granted by one
and received by another; il is that ac-
ton by which one life enters into an
others life, takes up a portion OF the
burden, shares the joy or success, be-
comes for the time being part OF that
life, and contributes 10 il some of its
own strength. IL does not weaken the
individuality of the life II helps, IL
rather strengthens IL. IL does not lessen
its responsibilities, il helps 10 bear
them; by relieving the tension IL gives
! opportunity for development, by COM
partnership gives new courage and
! fresh ability for advance when the as
sisting presence is withdrawn.
Probably no form is so much desired,
for no form is there more need; and yet
IL is in its best sense very rare. Assist
ance Is easily obtained. Helpers are TO
be found on every hand. Organizations
| for lifting men out OF distress and diff
j Guilty and starting them on the road TO
success are numerous and well-sup-
! ported. There are many who are willing
enough TO take other peoples burdens
| or duties, and carry them themselves,
! IL the original owners will trudge along
behind, yielding them due precedence
! Advice Is plenty as the air we breath,
and comparatively few need TO suffer
for lack OF such pecuniary help as may
be necessary TO supply the immediate
need. When we come, however, 20 the
/ sympathy that takes off the heaviest
part OF the burden without intruding
! its strength, that meddleth not with the
sorrow, but simply casts heray OF light
which keeps the foot from stumbling in
the dark, which doubles the pleasure of
success by its appreciation of its value,
| that is too often lacking.
There are many reasons for this. One
| is the ignorance Of most OF us with re-
| gard 10 the conditions OF life about us.
| Glasses make their own environment,
! and with IL their own customs. Families
who can afford n certain style OF life
gradually draw together and make
! little world by themselves, into which
others do not enter, because they do not
/ feel at home. AS the circle enlarges II
becomes also more exclusive, and soon
a class is formed. The class has no
| hostility TO another class, IL simply
knows nothing about IL. How can IL
| enter into those cordial relations with
! IL which are essential 20 sympathy?
Much the same is true OF the individuals
within each class. Differences of educa-
| ton, of circumstance, of tempera-
ment, all combine 10 close the door TO
any who might wish TO enter. In gen
eral, what community OF interest can
al,
family and that OF the small merchant.
or the artisan? Each lives In world
by itself, as unknown TO the other as are
the planets. Even where there Is the
inclination TO help there Is ignorance
of how TO do more than help from the
outside, and that too often repels
rather than attracts. The result is that
classes grow bitter toward each other,
individuals grow repellent or despair
ing and we feel that the times are harsh
and hard.
The fundamental reason, however,
for the lack of sympathy, and often the
occasion for the ignorance OF the condi-
tions of life, is selhshness; not the
grasping greed so often called by that
name, but the more refined feeling
which. relying upon superior lmowl-
edge or ability, claims the right 20 di-
rect instead Of being willing TO assist
True sympathy Is SELF effacing, seeks
not TO help In its own way even though
II be the better way in some respects.
II realizes that its province Is not 20 re-
move burdens, but 10 give the strength
10 bear them by relieving the pressure
already In danger OF becoming too
severe. This Is not easy. II requires
patience, sometimes with ignorance and
incompetence. more often with willful-
ness and pride. II requires faith that
sees in the begrimcd human form the
possible likeness TO the Son OF God;
firmness that suffers no failure to turn
II from it's course. Above all IL requires
love, love such as the Master felt for Is
disciples. nay, such love as lie felt for
those who rejected Him and for those
for whose forgiveness He prayed. BY
such sympathy we do what lie did for
us. We approach unto His high priest
hood. and touched with the feeling Of
each others temptations and infirmities
contribute our share to the building up
OF the Kingdom OF God by helping
others 20 take their proper place In IL.
IN. Y. Independent.