The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-01-29
Mission of the Strong to the Weak.

We then that are strong ought to
bear the infirmities Of the weak, ana
not to please ourselves.-Romans'
1871.
Here Is an easy classification OF
men. Some are strong-the few
comparatively. The majority are,
weak. And the strength or weakness
here referred to is not physical put
social. intellectual, moral, Spiritual.
This scripture enjoins that men
with such strength are not here I"
please themselves, to nurse tneir
strength, to husband it simply TOT
their own good, but they must expena
It In behalf of men who are shorn OF
power or advantage. To put 1t con-
cretely, broad shoulders should stoop
to bear the burdens that break the
bending backs Of the weak.
But the reply comes back-let eacn
man bear his own burden, each man
do his duty, each man be faithful and
true, then the fidelity of each Wilt
create paradise for all. There
would be no sorrows in the world
save those of a lighter kind. But
every man, for various reasons. GOES
not take care of himself, and this
Is the alternative which the strong
man, and especially If he Is a Chris
tian man, is called upon to meet.
Is it not true that society and law
are perpetually taxing the faithful.
orderly and Intelligent to discharge
the arrears of the vicious. the un-
scrupulous, the idle md the ignorant?
Whence come the revenues OF the
State to prosecute great crim1naf
trials? What supports courts OF JUS
tice. schools, asylums and peniten-.
tiaries? Are they not maintained by
the Industrious, virtuous, well to do
classes Of society? One-half Of the
machinery and work Of all govern.
ment is but the combined effort and
outlay of good and just men to repair.
the mischiefs of the bad and unjust
and to afford in our various public
nstitutions-the court. the prison,
The school, the board Of health, even.
The church-wholesale substitutes for
individual fidelity. Look at it any:
way you please, society Is a joint
stock company where the strong have
to bear the infrmities of the weak.
We are confronted in these days.
with an exaggerated. overgrown in
iividualism. We notice at times the.
pathetic spectacle Of classes of men
rising to do battle in behalf of the
happiness and advantage Of the less
fortunate, only to withdraw from the
contest when they shall have achieved
greater advantage for themselves.
But not all are that way. Many, an
ever increasing number, are making
their hearts great magazines Of kind
ness, using their surplus means and
leisure for Gods weak, weary and
worn children, pouring out their
health, their wealth, their mind and
soul in copious bene6cence for thed
enrichment of our common life. TOD
bear the burden Of the weak is the
very core of the Christian life. Not
an intellectual belief within, not a
form Of worship without, but sympa-
thetic, self-sacrificing helpfulness be- :
tokens the Christian life. He is the
Christian man who Is endeavoring to-
cleanse his own soul as temple, to-
free it from all egotism and selfish
ness; makes the most Of his faculties
and resources, and then, seeking out
the most urgent needs of his fellow
men, applies his powers and advan-
tages to the satisfaction of those:
needs.-The Rev. William c. Stinson,
Bloomingdale Church, New York
City, in the Sunday Herald. Il