The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-04-22
(FoR TIE BANNER.
FOR CIV + y T. SIS.

eaTuI. TIC pIOpne!, IN holy VISION,
saw the glorious consunation Of this su-
bllme result, upon the character and con
dition of the human family: and the
christian now fervcntIy prays for the
dawn OF that millcnial day, when the
instruments of war and bloodshed, shall
be constructed into the implements of
peace. The principle embodied in the
Scripture doctrine Of forgiveness, is
among the most effective of those NOR
al agencies, appointed to rcnuvate the
entire structure Of society But this
principle, in order TO produce its Iceiti-
innate result, must be CORRECTLY
understood and appreciated. The usu-
al strain of remark from the pulpit and
press, we believe TO be radically wrong,
and the practice impossible Forgive
ness without Il jus! ,vnNEN;Nr is iur;-
ously demanded ii us by these rampant
declaimers, and if we dclnur, they at
tempt to grasp, and hurl tho thunder
bolts OF eternal wrath, against the pre-
sumtuous sinner, who has the cifrontcry
to neglect their demands. Such for
giveness as they require, finds no paral.
lei IN the gracious proceedings Of that
divine Being who so rejoices in mercy,
that the execution of his thrcatcninrs, is
called his strange work. That the
Most High lorgivcs without atonencnt,
is not the doctrine Of inspiration. We
are pardoncd upon the ground that the
Messiah, in his life, death and sullerincs,
has -honored the broken law. aud satisfied
the demands Of the most rigorous jasi;cr.
But the divine procedure is the best
interpreter Of the divine law, and if we
forgive Is Tic iorgivcs, we have no 'rca-
son I'd dread the ana,hema of those who
would be wiser and holler than Heaven.
I'D is exposition OF The law Of forgive
ness, the doctrine Of offences contained
in the 18th chap. Of Luke, and 18th
chap. Nlath. is evidently opposed. In
the first cited place, Christ dcnounccs a
,coe upon the offender, and teaches that
his repentance furnishes THE REASON
why we should forgive; in the other
place we are taught to regard the often,
der, as a hcathcn man, ana publican, If
he DOES NOT repent Now Scripture re-
pentance, like Scripture faith and clari-
ty, consists in something MORE than
mere words; includes restitution or
atonemcnt, or satisfaction. An inspired
apostle also commands US to separate
from those, who pcrscverc in disorder
ly walk. TO require satisfaction of
those who offend and injure US, before
we forgive, is not a requirement, which
does violence to the Bible law Of forgive
ness.
This theory Of forgiveness against
which weSontend is not more rerug-
nant to the teachings Of scripture, than
~ lily 0tStAkCS VI COIJIIlOn sense. lie
good order Of every form Of society, and
the purity of.the church can only be Sc
cured by the punishment of those who
offend. Without law there can be no
offence, and law that has 10 provision
for its enforcement is powerless; to call
such THING laso, would be unmeaning.
p While the REQUIREMENT Of
satisfaction is not wrong, yet we may
err in the KIND Of satisfaction we de-
mand, and by claiming more 10 appease
than the nature Of the offence warrants.
Against such spirit we should careful.
~ guard; for wsare evidently required
10 De ready to be reconciled, and even to
seek. reconciliation, and while we. may
without sin. take less tho,