After eleven months of the bloody defense of Port Arthur, the Russian Commander, General Stoessel, telegraphed a most pathetic dispatch to his emperor. It is a touching appeal for the Czar's forgiveness.
After briefly and truly stating the hazardous position of his army and their dire need, their famine-stricken faces, their unattended wounded, their forts and streets blocked with carnage, he concludes his sad dispatch: "Great Sovereign, forgive! We have done all that was humanly possible. Judge us, but be merciful.
"Eleven months of ceaseless fighting has exhausted our strength. A quarter only of the original defenders remain. Half of these are invalids. We occupy twenty-seven versts of fortifications, but without supplies or support and without intervals for even the briefest repose. The men are reduced to shadows!"
This touching plea for forgiveness came from one in hopeless extremity. General Stoessel was a faithful subject of his sovereign, the Czar of Russia. In his heart was enthroned the interests and glory of the very monarch whose forgiveness he sought.
It is not so with the sinner. His heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. In his pride he rebels against the counsel of the Most High God. He has enthroned the enemy in his heart; he has dethroned God, and daringly disputes His rightful sway over his life. His heart is arrogant and intractable. He is on his way to perdition in bold defiance of the long-suffering love of God.
Friend, have you entered your plea for forgiveness yet? You have sinned against One who is greater than the Czar of Russia, or any other earthly potentate. Will you not cry from the depths of a heart wrung with sincere penitence, "GREAT SOVEREIGN, FORGIVE"?