The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-01-25
THE uNPARDoNABLE SIN.

According TO the Scriptures, the sin, not
20 be forgiven in this world or the next, Is
the sin against the Spirit. The direful utter
ance was made when the Pharisees charged
the son Of Man with doing acts Of the kind
Hest pity through the spirit OF the devil.
They charged the motives Of His goodness
as diab0lc.
Whatever bo the meaning Of il, whatever
the theologic or true view Of the case within
The limit Of our vision, the truth involved is
one Of profound and far-reachng import.
ance The oflense that man finds it
hardest, II not impossible TO forgive. is the
mpuung TO him Of wrong or unworthy mo-
tiyos. "A wounded spirit, who can bears'
And what can so deeply wound AS
charge that plerces the souf 10
shakes the foundations Of the being
and fatally wounds the selfrospcct. And
vet the commonest thing in the general
concourse and conflict OF daily ii is this
Of questioning or charging our opponents
or rivals or mere acquaintance with sordid
or selfish or sinister motives in the best or
commonest things that they are engaged in.
no doubt there is plenty Of selhshuess and
mesnness in the world Beyond question
the very purost and nobl,st of our Kind are
compelled TO examine themselves most care
fully. and dare g. probe and suspect ana
try their own parts constantly, and the best
feels constrained TO conhne biz own boast
20 this that he is himself "indifereni
honest" The general confession before
Heaven is, There is no health mus"
still, there is a hopeful view to the que--
ton. II our best motives are liable 90 haN,
a mixture of meauuess in them, DO is quite
as certain thatour worstoien-c- have often
ia them spark Of somclhngOf ncblcnl b..
| ,f not 20 redeem them, at least, 90 waken
iourpity and respect. We are leB OF MS alto
golheI bad and we dearly love 20 dignity
whatever we do with flavor Of honor and
magnanimty. Virtue may freeze 20 death
and yet men love to honor it. The struggle
goes on in every mans breast and all Over
the world between duty and interest
between pure honor and solh-hBcs-. AND
the true lover of honor i'm his own soul Wi
De the readiest and wamo-, and most jc1l
Gus approciator and chel-her Of it, in th'
hearts and words and actions Of other
whilst the gloomy misanthrope that su-
pecls and accuses and charges all arounD
aim, kills and discourages all hopes aud
germs Of manhood, of pure Affection a
honor. and of heaven.
The true patron Of virtue begins with the
cultivation Il pure motives within DIS own
soul. aud his interest in The noble cuisines.
wakes up and cher.,hc, 10 him % dear Jose
ofthines true, honest and just pune, l.F,
is ando OF good report. The arch enemy of
man is known as Zine Accu,or-m 100.
GlDk, Dabolus. And his 'il,-t min
i,,ers are tho little mean -piu'
That play Tine detective, and. by am muol
affinity, scent or discover deprNiW or It
ueucss wherever It may work, dorin- Or
east IT'S suspicious glance into impossible
places. suspicion is dishonorablc. Conf
dence be-poaks a noble nature IL wa.
worthy of the greatest of geau-o-. that ut
torrance. "Jse every man a cordue TO Dol.
deserts, and who'll escape "a tbre-hlns
> Use him according 10 your own bounty au'
di nifty; aud the less bis desert the create
o. will DE your bounty"
il was bad enough fora speakcro of ODD