Forgiveness | AdventAI

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 7, 1877

Forgiveness.

Oh! is this not as sweet a sound As ever ear has heard, Or ever dying lips could breathe For those who may have erred? From that last prayer upon the cross Come Christian, come and learn, When others may inflict a wound, Forgiveness to return.

Along the rugged ways we tread, Where brother wars with brother, There would be many a lighter heart, If one forgives the other; How ill compares a scornful look, Or coldness to a friend. With those kind words of him who died That every strife might end.

Though 'tis not outward forms alone Display affections' powers, And many a face that coldest seems, Conceals the sweetest flowers; Perchance these pine for one kind word From gen'le hearts and true, As those within the forest shade Are languishing for dew.

Yet oft a word forgiveness breathes, To many a life would bring, As sunny a ray as warms the leaf, To gayer bloom in spring. Oh! try to bless the heart that wrongs, The little time we live, 'Twill not be much the soul can lose, By learning to forgive.