Jesus’ Brother Advising Christians
Above all things, my Brothers, never take an oath, either by heaven, or by earth, or by anything else. With you let “Yes” suffice for yes, and “No” for no, so that you may escape condemnation.
If any one of you is in trouble, let him pray; if any one is happy, let him sing hymns. If any one of you is ill, let him send for the Officers of the Church, and let them pray over him, after anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer offered in faith will save the man who is sick, and the Lord will raise him from his bed; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be cured. Great is the power of a good man’s fervent prayer. Elijah was only a man like ourselves, but, when he prayed fervently that it might not rain, no rain fell upon the land for three years and a half. And, when he prayed again, the clouds brought rain, and the land bore crops. My Brothers, should one of you be led astray from the Truth, and some one bring him back again, be sure that he who brings a sinner back from bis mistaken ways will save that man’s soul from Death, and throw a veil over countless sins.
—James, a Brother or Jesus.
Nothing Walks with Aimless Feet
That nothing walks with aimless feet;
That not one life shall be destroyed,
Or cast as rubbish to the void.
When God hath made the pile complete.
Behold, we know not anything:
I can but trust that good shall fall
At last—far off—at last, to all,
And every winter change to spring.
—Alfred Tennyson.