The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-14

nances of the persecuted. "Oh, mo- you
 answer; that cannot be. An angel is
 not a demon. An angel is one who would
 lead us to the higher life How can the
 sullen brow of an enemy do this?' We'll,
 my friend. let us turn again to the Bible.
 Study there the most powerful and the
 most familiar sermon ever delivered
 namely, the sermon on the mount spoken
 a short distance from. Lake Galilee. What
 did Christ say? Did he lay down the
 great doctrine that we should be kind to
 others just in proportion as others are
 kind to us? Did he say Men, be just
 to friend and foe. Never forget kind
 ness which a neighbor does you and never
 forget the injury of treacherous foe?"
 Did he say, Build a walled-in castle.
 Have the moat deep and wide. Have
 watch-towers above the wall, where you
 can always keep lookout to lower the
 drawbridge for your allies, and have
 spears and swords and bows and arrows
 and slings with which to drive back
 those who have betrayed your trust!
 No That Is not Christ's command. Lis
 ten how he describes the way in which
 you should welcome some of your angelic.
 visitors These are Christ's words, not
 mine: Love your enemies" That means
 give them the best places at your table
 and your warmest welcome. Bless them that curse you" That means go out of your way to speak a kind word for those who are denouncing you and trying to
 undermine your character. Do good to
 them who hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. DO you hear it? My Lord and my God, have we read thy words aright? How few, how very few of us have welcomed at our doors those whp have reviled us and per
 secuted us and have said all manner Of evil things against us
 Now. VOL have read many essays and | heard many sermons upon the theme, ..The Blessings of Having an Enemy, hnt I want to tell you that the greatest blessing of an enemy after all is to teach us to forgive those people who nave tres passed against us as we expect God 10 forgive our trespasses. unless we can ! learn this lesson of forgiveness we can never learn to be like Christ. Are you willing to live as that famous Irishman
 lived who recently passed away? Did vou read the last will and testament or Michael Davitt? He did. not have any
 money to give for he spent most Of his life in the struggle of home rule for the Emerald Island. So he made up his last will and testament thuswise. do wish I had 1t verbatim. He said in part; This is my last will and testament. l have not any money to give. but l leave my blessings to all mankind. I first ask for giyeness from all those whom I may have injured in life or toward whom I have acted uniustly. Then I leave my for giveness to all those who have done me any injury. Then l ask that when my literary executor publishes hereafter any
 of my works he will cull from them any bitter words which might wound the heart of any living man or the hearts of the loved ones of any of my political foes" Did you ever read a sentiment more beautiful and Christlike than that? My brother you have greeted many | friends in your home. They have dined with you and you with them. But have you ever spoken the word of a Davitt? Alas. if not. then I fear you have shut out angelic visitors who, if they should enter your home, would bring to you the greatest of spiritual blessings. These an- gelic messengers may be men who have spitefully used you. Cannot you give them a loving welcome for Christs sake. as Abraham asked the three strangers to rest with him under the shadow of his eastern tent?
 chouId Mot End There