01.03. Does It Concern Us?

Does it Concern us? Is it enough to heave a deep sigh and then settle down comfortably and unconcerned in the midst of these perishing millions?

Nay, have we not done so, until they have come to consider us nearly as indifferent about these things as they are? When Jesus was on earth the sight of hungry thousands called forth those gracious words - “I have compassion on the multitudes”.

Millions to-day are in still greater need. In what way are we expressing our compassion? Seeing them is not serving them, nor is reckoning their number reaching their need. A certain lawyer once excused himself for not loving his neighbour by pleading the difficulty he had in finding him. Can we find such an excuse? Impossible! Like house-flies in August they are to be found anywhere, everywhere.

Two or three years since a large business house in the very heart of London was on fire, and several employees perished in the midst of it. The poor victims could be seen at the upper windows looking in vain for deliverance, while crowds in the streets below anxiously witnessed their peril.

Why were they not rescued? They could not be reached! But were there no fire-escapes in London of sufficient length to reach them? Yes. But they were not brought. Of bustling activity there was no lack. Many things were resorted to, but all proved inadequate. The sad event seemed to be a serious reflection upon those in charge, though it is quite possible that no real blame could be attached to any one. But what if the fire brigade officials had sent a message of this sort to the scene of need: “We have splendid fire escapes here. If those who need them will only come to us we will do our best to teach them how to use them”? But who in his senses, you say, would thus trifle with the safety of men’s bodies? What, then, of men’s souls? What of the millions in the same city who have not yet been reached by the gospel of God - the gospel which is His “power unto salvation to every one that believeth”?, Romans 1:16. Does our concern end here? Do we say: “If they do not choose to come to us, as far as we are concerned they shall not hear God’s message at all”? What a magnificent triumph for Satan would that be! God deliver us from even the “appearance” of it.