Christ, who came to raise fallen man, never ceased to give formal pre¬ 
cepts concerning pardon, and a cordial pardon. 
To precept He adds example. lie dies^—forgiving; what do I say? 
asking mercy for His executioners! Truly, a look upward to the Moun¬ 
tain of Sorrows where Christ has been suffering such an unjust and igno¬ 
minious death, should suffice, oh man! to disarm your anger, and move 
you at once to grant pardon and forgiveness. 
Let him, then, who is first touched by grace make, out of charity, 
some advances and thus gain his brother in Christ. 
“When on the fragrant Sandal tree, 
The woodman’s ax descends, 
And she who bloomed so beauteously 
Beneath the keen stroke bends; 
E’en on the edge that brought her death, 
Dying, she breathes her sweetest breath, 
As if to token in her fall, 
‘Peace to my foes, and love to all!’ 
How hardly man this lesson learns, 
To smile and bless the hand that spurns; 
To see the blow, and feel the pain, 
But only render love again! 
This spirit ne’er was given on earth; 
One had it, —He of heavenly birth; 
Reviled, rejected, and betrayed, 
ISTo curse He breathed, no plaint He made; 
But when in death's deep pang He sighed. 
Prayed for His murderers, and died!" 
—Anon. 
