WHY HE STAYED | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 29, 1880

WHY HE STAYED.

THERE is a story of a man who attended an evening party, and stayed very late. One after another the guests thinned out; but he still remained. At length his persistency attracted attention, and on being asked for an explanation he replied that he had observed that whenever one of the guests left, those who remained commenced talking about him, and saying all manner of things concerning him; and he consequently concluded that he would stay until all the rest were gone, and so escape the criticisms to which they were subjected.

We have seen occurrences in religious circles which have reminded us of this circumstance. It is noticeable that when a person retires from some sectarian circle where he has been associated, that as soon as he is gone his old associates begin to talk about him. Sleeping scandals suddenly awake, and are galvanized into life. He was supposed to be a very decent sort of man, but his change of relations has changed everything, and those who flattered and petted him it may be are the very first to spurn and scorn him.

This can hardly be esteemed as profitable. It is better to "speed the parting guest;" and there is little propriety in criticising and abusing in his absence, the man who was honored and approved while present. There may be some who will stay for fear that the company will talk about them as soon as their backs are turned, but any fellowship or association built upon such a basis is not the most desirable or the most enduring.

Christ says to his disciples, "I am the door; by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." It is the privilege of the man who has entered through Christ the door, to "go in and out," self-appointed gate-keepers and toll-takers to the contrary, notwithstanding. It is the duty of Christians to observe the laws of Christ and maintain the discipline of his church, and a watch-care over each other. But they are to do this while they have opportunity; and throwing mud at people after they have gone, is a poor substitute for the exercise of faithful discipline and watch-care while they remain within their fellowship.—Christian.