|
When I became a Christian, I drew a very large circle which included all who like myself had believed and had been baptized. I was happy in the thought that my brethren were many. But, I soon learned to my sorrow that all my brethren were not true brethren. A man with a keen mind will learn a lot through observation and I have been a close and constant observer of the brethren down through the years. In watching them I have discovered their errors. I drew another circle. Thereafter, I was forced time and again to make my circle smaller so as to exclude the "errorist". For I could not with good conscience tolerate within my circle except those who like myself were right in all points of doctrine and practice. Every time I drew my circle, which was becoming progressively smaller, I placed myself inside where I belonged. By watching the lives of those left within my circle, I learned that some had sinned and made mistakes. I was sorely grieved. What could I do about this? What else could a righteous man do that which I had already done? Good men must avoid sinful men.
So, in righteous indignation, My circle I drew again Leaving the publican and sinners without, And "me" and the righteous within. I observed that many were self righteous and unforgiving, they thought that they were the only "good people" in the world. I do not like people who think too highly of themselves and set all others at naught.
So as a matter of discipline, My circle I drew again, Leaving the self righteous without, And "me" and the humble within. I heard ugly rumors about this brother and that. Brethren should not allow ugly rumors to get started. Hopefully, I would never have such rumors circulate about me. Now should a man with a good reputation associate with brethren in bad repute? Should he not guard his own good name'?
In order to save my good name, My circle I drew again: Leaving the disreputable without And "me" and the reputable within. My circle had become small. Yet, I continued to watch the mistakes in the lives of the brethren. I learned that some of them though not out-and-out sinners were worldly minded. I have a way of knowing what brethren are thinking about! The pleasures in which they participated in were questionable. They should not participate in innocent pleasures. For instance, they should not drink coffee, but like me drink tea.
So through a solemn sense of duty; My circle I drew again; Leaving the worldly-minded out, And "me" and the spiritual within.
Now only my family and I were left. I wanted my family on the inside, because I love my family - every member of it. I have a good family. The members of my family were always right - except when they disagreed with me. Finally, my family and I had a fuss. There were two sides to this fuss. I was on one side and my family on the other. My side was right, and when a man is right, he should be steadfast. In all my experiences in church troubles, I have never been a factious man. I have always been identified with the true church and never the faction.
So in courage and determination, My circle I drew again; Leaving my factious family on the outside, And "me" and "myself" within!
|
