Evening journal., 1910-07-30

st. Peters query. Lord, how often
shall my brother sin against me and
forgive him. until seven times?' is
query that comes to many. II is
question that at some time and In
some manner or form is quite sure to
come to all the followers OF Christ
Imperfect ourselves and surrounded
by others who are imperfect, we con-
tinually have need 10 exercise mercy,
benevolence. forgiveness. There Is
something in the human mind which
naturally appreciates Justice and
takes special note OF injustice done
toward us II is also remarkable how
many people take a delight I'm melting
out Justice to an offender against the
law. II is this spirit which has been
noted I'm mshs. Men and women and
children Work themselves into a very
frenzy, as advocates Of Justice. In ex-
pressions against a guilty wretch who
escapes the clutches of the law and a
lust penalty. and insist upon taking
vengeance into their own hands. II
would appear that many Of those who
participate I'm mobs have at times been
guilty Of nearly or quite as great
crimes as those which they repre-
hend In another and would punish IL
would appear that there is craving
in the fallen flesh to do violence TO
another, or to see violence done, II
only there could be an excuse for II
on the score of justice. Alas, poor
creatures, how wrong such a condi-
/ ton of heart. how reprehensihle In the
sight of Cod And yet those who thus
wrongfully give loose rein TO their
/ passions. quit their own consCiences,
at least, by concluding that they are
viewing the matter like God, loving
/ Justice and hating iniquity.
It is true that Justice is the founda-
| ton of Divine Govcrnment-that God
Is Just: but Il is also true that God Is
loving and kind. and that he accepts
to himself the very name Of love. for
God Is love" Such should learn that
to be I'm the Divine likeness is TO
govern ones self and ones course by
the rules of Justice, but to measure
the course of others by the rule of
love and sympathy. generosity and
| forgiveness.
In answer to st. Peters question
our Lord said that we should forgive
a brother not only seven times. bu
OF generosity is here suggested How
IL tells US OF the loving mercy and for
giveness of him with whom We hav
to do But let us remember anothe
statement Of this same matter, wher
Il is implied that before the forgive
ness is granted. It is TO be at Leaf
desired, II not sought. IF thy brothC
trespass against thee seven times
day and seven times In a day sha
% say, ! repent thou shalt forgiS
him or 10 the extent of sevent
d times seven. We must even assum
that the Lord meant that in ou
hearts we should already forgive tn
brother his trespasses. even thong
we might wisely wait to express ou
[. forgiveness until his attitude mani
tested some desire for It. The dis
ciples of Christ are TO be continually
in the attitude Of generosity and tilleS
with the spirit of forgiveness as is the
heavenly Father-ready and waiting
to be gracious. and under proper con.
ditions. to manifest that readiness.
To illustrate this matter the Mas.
ter spoke a parable. He said. "The
kingdom OF heaven is like unto a GER
tain King which would take account
Of his servants" (vs. 23). But. as we
understand him. he meant that the
church at the present time is the en-
hryotic Kingdom and is being dealt
with by the Lord after the manner of
the illustration in this parable. II is
not therefore an illustration of Gods
dealing with the world. He Is not
dealing with the world at all. He
is not calling them his servants in
any sense of the word only heliev-
ers, consecrated ones, occupy this
favorable position of Divine relation
ship and only these are meant in the
parable Furthermore. the parable
does not even consider the church on
the score of original sin II is not the
thought that original sin may be
cancelled on account OF prayer. The
penalty for original sin needed to be
paid, not by the prayer Of the sinners