J. Baldwin Brown
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 74
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1869 edition. Excerpt: ... poor heart. " Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, 0 Lord, '" is the first cry of a soul coming forth into the daylight; which melts into the prayer "God be merciful to me a sinner." Then a blessed sense of communion with brother-men around him springs up within his heart. He has found what is common to man; common sin, common need of salvation from sin. " We cannot scorn each other, brother; we cannot spurn each other; we will not torment each other; there is one enemy who is tormenting both of us. We can weep together, brother; we can pray together, we shall be saved together, and we shall live together, saved in Heaven." Then the true fellowship begins, when souls are out of the darkness, in the light of God's grace and love. Then, "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin" The darkness isolates. The Pharisee is alone. He has never found the common term, " Father, I have sinned," wherein the human brotherhood subsists. " God, I thank thee that I am not as these men," is the only recognition of them which he vouchsafes. The habit of saying, " I am holier than thou," the habit of comparing ourselves with those whom we may choose to brand as sinners, instead of with God, before whom we should find ourselves wholesomely on their level, easily hardens into a conviction of this kind, " I am of superior order, I am what these men never can be, my class is the elect band of the great human company, the rest are the dross to my gold, the chaff to my corn; the great assay of life but assures my privilege, and sweeps the mass with undistinguishing carelessness...