The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-08
MASONIC TEMPLE
SERMON by DR. rnoTHNGHAM on FORGIVE


SERMON by DR. rnoTnrsGHAM ON FORGIVE
Yesterday Dr. rockingham spoke to a numerous
congregation on "Forgivencssn lu this sermon he
cssayed ms he stated in opening to define the rational
principles underlying the great duty TO forgive enemies
The character OF forgiveness It's vloation be said,
best illustrated by instances TO which he could re-
fer Take domestic. brought up well, instructed in
her religious duties and with a heart and character
naturally good and place her n the midst OF reckless
family, OF the members Of which abandoned
and devoted only TO the qualification OF their own np-
pettes. This girl Is surrounded by temptations She
Is assailed by proposals. For time her carly teach
ings encourage her to resist but AFTER time she falls
The consequences that she loses her
situation, she Ia discharged and no recon-
mendaton given. She goes from place TO place
seeking employment always viewed with suspicion,
and where the story OF her misfortune guessed tho
rcbuiIed with disdan. Her single fault eats away all
the good there In her No consideration Is
given to her weakness TO the struggles she may
have made, and chance is offered her to recover till
she sinks and drowned in the OF turptudc Take
also man WHO has had public charge intrus.ed TO
him. For years he has acquitted himself OF all hts
duties with honor to himself and advantage 10 society
he has established for Integrity and reputation
for the practice OF virtues men delight 10 honor Upon
this circumstances brought TO bear
which cause HIM for moment 10 forget him.
self, TO violate trust rcposed in HIM, and from that
moment ali faith all confidence in HIM gives place
cnumny and rcproach His good acts are forgotten,
all his genuine virtue goes for nothing and the char
actor he took years 10 builu up becomes IN moment
worthless And SO for want Of forgiveness true mort
Is permitted TO DO crowded out of sight and Tho ono
fault Of lifetime held up shame and opprobrium.
We claim 10 have anslcrc judgments in these days.
We quote
rue NECESSITY OF PURE INTEGRITY,
and that society needs law and recttude to govern
H. But 1t Is not by putting under the ban man VINO
has moved hairs breadth from the straight path that
the ends OF the law will DO most cficctuay attained
OF individuals must DO held to a
sense OF responsibility, and Il wickedness is
not punished there ceases to be 50 strong
m incentive TO doing good But when
errs u is hard to permit all tho goodness OF his
nature 10 drop out through tho leak created In his
character II Is hard to point nj this leak and arguo
from II complete abandonment What hampers men
most in the practice of the virtue of forgiveness Is
douo, as 70 INC srrng ones sense o. ms crime ana ms
believe he will not err again, aud so they refuse TO
trust him. Nothing, perhaps, better illustrates this
than the ticket-olcavc system formerly IN vogue in
England II was attempt TO put the principle OF for
gvencss in practical application In the social system OF
a tns ,neiy dsnoson 70 rc
form were returned to society but compelled
10 live under surveillance that their actions might
DO properly noted. Tho abest minds IN the country
advocated this system, and held that II must rebound
the good OF society but this doubt to The actual
reformation OF the convict crowded their opinions out
OF sight. Notwithstanding this, IL is claimed by an
eminent urst and tho of many 60 to strengthen
his opinion, that ninety per cent OF imprisoned clons
become reformed, and IL circumstances favored them
would make good, usciul members Of society Now II
human nature 10 be moulded and changed from bad
10 GOOD, IL must be by the of
THE VIRTUES THAT RxCTTE GOOD WILL.
Is il duty make the most OF every ono that
has heart in his bosom, ana who is there that
has noty And, indeed, might not ask
any body ever saved cSept by KIND
ness? Look back upon your own experiences
aud those Of mankind IN the past and you will find
that duty has always been inspired by gentle feeling
omnipotent Kindness Forgiveness is the legend OF
religion and the characters in the past most mp
peal to sympa,hics those who practsed IT, The
speaker then went on TO define The character of for
givcncss, which, no said must comprise the idea or
repentance. II must not be a hiding from sight Of
faults, but complete recovering from them and their
effects. In all times the great principles governing
cicty were law and justice sde with love and
mercy on the other. Many great examples exist Of
the efficacy OF each, but the lesson OF our own lives
the lesson OF the Redemption, all so to show that kiud
ness Is the most powerful Of ALL