The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-07

II we could see how inconsistent much
OF our conduct appears in the eyes OF
our fellows One reason is that even
the best of US has a small conception
of his obligation TO other persons, but
a great conception of others Obliga-
tons to him. There is an easy, unde-
fined socialism in most mems minds,
which thinks that it can in one way
or another escape its plain obligations.
Even in heroic San Francisco there
has arisen a problem, with thousands
of persons as its main factor, because
the latter are quite willing to go on
indefinitely receiving relief from the
country. They somehow think, as the
lazy and shiftless man so often says,
that the world owes them a living.
Even the steady, Industrious, clear
thinking man is likelier to remember
every penny that is owed to him. than
what he owes to his fellows. We all
want justice for the other man, but
we claim mercy for ourselves We
are Mortified a this man in the para
Bile who takes the sternest measures
with the servant who owes him lit
tie debt. Yet he typifies life. Despite
the fact of our great debts which have
been forgiven us, we go on exacting
the uttermost farthing from every
creditor.
Forgiving the Other Fellow.
A young man making his entrance
into the world of politics or finance, is
surprised to ind how quickly enemies
get together. Newspaper readers stand
aghast when they see how captains Of
finance. tyro or pirate king, who yester-
day were at each others thFoats, are
today fellowshiping in a joint partner
ship project So it is with the recon-
Citation of political foes. which has
crystalized into the proverb, Politics
make strange bedfellows.' The principle
underlying this is that men cannot get
along very well and cherish grudges.
To do business in this old world there
B
/ forgiving- It is impossible to nurse in
ones bosVDl animosity II one means to
work with his fellows. Allowances must
be made for the other man. Life is too
short for enmities. On the lowest plane
of utilitarianism tits ESSENTIAL to be mer-
ciful
On a higher plane the fact remains
that to try to injure enemies hurts US
more than we can hurt them To permit
ones self to hate a fellOW-man is to
do greater injury to ones self than
/ it is in his power to infict. Hate s
1 blows always rebound. Still higher is
/ the attitude of Jesus Christ, which he
/ set forth in this parable as well as in
\ the prayer which he taught US all to
say. The unfOrgiving cannot be for
4 given As we hope for the mercy OF
heaven, SO we must extend mercy to
earth. The divine way of getting along
with our fellows is to forgive them
times without number. if we would be
sons of our Father who is in heaven.
There is no room in the heart where
/ Christ dWells for any passion of I'M
lovingness or bitterness. Whoever con-
quers his own natural impulse to vim
6ictiveness and vengeance wins a great
| er victory than he who overcomes his
enemy. They who live by the ROYAL
law of the Son of God must ever be
extending amnesty to Offenders against
them. This is a world Of frail people;
We are fraH ourselves: therefore we
must be lnercifui The divinest quail
I ~ nf (2nd his TfrnSa n forgive
The same is the divinest quality in
man.