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Prescription for Unity, April 22
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:14, 15
.
There are some things I wish to speak to you about with regard to your
feelings toward Brother A. You are in danger of feeling too strong over the
supposed injuries he has done you. But my brother, if he really did you a
wrong, cannot you see that he will be the sufferer and not you? I am sure you
should act the Christian gentleman in this case and forgive him and not allow
any estrangement....
Will my brother remember his own great indebtedness to the Lord and
how much he needs His forgiveness and His pity and love? Will he remember
that ...if you forgive not your brother his trespasses neither will your heavenly
Father forgive you your trespasses (see
Matthew 6:15
)? ...
Will you employ your skill in doing all in your power to be in union with
Brother A? Write to him as a brother. Break down every barrier and let there
be no differences between you. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. I
prescribe for you the love of Christ to be taken in large doses and it will work
a great change for it has wonderful healing properties.
Do you not think all heaven would look upon you with pleasure if you
should open your heart to the pitying love of Christ? Elder A will brood over
this matter and so will you just as long as this difference shall live and be
cultivated between you. But let every root of bitterness be dug up and buried.
It is possible that you have mistaken views in regard to Elder A’s real
motives. And again you may think and talk and feel more than you should
feel and you misapprehend your brother....
Satan will be highly pleased to have you cherish an unforgiving spirit
instead of drawing together in even cords. But Jesus, who places a high value
upon man, is grieved to see division among brethren. I wish we could all be
as Jesus has given us an example in His life. He came not to destroy men’s
lives but to save them. He used His powers to bless but never to hurt. His
words, His bearing, and His work were full of divine tenderness. Nothing
could disturb His absolute patience or rouse Him to vindictiveness.—
Letter
46, April 22, 1887
, to Dr. J. H. Kellogg.
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