The Christian Neighborhood : Part 2

American Woman's Home
by Catharine Beecher, Harriet Beecher Stowe

(Page 40 of 41)

Such destitute settlements abound all over the West and South, while, along the Pacific coast, China and Japan are sending their pagan millions to share our favored soil, climate and government.

Meantime, throughout our older States are multitudes of benevolent, well-educated, Christian women in unhealthy factories, offices and shops; and many, also, living in refined leisure, who yet are pining for an opportunity to aid in carrying the Gospel to the destitute. Nothing is needed but funds that are in the keeping of thousands of Christ's professed disciples and organizations for this end, which are at the command of the Protestant clergy.

Let such a truly "Christian family" be instituted in any destitute settlement and soon its gardens and fields would cause "the desert to blossom as the rose," and around would soon gather a "Christian neighborhood." The school-house would no longer hold the multiplying worshipers. A central church would soon appear, with its appended accommodations for literary and social gatherings and its appliances for safe and healthy amusements.

The cheering example would soon spread and ere long colonies from these prosperous and Christian communities would go forth to shine as "lights of the world" in all the now darkened nations. Therefore the "Christian family," and "Christian neighborhood" would become the grand ministry, as they were designed to be, in training our whole race for heaven.

This final chapter should not close without a few encouraging words to those who, in view of the many difficult duties urged in these pages, sorrowfully review their past mistakes and deficiencies. None can do this more sincerely than the writer. How many things have been done unwisely even with good motives! How many have been left undone that the light of present knowledge would have secured!

In this painful review, the good old Bible comes as the abundant comforter. The Epistle to the Romans was written especially to meet such regrets and fears. It teaches that all men are sinners, in many cases from ignorance of what is right and in many from stress of temptation, so that neither Greek nor Jew can boast of his own righteousness. For it is not "by works of righteousness" that we are to be considered and treated as righteous persons, but through a "faith that works by love;" that faith or belief which is not a mere intellectual conviction, but a controlling purpose or spiritual principle which habitually controls the feelings and conduct. And so long as there is this constant aim and purpose to obey Christ in all things, mistakes in judgment as to what is right and wrong are pitied, "even as a father pitied his children," when from ignorance they run into harm. And even the most guilty transgressors are freely forgiven when truly repentant and faithfully striving to forsake the error of their ways.

Moreover, this tender and pitiful Savior is the Almighty One who rules both this and the invisible world and who "from every evil still educes good." This life is but the infant period of our race and much that we call evil, in his wise and powerful ruling may be for the highest good of all concerned.

The Blessed Word also cheers us with pictures of a dawning day to which we are approaching, when a voice should be heard under the whole heavens, saying, "Alleluia" - "the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he should reign forever and ever." And "a great voice out of heaven" will proclaim, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men and he should dwell with them and they should be his people. And God himself should be with them and be their God. And God should wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there should be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying; neither should there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away."

The author still can hear the echoes of early life, when her father's voice read to her listening mother in exulting tones the poet's version of this millennial consummation, which was the inspiring vision of his long life-labors - a consummation to which all their children were consecrated and which some of them may possibly live to behold.

"O scenes surpassing fable and yet true! Scenes of accomplished bliss! which who can see, Though but in distant prospect and not feel His soul refreshed with foretaste of the joy!

"Rivers of gladness water all the earth and clothe all climes with beauty; the reproach Of barrenness is past. The fruitful field Laughs with abundance; and the land once lean, Or fertile only in its own disgrace, Exults to see its thistly curse repealed.

"Error has no place: That creeping pestilence is driven away; The breath of Heaven has chased it. In the heart No passion touches a discordant string, But all is harmony and love. Disease Is not: the pure and uncontaminated blood Holds its due course, nor fears the frost of age.

One song employs all nations; and all cry, 'Worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us!' The dwellers in the vales and on the rocks Shout to each other; and the mountain-tops From distant mountains catch the flying joy; Till, nation after nation taught the strain,

"Behold the measure of the promise filled! See Salem built, the labor of a God! Bright as a sun the sacred city shines; All kingdoms and all princes of the earth Flock to that light; the glory of all lands Flows into her; unbounded is her joy and endless her increase. Thy rams are there, Nebaioth and the flocks of Kedar there; The looms of Ormus and the mines of Ind and Saba's spicy groves pay tribute there.

"Praise is in all her gates: upon her walls and in her streets and in her spacious courts, Is heard salvation. Eastern Java there Kneels with the native of the farthest west; And Athiopia spreads abroad the hand and worships. Her report has traveled forth Into all lands. From every clime they come To see thy beauty and to share thy joy, O Zion! an assembly such as earth Saw never, such as Heaven stoops down to see!"

About the Author

Catharine Esther Beecher (1800 - 1878) was a noted educator, renowned for her forthright opinions on women's education as well as her vehement support of the many benefits of the incorporation of a kindergarten into children's education.

Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811 - 1896) was a white American abolitionist and novelist, whose Uncle Tom's Cabin attacked the cruelty of slavery; it reached millions as a novel and play, and became influential, even in Britain.