to the one who did the wrong.
Vengeance drives the penalty straight home, refusing to bear any part of
it itself. Forgiveness first takes the penalty upon itself in sorrow for
the wrong, and then invites the wrongdoer to share the sorrow which he
who forgives him has already borne. Vengeance smites the body, and often
drives in deeper the perversity. Forgiveness touches the heart and
gently but firmly draws the heart's affections away from the wrong, into
devotion to the right.

THE REWARD.

+Forgiveness, rightly received, works the reformation of the
offender.+--And to one who ardently loves righteousness there is no joy
comparable to that of seeing a man who has been doing wrong, turn from
it, renounce it, and determine that henceforth he will endeavor to do
right. Contrast heightens our emotions. And there is "joy over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons
that need no repentance." Deliverance from wrong is effected by the firm
yet kindly presentation of the right as something still possible for us,
and into which a friend stands ready to welcome us. Reformation is
wrought by that blending of justice and forgiveness which at the same
time holds the wrong abhorrent and the wrongdoer dear. Reformation is
the end at which forgiveness aims, and its accomplishment is its own
reward.

THE TEMPTATION.

+The sight of heinous offenses and outrageous deeds against ourselves or
others tempts us to wreak our vengeance upon the offender.+--This
impulse of revenge served a useful purpose in the primitive condition of
human society. It still serves as the active support of righteous
indignation. But it is blind and rough; and is not suited to the
conditions of civilized life. Vengeance has no consideration for the
true well-being of the offender. It confounds the person with the deed
in wholesale condemnation. It renders evil for evil; it provokes still
further retaliation; and erects a single fault into the occasion of a
lasting feud. It is irrational, brutal, and inhuman; it is dangerous and
degrading.

THE VICE OF DEFECT.

+The absence of forgiveness in dealing with wrongdoers leads to undue
severity.+--The end of punishment being to bring the offender to realize
the evil of his deed and to repent of it, punishment should not be
carried beyond the point which is necessary to produce that result. To
continue punishment after genuine penitence is manifested is to commit a
fresh