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FORGIVENESS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 16.

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FORGIVENESS.

By A. C. Fay

"Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."
FORGIVE us, Lord, as we forgive. The heart outcries: "How live When brothers wrong us sore Nor care for pardon any more? How, Lord, can we forgive, when foe Seeks not to ameliorate our woe?"
"O soul! search deep thine inmost heart, If grace and pardon form a part.
"Doth Christ forgive, and then withdraw His care and love and law, Tho hard the heart, or cold, When man to sin is sadly sold?"
"Divine Lord, no. But man— Finite—if true, what shall he do?"
"Lead him, thy brother fellow man, To act his part—if finite can— "Reprove, rebuke, exhort in tone Gentle, with him alone; Failing, seek aid with witness friend, That this, thy gracious end, Frustrate not; and sinning soul, toss'd In evil, thus be lost, Nor touched his heart with offered love Shined down as light from heaven above.
"'Tis not enough?—Thy Pattern take Once more; nor Him forsake. 'Father, forgive,' He cried. They heeded not. Christ Jesus died; And in His steps have martyrs trod, Till, 'neath the throne of God, Triumphant cry, 'How long Ere man shall joy in angels' song?—"
"'Shall hear, upon this groaning earth, Song sung at Jesus' birth?— Till thrones and judgments set, To rule where ill's incarnate yet?' 'Father, forgive!' thy Pattern cried, When dying, crucified. Forgive like Him they nailed, While at Him sinners scoffed and railed."
"Ah, Lord! is there not end somewhere— Endurance ceasing there To be a virtuous mean— This side Death's darksome stream?"
"Thy yoke is eased, thy bonds made light— Forgiveness is thy might Tho fellow man continue wrong— 'Tis source in heaven of the 'new song.'"
Still shines the sun and weeps the world, While love floats free or furled. Relentless foe in hate Sends poison'd darts that winged fate Returns sevenfold, While God returns choice gold Of joy in larger mead to meek Who plenteous pardon grant and seek. —A. C. Fay.