Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-03-23
THE SCHOOLFIELD MEETINGS.

sang a beautiful solo entitled Some
Mothers Child" Mr.. Schoolfield read
the scripture lesson for the evening,
Matthew, 5th chapter, beginning at the
Dist verse to the end of the chapter;
also Cor. 18th chapter. remarking,
after reading the latter, 1--WE ought to
read that chapter about once day"
He then read a number of requests for
PRAYER, after which all were led in
prayer by Rev. Geo. Smith, of Georgia.
Mr.. Ramsay then repeated "Life's
Railway to Heaven" at the request of a
number of persons in the audience, at
ter which Mr.. Scheduled said 1--WE
will not have text tonight, but sub
ject-Forgiveness. There may be q
more important subject in the word of
God. I don't know, but there are
none on which the lines are more dis
tiuctly joined. There is nothing that
so destroys the spirituality of a church
as chickering's or contention. ! know
couple of leading official members
in church who had not spoken
for years and when it was trac-
ed back it was found to have
originated over yellow dog"
(Subdued laughter.) 81 did not say
that to make you laugh, but to show
about what trifing things people will
quarrel and contend. He who does
not show forgiviDg spirit is just as
sure of hell as if he was already there.
Do you hate any one? Ifso hear what
the Lord says q John, Ord chapter, 18th
verse;. If you hate any one tonight
you stand indicted before the bar OF
God. You may pray for yourself or any
one else, and it will not be heard until
you practice fcrgiving spirit { Mark,
18th chapter, 25th verse;. All! you
say, why must 1 forgive? When you
pray the Lords prayer you are praying
Tor the condemnation of your soul un-
less you have this forgiving spirit. You
say you can't forgive. He wronged
me or my mother. You mnst or be
lost. Hear what He says Mark, 18th
chapter, 26th verse;. All another
says, would, but they are unworthy
of my forgiveness. God doesn't say a
word about being worthy. Whenever
we pray forgive us our trespassers as
We forgive those who tresspass against
us we are praying dead fall'
down upon us unless we forgive.
People wont be honest and tell the
truth about these things; whenever
man gets honest he receives the bless
ing. But suppose you do put it on
the ground of worthiness. Wouldn't
that shut you out of heaven? Are you
worthy of Gods blessing? Again you
say, Pm willing to torgive but can't
forget. That means you don't forgive
at all. "a man was once thought to be
dying and sent for man with whom
be had been at eDmity and said, IF l die
1 suppose all will be forgiven The
man answered yes. When about leav-
ing the sick man called him back and
repeated the proposition, but, said he,
'ifI get we'll matters will stand just as
before This spirit says you keep your
side of the fence and keep mine, and
is not of God. Suppose you went to God
and asked forgiveness and He said all
right, but | don't want anything more
TO do with you, would that satisfy you9
All you say, l did forgive once. l am
glad Peter had an inquiring mind, for
by reason of his asking questions we
know some things we would not other
wise know. When he asked the Lord
how many times ne must forgive the
Lord answered even to seventy times
seven. l suppose you have not for
given that often, so you have a good
margin. Some say, am glad l did
have hard feelings, but have none now
(see Matthew 9th chap. 23d and oath
verses. You must not only forgive,
but be reconciled. He says no matter
when you go TO prayer and remember
that thy brother hath aught against
thee go and be reconciled, then come
and I'll hear you. Excuse me for some
personal illusions, but the harde est
struggles and most glorious triumphs
ever given me were on this line''. Mr..
Schoolfeld then gave some experiences
from his own life touching and illus
trating this point. "Ah some one says
I would forgive him if he met me half
way. The Lord Jesus didn't wait for
US to. meet Him half way. He came
all the way for vs.. Let the Spirit of
Christ come in your hearts and there
will be no trouble about settling diff
culties. believe that nine hundred
and ninety-nine out of one thousand
times the trouble is on both sides.
Another asks, Suppose my enemy con't
be reconcilled 4? Then the responsible
ity rests with that one aud lot with
you. | would rather stand on vol
cano then 10 refuse to receive over
lures from one with whom I was at
enmity. Formal forgiveness amounts
to nothing, but it must be irom the
heart. Read Romans 18th chapter and
goth verse, Now some people
would like to construe that lit
orally and take a shovel and pour
Goals upon the head. 1t doesn't mean
that We would support our enemy in
laziness; but when in need we should
stretch forth helping hand. Again we
are required to love our enemies. You
ask must l love that man who injured |
me so foully? Gods Word says lowe
our enemies. Do you know what that
means? We are not required to love |
their unlovely ways, but love their
souls. God loves sinners, but He hates
sin. Oh, you say yon can't love your
eaemies. No, you can't Of yourself,
but by the grace of God you can, and
He has never given commandment
without putting means in our hands of
performing our part. Our
Lord Jesus did not give this command
meBt without good reason. If we
don't speak here God could not turn