FORGIVENESS by Eliza J. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1862

FORGIVENESS.

By Eliza J. Waggoner

FORGIVE if you would be forgiven, is the spirit of the gospel. "But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses," is the language of our Saviour to his disciples, while paraphrasing upon the model after which he had been teaching them to pray. And as if considering this the most important point therein contained, he glides right over every other, and urges this upon them as very essential to pardon, or the forgiveness of God.

And when we see the scattering and devastating influence the enemy has had among God's remnant people by first taking this fort, we do not wonder that our Divine Teacher, more than eighteen hundred years ago, should make this unqualified declaration to his followers. And it none the less applies to us. Undoubtedly a want of this spirit is the secret of all rebellion. And in justice is pardon withheld from us until we find it in our own heart to forgive those who have trespassed against us, or in any way done us a little injury either designedly or undesignedly. It is God's plan to test us here; because Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, and of course unreconciled to the government of heaven. He laid down his life for his enemies that he might bring them back again into favor with God.

But can we expect that for us he will plead the merits of his blood, while we in the least degree entertain feelings in our hearts opposed to the spirit of his teachings? We cannot. We may have gone to the altar from time to time to offer our gift, and as often gone away feeling that it has not been accepted, perhaps without being able to understand why, and thus been left in a dejected and melancholy state of mind. But if we read again the words of our Lord in his memorable sermon, we may get light upon the subject. "If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." I never read this text but I think of a circumstance which I heard a minister relate, that came under his own notice. And as it better illustrates this scripture than any course of reasoning which I could suggest,

I will relate it. It was during a revival of religion that a certain wicked man became convicted upon the subject of religion, and not being willing to submit at once, the weight of his sins distressed him, and made him unusually irritable and disagreeable. Consequently he got a pique at his pious neighbor, and abused him shamefully. However, in the course of the meeting he made up his mind to yield to his convictions, and give his heart to God; and for this purpose went forward to the anxious seat. He had not been there long when the minister approached and tried to point him to the Saviour. And among other things he said, "Can you not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, that he died for you, and that for his sake God will forgive you?" "I do believe," said he, "where is Mr. ———," naming the man whom he had abused, and springing to his feet was off in search of him in the crowd, so compact that he could scarcely make his way through. But the Spirit of the Lord had got hold of him, and he was not easily deterred. The minister had made no allusion whatever to the circumstance, and it was evidently the work of the Spirit that Jesus promised as a reprover to the

sinner. And although he believed in Jesus, he felt that he had no right to cast himself upon his mercies for forgiveness, until he became reconciled to his brother. No doubt but some of us have been kept away from God in the same way or for similar reasons. We know not for how slight a breach of this precept the freedom of the Spirit may be withheld from us.

And when once we suffer the seeds of rebellion, which the enemy is eager to sow in every believer's heart (believer in the third angel's message especially), to take root, we may expect a plentiful harvest of tares to be gathered in bunches and burned. Sad and hopeless indeed must be the condition of the individual who has once tasted of the good word of God and walked in the light of his truth, but because of the word becomes offended, and casts away his confidence. Consequently he receives no reward for his good works.

Can it be that individuals are at once entirely separated from the love of God, or is it not gradual and voluntary on their part, after having discovered the cause, being too obstinate to return by the way they began to depart? "Return unto me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord."

"Be not harsh and unforgiving, Live in love, 'tis pleasant living. If an angry man should meet thee, And assail thee indiscreetly, Turn not thou again and rend him, Lest thou needlessly offend him; Show him Love hath been thy teacher— Kindness is a potent preacher; Gentleness is e'er forgiving— Live in love, 'tis pleasant living. Why be angry with each other? Man is made to love his brother; Kindness is a human duty, Meekness a celestial beauty, Words of kindness, spoke in season, Have a weight with men of reason. Don't be others' follies blaming, And their little vices naming. Charity's a cure for railing, Suffers much, is all-prevailing. Courage, then! and be forgiving, Live in love, 'tis pleasant living." ELIZA J. WAGGONER. Battle Creek, Mich.