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into the sea。〃 And He added； 〃If thy hand cause thee to stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life maimed； rather than having thy two hands to go into hell； into the unquenchable fire。 And if thy foot cause thee to stumble； cut it off： it is good for thee to enter into life halt； rather than having thy two feet to be cast into hell。〃 Mark 9：43…45； R。 V。
Why this earnest language； than which none can be stronger？ Because 〃the Son of man is come to save that which was lost。〃 Shall His disciples show less regard for the souls of their fellow men than the Majesty of heaven has shown？ Every soul has cost an infinite price； and how terrible is the sin of turning one soul away from Christ； so that for him the Saviour's love and humiliation and agony shall have been in vain。
〃Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling！ for it must needs be that the occasions come。〃 Matt。 18：7； R。 V。 The world； inspired by Satan； will surely oppose the followers of Christ； and seek to destroy their faith； but woe to him who has taken Christ's name； and yet is found
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doing this work。 Our Lord is put to shame by those who claim to serve Him； but who misrepresent His character； and multitudes are deceived； and led into false paths。
Any habit or practice that would lead into sin； and bring dishonor upon Christ； would better be put away； whatever the sacrifice。 That which dishonors God cannot benefit the soul。 The blessing of heaven cannot attend any man in violating the eternal principles of right。 And one sin cherished is sufficient to work the degradation of the character； and to mislead others。 If the foot or the hand would be cut off； or even the eye would be plucked out； to save the body from death； how much more earnest should we be to put away sin； that brings death to the soul！
In the ritual service； salt was added to every sacrifice。 This； like the offering of incense； signified that only the righteousness of Christ could make the service acceptable to God。 Referring to this practice； Jesus said； 〃Every sacrifice shall be salted with salt。〃 〃Have salt in yourselves； and have peace one with another。〃 All who would present themselves 〃a living sacrifice； holy； acceptable unto God〃 （Rom。 12：1）； must receive the saving salt； the righteousness of our Saviour。 Then they become 〃the salt of the earth；〃 restraining evil among men； as salt preserves from corruption。 Matt。 5：13。 But if the salt has lost its savor； if there is only a profession of godliness； without the love of Christ； there is no power for good。 The life can exert no saving influence upon the world。 Your energy and efficiency in the upbuilding of My kingdom； Jesus says； depend upon your receiving of My Spirit。 You must be partakers of My grace； in order to be a savor of life unto life。 Then there will be no rivalry； no self…seeking； no desire for the highest place。 You will have that love which seeks not her own； but another's wealth。
Let the repenting sinner fix his eyes upon 〃the Lamb of God； which taketh away the sin of the world〃 （John 1：29）； and by beholding； he becomes changed。 His fear is turned to joy； his doubts to hope。 Gratitude springs up。 The stony heart is broken。 A tide of love sweeps into the soul。 Christ is in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life。 When we see Jesus； a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief； working to save the lost； slighted； scorned； derided； driven from city to city till His mission was accomplished； when we behold Him in Gethsemane； sweating great drops of blood； and on the cross dying in agony；when we see this； self will no longer clamor to be recognized。 Looking unto Jesus； we shall be ashamed of our coldness； our lethargy； our self…seeking。
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We shall be willing to be anything or nothing； so that we may do heart service for the Master。 We shall rejoice to bear the cross after Jesus； to endure trial； shame； or persecution for His dear sake。
〃We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak； and not to please ourselves。〃 Rom。 15：1。 No soul who believes in Christ； though his faith may be weak； and his steps wavering as those of a little child； is to be lightly esteemed。 By all that has given us advantage over another；be it education and refinement； nobility of character； Christian training； religious experience；we are in debt to those less favored； and； so far as lies in our power； we are to minister unto them。 If we are strong； we are to stay up the hands of the weak。 Angels of glory； that do always behold the face of the Father in heaven； joy in ministering to His little ones。 Trembling souls； who have many objectionable traits of character； are their special charge。 Angels are ever present where they are most needed； with those who have the hardest battle with self to fight； and whose surroundings are the most discouraging。 And in this ministry Christ's true followers will co…operate。
If one of these little ones shall be overcome； and commit a wrong against you； then it is your work to seek his restoration。 Do not wait for him to make the first effort for reconciliation。 〃How think ye？〃 said Jesus； 〃if a man have an hundred sheep； and one of them be gone astray； doth he not leave the ninety and nine； and goeth into the mountains； and seeketh that which is gone astray？ And if so be that he find it； verily I say unto you； he rejoiceth more of that sheep； than of the ninety and nine which went not astray。 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven； that one of these little ones should perish。〃
In the spirit of meekness； 〃considering thyself； lest thou also be tempted；〃 （Gal。 6：1）； go to the erring one； and 〃tell him his fault between thee and him alone。〃 Do not put him to shame by exposing his fault to others； nor bring dishonor upon Christ by making public the sin or error of one who bears His name。 Often the truth must be plainly spoken to the erring； he must be led to see his error； that he may reform。 But you are not to judge or to condemn。 Make no attempt at self…justification。 Let all your effort be for his recovery。 In treating the wounds of the soul； there is need of the most delicate touch； the finest sensibility。 Only the love that flows from the Suffering One of Calvary can avail here。 With pitying tenderness； let brother deal with brother； knowing that if you succeed； you will 〃save a soul from death；〃 and 〃hide a multitude of sins。〃 James 5：20。
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But even this effort may be unavailing。 Then； said Jesus； 〃take with thee one or two more。〃 It may be that their united influence will prevail where that of the first was unsuccessful。 Not being parties to the trouble； they will be more likely to act impartially； and this fact will give their counsel greater weight with the erring one。
If he will not hear them； then； and not till then； the matter is to be brought before the whole body of believers。 Let the members of the church； as the representatives of Christ； unite in prayer and loving entreaty that the offender may be restored。 The Holy Spirit will speak through His servants； p