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TOPIC: Gordon, Samuel Dickey - Quiet Talks on Personal Problems (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 72. Not to Judge but to Save.
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Not to Judge but to Save.
There is need of greatest tact in expressing our preferences regarding these things among those who practice them. There has been in earlier generations, and not wholly gone yet, a rigidity of practice in some such things coupled with lack of a loving, earnest, consistent spirit. And the two have become fixed together in many minds. Truth has always suffered at the hands of some defending it.
One should be very careful not to express himself in such a way as to seem critical of another. The keenest criticism of wrong is a consistent life. We are not sent to judge the world but to save it. We are not sent to be critics of our neighbors. Each man is to be fully persuaded in his own mind. We are to presume that the other one has thought for himself and reached a conclusion; we should respect his opinions. So that while as occasion needs one should clearly make known his own thought and habit, it should be done with the tactful deference to others that love inspires.
I glean this fine bit from a memorial of Dr. Maltbie D. Babcock, that rarely sainted, sane young minister who so moved the heart of New York the brief year he preached there: "He never hesitated a moment over questions of policy. Like Paul he held tenaciously to the doctrine of Christian liberty. But he had more delight in waiving his use of that liberty than in exercising it, if his use of it might in any way interfere with his usefulness. Knowing so well his native dramatic power, and his great enjoyment of good comedy and tragedy, I asked him if he ever went to the theatre. 'Never.' Bearing in mind his delight in the best music, and his familiarity with many scores of celebrated compositions in opera, oratorio, and orchestral music, I said, 'How about the opera? Do you ever go?' 'Never.' Anyone who knew him well would not have to ask why. I knew it was Paul's reason.
"But Mr. Trumbull, in the Sunday School Times, after Dr. Babcock left us, related two incidents which explained and illustrated his reason, which I here quote. 'When lunching one day with some business men, Dr. Babcock was offered a cigar, and a hope was expressed that he would join the others in a social smoke. Instantly his face lighted up with one of his winning smiles, and he said to the speaker: "Thank you very much for your kindness. But you know I have a profession that means more to me than anything else in the world. I guard it very jealously. I am liable to be called out at any time of day or night, in the service of my profession, and if I were called suddenly to the bedside of some one who was dying, it wouldn't seem just right, would it?—if I had the odor of tobacco in my clothes and on my breath. So you will pardon me, won't you, if I don't join you in this?"
"At another time one of the wealthier members of his congregation offered him the use of his box at the opera through the season, and instantly this reply came: 'I can't thank you enough for the kindness you are showing me. But you know how a surgeon in practicing his profession is not only obliged to keep his hands and linen free from dirt, but he must keep himself aseptically clean as well. Now, in my profession, I have to be even more careful than a surgeon, and so I must be careful about things that might do harm in even the most indirect way. You will understand, I know, why I cannot accept the great kindness you are offering me, though I do thank you for it from the bottom of my heart.' " ("Maltbie Davenport Babcock." by Chas. E. Robinson, D.D.)
Here was the exquisite tact of a perfect gentleman combined with the highest standard of conduct. His service controlled in his life and actions. Here is a great simple question suggested that goes at once to the very heart of this whole matter of questioned things: Should not service —thought for others whom we would win by both direct and indirect touch—control every one of us who belongs to Jesus Christ?