THE UNSELFISHNESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 143, 19 June 1899, Page 2

THE UNSELFISHNESS OF CHRISTIANITY.

The Eev. E. Sommerville preached in St. Peter's Presbyterian Church last sight from Bom. xr. I—'We, then, that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.' He explained that the text had reference to the state of parties in the Church at Rome. One party, while accepting of Jesus as the Messiah, held that many of the Jewish customs were still obligatory; while the other party, composed of Jews and Gentiles, held that they were not. The former were regarded as the, weaker brethren, and the Apostle urges line strong in Christian attainments to bear with the infirmities of the weak. He showed (1) who were the weak; (2) who were the strong, and (3) what ,was the duty of iihe strong toward the weak; and he spoke (4) of the fact that the unselfishness of the duty enjoined was a leading characteristic of Christianity. It was true the duty enforced had primary reference to those weak in faith, in. principle, and in knowledge; but itwaa also true that as a Christian principle of procedure, the duty embraced the whole man. And the Christian Church had always acted upon the principle, as witness our benevolent institutions. Antiquity could boast of considerable civilization, but it could not boast of hospitals or asylums, or any such means of helping tine weak and the unfortunate. The strong were those whose minds opened, whose views broadened, and who could, and would, deal sympathetically with the weak. Correct principle had such hold tlhat the strong could deal liberally with the weak without being weakened in bis attachment to the right. The strong in mnciple are persons of influence; and ft true Christian principle they are benefactors to those among whom

they move. If, on the other hand, their priciples are anti-Christian, they are enemies of humanity, for the weak in intelligence are not sufficiently armed witlu the elements of discernment to be able to bear up successfully against their influence, and many stagger and fall. Unfortunately there was abroad in the world, periodically, much, of this baneful influence. It seemed to come in with a rush betimes and to exhaust itself in spasmodic effort, but not before many mi ods had been unsettled and left to long for the certainty of truth. Hence the duty of the strong to bear with the infirmities of the weak, to counsel, hiatruot, encourage. Christianity has nothing to fear from giant intellects; H has much to fear from dwarfed intellects. The weakness is in ign ."ranee, not in intelligence; and in whatever way the infirmities of the weak might be displayed, even though they should lead to inconvenience and annoyance, Christian charity, which suffers ong, and is kind, requires the strong to be forbearing and considerate, imd not to please themselves. The unselfishness of the duty here enplu-'d was a leading characteristic of Christianity. Had the old Adam risen in these Itnini'n Christians, and they pleased themselves, they would not, havr, tolerated the obsolete and meaningless practices of some of their fellow Christians But, with their better instructed minds and stronger faith they occupied strong vantage afford to be generous. And thi* w» B in keeping with the spirit of their religion. Who more unselfish than theSor of Christianity?• 'lor^ven Christ pleased not H mself,' aujJ» followers, in the exercise of His spirit, please not themselves when the, fo ble, of weak brethren turn to their diaadvantage Christianity's great power wa n S that of attraction; it drew minds and hearts to it by its Inherent excelkneies, not the least of Which was the principle enunciated in the text. A selfish man does not command reject such as is accorded to an unselfish man, who has regard for Ms neighbour's well-being and sacrifices his own interests, when necessary, for S"e benefiting of 'other. Onris',anUy teaches the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and forbids the spirit that would ask: Am I m> brother's keeper? The spirit of Chr st leads to I'he strong giving of strength for the benefiting of the weak' and whether the. weakness be physical mental, moral or spiritual, the dutY is the same, and the true ChrisS never shrinks from^ persubordinates self and magnifies Christ, 2? whenever occasion calls, endeao,; s to give a practical e^mpliflcation of the unselfishness of Christianity by bearing the inhrraitics of the weak.