Southern Christian Advocate

TRUTH AND CHARITY

The spirit of Christianity is entirely liberal in its desires, prayers, efforts and communications, but not of course in its opinions; for there is no room for liberality in reference to these. A liberal Christian, if the term be intended to characterize him with regard to his religious sentiments, is an absurdity. We must believe according to the facts and evidences within our reach. What it appears to us that the scriptures teach, after a close and prayerful examination of them, we must believe. And were our hearts enlarged to entertain all the charity of heaven, it could not alter, and it ought not to alter, our belief. Charity can never affect our belief, but by first affecting the things believed. We can change our creed only by changing what is manifestly impossible, the facts and truths comprehending our creed. We have often heard it said by men, that they have charity for all, meaning thereby, that they believe all in a safe condition, in reference to a future state, or that those who under the influence of Paganism or Mahomedanism, are about as well off, as those who live under the influence of the Christian system, and one Christian denomination scarcely to be preferred to another. Now, whether there is truth in this, is another question; but there is certainly no charity in it. 'There may be charity in connexion with the opposite belief. Charity does not qualify our opinions, but affections and actions. Feel charity, think truly, if one's charity is to be decided by his opinions as in common parlance, liberal or illiberal, then what was he in respect of charity, who said, "strait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it." Was he not charitable, yea, charity's self? Yet you see what an opinion he expressed. It is said we "must have charity;" so we must; else with all things besides we are nothing, but we must also know what charity is.--Nevins.