Newport weekly independent., 1903-01-30
WHAT WE OWE TO OTHERS.
N'"e Standard of Greatne~s Is Sefvice-HOw Christ Would
 Define Friendship.


 trT1Ce. 1t Is not what we have of HtfS, culture, strength, but what we do with our endowed life. Some one says; "lle only is great of heart who foods the world with great atfec- ton, He only is great of mind who HlrS the world with great thoughts. lie only is great of will who does .olnething to shape the world to a great career. And he is greatest who does inc most of all these things and 1oeS them best.' We are living "orthily only when We are holding all ioW-lnen. We must love, and if we !oNe we must serve.
 There are some people who say they want to have friends, meaning by friends pleasant people who will come into their lives to do things for them. who will minister to their comfort. who will make living easier for them: hGt that is not the way Christ would define friendship. He would put it JuSt the other way. says Wellspring. The true Christian desire is to be help to them. To everyone We meet we have some errand.
 This does not mean that We should te obtrusive in pressing our help on those we meet. That is the best help fitness which flows out from the life as light from star. as fragrance from a flower. Love works most effectively when it works unconsciOusly. inspired from within. Your friend does not come to you and say: "I want to cheer you up. l want to help you to be noble" No one wants to be helped in that otficious way. But he comes rather as your friend, with no pro- gramme, announcing of his desire- comes quietly. bringing into your life Then virtue passes uncOnsciOusly from him to you. and new happiness and blessing come to you from him, you know not how. You go away with new courage, new gladness. new in spiration, in your heart You are strengthened in your purpose to live wOrthly. You are more eager than before to make the most of your life.
 Of course, love should be discrimi hating. Not all people need us in the same measure. Our helpfulness should 90 out most to those who need us most. The strong ought to help the weak. It is wonderful what Christianity is doing for the world in this way. The blind are educated until the privation of blindness is almost eliminated. The dumb are taught to speak. Men take the feeble minded and. with almost in hidden in the remote depths of the be- ing and call it out. ofttimes restoring to sanity and to usefulness lives that seemed hopelessly imbecile. This is very beautiful. It is all the work of Chrstianity-the love of Christ work ng out through human hearts to help the weak Heather civilization had no sympathy with infrmity. The sickly ,hild it was said. would better die The lame and blind, the dumb, the insane. were simply cast out to perish. But Christ :uniis .S filling the world with love. The other night, four of the wisest physicians in a great city sat by young child's crib through all the watches, doing the best that science and skill could do to save the little ones life. It is Christianity that aas taught such lessons as this.
 Our debt to others. however, in ,ludes not only physical service, but in
 z. Il have experience should become guides to the inexperienced. Those who have been comforted in sorrow should car ry comfort to those who are sorrow ing. The best that is in us should ever be at the service of even the least worthy who stand before us, needing help. If we have this love in our hearts. we will look at no human life with disdan. We will ask concern ing every one who passes before us, not "What can l get from this man for my own advantage?' but. rather What can I do to help this brother ot mine?'
 If this were the habitual attitude of love paradise would soon be restored We live continually in the midst ot human needs, and every one has some thing to give that would help little at least. in supplying these needs. Ii we have only five barley loaves and will bring them to the Master for His blessing on them. we can then go forth and with them feed thousands. Light on the Way.