Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-15
Let Us Iudre WIth ChnrI1x.

To the Union and American:
That DR.. Hammer has yielded to tempta-
tiOn, and committed a great sin, We fear is
too true. That the commission did right
in their prompt action and condemnation
we believe. That in this sin, the cause of
Christ has been deeply injured, and all good
people mortified and grieyed we deeply feel
and deplOTe. But now what is our duty
towards our erring brother? This is the
question TO be considered. 1t should be
considered in the light of the teachings,
and example Of Christ; with a full kuOwl-
edge of the weaknesses of the flesh, and
in the free exercise Of that charity
(which hOpeth all things" and with
that love which cOyereth up 4 multitude of
sins. To crush the fallen is a common de-
velopment Of human deprayity. There are
many, both in and out Of the church, like
the filthy buzzard as he passes over a thou
sand landscapes of beauty and Of flowers
without The least interest, and then fixes
his piercing eye on the first Totting carcas
which can be found. Such, everybody
knows, are not the best people, but people
whose characters are open TO suspicion.
No one hated sin as did our Saviour, yet
10 one was so ready to pity and forgive.
1t was the hypOcritical Phari-
secs whose holy Indignation was
aroused against the SHINING woman, but it
was the pure and lovely Jesus who spoke
kindly and said, $50, and sin no more
They were far more wicked than she, yet
they were the first to cOndemn-He the
first to forgive. l never knew DR.. Hammer,
nor do l belong to the same church; l am,
however, a minister Of the same gospel
which he has preached so long and so we'll.
l say this that may not be suspected Of
partiality. From my heart l sympathise
with him. All who know their own weak
nesses will join me in this sympathy.
The door Of repentance and pardon stands
open to all who desire 10 enter. Christ had
no better friend than that Mary,
ont Of whom he cast seven
devils. Many Of the best Bible saints
were guilty Of great sins. They saw
their folly, repented, God fOrgave, and they
went on in his service, died and went 10
Heaven. So may our unfortunate brother;
50 may all the rest of us; for We all have
sinned, if not as did he, in some way equal
IL as heinOus in the sight of God. Ours
may be concealed from the eyes Of man,
his has been revealed; this is the difference.
Il let him that is without sin cast the first
stOne,' sin of one kind or another, deep,
dark, dsmHing sin. How much better Is
that man who sells liquor for money, who
goes 10 the dance for pleasure? When bod
fOrgives, we are bound to forgive, when
the proper evidence is presented.
How many of the pureT sex,
IN an hour Of temptation
aud weakness, have fallen, and for the
want Of sympathy, have been pushed out
into the whirlpool Of vice and are lost for
ever? A little sympathy, a kind word, a
friendly hand would have saved them, but
no, these were not offered, and they were
lost. Such is the way Of the world, but il
is not the way Of God. He is ever crying,
Come back erring Ones-cOme 10 my arms.
L will forgive, will save" What a differ
ence, Who is right? They who show no
mercy have no right to expect any. But,
blessed fare the merciful for they shall
obtain mercy" Suppose all that is charged
be true, what then? Are those forty years
Of conservation Of talent, life, ser
vice and usefulness worth moth
ing? True Charactrr : TO be determined
by the life, not b. n individual act.
ham, Lot. Moses, David. Peter, John,
4
trusted. But Gyd says they were good
men. When l was younger than l am
now | ordered some bad characters cut Of
my church; l now believe l did wrong and
hope never to repeat it. now feel that it
is my duty TO offer Christ TO sinners of
every hue, and tell them he is a greater
Saviour than they are sinners. | am no
apOlogist for sin, but l would magnify the
grace Of God; l would cover the faults Of
my brethren with the mantle Of charity.
Then, in Christ's name, we say 20 the old
friends Of DR.. Hammer, he is still your
brother, he needs your sympathy and
your prayers. Cast him not from your So
ciety, invite kim to your homes, and in this
way help him to rise; and show to the
world that YOU have the spirit Of Christ.
DOthis, and DR.. Hammer will bless you, and |
sod will bless you, the cause Of Christ will |
prevail and sin viii be oyeTulcd an par
lOned.
A CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN MIN |
ISTER.