There are two sides of life’s road,-the side on which are lying the suffering, the needy, the despoiled, the dying, and "the other side." The "other side" is a well trodden side. It is the easier side to go on. There is nothing to interrupt you. You do not need to lose time in stopping to help people who are weak, fainting, wounded, or in any need or trouble. It is hard for some to do anything for unfortunate people; it pains one’s heart even to look at them in their distress. The "other side "would seem the better side for us to take. Yes, if comfort and speed and the saving of money and earthly success be life’s real ends. But do you know where the "other side" goes to? If you will turn to Matt. 25:41, you will see the farther end of this delightfully easy road:"Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me no meat:" etc.

We should not overlook the fact that the two men who passed by on the "other side" in the Lord’s parable of the good Samaritan were regarded as religious men of the best type in those days. They were rated as good men,-typically good. They professed to stand for God. They prayed for the people, and offered sacrifices for them. They were thought to have compassionate hearts, able to sympathize. Yet, when they were brought face to face with great human needs they "passed by on the other side." The religion of our Lord’s day was weighed and found wanting. Faith without works is dead. The religion of Christ never takes a man on the "other side;" it takes him right among human needs. The priest and the Levite came, and brought no relief. Then God sent another man. This man differs from the others, he is Samaritan. He will not do anything for this wounded Jew. But see! he is stopping. He gets off his beast and goes over to the dying man. He bathes his wounds and lifts him up on his beast; bears him to the wayside inn where he personally cares for him over night, and on leaving in the morning makes provision for his care until he has recovered from his wounds.

This Samaritan did not take the "other side." He took the side of the suffering and needy. It cost him much. He lost time, and to a business man time is money. He put himself in danger from the robbers. He got his clothes soiled, dusty and bloody.

It was hard work for him to get the wounded man to the inn. Then it was an enemy he was helping. The "other side" would have been easier,-less costly. People seem to get along better not to worry with benevolence and charity, not to try to be kind to the unfortunate, not to trouble themselves with attempts to rescue the imperiled, or lift up the fallen, or save the heathen. Good Christian people who are active in city mission work could find much pleasanter ways of spending their time than in visiting the slums, and in working among the degraded, trying to do them good. The Christ side is not the easy side to go on. Jesus himself did not find it easy.

But we know where this side comes out in the eternal world.-"Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:-I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat:" etc.
They had taken the side where the unfortunate were, and hands and heart had joined in service.

Which side are you on?