The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-10-01

them. We may be that by nature.
and SO deserve no credit. We must
be merciful And usually. we are rot
merciful unless we have endured IN
Justice at their hands. and learned the
most difficult lesson for the human
heart to learn. which is to forgive
And forgiveness Is the sun!imest
element In mercy none OF us prac
tice 1t as we ought. Nor can we pos
siblv do so in our own strength. So
much do we love ourselves. we are
naturally inclined so keenly to resent
any wrong done ourselves. that only
the grace of God can endue us with
the quality Of forgiveness. wnlch Is
the very essence of mercy. Yes. 80
hard Is 1t to forgive that IL seems 10
require a lifetime to learn how TO
nractice II. One reason is because. our
RESENTMENT Of injury done ourselves Is
so active and strong. Nor can Tor
giveness be taught us by rules ana
nrecepts. 1t comes only through exer~
else. Above all should there De prayer.
for prayer must be made IN benah
of those who have wronged us. oetore
we can possibly take the FIRST steps to-
,vards forgiveness. How Significant
,hat netition in the Litany Of the
nraver book for our enemies. perse-
rutors and slanderers" How rarely
T fear. do we really mean IT!
"Reneficence is another element IN
mercy. And, beneficence, you know. 10
literally good dom. II is tne nVns,
active manifestation OF mercy. 1t SHOWS
itself in the fruits of positive kihu-
ness. 1t tries to alleviate human sur
fering. not merely pity H. Nor does IL
nermit us to give up to our own com
fort and ease in the face or sin anu
misery For. 1t impels and driVes US
to do away with them as far as pos
~, m
dissatisfaction with evil. though never
with evil doors. 1t prompts US 10
trample evil under foot and stamp II
ont Yes. beneficience is the actiVe
principle of mercy. for it makes our
sympathy express itself not only IN
words but in deeds. 1t also impels US
to bring 10 bear upon .he sinful ard
erring the all conquering power of pa
thence and kindness, rather than pro-
woke them to bitterness and resent
ment through cold sternness ana I'M
patient rebuke.
And this is done through sympa-
thy 1t Is that quality which enables
us to feel with others 1t is based upon
the fact we are members one OF an
other, for we belong to the same ram
Nv of God, are children of the same
Father. and therefore brethren, we are
bound together by cords not OF our
own making. nor should they De OF
our own breaking. l ney are i'iNihc'J
made, for God Himself has implanted
within us a kind of common nature.
This unites us, nay, makes us Kin. IL
should begct an active and abiding
sympathy, which is an essential elc-
ment Of mercy and is most lavish in
time of trouble. 1t helps to bear the
burdens of those who are heavy laden.
1t shares the sorrows Of those who
are grief stricken. To be sure. il can
not remove them. But. the spirits of
those who have burdens and sorrows
are soothcd and cheered by sympathy
and made stronger and more fit for
the duties of life Yes. when sympathy
puts its arm about us, when sympathy
whispers words of tenderness and kind
ness in the ear. the sharpest blows or
adversely are softened, the keenest sur
ferinEs are relieved. our weakness Is
turned into strength. our despair into
hope and our rebellion into Christian
resignation.
But sympathy. If it be true Chris
tian sympathy, goes further still. for
it does not forget even the unworthy.
OF course. ii cannot condonc sin. hut
IL can feel and does feel for the sinner.
Therefore. IT strives. in the spirit of
mercy to lift him up and place him
one who bears the heaviest of all bur
1t feels for him as one sorcly tired
helps him onward Ia the path Of right
eousncss. But sympathy is not only
for the sorrowing and the shining. Sor-
row and sin do not make up all OF