Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-07-27

IF We forgive men their trespasses,
your Heavenly Father will also forgive
you Matthew GA.
ST. Peters query, Lord. how often
shall my brother sin against me and 1
forgive him, until seven times?" is a
query that comes to many. 1t Is ques-
ton that at some time in in some man
ner or form is quite sure to come to all
the followers of Christ Imperfect our
selves and surrounded by others who are
imperfect. We continually have need 20
exercise mercy, benevolence, forgiveness.
There is something in the human mind
which naturally appreciates justice and
takes special note of injustice done to-
ward us. 1t is also remarkable how
many people take a delight in melting out
justice to an offender against the law.
1t is this spirit which has been noted in
mobs. Men and women and children
work themselves into very frenzy, as
advocates of justice, in expressions
against a guilty wretch who escapes the
clutches of the law and just penalty,
and insist upon taking vengeance into
their own hands. 1t would appear that
many of those who participate in mobs
have at times beer guilty of nearly or
quite as great crimes those whose
which they reprehend in another and
would punish 1t would appear that
there is craving to the fallen flesh to
do violence to another. or to see violence
done, if only there could be an excuse
for II on the score of justice. Alas, poor
creatures, how wrong such condition
of heart. how reprehensible in the sight
Id A,,I ,af hn thttS Ur
fully give loose rein to their passions.
quiet their own consciences. at least.
by concluding that they are viewing the
matter like God, loving justice and hat
ing iniquity.
1t is true that Justice Is the founda-
ton of Divine Government-that God is
Just; but it Is also true that God is low
ing and kind. and that he accepts to him
self the very name of love, for God is
love-" Such should learn that to be in
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
brother not only seven times. but seven
ty times seven. What a breadth of gen.
crosby is here suggested! How 1t tells
us of the loving mercy and forgiveness
of him with whom we have to do! But
let us remember another statement OF
this same matter, where it is implied
that before the forgiveness is granted.
it is to be at least desired, if not sought.
eff thy brother trespass against thee
seven times in a day and seven times In
aa dy shall say. Z repent thou shalt
forgive hm''-or to the extent of seventy
times seven. We must even assume that
the Lord meant that in our hearts we
should already forgive the brother his
trespa sses, even though we might wisely
wait to express our forgiveness until his
attitude manifested some desire for it,
The disciples of Christ are to be contin-
ually in the attitude of generosity and
filled with the spirit of forgiveness as
is the Heavenly Father-ready and wait
ing to be gracious. and under proper
conditions. to manifest that readiness.
To illustrate this matter the Master
spoke a parable. He said. 1.-The King
dom of Heaven is like unto certain
King which would take account of his
servants Tvs. 23) But. as we under
stand him. he meant that the church at
the present time is the embryotic King
dom and is being dealt with by the Lord
after the manner of the illustration in
this same matter. where it is implied
lustration of Gods dealing with the
world. He is not dealing with the world
at all. He is not calling them his SER
wants in any sense of the word-only be-
levers, consecrated ones. occupy this
favorable position of Divine relationship
and only these are meant in the parable.
Furthermore, the parable does not even