THESE THREE by Anne Teague

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 6, 1877

THESE THREE.

By Anne Teague

“AND now abideth faith, hope, charity,” says the inspired apostle; and he adds, that, though he may be the incarnation of all other goodness, lacking charity, or love, he is nothing.

Should we place ourselves before the mirror of candor, how many of us would be revealed as a shadow wherein the substance of goodness was found wanting? The weak human intellect exalts itself, is puffed up, admits of little or no excuse for the weaknesses of others, is ready to reproach a fault, and surmises a wrong direction to footsteps that right-angle its own

pathway; but when we add charity to life’s casket of jewels what a different world it makes around us! It is to us as the bath of sunshine to the sky, the breath of summer to the earth, the air of evening to the weary day.

No master’s brush can paint the change, nor cunning skill fashion for it a form, nor eloquence of tongue or pen express its fitting record; yet charity, by its silent influence, gathers the trials, burdens, temptations, and errors of humanity, and hides them away, in their stead pouring the oil and wine of love, kindness, and heavenly wisdom. Well might the inspired teacher, who had even ascended to the third Heaven, and seen and heard things that man could not utter, exclaim, “The greatest of these is charity.” Only Infinity can comprehend its perfect measure. It is the web of righteousness, the white raiment of the saints, upon which the great Weaver is at work constantly; and it is finished only when the woof of human events shall fill out the threads of the warp of time, and when it shall have been purified and made white in the blood of the Lamb.

The world points its cruel warfare at the shrinking victim, nor leaves him till the storms of life have swept him into the grave of forgetfulness; but the righteous Judge shall bring thee again from that land, O crushed and bruised reed, and mercy shall impute thy faults to thee no more. Divinity hath crowned itself with charity toward all repentants, and “peace on earth, good will to man,” will sound in the heavenly chorus till the saints of God are sealed for eternity.

We believe that hidden things belong to God, yet how many of us assume to judge our neighbor regarding things which no man can know. When we condemn another, who of us can say we do not condemn ourselves beforehand, and that we will not do the same thing when influenced by like conditions? Can we fathom the secret depths of the heart, and determine the force of the influences operating on each individual organism? Can we calculate the power of hereditary conformation that controls our being? Can we estimate the strength of life-long habit and training, aided by the sympathetic and compelling surroundings of circumstances which lead to the commission of acts that can never be rightly understood by those for whom the winds seem tempered—upon whom no cross is laid that bows the frail body, and tortures the tried heart?

Could each one of us every day resolve to close the lips to all unkind and selfish words, and speak and walk softly before God, what a Heaven on earth we should inhabit! Charity to others gives us a knowledge of our own frail natures, and what our own needs may at any time require. No earthly exaltation can place us above giving and receiving its blessings; no place so humble as to be beyond its reach. Where the unkind word or thought can go, there follow God’s love and mercy.

In every relation of man to man mutual forbearance and tenderness should be displayed. We know so little to what extent the effect of an unjust suspicion or a mistaken idea may go, that we should guard words and thoughts with severity; for the enemy is ever ready to lead us into error.

Cultivate a kind and generous mind. Study to read human nature aright, that you may be able to do good to all in a manner acceptable to their wants. I think Paul used this method largely in his intercourse with the world. His tender admonitions and instructions were varied in application to different cases. Many a worthy soul may have turned from a useful life, and ceased to work, because harshly reproved. If reproof be given in the spirit of love, it melts and softens and prepares the heart to be molded to all good; if untimely and untempered, it causes grief, humiliation, and afterward resentment and anger. Hold fast “these three,” the greatest of which is charity.

ANNE TEAGUE.