A Condition of Receiving Mercy
Handbook to Scripture Doctrines. Luke 6:36 Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Being sent for by a slave-holder who was seriously unwell, to pray with him, Father Craven approached his bedside and inquired if he had in his will bequeathed liberty to his slaves? "No," said the slave-holder, "I have bequeathed them to my children." "Then," said Father Craven, "prayer will be of no avail — God will not show mercy to these who show none to their fellow-men." So he bade him farewell. Soon after a second message was sent for Father Craven to visit the slave-holder and pray with him. He went and asked the slave-holder if he had emancipated his slaves? "Yes," said the slave-holder, "I have now emancipated them by my will. Will you pray for me?" "Certainly," said the good man, and he knelt down and commended to God the soul of the sufferer, who seemed near his end. Father Craven agreed with John Jay, a leader in the American revolution, who said, "Till America comes into the measure (of abolition) her prayers to heaven will be impious." (Handbook to Scripture Doctrines.) Parallel Verses KJV: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. WEB: Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.