109. Forgiveness of Injuries

Oh do you hear that voice from heaven, —
Forgive, and you shall be forgiven?
No angel hath a voice like this;
Not even Mary's song of bliss
From off her throne can waft to earth
A promise of such priceless worth.

Again the music comes from heaven, —
Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.
Softly on every wind that blows
Through the wide earth the promise goes,
Absolving sin and opening heaven.
For we forgive and are forgiven.

Yes, we, dear Lord! Thy voice can tell;
That gentle voice we know it well;
Yet never was it sweet and clear
As now when we this promise hear, —
Poor souls! who sadly doul^t of heaven,
Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.

Sweet Faith! and can this pledge be true?
And is the duty hard to do?
No one, dear Lord! hath done to me
Such wrong as I have done to Thee.
Why should not all men go to heaven?
They who forgive will be forgiven.

Thine offers, earth! to this are dull, —
Full mercy to the merciful: —
O joy to every soul that lives!
Such beautiful bright words He gives.
Whose royal promise cheapens heaven, —
Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.

Then listen to us, Jesus, Lord!
See how we take Thee at Thy word:
Oh as we hope with Thee to live,
So from our hearts do we forgive;
And from this hour we do not know
The thought, the thing men mean by foe.

Yes! saved and saints we all will be;
All of us, Lord! will come to Thee;
Dear heaven! the work for thee is done, —
How easily, how sweetly won!
Yes! thou art ours, eternal heaven!
For we forgave, and are forgiven.
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