June 14

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among your- selves, and to all men.—I THESS. v, 15.

To conquer hate, And in its place to cherish love unfeigned, Forgiveness and forgetfulness of wrongs, No precepts but the perfect law of Christ, No teacher but the blessed Son of God, Could e'er instruct mankind.

C. P. LAYARD.

It is easy enough for us to forgive, in words at least, a man who has injured us. Easy enough to make up our minds that we will not revenge ourselves. Easy enough to determine, even, that we will return good for evil to him, and do him a kindness when we have a chance. Yes, we would not hurt him for the world; but what if God hurt him? What if he hurt himself? What if he lost his money? What if his children turned out ill? What if he made a fool of himself and came to shame? What if he were found out and exposed, as we fancy that he deserves? Should we be so very sorry? We should not punish him ourselves. No. But do we never catch ourselves thinking whether God may not punish him; thinking of that with a bare secret satisfaction; almost hoping for it at last? Oh! if we ever do, God forgive us! If we ever find those devils' thoughts rising in us, let us flee from them as from an adder; flee to the foot of Christ's cross, to the cross of Him who prayed for His murderers: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do;" and there cry aloud for the blood of life, which shall cleanse us from the guilt of those wicked thoughts, and for the water of life, which shall cleanse us from the power of them, lest they get the dominion over us, and spring up in us, and spread over our whole hearts; not a well of life, but a well of poison, springing up in us to everlasting damnation.

CHARLES KINGSLEY.