Object Lessons

Forgives and Forgets

Objects: Two sheets of white paper, 8 1/2 by 11 inches in size, two pieces of carbon paper 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, a piece of gold-colored paper 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 inches, and an Eversharp pencil from which the lead has been removed. (Fold the white paper crosswise, making of each sheet a four-page folder 5 ½ by 8 1/2 inches in size. On what would be "page 3" in each folder, draw the outline of a heart. On the outside of the front page of each, draw the outline of a man. Put a carbon between each of the folded sheets, facing the heart. In one, put the yellow sheet between the carbon and the heart. Mark this yellow sheet, "THE LOVE OF CHRIST.")

Do you boys and girls find it hard to for­give others as Christ commanded? Yes, I think most people do, unless they seek and secure God's power.

I brought two sketches which I trust will help us understand why it is often difficult to forgive others, and also how we may obey Christ in this command. On one sketch I will make marks with this pencil. The marks do not show on the outside, but in the heart they can be seen clearly. Very often what others do to us hurts our feelings more than our flesh. For this reason it is hard to forgive them, and to forget the injury.

I will mark on this other man and see what effect it has on his heart. No marks are made on the heart. This golden sheet of paper marked "THE LOVE OF CHRIST" keeps the marks from reaching the heart.

If each one would keep the love of Christ near the heart, it would be easy to forgive, and forget the wrongs of others. When we remember that our Lord has forgiven us even at the cost of dying for our sins, we will have His love and forgiveness in our hearts and will be ready to forgive others.