Smyrna times., 1892-08-10

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that neighbOr and tell him that he ha
forgiven him that that neighbor may
acknowledge his folly and repent
That is the question. In answering i
we simply say, God does not ask any
individual to do what he does not do
himself. He does not ask any individ
ual to forgive on any other basis thar
that upon which he forgives, and hence
Jesus in his answer to Peter wher
Peter put the question, "how often
shall l forgive my brother, sever
times ?" Jesus said mot seven times
but seventy times seven, if thy brother
return and repent" That is the condi.
ton. So there may be a spirit of peace
where there is no declaration of for.
giveness. And hence a man walking
IN the ways of piety, that is if his wavs
be ways OF peace has peace in his own
heart. Turbulency outside is another
matter altogether. Summing up the
whole affair therefore we see that the
roughness and friction of human life is
no part of piety. 1t is the result of out
side friction, the result of sin. Take
an individual under the influence of
the principles of Righteousness and set
MIN down in world where there are
no abnormal influences and he will be
perfectly peaceful. Peace, peace with
God, peace with the angels What
peace OF mind had Stephen for instance
when he was expiring, notwithstand-
ing he had enemies who were thirsty
Tor his life, were taking his life at the
time, when he prayed Lord lay not
this sin to their charge" He had a
peaceful mind, no spirit of revenge,
nothing of an improper temper-all
was peaceful within him and good will
toward men. And believe most sin
cerely that if there had been the posi-
bilities here while Stephen was expir-
ing and these persons who were cast.
ing stones at him, who were murder
ing him, if there had been the possibil-
lties OF their repenting and going to
him, even in the last hour, and saving
I'VE ask thy pardon Stephen, we are
very sorry for what we have done, we
want to become Christians and are de-
termined to lead different life. For
give us for all of the cruelty to you" |
have not doubt that Stephen would
have forgiven them from the bottom of
his heart. He had the spirit of forgive.
ness, and | tell you this kind of spirit
OF forgiveness is another thing intro
ducing harmony into the church.
Here are two individuals who have
the same thought very much. Mr.. A.
thinks he has been wronged by Mr.. B.
Mr.. b. thinks he has been aggrieved
by Mr.. A. A misunderstanding occurs
and it creates very unpleasant feel
ing between them. Mr.. A. is a pious
man, he has spirit of peace within
him, he is ready at all times to forgive.
Mr.. B. is an equally pious man, and
has the spirit of peace within him.
But there has been no declared for
giVeness simply from the fact that the
parties before us could not go and talk
the matter over so as to produce a rec.
onclliation. The one may wait for the
other, but where the spirit of peace
exists it cannot be otherwise than a
recOnciler of church difficulties and of
those little frictions which arise in
every community.
Then not only peace with men but
peace in the hour of death. I often
think of that remark of Washington
when he was expiring with all his
friends about him he simply said, "Let
me alone, give yourself no trouble, let
me die quietly. die quietly, in peace
with God, in peace with man." What
grand history that noble Welshman.
Christmas Evans presented when he
was expiring. Lying on his death-0ed
friend asked him "How is it now
with you Mr.. Evans? You have
preached the salvation of the Master.
you have been very successful, but Won
are dying, how is it with you, does the
peace of God which you preached to
others dwell within you now?" Open
ing his eyes, he simply said, "Drive on.
drive on, drive on" And the chariot
crossed the everlasting hills; Christ.
mas Evans was at home, How often
! think of MOntgOmery's beautiful
poetry:
Mild religion from above,
Descends a sweet engaging form,
The messenger of heavenly love
The bow of promise in a storm.
The guilty passions wing their fight,
Sorrow, remOrse aftlictiOns cease.
Religions yoke is soft and light
And all her paths are paths of peace.
beyOnd the narrow vale of time,
Where bright celestial ages roll
To scenes eternal, scenes sublime,
She points the way and leads the souls.
AT her approach the grave appears,
The gate of Paradise restored;
Her voice the watching cherph hears,
And drops his double flaming sword,
baptiEed with her celestial fire,
May we the cross of glory gain;
Rise where the hosts of heaven expire,
And reign with God-forever reign.
For her ways are ways of pleasant
ness, and her paths are paths of peace.
Mrs. Millions Ride.
When Mrs. Million goes to ride she travels forth
In state,
Her horses full Of fire and pride 20 pranclng
from the gate
But all the beauties of the day she views with
languid eye,
Her aesh in weakness wastes away, her voice ip
but sigh,