The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-02-13

Sermon by the Rev. Ferdinand
D. Lsetehs SomPss s cspns 81 on, 1es sax
much people. and was moved with com
passion a q ward them."-Mark 6:34;
Matt. 1879; Mark sse-s4
that a character is strong TO regard it
as kindly and pitiful. The time has
come In the worlds history when We
The bravest are the tenderest;
The loving are the daring"
Great men and able increase I'm re-
spect and In interest by evidence OF
lights 10 record of it's warriors and
statesmen. OF Its kings and presidents.
OF its scholars and hnanciers. that they
were considerate or weakness. thought
fui OF dependents. merciful 10 the err
ring. Lacking these qualities, strong
men have been forgotten, or remem-
bered only with detestation. but by
their exercise many have given them
selves more enduring fame than that
Of the most tllustriour deeds. In this
Is explained the eyer-increasing honor
paid 10 the memory OF that eminent
American. whose birthday viii be op-
served by many generations to come.
Abraham Lincoln, hero and martyr OF
pity.
IL IN not too much to say that the
life history OF Jesus would now be no
better than n saga, His miracles mel
mystic marvels, and His peerless propE-
eciss a dreamer's fading tale. had lie
not. In all that He said and did, proven
Himself the incarnation OF Sympathy
the center 20 which timidity might run
and ind a shelter: the shrine at which
weakness might kneel. and ma me
strength OF divine love. II Is the com,
passion OF Jesus which has attracted
the fact that His sympathy knew no
narrow bounds and no exclusive privi-
liges gives His influence power There
mems hearts should fall. spirit that
. can sympathize with ALL" that to hu-
manity everywhere and under ala con-
aisions, some nm man n snaii p pn covert
from the tempest; as rivers OF water In
4 dry place. as the shadow OF great
rock In a weary land.
The compassion OF Jesus was not a
mere occasional impulse. resulting IN
exceptional expressions redemptive OF
a character which. at times. displayed
form and consistent benevolence. eX-
hibited whenever real need demanded
its exercise. Jesus had always eyes
for the sight OF human misery. He had
always ears for the cry for relief. His
hands were always ready Tor the work
OF redemption. His life on earth HE
valued but as II enabled Him TO be OF
The compassion OF Jesus was no cal
culating philanthropy, but was the sin
cere and unselfsh expression OF warm
Greek philosophers. teach those only
who could pay, but those especially
who could not pay. No act OF tender
ness did He for applause or fame, His
kindness was not for effect. but for
effectiveness. And so, by the law OF
indirection, that which lie was and
did has produced results far beyond
the accomplishments OF the self-seek-
ing and the pretending.
The compassion OF Jesus was not
softness nor indulgence. lie did not
encourage laziness or pauperize the un-
worthy. He was hrmest when most
tender. in the doctrines which He
taught He was faithful TO the needs
OF men. and He plainly revealed their
dangers, even. while by every art OF
unfeigned Kindness He was seeking to
prove the genuineness and depth or
The compassion of Jesus was not
confined to one need. but was enlisted
by every necessity. After the murder
Of John the Baptist; lie sought re,
the people followed Him, travelling on
foot and around the sea while He
crossed with His disciples in a boat
When He came forth and saw the
multitude He took note OF their
three-fold needs. OF mind, OF body and
/. OF soul. and He responded to all OF
these: And thus He acted during MS
Physical evils were not beneath the
notice and attention of the Son OF
hungry bodies. When His disciples
were worn out with labors and IA
tigued by travel. Come we yourselves
Ss5s into So1 Pafs f He ssis
And when He saw the famisning
throng He once declared. almost as III
apologizing for the act which follow-
ed. Il have compassion on the multi
tude because they have nothing TO
eat" Then He fed them, as He had
before fed an even greater company
CArist's Ministrstions An Example.
Jesus had compassion on the dis
eased and crippled. How the instances
OF this crowd upon us. He saw a man
with a withered hand, and II excited
Ills healing pity. one cursed with
palsy was laid at His feet and His
heart went out TO him with power.
When a leper came and cast himself In
His way, He placed upon his loath-
some body the hand OF T divin S,, as w wen
sitting by the wayside near jericho
called out to Him. Have mercy on us.
O Lord. thou son OF David Their af-
niction and faith were alike apparent:
SO Jesus had compassion on them and
touched their eyes" The records are
ilsd with such Incidents, and yet we
have been told. Finding II Impossible
to give I'm detail the entire account OF
His sympathy with human suffering,
gathered up in general statements the
evidence of His pity for "all manner
Of diseases" and for as many as had
In the sympathy Of Jesus for ia
tigue and hunger, for sickness and
pain. He has taught us TO be pitiful
and tender, considerable and helpful
And Christian ministration to the bod
lily needs OF men has flowed In increas-
Ing strt ans from His example. The
sick are cared for and they are healed
known until He taught II. and the cry
OF the poor does not fail TO bring
bread, for. since the time OF Jesus men
have been forced TO meet this question
and comparison. Whose hath the
worlds goods. and beholdeth hts broth
er I'm need. and shutteth up his COM
passion from him, how doth the love
bf God abide in him7"
The ideal and the teaching OF Jesus
with reference to the poor and the
sick are as yet but partially fulfilled
in our practices, but they have wrought