The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-10
s'wftness-Bearixr.n

l
 lSelected for The Advertiser.) mere was man sent from God:
 the same came for a witness. to bear witness of the light"-St. John 1. 6. 2. A man sent from God to bear wit ness-that was surely a vast machin- cry for very trivial end!
 We could understand a man sent from God to give a revelation, or to make great discovery, or to be a re- deemer. But just to bear witness to a bel1ef--is not that a very simple and could do?
 On the contrary, 1t is the most atdl- to be unfathomable. We are apt to think that John was specially prepared. and that only John could bear witness. Yet to every one of us Is given the same message and opportunity. The question then artses, Do we faithfully use it7
 Suppose you know a man misrepre- sented by his enemy. and that enemy one whom you wish to conciliate; is 1t easy to speak out? You find it safer not ito bear witness;" you keep silent
 The sin of society Is said to be evil speaking. It is not so much that as a failure to speak the truth
 You sit beside one at dinner who dwells upon the fault of another. You know that it is pleasure to the speaker, for he does not like the man. You are also aware at the time the report is much exaggerated. But you would be sorry to make yourself dis agreeable to your companion or run the risk of losing his favor. He Is a man of influence: he can help you; he is most eultivating; he is leaviIg soon why speak? You resort thereIore to silence. You do not indorse his state. ment but you abstain from contradic- ting 1t. The opportunity passes. Some day the truth will be known but in the meantime you failed to bear witness"
 Christianity was as unpopular fin the first century as spirituality Is now. Then every heather mother cried to her converted son, Don't tell" His chance of promotion required the thought that he should bow in the shipped Christ in the shrine of his heart. How did he bear witness
 Witness-bearing was so grand and superhuman thing that God had to send a man from Himself to do it-had to pour into a human soul a flood of special inspiration. that it might con- stantly witness for the good and true.
 Lord, I pray. whenever I see a light in my brother help me to bear witness to that light! Whenever 1 hear others enumerate his dark spots. give me beam." It may often be to my interest to keep silence; but then, I pray help me most to speak! My brother may be unpopular with the world; nay self. An the forces. within me may conspire for detraction. Truculence may whisper. "Keep on the popular side" Jealousy may cry, You must not eulogize a rival Sophristry may hint, Tt is all true, in way; but you are not called upon to combat every thing. everywhere" And your deceit ful heart suggests, You have no part in 1t; you> are only keeping prudent silence
 Save me from all these seductions. O my God! Help me to say of my brother, my erring and censured broth CT, T have seen his star. Night Is there, cold is there; but I have seen his star. You point to real shadows; you tell of true blemishes; but there is another side. It is scene that makes me sad; 1t is a wilderness that makes me weary; but I have seen his star" Help me to tell of the light that is looming; let me point to the dawn that Is breaking.
 Give me. my God. the charity to champion; the bravery to befriend; the piety to protect; the sincerity to shield; the tenderness to be true; the loving ness to be loyal; the courage to be candid the magnanimity to be merei- full: the rectitude to reveal my broth CTS good points. and to dwell on his virtues!
 Help me "to bear witness" and so fulfill my God-giveD mission.