776 just as he is. If he had straight feet, he would not be William Stilling; and how could I love him then?” A Result of Kindness. A lady in Newcastle-on-Tyne saw a little boy on the street, pitied him, and cared for him. He became Robert Mor rison, one of the first missionaries to China. Kindness Versus Licking. A man whose only hobby was speak ing about the faults of Christians was approached by a well-known preacher with the question, “ Did you ever hear the story of the rich man and Lazarus?” “ Yes, of course I have!” “ Remember about the dogs at the gate—how they licked the sores of poor Lazarus?” “ Yes, why?” “ Well, you remind me of those dogs at the gate— always licking the sores of your fellows instead of encour aging or helping them.” And most of such licking opens instead of mollify ing the sore. Golden Text Illustration. Our beloved Ex-President, James A. Garfield, said, “ Love is on the front of the throne of God, but Justice and Judgment, with inexorable dread, fol low behind.” Of thirty emperors and other persecuting officers of pagan Rome, three committed suicide, five were assassinated, five died of excruciating diseases, and eight were killed in battle or in captivity. All the rest died either insane, by drowning, by violence, or in some other awful manner. m v. 19. He dealt among the people. This he did in token of his joy and gratitude to God. So those to whom God is bountiful ought to exercise bounty in giving. He also did it to recommend himself to the people and confirm his interest in them.—Henry. v. 1. David said. It is good some times to bethink ourselves whether there be any promises or engagements that we have neglected to make good. Better
THE K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
do it late than COMMENTS FROM n e v e r . David MANY SOURCES m i g h t perhaps Keith L. Brooks have satisfied his conscience w i t h the performance of his promise to Jona than if he had been only ready upon ap plication made to him, but he does more. He inquires of those about him.^-Henry. That I may show him kindness. Where- ever there is a human being there is an opportunity for a kindness..—Sen. An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.—-Childs. For Jonathan’s sake. To act the part of a true friend requires more conscientious feeling than to fill with credit and com placency any other capacity in social life.— Ellis. True friendship knows no separation that divides it in space or time.— Sel. Is there any left of the house of Saul? The house of Saul had sunken from its former greatness into such obscurity that it took some time of searching to find one of the house hold. A former servant of the house of Saul was better known than his children or grandchildren.— Torrey. v. 3. That I may show kindness. If providence has raised us and our friends and their families are brought low, yet we must not forget former acquaintance but rather look upon that as giving us so much the fairer opportunity of being kind to them.— Sel. The kindness of God. That is the highest degree of kind ness. This kindness was according to the covenant of God made between him and Jonathan.— Treas. Scr. Knowledge, This may include a reminiscence of the sacred oath to Jonathan but it hallows David’s purposed mercy as the echo of God’s mercy to him and so anticipates the Christian teaching, “ Be ye merciful even as your Father is merciful.”—Mac- laren. The best basis for the beneficent service of man is the experience of the mercy of God.—Sel. v. 4. Where is he? It is easy for the rich man to fling a pittance to some wretched looking creature that whines out a tale of horror in his ear but this may be done only to relieve his own feelings and harm instead of good may be the result. Enlightened benevolence aims at something higher than the mere relief of passing distress. Pains must be taken to find out the deserving.— Exp. Bible. v. 5. Sent and fetched him. The most necessitous are generally the least clamorous and the best objects of our kindness and charity are such as will
Made with FlippingBook HTML5