"Blessed are the merciful — for they shall obtain mercy." Matthew 5:7
People get back in this world — just about what they give. If we think the world is hard with us — the probability is that the hardness is in ourselves, and that it is . . .
the echo of our own speeches, that we hear,
the rebound of our own smitings, that we feel,
the reflection of our own ugliness of disposition and temper, that we see,
the harvest of our own sowing, that we gather into our bosoms.
If we are untrue to anyone, it is quite likely that some day somebody will be untrue to us. If we are unjust to another, there is little doubt that some time someone will deal unjustly with us.
On the other hand, if the world seems to us full of love, it is quite likely that we give the world little but love.
People generally treat us — just as we treat them.
The generous man, finds people generous.
The sympathetic man, finds sympathy.
The merciful man, obtains mercy.
The selfish man, always thinks this world very selfish.
Hence the Golden Rule rests on a deep principle in life. "So in everything, do unto others — what you would have them do unto you." Matthew 7:12. What we do to others — they will do to us. That is the principle. If we want mercy — we must be merciful. If we expect sympathy and help — we must give both sympathy and help. As a rule, people do not give . . .
warmth — for coldness,
courtesy — for rudeness,
kindness — for unkindness.
The principle applies even to the divine treatment of us. In God's judgment — we receive according to our deeds. He who obtains forgiveness — is he who forgives others. He who finds mercy — is he who shows mercy to others. He whom Christ will confess before His Father — is he who here before men confesses Christ. So for eternity we shall reap — what we have sowed, and gather — what we have scattered.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.