Observe — he  did  not  hold  his  brethren  in  suspense ;  he  did
not  i^ut  them  on  their  good  behavior ;  he  did  not  say,  "  I
hold  this  threat  over  you  if  you  do  it  again."  That  is  for-
giving and  not  forgetting.  But  that  was  a  frank,  full,  free
remission — consoling  them — trying  to  make  them  forget —
neither  by  look  or  word  showing  memory,  unless  the  fault
had  been  repeated.  It  was  unconditional,  with  no  reserve
behind.     That  was  forgiving  and  forgetting.
To  conclude.  Forgiveness  is  the  work  of  a  long  life  to
learn.  This  was  at  the  close  of  Joseph's  life.  He  would  not
have  forgiven  them  in  j^outh — not  when  the  smart  was  fresh
— ere  he  saw  the  good  resulting  from  his  suffering.  But
years,  experience,  trial,  had  softened  Joseph's  soul.  A  dun-
geon and  a  government  had  taught  him  much ;  also  his  fa-
ther's recent  death.  Do  not  think  that  any  formula  will
teach  this.  No  mere  maxims  got  by  heart  about  forgiveness
of  injuries — no  texts  perpetually  on  the  tongue  will  do  this —
God  alone  can  teach  it :  By  experience  ;  by  a  sense  of  human
frailty ;  by  a  perception  of  "  the  soul  of  goodness  in  things
evil ;"  by  a  cheerful  trust  in  human  nature  ;  by  a  strong  sense
o€  God's  love ;  by  long  and  disciplined  realization  of  the  aton-
ing love  of  Christ :  only  thus  can  we  get  that  free,  manly,
large,  princely  spirit  which  the  best  and  purest  of  all  the  pa-
triarchs, Joseph,  exhibited  in  his  matured  manhood.
752  A  Thanksgiving  Day.
XVIII.
A  THA:^^KSGiyiXG  DAY.
