Ms 87, 1894

Our Duty to the Poor and Afflicted

1894

Formerly Undated Ms 33 and Undated Ms 130. This manuscript is published in entirety in RH 12/18/1894, 12/25/1894, 01/01/1895.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to them that love him? ... If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?” [James 2:5, 15, 16.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 1

I make an appeal to my brethren in the faith, and urge them to cultivate tenderness of heart. Whatever may be your calling or position, if you cherish selfishness and covetousness, the displeasure of the Lord will be upon you. Do not make the work and cause of God an excuse for dealing closely and selfishly with any one, even if transacting business that has do to with His work. God will accept nothing in the line of gain that is brought into His treasury through selfish transaction. Every act in connection with His work is to bear divine inspection. Every sharp transaction, every attempt to take advantage of a man who is under pressure of circumstances, every plan to purchase his land or property for a sum beneath its value, will not be acceptable to God, even though the money gained is made an offering to His cause. The price of the blood of the only begotten Son of God has been paid for every man, and it is necessary to deal honestly, to deal with equity with every man in order to carry out the principles of the law of God. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 2

The great principles contained in the law of God enjoin upon us the duty of loving God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves. Those who love God will keep the first four precepts of the Decalogue, which define the duty of man to his Creator. But in carrying out this principle through the grace of Christ, we shall express in our characters the divine attributes, and will work out the love of God in all our dealing with our fellow men. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] God gave His best gift to the world, and whosoever has the attributes of God will love his fellow men with the same love wherewith God has loved him. The Spirit of God dwelling in the heart, will be manifested in love to others. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 3

In keeping the first four commandments, which reveal the duty of man to his God, the worshiper of God will find that he cannot cherish one fiber of the root of selfishness. He cannot do his duty to his God and practice oppression toward his fellow men. The second principle of the law is like unto the first, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” “This do, and thou shalt live.” [Luke 10:27, 28.] These are the words of Jesus Christ, from which there can be no departure on the part of any man, woman, or youth who would be a true Christian. It is obedience to the principles of the commandments of God that molds the character after the divine similitude. Those who render this obedience through the grace of Christ possess the attributes of the Saviour’s character, and are partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [2 Peter 1:4.] The word “lust” here includes not only licentiousness, but covetousness, desire for position, love of money, and that which leads to false dealings and unjust practices. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 4

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever, the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” [Psalm 19:7-11.] The people who keep God’s commandments are to bring the law of God into their lives, and reveal its value in their characters; they are to be Christlike and show forth true charity. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 5

“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: at his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it; lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.” [Deuteronomy 24:14, 15.] “Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.” [Leviticus 19:13.] “Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” [James 5:4.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 6

The Lord Jesus gave these commandments from the pillar of cloud, and Moses repeated them to the children of Israel and wrote them in a book, that they might not depart from righteousness. We are under obligation to fulfill these specifications, for in so doing we fulfill the specifications of the law of God. If a brother who has labored disinterestedly for the cause of God becomes enfeebled in body, and is unable to do his work, let him not be dismissed and be obliged to get along the best way he can. Give him wages sufficient to support him, for remember he belongs to God’s family, and that ye are all brethren. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 7

In the New Testament the world’s Redeemer has specified what constitutes pure religion in our dealings with our fellow men. Obeying the first four commandments with the whole soul causes us to render supreme love to God, and to become co-workers with God in carrying out the will of God toward our fellow men keeping the first four commandments makes us one with Christ, who gave His life as a ransom to deliver all from the thraldom of sin, and to make us free men and women in Him. The value of man is to be estimated at the price paid for his redemption. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 8

The last six precepts of the Decalogue reveal the duty of man to his fellow men, and those who render obedience to the first four commandments will also carry out the injunctions of the last six. We are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves. This command is not that we shall simply love those who think and believe exactly as we think and believe. Christ illustrated the meaning of the commandment by the parable of the good Samaritan. But how strangely these precious words are neglected, and how frequently men oppress their fellow men, and lift up their souls unto vanity. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 9

Men glory in themselves, and exalt themselves above their brethren. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord that exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 9:23, 24.] “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doing from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” [Isaiah 1:16, 17.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 10

Can we wonder that the curse of God is upon the earth, upon man and beast, when His law is set aside as a thing of naught, and men are following the imagination of their own hearts as did the inhabitants of the world before the flood? All this foretells the coming of Christ and the end of all things. “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:37-39.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 11

Through selfish pride, through selfish gratification, the blessing of God has been shut away from men, and from His professed people, because they have despised His words, and have failed to relieve the sufferings of humanity. “Ye shall not therefore oppress one another but thou shalt fear thy God, for I am the Lord your God. Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.” [Leviticus 25:17-19.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 12

To those who are doers of the words of Christ, prosperity is insured. In obeying His words, you become workers together with God in uplifting, in blessing and strengthening the sons of men, cultivating good impulses, and uprooting that which is evil. Christ said, “Make the tree good, and its fruit good.” [Matthew 12:33.] It is only practical piety that is of value. No spurious religionist will enter into the kingdom of heaven, and those who are genuine will bring forth the fruit that is found upon the Christian tree. The fruit found upon a tree is in harmony with its nature. This law prevails throughout the natural kingdom, and illustrates the truth found in the spiritual kingdom. When there is a decided change from a life of sin to one of purity, there will be a corresponding change in words and actions. Those who exercise faith, dwell in the presence of purity, and are one with Christ. Their life is hid with Christ in God. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 13

“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8.] The pure in heart ever keep before them their invisible Lord, and they catch His Spirit; they love their Lord with all the heart, and exercise in their life the love that God has manifested toward all human beings. But “he that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself so to walk, even as he walked.” [1 John 2:4-6.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 14

Let all read and understand the words of John in order that they may make no mistake. To what commandments is John referring? He says, “Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.” [Verses 7-10.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 15

“If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him, or increase; but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.” [Leviticus 25:35, 36.] How tenderly the Lord regards all who are suffering and in want! They are to be helped, not to be oppressed. “Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thine victuals for increase. I am the Lord your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.” [Verses 37, 38.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 16

It would be well if every church would read in their assemblies in the Old Testament the lessons which Christ gave to the people. The Spirit and character of our Heavenly Father in His dealings with men [are] revealed through [these] lessons. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 17

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanted. Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou giveth him nought; and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee. Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him; because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I commend thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.” [Deuteronomy 15:7-11.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 18

In the Old Testament the very same principles were revealed as those which Christ gave in His sermon of the mount. The scribes and Pharisees knew so little of these principles through everyday practice that Christ’s sermon on the mount was as a new revelation to them, and sounded like heresy to their ears. They had misinterpreted the Scripture, and regarded the maxims and sayings of men that had passed to them from rabbi to rabbi, as having the sanctity of inspiration. But the commands of men were not like the divine command, and better suited their carnal hearts. Jesus, who had instituted the law, knew just how far those professedly pious teachers had departed from the law, and how far they had made it void by the traditions. They had worshipped God in vain “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” [Matthew 15:9.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 19

Jesus revealed to them the far-reaching principles of the law of God. That which had been said by the rabbis of old time, though it had been oft repeated, and was hoary with age, though it was regarded by men as on a par with divine authority, [was] put in contrast with His own divine principles. The lessons He had taught to Israel in the Old Testament, He repeated in the New Testament. He enjoined upon them the exercise of mercy, compassion, and love toward all to whom they came in contact. Had the Israelites practiced the lessons which Christ spoke from the pillar of cloud, there would have been no oppression of man toward his fellow men. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 20

Jesus had said in the Old Testament, “Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take the widow’s raiment to pledge: but thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing. When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow; that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When thou gatherest the grapes in thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt; therefore I command thee to do this thing.” [Deuteronomy 24:17-22.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 21

If Israel had carried out the will of God that had been made known unto them, they would have had resting upon them the blessing promised to the pure in heart. They would have seen God, and by beholding Him would have become like Him in character. The ever-working principle and power of the Holy Spirit would have wrought upon human nature, till the heart was changed and the character conformed to the likeness of Christ’s character. In daily doing the words of Christ, it becomes a pleasure to do His will. Christ came to our world to live out the law of God, to be our Pattern in all things. He placed Himself between the mercyseat, and the vast number of heartless worshippers who were full of ostentation, pride, and vanity, and by His lessons of truth, which were eloquent with simplicity, He impressed the people with the necessity of spiritual worship. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 22

His lessons were impressive, beautiful, and weighty with importance, and yet so simple that a child could understand them. The truth He presented was so deep that the wisest and most accomplished teacher could never exhaust it. Those who work as seeing the invisible will always preserve simplicity, charging the simplest words with the power of the grandest truths. It was with this kind of teaching that the Lord Jesus exposed and brought to confusion the theories of the most learned. The spotlessness of His character, untainted with sin, unmarred by a wrinkle, revealed the marked contrast there was between His religion and the pious pretensions of the Pharisees. They could not tolerate Jesus. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 23

Though no fault could be found with Christ, He was rejected of men. With all his accusing power, Satan assaulted Him, and could find nothing in Him to condemn. Judas, who betrayed Him was constrained to own that he had betrayed innocent blood. Pilate, though he passed the [sentence] of condemnation upon Him, declared that he found no fault in Him. Pilate’s wife sent word to the Roman governor, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day [in a dream] because of him.” [Matthew 27:19.] This was the character of the great Teacher who has commanded us to treat our brethren with tenderness and compassion. Shall we disregard His words, and choosing impurity of heart, fail to see God? In failing to obey the words of Christ we become hardhearted, insensible to the woe of our fellow men and lack tenderness and love. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 24

I address those who are [in] responsible positions. How stands your record when compared with the Scripture of the Old and New Testament? None of your excuses for neglect of obeying the Word of God just as it reads, will stand before heaven. When you employ a man in any branch of the work, and he does his best, and still falls into decay, and his wife and children are caused to suffer, you may pass judgment upon him because he is not successful in his work, and you may allow the cry of this brother and his family to come up against you into the ears of God; but remember that as you judge, you shall be judged, and as you measure unto others, it shall be measured unto you again. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 25

Are you not afraid that the Lord will bring you over the very same ground upon which your brother has fallen? Your brother was of just as much value in the sight of God as you were yourself, for there is no respect of persons with God. He strips off the tinsel, the glitter, and the show with which men have clothed themselves, and beholds them in their true character. He allows those who boast themselves to pass through the strait places in which others have fallen, that they may be tested and tried upon the very points in which others have failed, that they may understand what it is to be regarded with indifference, contempt, and scorn. When others failed in the same place, they did not help, strengthen, and bless; but turned from them in heart, and regarded not their situation. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 26

The Lord has represented Himself as an householder who left his goods with his servants, instructing them to trade upon them for his advantage. “He called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come ... And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” [Luke 19:13, 15.] The Lord has given talents to His servants according to their several ability, and He means that they shall be good stewards of their Lord’s goods. In carrying out the principles of the law of His government, they will put their talents to good use in distributing to the poor, in manifesting the compassion and love of Christ to their fellow men. Those who do this will hear from His lips the benediction, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:21.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 27

“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [Luke 10:25.] Here is a plain, decided question, asked before a large company, among whom were those who were watching to catch any word from the lips of Christ that they might turn against Him. Jesus understood just how to adapt Himself to the situation, and He asked a question of the lawyer, that will place upon him the responsibility of answering his own inquiry. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 28

“And he said unto him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy might; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering said, A certain main went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, passed by on the other side. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 29

“And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will pay you. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” [Verses 26-37.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 30

Christ gave this lesson to those who claim to be expositors of the law of God. From His explanation it was evident that conformity to their rigorous ceremonies, the outward show of religion, would not make them fit subjects for the kingdom of heaven. The principles which must be wrought out in the life [are] supreme love to God and impartial love to men. The lawyer answered his own question by declaring that the law must be practiced. But did Christ say to him, “This preach, and thou shalt live”? no; “This do and thou shalt live.” [Verse 28.] The lawyer found himself a law-breaker, and was convicted under the searching lesson that Christ gave them; for while he understood the righteousness of the law he failed to show the mercy that the law enjoined. While he understood the letter of the law, he had not been of doer of its precepts. Convicted of his sin, repentance was demanded; but instead of repenting he sought to justify his course by asking Christ, “Who is my neighbor?” [Verse 29.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 31

The Lord presented a case of a poor man who had actually been wounded and left of robbers to die by the wayside. The priest and the Levite who had passed by on the other side were in that very company who listened to the words of Christ, and their actions were presented before them in their true colors. The priest and the Levite were passing along the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, and by chance they came upon this poor wounded man; but the Lord took occasion by this circumstance to test and prove them. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 32

The Lord saw the man had been assailed by the robbers, who, being possessed with satanic attributes, had wounded and bruised and robbed their fellow man, and had left him helpless and dying, caring not what became of him. They would have killed him had they not feared that they would be discovered, so they hurried away with their spoil. Christ says that not a sparrow falls to the ground without our heavenly Father’s notice; but here was a man who had been greatly injured by his fellow men, and would God not look upon his affliction? Had those who injured him respected and obeyed the laws of God, they would have loved their neighbor as themselves. They would have treated their neighbor as they desired to be treated. But acting out the impulses of their sinful, corrupt nature, acting as though there were no law to forbid their cruelty, they cared neither for God or their neighbor, and left the wounded man by the wayside to die. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 33

In His providence the Lord brings a priest, to whom is committed the work of ministering in behalf of the people, over the same road where the sick and suffering men lay in a dying condition. A faithful priest is to be pitiful, to be imbued with the Spirit of God, filled with mercy, compassion, and love toward all. There is no one to witness his actions, and put to the test, he will reveal the true nature of his character, and make it manifest before the universe of heaven whether he is fit for the sacred office. The angels look upon the distress of God’s family upon the earth, and they are prepared to co-operate with human agents in relieving oppression and suffering. They will co-operate with those, who “break every yoke,” who “bring the poor that are cast out into thine house,” who, “when they see the naked, that thou cover him; and hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” [Isaiah 58:6, 7.] 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 34

To leave a suffering neighbor unrelieved is a breach of the law of God. God brought that priest along that way, in order that with his own eye he might see a case that needed mercy and help; but the priest, though given a holy office, whose work it was to bestow mercy and do good, passes by on the other side. His character was developed in its true nature before the angels of God. For a pretense he could make long prayers, but he could not keep the principles of the law of God in loving God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. The Levite was of the same tribe as was the wounded, bruised sufferer. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 35

All heaven watched as the Levite passed down the road, to see if his heart would be touched with human woe. As he beheld the man, he was convicted of what he ought to do; but as it was not an agreeable duty, he wishes he had not come that way, so that he need not have seen this man who was wounded and bruised, naked and perishing, and in want of help from his fellow men. He passed on his way persuading himself that it was none of his business, and that he had no need to trouble himself over the case. Claiming to be an expositor of the law, to be a minister in sacred things, he yet passed by on the other side. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 36

Enshrined in the pillar of cloud, the Lord Jesus had given special direction in regard to the performance of acts of mercy toward men and beast. While the law of God requires supreme love to God and impartial love to our neighbors, yet its far-reaching requirements also take in the dumb creature [that] cannot express in words their wants or sufferings. “Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.” [Deuteronomy 22:4.] He who loves God will not only love his fellow men, but will regard with tender compassion the creatures which God has made. When the Spirit of God is in man, it leads him to relieve rather than to create suffering. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 37

After the Lord had laid bare the indifference and disregard of the priest and Levite toward their fellow man, he introduced the good Samaritan. He journeyed along the way, and when he saw the sufferer, he had compassion on him, for he was a doer of the law. This had been an actual occurrence, and was known to be exactly as represented. Christ presented these cases, and inquired which one of the travelers had been a neighbor to him who fell among thieves. As a teacher of the law who had not practiced the principles of the law, the lawyer stood self-convicted while hearing of the exercise of mercy on the part of a Samaritan whom they despised. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 38

The Samaritans had been excommunicated from the church, and the Jews were educated to cast contempt upon them, and yet it was one of this hated people, who had acted out the principles of the law. Christ laid open before them their cruel selfishness and hardheartedness, for while teaching the precepts of the law of God, they were not obeying the invisible Leader and Instructor of the hosts of Israel as they journeyed in the wilderness. But the Samaritan, who was one of the despised people, cared for his suffering brother, and did not pass by on the other side. He treated his neighbor as he would want to be treated were he in a similar condition. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 39

By this parable the duty of man to his fellow man is forever settled. We are to care for every case of suffering, and to look upon ourselves as God’s agents to relieve the needy to the very uttermost of our ability. We are to be laborers together with God. There are some who manifest great affection for their relatives, for their friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kind and considerate to those who need tender sympathy, who need kindness and love. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 40

With earnest hearts, let us inquire, Who is my neighbor? Our neighbors are not merely our neighbors and special friends, [they] are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. We are to do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. We are to give to the world an exhibition of what it means to carry out the law of God. We are to love God supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves. 9LtMs, Ms 87, 1894, par. 41