TRUE ART

OR

THIS PERVERSION OF GOD'S CREATION BY PICASSO?

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

November 8.

"So, likewise, shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if

ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their tres-

passes." Matt. I8:35.

Our indignation rises at the unmerciful debtor whom his lord

forgave his great debt of ten thousand talents and who could prove

so cruel toward his fellow-servant, casting him into prison for not

being able to pay him the small debt of an hundred pence. But

let us beware, lest we cast stones at others while we ourselves are

living in glass houses. How very hard we find it to forgive those

who injure us in our good name or business ! We are so quick to

resent any little insuit; and some, when grave injustice is done

will not forgive "from their heart/' as the Savior here commands

us to do, but bear ill will toward the offending brother to their

dying day. But woe to him who lives and dies with such an un-

forgiving spirit toward his fellow-men. He forfeits the forgiveness

he once found with God, and is cast into the prison of everlasting

torment; for God will say to him: "0 thou wicked servant!

I forgave thee all that debt because thou desiredst Me; shouldest

not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant, even as

I had pity on thee?" (Matt. 18:32-33.) Let us never forget how

much it cost our Savior to win for us the forgiveness of our sins;

and let us always remember that His atoning, precious blood was

shed also for our offending brethren. When one of them wrongs

us, let us not cast him aside or even meditate revenge, but let us

rather go to him, show him his wrong in all loving-kindness, and

adjust our differences. If we cannot win the brother, we can still

pray for him and practise the holy Christian revenge that fills

the angels with joy : Heap fiery coals on his guilty head by doing

good unto him where we can. The God of peace fill us with His

Spirit of love and peace that we may hate no one nor avenge our-

selves on any of our enemies, but ever prove ourselves blessed peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. (Matt. 5, 9.)

Jesus, Thy boundless love to me

Xo thought can reach, no tongue declare;

Unite my thankful heart to Thee,

And reign without a rival there.

Thine wholly, Thine alone I am ;

Be Thou alone my constant flame.

O grant that nothing in my soul

May dwell but Thy pure love alone ;

0 may Thy love possess me whole,

My Joy, my Treasure, and my Crown:

Strange flames far from my heart remove;

My every act, word, thought, be love!