MERCY?

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 23, 1876

FromThe Review and Herald, Review and Herald, Vol. 47, No. 12.

When Napoleon was first consul of France, a beautiful girl, about fourteen years old, might have been seen one morning at the entrance of one of the French palaces. Her tears and bitter sorrow touched the heart of the porter, who was a tender-hearted man, and he allowed her to proceed. She went straight to the consul; and as he, surrounded by his ministers, was walking through one of the apartments in the deepest grief, the girl threw herself at his feet, crying, “Mercy, sire; mercy for my father!”

“And who is thy father?” said Napoleon, graciously, “and who art thou?”

“My name is Lojolia,” replied she, “and my father is condemned to die.”

“Alas, my child!” said Napoleon, “this is the second time thy father has rebelled against the State; indeed, I cannot help thee.”

“Ah, sire!” wept the poor girl, “I know it; I know he has transgressed the law, but the first time he was innocent; this time I plead not because he is guiltless—I plead for mercy, mercy! Oh, mercy for him!”

The lips of Napoleon trembled, tears filled his eyes, and, taking the hand of the child in both of his, he drew her near him, saying, “Yes, my dear child, at thy request I forgive thy father.”

From this touching incident we may learn after what manner the sinner is forgiven.

The young girl said, “I plead not my father’s righteousness; I plead for mercy—for grace.” Napoleon’s heart could not resist that plea, and he gave her the desire of her heart.

Had she pleaded her father’s righteousness her case had been utterly hopeless; he must still have said, “Alas! I cannot help thee.” God cannot help the sinner who brings his own righteousness to him; he has no remedy for such cases. “Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags,” says Isaiah. Enter not into judgment with thy servant, O Lord; for in thy sight shall no living man be justified. Ps. 143: 2. It would indeed be strange to be justified because of the nature of our filthy rags.

But, instead of your righteousness, plead God’s grace in Jesus. He cannot resist the plea; he never did, he never will, until the door of mercy is closed. The publican in the temple smote upon his breast, saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner!” and Jesus declared that he went down to his house justified, rather than the self-righteous Pharisee.—Sel.