Inconsiderateness

My people doth not consider. — Isaiah i. 3.

Regaed this as a charge brought against a pecuHar people. It is not a charge brought against the human family in general. The terms are special —” My people doth not consider.-’ If, then, the chiefs and leaders of society have fallen into inconsiderateness, what wonder that the nameless multitude should be giddy? The salt has lost its savour, and the high city has concealed its beauty. It was not left for unbelievers and scoffers to bring the severest accusations against the Church: God Himself has marked her shortcomings, and loudly charged her with sin! Never has He been the special pleader of His people: He never sought to make out a case for them in spite of facts or even appearances; with solemn fidelity and poignant grief He has shown the Church her corruptness and made her ashamed in the presence of her enemies.

We shall dwell on the subject of InconsideratenesSj as it bears upon the Churchy and upon men generally There are two noticeable points common to both. Why do not men consider? First — Not for want of opportunity. There are the great heavens which David considered; there are the lilies which Jesus Christ charged men to consider; there are the signs of the times, full of significance; a thousand objects, indeed, daily challenge our thoughtfulness. Second — Not for want of rejproof or encouragement. Failures, disappointments, blunders, beyond numbering, have shown us the mischief of inconsiderateness. On the other hand, consideration has always rewarded us with the quietness of a good conscience; yet again and again we cease to be thoughtful, and fly away from the centre and strength of life.

Let us look upon inconsiderateness in its reasons and results.

I, Its Reasons.

1. Inconsiderateness saves intellectual trouble. Men do not like to think deeply. They prefer to skim the surface, and instead of working steadily for results, they choose to snatch at anything which may serve them for the passing moment. A decline of thoughtfulness is also a decline of moral strength! The Church thinks but little. Nearly all its propositions have been accepted on trust. Observe! Jesus Christ always challenged the thought of those who heard Him. He never discouraged honest and devout inquiry. He never said a word in praise of ignorance. No authority of His can be quoted for intellectual indolence. Christianity vivifies the intellect.

2. Inconsiderateness mitigates moral comjpunction. It does this by conceahng a man from himself. Men in many instances dare not consider themselves. One look at their own hearts would affright them. We may think well of ourselves simply because we do not Icnovj ourselves. Know thyself/^ Pain comes with self-knowledge; but if pain drive men to the Healer it will be to them as the angel of God.

3. Inconsiderateness escapes social obligation. There is ignorance to be taught; but we dont go into the question! There is misery to be alleviated; but we think nothing about it! There is a man dying in the road; but we pass by on the other side! ^^If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; if thou say est, Behold, we knew it not; doth not He that pondereth the heart consider it? ^’ (Prov. xxiv. 12.)

II. Its Results.

1. Practical Atheism. God is acknowledged with the lipSj but He liatli no place in the heart. Things are viewed from the outside and secondary causes are looked upon as primary and original.

2. Spiritual feebleness. Without consideration no man can be strong. He has no abiding convictions. He would never be a martyr. There is nothing about him or within him which he is unprepared to cast off under pressure. He skulks from his duty under the cloak of expediency.

3. Needless alarm. The man who has spent no time in quiet thinking mistakes the bearing of unusual circumstances. A shadow frightens him. He has no grasp of history. Having eyes, he sees not. Jesus said to His disciples,” How is it that ye do not understand? How is it that you do not put things to-

-gether, and reason them out to their proper issues.’^

4. Self-defrivation. The considerate man has bread to eat in secret. He delights to trace the wondrous way of the hand of God in the affairs of men. He walks with God along the highroads of history, and sees the unity and beauty of the Divine purpose. Oh, the joy, the transport, known to those who study the ways of God! They are guests at the Kings table. They are poor, and blind, and miserable, and naked, who regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.^^ (Job v. 12.)

There is hope of any man who is thoiiglitfid. His thought may be feeble and immature, yet his face is set in the right direction. His soul is alive! He has begun to ask questions: have patience with him, for presently the door of heaven will open to him!