The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-01

As we fOEkNes
A writer says Of another Ills heart
was as great as the world. but there
was no room in It TO hold the memory
OF a wrong" This is the true ideal
for every Christian heart We have Il
in the prayer which we are taught TO
offer for forgiveness. While we ask
God to forgive US. we declare to him
that we have forgiven those who are
indebted to as, those who have tres
passed against us. We say to God that
there - no bitterness. no spirit Of un-
forgiveness In our breast The Inn
portance OF this duty Of forgiying ap-
pears when we remember how repeat
edly Christ brings il before us. When
he had gone through the form Of
prayer which we call the Lords Pray
\ er. lie called the particular attention
OF the disciples to this petition. in the
words: For II ye forgive men their
trespasses, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. But II ye forgive not
men their trespasses. neither will your
Father forgive yonr trespasses." On
another occasions when speaking Of
prayer and the power we may exercise
through prayer. he said, "Whensoeyer
ye stand praying. forgive. II ye have
aught against anyone; that your
Father also which is in Heaven may
forgive you your trespasses. When
ever we appear before God and before
we speak 10 him, we should look into
our own heart, and if we find there
any bitterness. any feeling OF unfcr.
giveness, We should seek instantly 70
put II away. Indeed, we must put Il
away before we can proceed with our
prayer. A lesson which is taught so
plainly and emphasized by so many
repetitions must be very important
one. The duty Of forglying others Is
not merely enc Of the rehnements OF
Christian culture. something which
adds to the beauty OF Christian char
acter. though not essential 90 IL; rath
er. It is a vital element in every true
Christian life. Unless we have forgiv
en- those who have wrcnged Us. or arc
ready to do so, from the heart, we can
not ask God TO forgive US.
We pray to be made like Christ, that
his image may be Impressed upon us
but we cannot be like Christ unless w
have the spirit OF forgiveness. We can
not read the New Testament without
finding the lesson Of forbearance OF
every page In the culture Of oui
Christian lie we are exhorted TO pu
away every trace of bitterness and t'
gather into our character everything
that is kindly and loving
The lesson Is not an easy one L
learn. 1t Is against nature Only thu
grace Of God in rs will enable us Z
forgive. The spirit OF forgiveness Il
really the shedding abroad in US Of th'
love OF God-it Is Gods love repeating
itself in our life We receive the di
vine forgiveness, when we reesiye !
truly. not as something TO keep onli
for ourselves. but as n blessing which
we are to spread abroad, as grace w
are to manifest and extend to others
Il is thus that an Gods gifts are to b.
received. He gives MS comfort in ou
sorrow, not for ourselves alone, bu
that we may dispense it comfortinl
others with the comfort wherewith VI
ourselves have been comforted Of God
He delivers as in temptation that W
may strengthen our brothers in thei
temptation. He gives US his own joy
not 10 hoard for ourselves, but that W
may become bearers Of JOY 70 others
He puts his loye into US that our hear
may become a fountain Of love in thi
world. SO when God forgives us h
would have us represent him amonl
men, showing in our own disposition
y and conduct what the divine forgive
ness is. II we are rsvengeful, resent
full. unforciving. how can the worll
learn from us the sweetness. the free
ness, the fuilpess OF the divine forgive
ness? The attribute Of mercy is tn
very glory of Gods character. Al
through the Bible he is represented a
gracious. compassionate, pitiful, for
giving iniquity. transgression and sin
He is slow to see our sins or to writ