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Article BENEVOLENCE: ITS EEWAED AND SGUECE. ← Page 2 of 8 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Benevolence: Its Eewaed And Sguece.
from that selfishness which is almost inseparable from human nature , there will be a sympathizing spirit wherever and in whomsoever distresses exist . Benevolence will pour the balm of Gilead into the wounds of the just and unjust ; where it cannot rescue it will pity ; where it cannot exalt it will not degrade ; where it is unappreciated it will turn again in efforts of hope ; where there is innocence it will bestow approbation ;
Life , then , to this eunuch , in all probability had been a stern reality ; he had been left to travel its rugged paths , and had been usages . Such a man could appreciate benevolence , and would , in a more prosperous hour , the more readily feel for others in suffering circumstances ; so he went unto the king and said , " My lord the king , these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet , whom they have cast into the dungeon : and he is like to die with hunger in the 5
place where he is , for there is no more bread in the city . In the conduct of Ebedmelech you see an example of genuine benevolence ; it consists in a ready sympathy for our less fortunate brethren , which manifests itself in actions of tenderness , friendship , and timely relief . Though the object of this eunuch's sympathy belonged to another people and nation , yet nature ' s demand on his large heart of flesh and blood was not disregarded . Jeremiah was sunk in the mire , his eyes trickled down without intermission , Ms enemies chased him sore like a bird , his
life was being cut off in the dungeon . If others could remain unconcerned in his condition , deaf to his entreaties , regardless of his tears , Ebedmelech could not ; but- ^ genuine , manly , benevolent being as he was—he ma < Ie an effort to rescue the prophet from his miserable position . Would to God that all men would learn , from this interesting and noble character , to exercise benevolence ! We make boast of the excellencies of our peculiar forms of religious belief—our superior light and attainnients—our freedom of thought and action—our highly civilized condition—our national deeds of generosity and benevolence ; and in many matters relating to the elevation of others in the social scale , we may justly boast ;
but still , in our intercourse with our less favoured brethren , we sadly lack the spirit of kindness and benevolence . Our good offices , too commonly , only embrace the expression of good wishes in the sufferer ' s behalf , or a few gifts in the shape of alms from our abundance , or a hurried visit and prayer in the time of trouble . We are indisposed patiently to ^ investigate into the causes of his distress , and unbiassedly to enter into the f » irmirnKfa . rip , fis of his nft « uliar character and case . We do not sufficient ! V WW * — —— — — — ——
W ** " ^ . . ****** WW *— . wrwrv -w . ~ - •** p- . - ~ w - ^ . PJ consider the infirmities and temptations which beset some mortals in this life—and then we hastily condemn , where , if we could not award praise , we should at least desist from censure , and perhaps extend our sympathy and succour . We seek our own good and not another ' s health , and we seldom practise self-denial in putting forth personal effort in the godlike mission of universal benevolence . Where there is benevolence purified
where there are sin and misery it will extend a merciful hand , and put forth energy to bless . This spirit animated Ebedmelech , and it should imbue all men , but especially Masons , whose privilege it is to soothe the unhappy , to comfort the mourner , to restore peace to the tempest-tossed breast , and who are taught to look upon all men as formed by the Great Architect of the universe for the mutual assistance , instruction , and
support of each other , But that which adds so much worth and dignity to the benevolence , as displayed hy Ebedmelech , is its thorough disinterestedness . Jeremiah was an object of scorn , helpless in himself , and equally destitute of help from others . Any sacrifice or exertion , therefore , made in his behalf
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Benevolence: Its Eewaed And Sguece.
from that selfishness which is almost inseparable from human nature , there will be a sympathizing spirit wherever and in whomsoever distresses exist . Benevolence will pour the balm of Gilead into the wounds of the just and unjust ; where it cannot rescue it will pity ; where it cannot exalt it will not degrade ; where it is unappreciated it will turn again in efforts of hope ; where there is innocence it will bestow approbation ;
Life , then , to this eunuch , in all probability had been a stern reality ; he had been left to travel its rugged paths , and had been usages . Such a man could appreciate benevolence , and would , in a more prosperous hour , the more readily feel for others in suffering circumstances ; so he went unto the king and said , " My lord the king , these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet , whom they have cast into the dungeon : and he is like to die with hunger in the 5
place where he is , for there is no more bread in the city . In the conduct of Ebedmelech you see an example of genuine benevolence ; it consists in a ready sympathy for our less fortunate brethren , which manifests itself in actions of tenderness , friendship , and timely relief . Though the object of this eunuch's sympathy belonged to another people and nation , yet nature ' s demand on his large heart of flesh and blood was not disregarded . Jeremiah was sunk in the mire , his eyes trickled down without intermission , Ms enemies chased him sore like a bird , his
life was being cut off in the dungeon . If others could remain unconcerned in his condition , deaf to his entreaties , regardless of his tears , Ebedmelech could not ; but- ^ genuine , manly , benevolent being as he was—he ma < Ie an effort to rescue the prophet from his miserable position . Would to God that all men would learn , from this interesting and noble character , to exercise benevolence ! We make boast of the excellencies of our peculiar forms of religious belief—our superior light and attainnients—our freedom of thought and action—our highly civilized condition—our national deeds of generosity and benevolence ; and in many matters relating to the elevation of others in the social scale , we may justly boast ;
but still , in our intercourse with our less favoured brethren , we sadly lack the spirit of kindness and benevolence . Our good offices , too commonly , only embrace the expression of good wishes in the sufferer ' s behalf , or a few gifts in the shape of alms from our abundance , or a hurried visit and prayer in the time of trouble . We are indisposed patiently to ^ investigate into the causes of his distress , and unbiassedly to enter into the f » irmirnKfa . rip , fis of his nft « uliar character and case . We do not sufficient ! V WW * — —— — — — ——
W ** " ^ . . ****** WW *— . wrwrv -w . ~ - •** p- . - ~ w - ^ . PJ consider the infirmities and temptations which beset some mortals in this life—and then we hastily condemn , where , if we could not award praise , we should at least desist from censure , and perhaps extend our sympathy and succour . We seek our own good and not another ' s health , and we seldom practise self-denial in putting forth personal effort in the godlike mission of universal benevolence . Where there is benevolence purified
where there are sin and misery it will extend a merciful hand , and put forth energy to bless . This spirit animated Ebedmelech , and it should imbue all men , but especially Masons , whose privilege it is to soothe the unhappy , to comfort the mourner , to restore peace to the tempest-tossed breast , and who are taught to look upon all men as formed by the Great Architect of the universe for the mutual assistance , instruction , and
support of each other , But that which adds so much worth and dignity to the benevolence , as displayed hy Ebedmelech , is its thorough disinterestedness . Jeremiah was an object of scorn , helpless in himself , and equally destitute of help from others . Any sacrifice or exertion , therefore , made in his behalf