Echoes from the Pulpit.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 96, 15 October 1915, Page 1

Echoes from the Pulpit.

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The Black Sheep. "Tbe voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground."—Gen. iv., 10. If ever the black sheep goes to hell a goo:l many other people will be implicated. Because wherever we find a black sheep in th: flock we find also a number of people wbo have a hand in

MAKING MM WHAT HE IS. When a boy or girl has an inclination to wander from the right pathway, ihe treatment they receive often hastens their degradation. Well-meaning friends and relations try to reform the erring one by reminding him day by day how bad he is getting, and by reciting bis many faults to others. Nagging and fault-rinding often drive black Fheep to desperation; and very likely many a "goodygoody" will be told by the Great Just Judge, "7he voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." The degeneration of the bhcfc sheep is accelerated by bis being* blamed for every evil deed that lacks an owner. Sometimes an ordinary, careless boy is turned into a rascal by this process. It is said in Australia that the Kelly Gang of bushrangers were driven to their desperate life through being branded as bad and blamed for everything. The evil work of making an erring child into a black sheep commences in the tome, where he is curled and nagged at and discouraged every day. He is always in tbe Kay, and never does anything right. At school they call him a block-head, an imp of darkness; and they tell him he will end in gaol. At work his employer tries to improve him, with tbe perpetual refrain that he is not worth his Bait. And then people wonder when this black sheep goes to tbe bad. But the muffled thunder of God's voice declares "The voice of thy brother's blood ciietb unto Me from the ground."

This indictment is not intended as a justification oi wanderers from the Fold, because, after all, wc cannot help recognising

THE BLAMEWORTHINESS of tbe Binner himself.. Though everyone else was'down on him, the best friend of all was always ready to make a man of him. It is the delight of the Great Sbepberd to befriend the black sheep, and to show him that some one cares for him and believes in his recoverableness.

This real and unfailing friendship of the Lord Jesus is more than enough to compensate for tbe injustice and enmity of others; and tbe black sheep is to be severely blamed, as well as pitied, if he rejects the proffered help of Him who is "Mighty to Save." The foolish persecutors have a lot to answer for, bat at the same time the haunted wanderer cannot deny that there was always a way of escape if he had chosen to take it. He may have been a black sheep, but he need not have become a lost sheep, though sorely tried by his unfaithful shepherds, who tried to "whiten" him with the tar brush.

God never allows anyone to go down to destruction without warnings and invitations and pleadings. The bitterness of remorse is the memory of many neglected chances of recovery. But a certain amount of responsibility for our brother's blood makes us consider the best means of HIS RESTORATION. And here the greatest caution and tactfulness are required. Some men are so suspicious and touchy that they will curse you, and then go away and get drunk if you give them a religious smile and ask them whether they arc "saved." The method of the Master is the only safe and successful one of restoring the black sheep: genuine kindness, and a readiness to acknowledge whatever may be good in the wanderer's lite.

The black sheep would never wander far if he found some Christlike friend at bis aide whenever he had fallen. A friend that would not call him bad names, but just lend a hepling hand. The best we can do is simply to help, for only Christ can restore and save the lost sheep wandering in the wilderness of sin, "Sinners Jesus will receive, Sound this word of grace to all, Who the Heavenly pathway leave, All who wander, all who fall."