Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-02-04
UNCLE GEORGES SERMON
ISioux City Journal. ]


[Sioux City Journal
The outward appearance of forgive
ness is no more than what may be set
forth on any stage, but to forgive from
the heart is a more difficult matter.
1t is a more difficult matter because a
first condition Is that the heart be
right, so that what 1t prompts be not
in words alone. but in conduct, even
where no words for expression can be
summoned.
There is no eloquence Of speech save
as 1t voices the hearts emotions, and
if it be mechanical. as one may finger
the strings Of tuneful instrument, 1t
is at the very best an imitation TO be
called by no better name than work
of art The music that lives, that thrills.
that moves the world, is the music OF
the soul
What may be called forgiveness and
yet be nothing better than 3 mortgage
has no merit Of which to boast. Now
and then one likes to be known for
generosity without really being Sener-
Gus to the extent Of the cost of farth-
ing to himself. What is done is in the
way Of tribute to the goodness active
or latent in the hearts Of men. So now
and then one will forgive by the word
Of his mouth for the advantage often
Of what he has done, considering him.
self and not the brother unfortunately
his debtor. The brother who is fated
to hear often Of the favor that has been
shown him has reason to wish no
assistance had been given him. The
debt represented is one the holder OF
the obligation Will not forgive. but
every now and then he will come back
with and say, You have not forgotten
what did for you.
Forgiveness out Of the heart has the
company of delicacy. 1t is prompted
by desire to ease the heart Of brother.
and so he is met part way, with the
result. in answer to his prayer, that he
is forgiven completely. The sugges'
ton of the heart is that there be no
boast, no exhibition of hunger for ap-
plause, and no glorif1catior to be seen
of men. The heart, having been made
director. moves that the heart of the
brother be made glad and not ashamed
so that there may be revelation of the
beauty Of holiness in the light OF the
Lords countenance.
If there were more forgiveness out
OF the heart there wouidshe less return
Of men and women to- the wallow Of
sin. Their strength is slapped by
hypocrisy, and they are disposed to
say their trespasses were not great
compared with the trespasses Of those
who offered forgiveness. Therefore
they escape and go back whence they
came. Their lives have been given no
touch Of supreme power, ',s
The petition OF men 70 be forgiven is
very often made tiresome. Faith In the
sincerity of 1t Is worn out. 1t Is pre-
scented in some time of need; and the
need is quite sure to be Of increasing
frequency. Men say they will abandon
their sin, and If not that they say they
will abandon the town. They offer their
petition in way calculated to move
the heart, for they have learned to
simulate the emotions Of honesty and
love. There is more Of that than In the
apostolic days; and yet, now las then
the Lord would answer Peter much the
same. Lord, how oft shall my brother
sin against me, and I forgive him? till
seven times seven? Jesus saith unto
him, say not unto thee, Until seven
times seven; but, Until seventy times
seven" There Is always the chance
that forgiveness may be. asked In
earnest, and no man who loves his
brother is to miss that chance.
There will be no dispute among men,
whether they be Of exceptional good
ness or of exceptional iv:leness, that
fraud at the confessional is an ex-
asperating kind Of perjury. Human
patience is wearied, and faith. of man
in man is soon destroyed; but the pa
thence of divine knowledge endures fr-
ever.
There is nothing more certain than
punishment for sim Men may think
they are too smart to be caught. but
they are caught after some fashion
They may look frequently over their
shoulder and not see the detective fol-
lowing them: but he is there all the
time.
The fruits of righteousness can not
be gathered from tree of evil. ana
assumption of doing that appears to
understanding as a crazy thing. Men
are very much better known among
their fellows than they think. and 1t
is far from possible for their fellows
to explain what they know. Men are
accepted on faith. and for the lack OF
it they are rejected. Faith is justified
by works. and times without number
it is put to death on the cross.
There is but one haven for the soul
and that is the shelter of the love Of
God; and it is that love, warming and
illuminating the heart. that qualities
men to forgive one another their debts
$50 likewise shall my heavenly
Father do also unto you, if We from
your hearts forgive not every one his
brothers their trespasses."
Beyond Redemption.