Take Heed

Of tempting others. Forgiveness, Faith, Service.

(The Gospel History, Section 113)

And he said unto his disciples, It is impossible but that occasions of stumbling should come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were well for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

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(The Saviour of the World, Vol VII Book I Poem VI)

How the Lord laboured to instruct the folk!—
His eye on every avenue whereby
Some thought erroneous should make subtle way
To a man’s mind and turn him from the truth!
Complacency he saw suffuse each face
Of the poor men about Him; Happy they
For here was one to take their part and shame
Their proud oppressors. Every man bethought
Him straight of slights that had been offered Him
By some rich men—Woe to such an one!

“Not this saith Christ; your part; no easy task,
But conflict with that foe attacks men’s heart;—
Resentment, arrogance, aye pride of the poor!
Take heed to yourselves, I bid; hath some rich man
Or some poor neighbour wronged thee? Go to him,
In simple words sincere set forth thy case,
He says, he’s sorry? Straight shalt thou forgive
Nor nourish enmity for any wrong
Were’t seven times a day repeated; love
Towards all men shall ye keep, nor burning thoughts
Of hot resentment hold.

“Increase our faith!”

The men cry, knowing half their inward life
The life of their thoughts had up to judgment come
And was condemned of Christ.

St. Luke xvii. 1-4