The Peaceableness After Purity

“First pure, then peaceable.” — J dimes iii. il.

THERE is a peaceableness which comes before purity; and it is not beautiful. It is the gentleness of a shallow nature. There is all the difference in the world between the peace of an inland lake and the peace of the great sea. The one is calm because it is sheltered from the storm, the other because it has lulled the breeze to rest upon its bosom. Even so is it with the passions of the heart. There are lives among us which are only inland lakes. They roll not, they toss not; and yet we do not deem them beautiful. We feel that their peace has cost them no struggle; they are calm because they cannot help it. I do not prize the forgiveness of my sin by souls like these; they have not love enough to be angry. But there are other lives which are like the great sea. Theirs is not the peace of passionlessness, but of passion — of that purity called love. When I do wrong, they forgive me for Christ’s sake — not because they are indiifcrcnt to Christ. They pardon me, not because they are ignorant of the f.ood, but because they see the rainbow. The shallow heart can pardon because it regrets not my yesterday; the pure heart can pardon because it sees my tomorrow.

Grant me, O Christ, the peacemaking that comes from purity! I would not learn forgiveness by ceasing to feel my brother’s sin; I would learn it by coming to know my brother’s possibilities. I would not that his night should become less dark to me; but I should like to have a clearer view of his morning. I feel that the pure in heart, just because they see God, have a great advantage for pardoning; they have the vision of all eternity with its boundless possibilities. Give me that vision, O Lord — what the pure in heart see! Give me a sight of the many hopes that bloom in the many mansions of my Father! Give me a view of the hidden springs of mercy that are flowing underground in the paradise fields! When I am tempted to send the flood, let me see my brother’s bow of promise! Let me see the flower as it will bloom in Thy garden; let me hear the music as it will sound on Thy harp! Let me figure my offending brother in the light of kindlier skies! Let me figure him without the graveclothes — without the impediments of time! Let me figure him in a new environment — with the old heredity expelled and the old upbringing supplanted! Let me figure him born again — of a new life, of a purer blood. Let me figure him brought up in fresh surroundings — in the presence of Thy glory! Then shall my forgiveness be the fruit of fervour, not of coldness. I shall reach the blessing of the merciful when I have received the vision of the pure in heart.