The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-09-26

OuS UloUu, duu Ilhe hhiSS'y ae9a"S~ ~
everlasting, bliss or wo. He the efore
esteems the most rancorous Of his enemies
as brethren, and feels an interest in their
welfare. Deeply conscious that, in num-
berless instances, he has himself sinned
against his celestial Benelac,or and adora-
bic Saviour, but enjoying a humble con-
fdence that through the atoning blood
shed for the remission of sins, his aggra-
vated crimes are forgiven, he feels the
i base ingratitude of indulging sentiments
of malice and revenge against any Of his
fellow mortals; for offences which they
may have committed against him. He
anticipates the awful day when he shall
have to give an account of the things done
in the body, and perceives that, if he re-
fuses to forgive his enemies, his offended
Judge might justly say to him; 80, thou
wicked servant, did not forgive thee all
that debt, because thou desiredst me!
shouldst not thou also have had compass
sion on thy fellow servant even as had
pity on thee!" He is sensible that his Lord
might well, in such case be wroth and de.
liver him to the tormentors till he had paid,
what he never could pay, the u!termost
farlhing.-And, when he reflects on the
amazing price at which the pardon Of bis
sins was purchased; and recollects that
the ever blessed Jesus, though be thought
no robbery to be equal with God, hum
bled himself and became obedicnt unto
death, even the death of. the cross, in or
der to make an atonement for his sins, he
shrinks with horror from the awful incon.
sistency of nourishing a. revengeful and
implacable temper towards any fellow
creature. Duty and gratitude conspire to
excite him cheerfully to forgive others,
even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven
him.
Nor will this forgiveness Of enemies be
cold and partial on the part of sinceNe
and well disposed follower of the Lamb.
He will not, when properly influenced by
this Christian grace, say, II will do my
enemies no harm; but will have nothing
to do with them. / will forgive the injury
which they have done me-. bu. cannot
forget it." He cannot, indeed, as long
as their hostility towards him continues
to govern their conduct, approve of either
their temper or their actions; nor ought
he, in such circumstances, to seek any
familiarity with them. But he will check
all wish to injure them, pity them as sin.
full brethren, and heartily desire their re.
formation. When the claims of duty OF
mercy require him to meet or converse
with them, he will not assume a. Ichuflish
tone. threatening aspect or reproachfnl
language; but endeavor, by his whole de-
meanor to convince them, that he enter
tains no i'll will against them, but, is no,
nestly disposed to treat them With justice,
and even with kindness. He will unfeign-
edly, rejoice when he observes any symp.
toms Of repentance; and will hasten, with
heartfelt satisfaction, to. assist the good
work, and to fan the smoking fax into a
flame And, if divine grace crown his
pious efforts with success, he vii! rejoice
as one that has saved soul from destruc.
ton. But should the obdurate heart Of
the offender defeat all his benevolent exer-
tions, he will not lose his reward. He
will enjoy the appreciation of all good
men. the smiles of his heavenly Father,
and the testimony Of his own conscience,
that he has, with all godly sincerity,
though. probably with much imperfection,
labored to obey the commands Of his ado
rable Redeemer; who gave the noblest
ex-empiifcation ofhis own precepts, when
expiring on the cross amidst the insults
and cruelties Of his unfeeling tormentors,
he prayed and apologized for his murder.
ers; "Father, forgive them, for they
know not what they do"
The practice Of this heroic virtue,
though contrary to the natural propensi-