The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-07
The Church is

lest we assume proprietary rights here. The Church IS
ours only that we may hand it on to others.
Once again, this elder brother, this good man, expressed
great satisfaction with what we had done and accom-
plished in his past life. He told his father that he had
served him these many years, and that at no time had ne
transgressed his commandments. He looked with COM
placency on his past life he was satisfied with himself.
Now, need l state that such a spirit and feeling is utterly
incompatible with the attainment of that which is highest
and best Need l say that such a spirit OF content hard
ems and crystalizes the soul, shuts out new access OF truth
and light, checks and prevents further growth and develop
ment And yet how insinuating and ensnaring such a feel
ing is. Before we know it, we are priding ourselves upon
the fact that we have done some things, and not been gull
ty of others. But what right has any man to be satisfied
when always there ought to be floating before him the high ide-
al of Christ's words, BE We perfect as your Father in heaven
is perfect - Alas for the scholarship of the man who has
ceased to learn Alas for the character of the Christian
who. has ceased to grow and become better
But further, we see in this elder brother great skill and
ability in putting his hand upon the fault of his brother.
And not only so, but this elder brother seems to assume
that having found out where and what the fault was that
had caused his brothers misfortune and distress, having
shown that the cause was altogether in the actions OF his
brother-he seems to assume that his connection and re-
s~ponsibility with the whole matter are at an end. The
fault and blame being fixed upon his brother, he was alto
gether excused from any obligation in the matter. Did
you ever see anything the counterpart OF this in our modern
life? Are there not some men who, if they can but make
out a case of error or fault in any matter that is presented
to them, feel that their duty is at an end? Has some good
and benefcent enterprise broken down? Whose fault is
lit? Let him see to it. Is some portion OF Church work
tagging? Who is at fault in the matter ? Who is careless,
or injudicious, or imprudent? Having answered that to
their satisfaction, good people who are conscious OF no
such Deficiencies in themselves will wash their hands of the
whole matter. And those who act thus justify themselves.
The fault is another's, not theirs. They will have nothing
to do with it. But, my friends, if we are so to conduct
ourselves, what is to become of the good to be done, the
end to be accomplished What about the cause OF truth
and righteousness? The younger son has brought his al
Fiction on himself by his excuses. And yet, if for that
reason we are to turn aside, if that exempts us from any
responsibility in the matter, what is to become of his inter-
est and welfare? Many of US avoid plain duty by fixing
the responsibility and the reason for the existence of GER
tain conditions on another mans shoulders. The RESPONSE
biItv for certain unfortunate conditions may rest with some
one, other than ourselves but that cannot relieve us from
duties that may arise in the premises.
Finally, these faults and errors of the elder son are
not open and fragrant. They do not shock us as do the
brutal indulgences of the younger son. And for this rea-
son they are, for religious people, the more insinuating and
dangerous. They mingle with much that is pure and holy
in mind and heart. They are the peculiar dangers and
temptations of an upright and religious life. 1t is the old
story of Satan coming to present himself among the sons
of God. We need, therefore to give the more earnest
heed, lest we be ensnared by them. Not the cold and pre-
else correctness of the elder son, not the overwhelming
sorrow and repentance of the younger, but the well balanc-
ed and rounded integrity, falthtulness and symPathetlc love
of the father, is our ideal.