THE EFFECT OF PARDON

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 10, 1862

THE EFFECT OF PARDON.

In the garrison town of Woolwich, a few years ago, a soldier was about to be brought before the commanding officer of the regiment, for some misdemeanor. The officer entering the soldier's name, said, "Here is ______ again, what can we do with him, he has gone through almost every ordeal?" The sergeant-major, M. B., apologized for intruding, and said, "There is one thing which has never been done with him yet, sir." "What is that, sergeant-major?" "Well, sir, he has never yet been forgiven." "FORGIVEN!" said the Colonel. "Here is his case entered." "Yes, but the man is not yet before you, and you can cancel it." After the Colonel had reflected for a few minutes, he ordered the man to be brought in, when he was asked what he had to say relative to the charges brought against him. "Nothing, sir," was the reply, "only that I am sorry for what I have done." After making some suitable remarks, the Colonel said, "Well, we have resolved to forgive you." The soldier was struck with astonishment, the tears started from his eyes—he wept. The Colonel, with the Adjutant, and the others present, felt deeply, when they saw the man so humbled. The soldier thanked the Colonel for his kindness and retired. The narrator had the soldier under his notice for two years and a half after this, and never during that time was there a charge brought against him, or fault found with him. Mercy triumphed! Kindness conquered! The man was won!

This is just the method God adopts with us in the everlasting gospel. We are guilty. The charges are brought against us. The case is entered. But the Lord delighteth in mercy. He seeks to melt us by his love. He is ready to forgive; he sends to us, saying, "only acknowledge thine iniquities," and then offers us a pardon—a pardon which cost him the life of his only begotten Son. A pardon, not of one sin, but of all our sins. A pardon that will bring peace to the conscience on earth, and entitle us to eternal rest in heaven. The soldier, in the case before us, gladly accepted the pardon, was melted down by the kindness of his Colonel, and wept as a child would weep. But sinners too often hear of God's forgiving love without emotion, and instead of humbly confessing their sins, and gladly embracing the pardon offered them, they treat it with neglect or contempt.—British Workman.