Graham guardian., 1911-10-13
Christ S
Gentleness in
Rebuke

ASEl tMON, sOn or Jonas, lowest
1 thou mel" John 21:15)
WA No word here OF the err
X ring disciples past faith
WH lessness; his guilty
| cowardice unmentioned:
his base denial. his oaths and curses,
and treacherous desertion - all
unmentioned! The memory OF q
threefold denial il suggested. and
no more. by the threefold ques-
ton OF unutterabls tenderness, Simon.
son Of Jonas. lowest thou me?"
When Jesus finds bis disciples sleep
Ing Mt the gate of Gethsemane, he re-
Dukes them: but how is the rebuke
disarmed of its poignancy by the mer-
ciful apology which IL added-"The
spirit indeed is willing. but the flesh
Is weak" How different from their
unkind insinuation regarding him.
In the vessel on Liberals. "IIe was
asleep--Master. carest thou not that
we perish!"
The woman Of Samaria II full OF
earthiiness. carnality, sectarianism.
guilt. Yet how gently the Saviour
speaks to her-how forbearingIy. yet
faithfully. He directs the arrow OF
conviction to that scared and harden
ed conscience. till he lays It bleeding
at his feet! Truly. HE will not break
the bruised reed-he will not quench
the smoking fax" BY "the goodness
Of God" he would lead to repentance.
When others are speaking of merci.
less violence. he can dismiss the most
guilty Of profigates with the swords.
Neither do condemn thee: 60, and
sin no more"
Comparison Of Jesus.
How many have an unhoiy pleas
ure in finding brother In the wrong
blazing abroad his failings; admin.
lstering rebuke. but with harsh and
impatient severity! How beautifully
did Jesus unite intense sensibility to
sin. along with tenderest compassion
for the sinner, showing in this that be
knoweth our frame!
Many scholar needs gentleness In
chastisement The reverse would
crush sensitive spirit, or drive It to
despair. Jesus tenderly considers"
the case Of those he disciplines, ITEM.
pering the wind to the shorn lamb"
In the picture Of the good shepherd
bearing home the wandering sheep, he
illustrated by parable what he had
often and again taught by his own ex-
ample. No word OF needless harsh
ness or upbraiding uttered to the err
ring Wandered Ingratitude Is too
deeply felt to need rebuke! In silent
love. he lays 1t on his shoulders re-
joicing"
GentIeness In Rehuke.
Reader! seek to mingle gentieness
In all your rebukes; bear with the In
frmities Of others; make allowances
for constitutional frailties; never say
harsh things. II kind things will do as
we'll; do not unnecessarily lacerate
with recalling former deliquencies.
In reproving another, let US rather
feel how much we need reproof our
selves. Consider thyself." Is search
ing Scripture motto for dealing with
an erring brother. Remember thy
Lords method OF silencing fierce ac-
cusation-"Let him that is without sin
cast the first stone"
Moreover. ange, and severity are
not the successful means of reclaim
Ing the backslider. or of melting the
obdurate. Like the smooth stones
with which David smote Goliath. gen.
tie rebukes are generally the most
powerful. The old fable OF the trav-
eler and his cloak has moral here
as In other things. The genial sun
shine will effect Its removal sooner
than the rough tempest It was said
Of Leighton that me rebuked faults
SO mildly. that they were never re-
peated. not because the admonished |
were afraid. but ashamed to do So"