Not all who have accepted the Truth are attractive in disposition or person, or have attained unto characters becoming their profession. Are we to love such? Yes! And thus help them upward unto greater perfection, for who is there without sin among us? Not one! Therefore we have need to be very careful if we feel in our hearts any approach to self satisfaction, for if we dare to despise or look down on one of His " little ones," the Master, who sees our thoughts, will regard our feelings as toward Himself. If there come into our assembly any "clothed in vile raiment which we can understand to mean the humble garments of those who not afford better, we are instructed to give as good a seat in the meeting as the better-dressed or the more influential, for God looketh not upon the outward appearance, but upon the heart, and so must we.
If only we could always think of the tie that binds us together, and every time we use the title sister or brother, remember our elder brother, who has so called us brethren and sisters to himself and to each other; and if tempted to forget and use the name as an ordinary title, or under wrath or anger - stop, think: Who is it we address? Why, a brother or sister of Christ. and dare we use that honoured title under hatred or any evil impetus? When he has said what we do unto those who bear his name we do unto himself!
Even the cup of cold water offered in his name he accepts as offered unto him, and so will he accept other services of love: and oh, think of it in trembling, so will unloving acts, or words, or looks, be regarded by him as done unto himself therefore, take heed that ye "despise not one of his little ones."
Christ is the only altogether lovely one; and what are we in his sight that any pride should ever arise within us, or what have we of good that we have not received through his mercy? Let such thoughts keep us in the exercise of forbearance and humility.
(Selected 1937).