Let us forgive _for Christ's sake_, because of that which God through Him has done for us. When, day by day, we pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us," what we are asking is, that God will deal with us as we are dealing with others. Do we mean what we say? Are we showing a mercy as large as we need? Chrysostom tells us that many people in his day used to omit the words, "As we forgive them that trespass against us." They did not dare to ask God to deal with their sins as they were dealing with the sins of those who had wronged them, lest they brought upon themselves not a blessing but a curse. And would it not go hardly with some of us, if, with the measure we mete, God should measure to us again? Yet there is no mistaking Christ's words: "If ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." Therefore, let me think of myself, of my own sin, of the forgiveness even unto seventy times seven which I need; and then let me ask, can I, whose need is so great, dole out my forgiveness with a grudging hand, counting till a poor "seven times" be reached, and then staying my hand? Rather, let me pray, Lord, "Make my forgiveness downright--such as I Should perish if I did not have from Thee." "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you." "O man, forgive thy mortal foe, Nor ever strike him blow for blow; For all the souls on earth that live To be forgiven must forgive, Forgive him seventy times and seven: For all the blessed souls in Heaven Are both forgivers and forgiven." * * * * * CONCERNING CARE "My spirit on Thy care, Blest Saviour, I recline; Thou wilt not leave me in despair, For Thou art Love Divine. In Thee I place my trust, On Thee I calmly rest; I know Thee good, I know Thee just, And count Thy choice the best. Whate'er events betide, Thy will they all perform; Safe in Thy breast my head I hide, Nor fear the coming storm. Let good or ill befall, It must be good for me, Secure of having Thee in all, Of having all in Thee." H.F. LYTH. * * * * * XII CONCERNING CARE "_Be not anxious for your life_ ... _nor yet for your body_.... _Be not anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? ... Be not anxious for the morrow._"--MATT. vi. 25, 31, 34. I