he
looked up to heaven, and uttered that wonderful prayer--"_Father
forgive them; for they know not what they do_." Here we have the best
illustration of forgiveness that the world has ever seen.

"Example of Forgiveness." In a school in Ireland, one boy struck
another. The offending boy was brought up to be punished, when the
injured boy begged for his pardon. The teacher asked--"Why do you
wish to keep him from being flogged?" The ready reply was--"Because I
have read in the New Testament that our Lord Jesus Christ said that
we must forgive our enemies; and therefore I forgive him, and beg
that he may not be punished for my sake."

"Good for Evil." At the foot of a street in New York, stood an
Italian organ grinder, with his organ. A number of boys had gathered
round him, but they were more anxious to have some fun than to hear
music. One of them said to his companions:

"See! I'll hit his hat!"

And sure enough he did. Making up a snow ball, he threw it with so
much force that the poor man's hat was knocked into the gutter. A
gentleman standing by expected to see him get very angry, and swear
at the boy. But, very different from this was the result that
followed. The musician stopped; stepped forward and picked up his
hat. Then he turned to the rude boy, and gracefully bowing, said:

"And now, I'll play you a tune to make you merry!" There was real
Christian forgiveness.

"The Power of the Gospel." Years ago some carpenters moved to the
Island of New Zealand, and set up a shop for carrying on their
business. They were engaged to build a chapel at one of the Mission
Stations. One of these carpenters, a pleasant, kind-hearted man,
engaged a native Christian to dig his garden for him. When the work
was done the man went to the shop for his pay. Another of the
carpenters there, who was a very ill-tempered man, told the native to
get out of the shop. "Don't be angry," was the gentle reply; "I have
only come to have a little talk with your partner, and to get my
wages from him." "But I _am_ angry." And then taking hold of the New
Zealander by the shoulder, he abused and kicked him in the most cruel
manner.

The native made no resistance till the carpenter ceased. Then he
jumped up, seized him by the throat, and snatching a small axe from
the bench, flourished it threateningly over his head. "Now, you see,"
said he, "your life is in my hand. You see my arm is strong enough to
kill you; and my arm is quite willing,