Editorial September 18, 1902 Issue

The Offence of Personality

How often, when prompted to advise or to rebuke in humility and love, are we hindered and controlled by fear lest we may hurt another's feelings. How often has the right, the opportune word remained unspoken, our duty been left undone, through this covert temptation to hide our responsibility under the assumption of a weak and baneful deference to possible sensitiveness and discomfort.

For the self-constituted critic and adviser who ventures his presumptuous intrusion upon others, there can be neither place nor tolerance. To all this, Christian ministry presents its contrast in the wisdom, kindliness, unobtrusiveness, and tactfulness of its appeal, and for one imbued with divine Love to declare that there are feelings which can be hurt, is to assume an entirely unscientific and unsaving attitude; and to be governed by this thought is to become amenable to sense rather than to Spirit.

If we know our brother as God's child, if the impediment of the thought of human personality be disallowed and destroyed, then we shall know that man may speak to his brother without hindrance or reserve, and that only good can come of our loyalty to the ideal in ourselves and in others. "Henceforth," says Paul, "know we no man after the flesh." Then surely the sensitiveness of the flesh can no longer beget fear, nor limit that true kindness which values our brother's welfare more highly even, than his good opinion. W.

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