Widening Love

D. E. Hoste was one of the Cambridge Seven who left England as a young man to win souls to Christ in inland China.  Later, Hudson Taylor appointed him to the position of Acting General Director of the China Inland Mission, thus becoming his successor.

The following wise words are an extract from one of his letters that is included in the biography by Phyllis Thompson, D. E. Hoste:  "A Prince With God.".

"It has been well said that, in order to have the highest quality of love, it is necessary to love a great many people.  On reflection the truth of this is apparent.

"The love of an individual, for instance, who simply cares for himself, and has little or no thought and interest in others, is obviously of a meagre, not to say undesirable quality.

"Again, love which is contracted within the circle of family ties and interests, or of our own church, is in danger of being tainted with the same vice of selfishness.

"Whilst it is true that every Christian has the duties of his own particular sphere to the fulfilment and care of which the individual concerned necessarily and rightly must devote the main part of his time and energy; yet it is of vital importance that each of us should maintain and cultivate a prayerful, sympathetic interest towards God's people and God's work everywhere.

"We must be careful to carry out the injunction of our Lord to His disciples to lift up their eyes, and look on the fields; otherwise, the words of the old adage, 'Out of sight, out of mind,' will speedily become true in our case."