The New York herald., 1871-09-11
FIFTH svENUE BiPT.sT CHURCH.

The F.. sivcaess Of Sins-Sermon by DIR.
Notwithstanding the pleasant weather yesterday
the attendance at this church was small. 'Te
Deum" was admirably rendered by the choir;
Misses Palmer and Becbe sang, "He Shall Feed His
Flock like shepherd from Handel's ''Messlah -
with eject. The sermon was preached by the Rev.
Mr.. Arm itage, who took for hfs text the words
found IN Mark ", 81 "Who can forgive sins but
Goi alones' He said Christ had admitted tho
truth OF TINS statement to the Pharisees. but s the
same time proceeded to show that GOD had lodged
the remission OF sins with Himself as inc Son OF
Man. and ne gave them the proof OF his ability TO
forgive sins by healing the palsed man before Him.
thereby establishing by matter OF fact the doctrine
of mediatOrsh1p between God and man. Yet In
these days tnat doctrine Is rejected as rclc
OF the terrible and the barDarous. that men ask
you II 1t is not unworthy 10 think God a.
UNWILLING TO FORGIVE
upon the same principles on which men forgive ono
another rms is wrong, as G0u IS INFINITELY greater
than man. and could not forgive as men DO men, II
lie were do tins lie would put Himself on al equal
WIN man, or rather put man on equal with Hum
SELF
In The healing OF this paisied man aud forglving
HIM his sins Ohrist assumed tho position OF media
tor between God and man. This Is proved oy tho
fact that II lie were not a mediator He was u faso
teacher, and mlsrepresented God. 1hls we know
could not be, as lie ablied in the Father ard tho
Father In HIM. As u teacher lie was wise and un-
errnG, and the VIII OF His heavenly Father in
teaching Us to pray alter ine manner Forgive US
our trespasses," thus showing that they peeded to
be forgiven by Him and through mediator. Now,
dearly beloved brethren, let us fully understand
VIVA, Is meant by forgiveness Forgiveness fulp.iea
the entire remission VI the punishment due 10 The
Uiience or
THE OFFENDER
mart 10 hoh hafr nd
man. Forgiveness can he given LA many Ways FOR
Instance, II | offend a man nc may forgive me With
ont amy sorrow or restitution On my part. The
oi this is that We perfect equals anu oe-
cause we are equal he may restore me 20 my fOrner
position Just as II had never onended nlm. Ttiis
forgiveness stands the law equaiity. A crime
agnins. soc,ey cannot TO forgiven oy society," ior IL
an equality with the maieraotor. SIe may reiease
tie murderer ron prison, but she cannot restore
| the INJURY he his done non can sue make MN tao
same man he before he commit ted the CRIME.
She cannot restore luetuie to his agitaled con-
science, peace 10 his tto1bed soul Or soiace To
aching heart Inere Is another difference an for
glgenGss: The onenued one may forgive when
TIE JUDGE COULD MOI.
Tue highest osaer oi forgiveness is where one who
Is suffering unustlyas ln The case OF stephen tue
marlyr-wno pardons ana piays tor his torInentUrs
wnile Jney murder hin, ana nave sorrow for
their cruelty, ou. bysialder cannot pardon these
bOodtniisy men as the marty niiDse can simply
because ne Is acyg jud 60 the guilt OF
,ierers ami ieels indignant at seeing innocence
tampiet under foot. lhe consequences upon t0ell-
THOSE THEY INJURED
are endless, and in this lies the diincuity OF ogiv.
lng aud tie utter Inpossinliiiy OF restoring tusm
! to " hat tley were before. Now, then, can Go /
for- i've ouender " no is IN no sense on lty
with HIinseit In order 10 maintain his inexora.
I bic government BE sent HIS son to acs as med-
ator between God and man. thereby lillug hun up
To a sympathy win Himself ami IN some sense 70
moral equality In character through Ill, SOu. Christ
therefore rendered II possible Tor God u forgive sins
upon the principles OF justice As Mell as or mercy
Hence lt is strange tnat such condescensoss should
excite reseall6n. IN the heart Of man as II God
were unwi'iins to forgive al all Simply because lie
chooses TO forgive On the
| EtuAL GROUNDS or EqUIrY
and love. Incn why 10 men puzzle Themselves
Win the mys,eGy OF Divine forgiveness As TO the
myset, or Divine forgiveness on these principles we
have little 10 do; the fact Is hat III everyt ing
great and small, LEat relates 70 the mystery lle
I be 1t
MATERIAL, INTELLECTUAL
or otherwise, thousand thugs are left unsOlved
/ ana the thu gS Hhicn are The most simple as
mysterious as the proi0undest purposes aud plans
Of God IA human forgiveness, SO that instead Of
! Jeclng livfne forgiveness ecluSe We cannot com.
! piehend IT, lf5 nysteriuuSneSS should be evidence
10 Us, and should only MAKE US love, wonder and
| admire l. sSs-.--'