Article February 22, 1900 Issue

Religious Items

with contributions from H. R. Haweis

"With Cheerfulness," is the subject of an article in the Home department of the Watchman. The writer says in part:—

"The apostle Paul enjoins his disciples to exercise mercy with cheerfulness. That phrase, 'with cheerfulness,' is too often slurred over in reading the passage, but it is the significant thing about the precept. It was not necessary to tell Christians that they should show mercy. They had learned that long before, but he put the virtue in a new light when he says that it is to be exercised with cheerfulness. That is just the trouble with much of our forgiveness and mercy and charity: it lacks the supreme quality of delight and joy. It is sour, constrained, and grudging. We do it because we think we ought to. There is no gladness about it. But you see at once to what a new level the virtue is lifted when its manifestation is the outcome of a glad and cheerful heart. Then it becomes winsome and charming. We may be grateful for the charitable judgment, the merciful construction, the forgiving temper, but we love the one who manifests these qualities if he is cheerful in displaying them."

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