Mexico Missouri message., 1901-10-03

Apostle Paul appeals to the Corin-
THAN brethren for Il contribution
to the saints at Jerusalem.
We must not accuse him of the
art of fattery in order to accom-
plish his purpose, for it is very
evident that he had in mind the
blessing that should come to these
Corinthians in the exercise of the
grace of giving, as much as the
benefit to the poor in Jerusalem.
As an apostle, high in authority,
he does not, automatically, demand
their substance, but very ingen-
iously appeals to them by delicate
compliment, and discreet reference
to the liberality of the church in
Macedonia, whose generosity he
hopes they may emulate. Paul
was Il many-sided character and
knew how to deal with men. But
he was no demagogue. He knew
how to adapt himself to the cir
cumstances of men that he might
win them to Christ and IA higher
life. He put the duty of giving
alongside that of faith, and utter
ance, and knowledge, and dill
gence, and love, and calls it a
grace" and expresses the wish
that they may abound in this
grace Also" as they did in the
others.
Paul well knew that, lacking in
this grace of liberality, there would
be II deficiency in Christian char
actcr for which nothing could
compensate.
THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVED.
In this and the following chap
ter the apostle makes plain the
fact that the responsibility of Civ
ing is determined by the amount
in possession, and the object APP
pealing to our liberality.
No cold figures of arithmetic
can fix the amount to be given.
In the n. Z. the regulating power
is the law of love, which involves
self denial and sacrifice. There is
no limit to this.
In concluding the chapter (ix)
Paul calls it the "unspeakable
gift" and expresses thanks to God
for it. In treating of this subject,
Bishop Wilson says: "Riches are
almost always abused without a
very extraordinary grace" And
well may it be called grace"
and an "unspeakable gift" for
how few seem to possess it. Since
the days of Wesley, who has imi-
tatcd his example of saving all he
could and giving all he could?"
His personal expenses did not eX-
ceed twenty-eight pounds year,
and all he acquired above that
amount he disposed of according
to the wants of men and the pro-
grcSs of the Lords work. Among
the millions of his followers, is
there another such Il case as thisf
In modern times there seems to be
no end to the objects which chal-
lenge our gifts Of liberality; and
to discriminate between them re-
Quires no little of thoughtful in
vestigation. Gods poor are in the
land every where, and in our day
need has n wide range. Especial
" will this be true the coming
year, in our outh-stricken cOun-
try. Thousands who have never
felt want before will be applicants
for charity.
The first duty of the rich will bt
to economic by clf-dcnial, that
they may the better help those il
need. And aside from these per
sonal appeals how many are the
demands from other worthy SQUIRE
es. Our world missionary
enterprises: our schools and col
legcs; church eXtention in the DIES
titutc portions of our own land, al
these must have Il hearing at tn,
bar of our consciences.,
WHAT MAY WE GIVE!
Let those who can, give largely
ont of their material wealth. Those
who have nothing but money mus
give of their lucre in the measure
and motive of the Lord. But com
paratively few are the favored
sons of wealth; and sometime,
money is the worst thing that ear