Echoes of Grace: 1943

There was once a poor man, a huckster, who used to go round to country villages selling his little goods. He was said to be half-cracked, and very likely he was, for he was constantly in the habit of getting drunk, and that is enough not only to "half-crack" anybody, but quite to break him. He was not at any rate a very sensible man, as a man is not likely to be who drives his senses out of him with drink. However, this poor creature, in going round on his journeys, heard some old woman singing the simple little ditty: "I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, But Jesus Christ is my all in all.”

Jack recollected that. "Ah!" said he, "that just suits me." So he began to hum it himself as he went round on his huckstering expeditions, and by God's good grace that little ditty burnt its way into poor Jack's heart. After some time he became a converted man, gave up his swearing and drinking, and began regularly to attend the meeting house.

At last he determined that he would join the church; so he went to the minister. The minister said: "Well, friend, what can you say for yourself?”

"Not much," said he, "only this:”

"I'm a poor sinner, and nothing at all, But Jesus Christ is my all in all.”

"Well," said the minister, "you must tell me more than that.”

"No," said Jack, "I can't, for that is my confession of faith, and that is all I know.”

"Well, friend," said the minister, "I cannot refuse you church fellowship, but you will have to come before the church-meeting, and the members will have to see you and judge of you.”

Jack accordingly went to the church-meeting, and there sat some good old-fashioned deacons—some of whom began to see whether they could not find fault with him.

John stood up, and on being requested to state his experience, simply said: "'I'm a poor sinner, and nothing at all, But Jesus Christ is my all and all.'”

So one old deacon said, "Is that all you have to say?”

"Yes," says Jack, "that's all." The minister said, "You may ask my friend here some questions if you like." So one says, "Brother John, have you not many doubts and fears?”

"No," said John, "I never can doubt but that 'I'm a poor sinner, and nothing at all,' for I know I am; and I cannot doubt that `Jesus Christ is my all in all,' for He says He is, and how can I doubt that?”

"Well," said another, "but sometimes I lose my evidence and my graces, and then I get very sad.”

"O!" said Jack, "I never lose anything, for in the first place 'I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all,'—no one can rob me if I am nothing at all,—and, in the second place, `Jesus Christ is my all in all,' and who can rob Him? He is in heaven; I never get richer or poorer, for I am always nothing, but I always have everything” Then another began to question him thus:

"But my dear friend, John, don't you sometimes doubt whether you are a child of God?”

"Well," said he, "I don't quite understand you; but I can tell you I never doubt but that 'I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all,' and that 'Jesus Christ is my all in all.'”

"Ay, ay," said the other one, "but sometimes I make great advances on the road to heaven, and then I feel a great deal better, but I often go back again, and that causes me trouble.”

"But," says John, "I never go forward, for I'm always 'a poor sinner and nothing at all;' but I cannot go back, for 'Jesus Christ is my all in all' and blessed be God, He will not go back, and I am safe.”

Always after that in the villages they used to call him, "Happy Jack," for he was always happy; and the reason was that you could not drive him from that simple standing point, "There is nothing in me, I believe in Christ, I deserve punishment, I am lost in myself, but I trust in Him who came into the world to save sinners, and I know He will not let me perish.”

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:15.

Yes or No

"I wonder, Harry, that you are not afraid to die; I am terribly afraid!" were the words of an old man to a little boy, who lay on the next bed to him in a large ward of one of our city hospitals.

Harry was about eleven years old; his fevered cheek, too bright eye, and quick breathing, telling plainly that his short life was fast nearing its end.

Mr. Clayton, a Christian visitor, had just been pressing on the old man an immediate acceptance by faith of pardon and eternal life, as the free gift of God's great love in Christ Jesus.

"I know it all," he had replied, "but I do not understand him I can get it, how I can make it my own.”

"How did you get it, Harry?" the visitor asked, turning to the child.

"Why," said the boy, "when the Lord Jesus said to me, 'Come unto Me... and I will give you rest' (Matt. 11:28), I just said with all my heart, 'Yes, Lord, I come,' and He was true to His word, and gave me rest. And when He said, 'Come now,' I just said, `Yes, Lord, now; not tomorrow.' And when He promised to forgive me freely, to make me His own, and fit me to be with Him forever, I just said, `Yes, Lord,' for I knew He could not break His word. How could I say 'No' to Him?”

Tears filled Mr. Clayton's eyes as he listened to these simple words of unquestioning faith.

"Yes, Thomas," he said, "Harry has told us the truth; it is just saying 'Yes' or 'No' to God's own words. It must be one or the other. It is a solemn thing, if we are not saying 'Yes' to His gracious invitations, and to His blessed promises, we are saying, 'No, Lord, I do not believe Thee."No, Lord, I will not come to Thee!'”

After praying with them he left. Just as he did so, the old man himself turned to the child to know why he was not afraid to die.

"I have nothing more to tell," said Harry, "nothing but just what I say, 'Yes, Lord,' to whatever Jesus says to me. If you are afraid, Mr. Brown, it must be that you are saying 'No.' He says, `When thou passeth through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.' Isa. 43:2. And I just say, `Yes, Lord; yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow if death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.' Psa. 23:4. He says, `It is I, be not afraid.' John 6:20. And I say, 'Yes, Lord, I am not afraid.'”

"You are right, Harry. I have been saying 'No' all my life to His gracious words; but it is too late now. I wish I had known before that it was just that saying 'Yes' or 'No.' O, that it had been 'Yes' that I had said!”

"But, Mr. Brown," said the child, "it is not too late; 'Jesus is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him' (Heb. 7:25). Uttermost will surely reach as far as you—as far as now.

`God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' John 3:16.

"That 'whosoever' must mean you as well as me. Will you not now say, `Lord Jesus, all my life I have been saying 'No' to Thee, but now I will say 'Yes?' `Yes, Lord, I believe Thy words, that whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have everlasting life. Yes, Lord, I believe.'”

He took the promise and invitation as addressed to him personally; and often, as the precious words from the Bible were repeated or read, he was heard to say,

"Yes, Lord, yes.”

The unbelieving "No," was no longer heard from him; he received God's Words with a grateful "Yes, Lord.”

"Six Weeks Trying"

On visiting a person some time since, who had been led to Christ, we asked the question, "How did you find peace in your soul, of which you now tell me?”

"I carried the heaviest burden that any human did carry 18 years ago. One simple word made me do it —'Try.' But finding it all no good, then I cast myself on the Lord Jesus, and O, what a blessed and wonderful change. Instead of the heavy burden, I have perfect rest. Instead of the weary, anxious `trying,' I am now 'simply trusting.' I wonder I could not have seen it before, it is all so plain and simple, and the Lord does not keep you waiting, He just bids you 'Go in peace,' and that is just what I am doing, taking Him at His blessed word and learning the truth of it.”

"Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." Psa. 2:12.

May many more than this dear friend change their "trying" to "trusting.”

Peace with God

Faith never views a thing barely in connection with oneself, but with God. It is always thus. If it is a question of peace, is it merely that I want peace? No doubt I do want it, as a poor sinner that has been at war with God all my life.

But how infinitely more blessed when we come to find that it is "Peace with God": not merely a peace with one's own heart and conscience, but with God! He gives a peace that stands in His sight. All His own character comes out in giving it to me, and in putting it upon such a basis that Satan shall never be able to touch. It is to deliver me, to break the very neck of sin; and nothing does it so completely as this—that God met me when I deserved nothing but death and eternal judgment, and sent His beloved Son, so giving me a peace worthy of Himself. And He has done it; He has given it; and all Christian practice flows from the assurance that I have found this blessing in Christ.

Quietness and Confidence

When we are saved we are happy in the Lord, yet, we at once find ourselves in by no means smooth waters. We find there are storms; We find there are rocks and shoals, and we find, also, that our boats are not very strong, and that we are not very skilful either, in managing them, that is, we come into difficulties. Is it not so? And after we have encountered a little rough weather we are apt to get downcast and dispirited. We find fault with this one or that one. Is it not so? Now, I am not the least denying that there are faults, but then let us not forget that we have faults; and, further, that it is not a question of whether I or you have faults—one or other or both (which is a little nearer the truth), but the great point is this—whether you and I are looking to the Lord or not. This is the thing that makes the heart happy—confidence in looking to the Lord, and also my living in this looking to the Lord, not merely for myself, but for you; for this is the true way to win another, that is, to be looking to the Lord about the other. Supposing there is a person that you have something against, or that has something against you; how is it to be met? Not by wit, not by power, not by influence. Not all the brethren can set it right, but the Lord can, and the moment that our heart is perfectly settled in this, it gives quietness and confidence— it gives peace and assurance forever. The Lord grant that it may be so with us!

The Bible

The Bible IS, we plainly see,

Then it must have a pedigree.

It is either a book divine,

Or men to make it must combine;

Suppose the latter, then they must

Either be wicked men or just,

Take either side and you will see

A proof of its divinity.

If wicked men composed this book

Surely their senses they forsook,

For they the righteous man defend

And curse the bad from end to end..

If righteous, then they change their name

For they the authorship disclaim,

And often say "Thus saith the Lord"

And testify it is His Word,

If it be not, they tell a lie,

And all their righteousness destroy.

Could Moses and could Malachi,

Unite together in a lie?

Could Job and Daniel with the rest,

Spread o'er the world from East to West

Unite together and confer,

When Oceans rolled between them, sir?

Not only Seas, but Ages too,

Numbers of years and not a few.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away." Matt. 24:35.

"The Word of the Lord endureth forever." 1 Peter 1:25.

A New Year's Wish

"Come unto Me ... and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

Can there be better New Year wish, my friend,

Than this of mine?

That thou mayest know my blessed Savior-Lord,

And know Him thine.

Remember how upon the bitter cross

He bore thy sin.

That now He may to Heaven's holy realm

Invite thee in.

Trust Him as Savior, and thy every sin

Is now forgiven;

Trust Him as Lord, and heart and life will be

Made meet for Heaven.

"With Good News"

The son of a gentleman in H— was on the headlong road to ruin. Ashamed of his folly and weakness, he would seek every excuse to get away from home, in order to hide from loving eyes and to indulge unchecked his depraved appetite.

A short time since he went down to New York for this purpose, and one morning, after a carousal, found himself in a most irritable and wretched condition. Being at a hotel, he called for his usual paper before leaving his bed.

Through some mistake, or, as men say, "by accident," the wrong paper was brought to him. In anger he threw it aside; but his eyes caught a sentence of one of Moody's sermons in it which went to his conscience. An irresistible fascination caused him to read every line of the sermon. He read and re-read it.

The fever of his soul impelled him to rise and dress, in order to seek help from Mr. Moody. But here his religious training suggested, "I want God's help, not Mr. Moody's, and that I can have here as well as anywhere. I will not leave this room until I get it.”

The day wore away in anguish, and the next day found him still battling with his pride, his fierce appetite and passions, yet crying with the strength of despair unto God.

The third day he walked the earth a free man. He had accepted Christ as his Savior, the One who had borne his many sins, on Calvary's cross.

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

He now lifted up his head in the dignity of a son of God, a joint-heir with Jesus Christ, a member of the royal family of heaven. He felt himself to be a conqueror through Him who loved him. Lifted up into a higher plane, how far off and small appeared those things which a few days before had occupied him wholly! He left his room, the room which he had entered as a slave to Satan, and hastened to telegraph home, "Expect me tonight with good news." Good news, indeed! Did the father ever hear any so joyful as that breathed forth in the happy hour of his son's return? And when, the next evening, he heard the former prodigal avow the Lord to be his God, must not this hymn have seemed written just for this occasion?

"Ring the bells of heaven! there is joy today, For the wanderer now is reconciled; Yes, a soul is rescued from his sinful way, And is born anew, a ransomed child!

"Glory, glory! how the angels sing!

Glory, glory! how the loud harps ring!

'Tis the ransomed army, like a mighty sea,

Pealing forth the anthem of the free!”

"To Him (Jesus Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through His Name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43.

Extract

The Lord Jesus is a living Savior, He not only died that He might save us from judgment, but He lives to keep us all along our way Home. Thus He brings us through to the very end of our path down here, till we see Him.

THE LORD JESUS

SHALL BE REVEALED

FROM HEAVEN

IN FLAMING FIRE

TAKING VENGEANCE

ON THEM

THAT KNOW NOT GOD,

AND THAT OBEY NOT

THE GOSPEL OF OUR

LORD JESUS CHRIST."

2 Thess. 1:7, 8.

February

"Prove That There Is a Devil"

Having to make a short journey recently, I took a bus. There were six of us in it. I felt in my pocket for some tracts but only found four, these I distributed among my fellow passengers, and then began to read a little book.

The man who was seated at the end of the bench on which I was sitting, and who seemed a person of some social rank, received one of the tracts. Taking out his gold pencil case, he read several lines until he came to the word "Satan," this he underlined, and wrote in the margin, "I do not believe that there is a devil," and handed me back the tract. I said nothing, but taking out a piece of India rubber I effaced what he had written, and put the tract back in my pocket, then I went on with my reading.

This was too much for my traveling companion. He started up quickly, and cried out: "I do not believe that there is a devil.”

Then he launched out in a torrent of abuse against those who believed in an evil spirit.

"Sir," said he to me, "I defy you before these persons," who were looking at him with astonishment; "I defy you to prove that there is a devil. Which way would you begin?”

"Nothing is easier, Sir," I said, raising my eyes from my book. "Nothing is easier, I will begin with yourself. Your impassioned language, your conduct which is not that of a Christian is sufficient proof that you are at this moment under the power of the devil.”

"Well, well, I was a little excited," he replied, seating himself, but he still continued ridiculing the idea of a wicked spirit.

"If the devil has no existence what is it that has led you to manifest so much anger?”

"It is the evil principle within me; you cannot prove that there is any other devil.”

Taking my Bible from my pocket, I said: "Now, Sir, will you be good enough to take this book in your hands?”

He took it very unwillingly; I continued: "With that Bible in your hands I ask you, do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?”

"Yes, certainly, I believe it.”

"Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of the eternal God?”

"No, I do not believe that," he replied angrily. "Show me where that is said.”

A lady near me said, "There are many passages which prove it in almost identical terms.”

I then repeated several passages from the word of God: "In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.... All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.... And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us." John 1:1, 3, 14.

"Jesus said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you: Before Abraham was I am." John 8:58.

"I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do, and now, O Father glorify thou Me... with the glory I had with Thee before the world was." John 17:4, 5. After his resurrection, Jesus saith unto Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side; and be not faithless but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him: My Lord and my God.... These are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:27, 28, 31.

"God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself." 2 Cor. 5:19.

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." 1 Tim. 5:16.

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." 1 John 5:20. Then I added: "I see what you are, Sir, you are a Unitarian, and as such you shut out from yourself every hope of salvation, which only is through Jesus and His blood. Tell me, what sort of a person is Jesus to you?”

"The best of men," he replied.

"No, Sir, according to your belief, He is a sinner and a deceiver; the Jesus in whom I believe is the eternal Son of the eternal God.”

Opening the Bible again to the fourth chapter of Matthew's gospel I read, “Then was Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil." Was it an evil principle in Him, or was it not rather evil in person?”

For a moment the mouth of the contradictor was closed. I continued, "You have no blood in your religion; you hate the blood; you hate expiation by blood.”

"I thank God that I have not a drop of blood in my religion; I hate it," he replied.

"Yes, I know that you deny the Person and the work of the Son of God. But before we separate you must hear what God has said as to the blood;”

"The blood shall be to you for a token... and when I see the blood I will pass over you." Exo. 12:13.

"Whom God hath set forth, a propitiation through faith in His blood." Rom. 3:25.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

"He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses; of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace." Heb. 10:28, 29.

The bus stopped and we separated, not to meet again in all probability until we should find ourselves in the holy presence of Him whose Person and work are all that the poor sinner has of any value for his eternal salvation.

Reader, the devil exists and desires your destruction; Jesus the eternal Son of the eternal God, came to save you; His blood cleanses from all sin, the one who believes in Him.

A Sailor's Bible

A sailor left behind him, among other things, a Bible. He had written with his own hand on the blank page at the beginning of the book: "This Bible was given me by a friend, as a reward. It has been my constant companion for 53 years, 41 of which I spent at sea. During these years I was in 45 sea battles, received 13 wounds, 3 times suffered shipwreck, once the ship was destroyed by fire, twice our ship capsized, 15 times I had fever of different kinds, and—the Bible was always my consolation! I witness to all this with my own hand.”

Truly a much-used Bible! And what a significant story do these simple words on the white page tell!

"This Bible was my consolation!”

What grace, that it has pleased God, to put His precious Word into our hands! Let us, too, continually read this Book!

Looking back on the past, we learn from this Book that everything has been put in order through the precious blood of Christ. As to the future, we are taught that where He, our beloved Lord, is, there we shall be. And in the present, we find in the Bible, comfort, instruction, warning and all that we need for the pilgrimage.

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105.

Not "Feeling" but "Believing"

Shortly after finding peace with God about my sins, I went to see a man who was ill. I read and talked to him from time to time. As he always assented to what I said, I almost persuaded myself that he might be trusting in the Lord. One night in speaking of that blessed truth for believers, "Lo, I am with you always," as near as I can remember, the following conversation took place. I said, "What a blessing to have Jesus with you and to know His sympathy.”

The poor man looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said, "Yes, it is all true, but He is not near enough to me yet.”

"And do you know your sins forgiven?" I asked.

"No, I wish I did.”

"Well, James, you know you are a sinner, and that you need to be converted, and that Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.”

"Yes, but I do not know how to be converted.”

He had witnessed many stricken down under the sense of their guilt, and had seen too, the wonderful joy that followed, when the truth of God's salvation came to them. He thought something of the same kind must happen to him, and Satan was using this to hinder him from coming to the Savior just as he was. He could not feel as those did, yet he wanted to. How many are like this! God says, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved." I read to him Isa. 53:6.

"All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.”

James owned it was true of all, and true of him.

"And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Yes, he believed that too. I said, "You believe Jesus bore your sins on the cross?”

"Yes, but I do not feel I am saved." We turned to John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." Not he that feeleth, but he that believeth on the Son. I know 1 am saved and have everlasting life, because God's word says so. I go by God's word. My feelings change; God's word never changes. We read Rom. 10:9, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

"Now, James, if you are going to wait for salvation till you feel it, you will be lost for all eternity. James, do you believe God raised Christ from the dead?”

"Yes, I do. Nobody could believe that more than me.”

"Well, God has shown us that He is satisfied with the work of Christ, in raising Him. And nothing now remains but for you to confess Him with your mouth. James, will you trust Him from this time?”

James gave me his hand that he would trust the Lord.

"Now, what does this mean, 'Thou shalt be saved?'”

"That is what God says to me," Afterward he said, "I always thought I had something to do.”

A few days after this I called.

"What about your sins?" I inquired. "Jesus bore them on the tree.”

"Are you quite sure you are not mistaken?" He looked at me almost reproachfully, thinking I might be doubting his reality, and said, "I know I am saved, for God says so.”

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me, is greater than all; and, no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." John 10:28, 29.

This was a source of comfort to him, in showing the eternal security of the believer, and that he was in Christ's and the Father's hands.

My dear friends, do not put away the desire in your soul to be saved. Come now and trust Him. Satan seeks to blind you with this world's fleeting pleasures. You do not need to wait for anything. Now is God's accepted time. You know you need salvation.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Extract: In Satan's Net

Satan has ten thousand devices for drawing us away from Christ. When we allow him to do this, we are in his net.

Christ's Matchless Love

"Where are you reading, my dear?" said a lady to a dressmaker, who was busily reading the New Testament.

"I am reading the fifth chapter of Romans," she respectfully replied.

"Why do you choose that chapter?" said her friend.

"O, I delight in it so much."

"On what account?”

"Because," answered the girl, "it just suits my case. See, is not this delightful?" pointing to the sixth verse, Tor when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.' I am, indeed, a sinner, and without strength," continued the girl, "but here is the remedy, `Christ died for the ungodly.'”

A Savior

"A serious accident has occurred at the new drainage works," was the sad and quickly spread rumor that reached our ears the other morning. We found the injured man in the ward of a hospital close by, lying on a bed, terribly bruised and shaken, and as we heard the details of his escape from sudden death, we were filled with wonder.

"Seventy-five feet! and yet not a bone broken, my friend?" said we; "it is indeed the hand of God that has spared your life:" and the young navvy himself seemed to see it in this light.

"And is this a relative who has come to see you?" we inquired, seeing a young man watching by the sufferer's side.

"No, sir; I am his mate," replied the young man; "and a true friend he proved himself to be.”

Turning to the injured man, we asked.

"Had you time to think about your soul as you fell?”

"I recollect praying twice, 'Lord save me!' and then the breath went out of me, and I knew nothing more.”

"I picked him out of the water," added his mate; "he fell on the piles, and pitched over into the water head first.”

"Did he do anything to save himself?”

"No, sir, he was as helpless as a baby. He knew nothing till twenty-four hours afterward.”

"Then you were his savior, my friend, and that is just the way Jesus saves our souls. We can do nothing, we are as helpless as your mate when you picked him out of the water. And now tell me, could you have saved his life, if you had been at the top when he fell?”

"No, sir, for he would have been drowned by the time I got to him.”

"This, again, is a picture of Jesus. We have not to wait for the Savior to come down to us where we are lying in our misery and sin, for Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners. He went down into the horrible pit and the miry clay to deliver us. He died on the cross to save us from hell, and He lifts the believer out of the pit of sin and death, and sets him in safety, where no death can hurt him. It is because sinners do not see that they are lost, that they do not trust in Jesus, but try to save themselves. And have you been often to see your mate since?”

"I never leave him, sir, night nor day, for he is so hurt that he cannot turn himself in his bed.”

"In this, your love to your friend, I see again a picture of the kindness of the Savior to the sinner He has saved. As a shepherd carries the lamb in his bosom, so does Jesus keep each of His, near to Himself, neither does He leave us night nor day.”

"Think of all you have done for your poor mate, and remember you have been his savior, and just as you saved him wholly by your own strength and kindness, so Jesus Christ saves from the pit of hell by His own power and love. What you have to do, is to put your sinful soul into His hands, and give yourself wholly up to Him who came to seek and to save that which is lost, and He will deliver you from hell and carry you safely into heaven.”

"The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

"Whom having not seen, ye love, in Whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." 1 Peter 1:8.

"ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF 'THE GLORY OF GOD."

Rom 3:23.

"CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS."

1 Tim. 1:15.

"BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED."

Acts 16:31.

March

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

"Chaplain, one of our boys is badly wounded, and wants to see you right away." Following the soldier, I was taken to the hospital and led to a bed, where lay a young man, pale and blood-stained from a terrible wound above the temple. I saw at a glance that he had but a few hours to live.

Taking his hand, I said, "Well, my boy, what can I do for you?" He looked up in my face, and said, "Now, Chaplain, I want you to kneel down by me and return thanks to God.”

"For what?" I asked.

"For giving me such a mother. O, Chaplain, she is a good mother; her teachings comfort and console me now. And Chaplain, thank God that by His grace I am a Christian. O, what would I do now if I was not a Christian! I know that my Redeemer liveth. I feel that His finished work has saved me. And, Chaplain, thank God for giving me dying grace. He has made my bed feel 'Soft as downy pillows are.' Thank Him for the promised home in glory. I'll soon be there—there, where there is no more war, nor sorrow, nor desolation, nor death—where I'll see Jesus and be forever with the Lord.”

I kneeled by him, and thanked God for the blessings He had bestowed upon him—a good mother, a Christian hope, and dying grace to bear testimony to God's faithfulness. Shortly after the prayer, he said, "Good-bye, Chaplain; if you see mother, tell her it was all well.”

Dear reader, have you heard the gospel? Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. Are you a true believer in Christ? or are you yet unsaved? How long is this to continue? Will you go to the Lord Jesus and thank Him that He had died for you? Thank Him that He is your Savior.

"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10.

Mothers, be encouraged to go on teaching your children. Look at this young soldier. Do not say, "I have nothing I can do for Christ.”

How important is your work, raising these boys and girls in the fear of the Lord. You are weak and have no wisdom. Yes, but the Lord gives us all we need to go on to serve Him. And the hum-drum of life is brightened by going to Him for grace to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Col. 3:17.

If the Lord was on earth standing by your side, would you say to Him, "No, I cannot do this"? Would you not rather say, "Yes, Lord, by Thy grace, I will.”

You will have the glorious answer in the day of rewards.

"Drawn by such cords we'll onward move, Till round the throne we meet, And, captives in the chains of love, Embrace our Savior's feet.”

Forever With the Lord

These words were the last ones a young man nineteen years said just before leaving this world. Raised by Christian parents, he had heard gospel truths very early; though he had never yet decided for Christ, but God found a way to bring him to Himself.

He became sick, and as he had to be doctored away from home, he missed his parents, especially his mother's tender care, more than anything else. He could only be with his parents for very few moments, which made the partings that much more painful. It was the hope of all, however, that he would get well rapidly, but "God's ways are not our ways," yet all He does is well done.

Sometimes we reach this conclusion after a painful experience, but most of the time we have to wait until we get to heaven to understand. So instead of the young man getting well, his case became aggravated, and when he realized that there was no hope for him to prolong his life, he was brought to see the necessity of accepting the Lord Jesus as his Savior.

In surrendering his heart to Him, he found Him also to be a good Shepherd and a Faithful Friend. He felt wonderfully sustained and encouraged by His divine Presence, and peace in his heart with the joy of his salvation showed in his happy face, especially when Jesus' Name was mentioned.

After six months of patient suffering God took him away, but just before leaving this earth he said simply:

"Forever with the Lord.”

No doubt he had reached the conclusion that the main attraction in his heavenly Home would be the presence of his dear Savior.

So may it be with you, dear reader, may you come to the Lord Jesus, and accept Him as your Savior and Friend, while you are young.

Extract: Walking Before Men and Walking Before God

What a difference there is between a man walking before God, and one walking before men! What a trouble there is to keep things straight for a man walking before men! While one who is walking before God, though in the presence of men, can leave things quietly to God. The real difference between a mere professor of Christ, and a Christian, is just this.

Boston Night Club Disaster

Recently over one thousand men and women seeking merriment packed a large Boston night club. People of many walks of life mingled as the evening's gaieties progressed; and eating and drinking, music and dancing all combined to drown the cares and sorrows of this world.

Suddenly a cry of "fire" shrieked out above the din. Panic quickly followed as the vast throng of careless pleasure seekers was transformed into a frenzied, crying, fighting mob. Consternation filled every heart and mind as the fire spread with almost lightning rapidity. In the mad scramble to leave the blazing inferno, men and women were trampled to death; and the exits became blocked with human bodies. All chance to escape the scorching flames was quickly cut off. Firemen fought valiantly to control the blaze, but before long almost five hundred persons had met a horrible death and were plunged into eternity. A large number of others lay in hospitals suffering from burns and injuries.

The next day the whole country stood aghast at one of the worst holocausts in its history. Relatives sought for loved ones among charred remains at the morgues. Once more, God had spoken loudly.

Millions of people are living carelessly—careless as to their eternal welfare. They have very little thought of God although they may have a form of Godliness. God describes the last days as the time when men would become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Tim. 3:1-5). We should not suppose that those who met death in that night club were worse sinners than all the rest. You, my friend, may never have been in a night club; and yet you may be living without God just the same.

There are two roads through life and only two—the broad road and the narrow one. The broad road is the popular one, for it will accommodate anything. There you can believe anything you wish and allow or disallow according to your own thoughts.

You will have lots of company on that road which has two sides; for there are two sides—one clean and dry, and the other shady and muddy. Some people prefer the clean, respectable side, while others take the dirty side with its lusts of the flesh; but the terminus is the same in both cases. The end is weeping and gnashing of teeth for all eternity (Matt. 22:13). One may be approved of his neighbors and live a clean, moral, upright life and yet travel the broad road to destruction.

The broad road is easy of access;

Behold, how the multitudes swell!

They appear to be joyful and happy;

But the end is the blackness of hell.

The other road is the narrow one that leads to life. It can only be entered by coming through the Lord Jesus Christ. By knowing Jesus as one's own personal Savior, he can enter the straight gate and travel the narrow road to life. (Matt. 7:13, 14.)

That awful catastrophe on the night of Nov. 28, 1942, should speak to each one living in forgetfulness of God. His word declares, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psalm 9:17.

Death by fire is a terrible thing, but God has revealed that after death there comes the judgment. (Heb. 9:27.) Yes, God is going to bring every work into judgment with every secret thing. (Eccl. 12:14.)

But the good news of God tells us that He in love to sinners has provided a way of escape from the wrath to come through the finished work of His own dear Son upon the cross. That sure way of escape is offered to any and to all who will receive "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Competent Authority

Some time ago, when I had to travel from B. to S., an obliging and intelligent official, in whom I had all confidence, directed me to the coach that would take me there without changing trains. I took my seat without a shade of misgiving, resting upon competent authority.

Although I heard a number of passengers discussing various routes and the different changes necessary to reach this place or that, nothing occurred to test my position until at N. considerable shifting of coaches took place.

Many of us passengers got out, and our train was shunted from the platform out of our sight. While waiting for it to return, I paused in my walking up and down the platform to speak to an official about the line. Under other circumstances I should have felt rather uneasy when he told me there was no through coach to S; but I fell back upon my competent authority, and when the train returned, I entered my coach with boldness.

At Y. further shifting and shunting took place, and we were left on a siding for about twenty minutes. Having unshaken confidence in my friend, I did not even put my head out of the window to look, or turn to inquire of a fellow-passenger, but sat quiet. In due time I reached my destination.

My confidence in my guide was as great while waiting on the dark siding as when I reached S. The only difference was that I needed it more in the former case, than in the latter.

It is in dark and changeful times we stand in need of competent authority. It is when the conflicting cries of blind guides fall upon the ear, that we feel tranquilizing power of that Word (the Bible) which is settled forever in heaven.

The moral of this incident is easily seen. May the Eternal Spirit enable each reader to apply it! The Word of God is the only competent authority, it is the voice of God. Let us hear this and follow it.

Our competent authority is not the word of any man or body of men; moreover, it is not feelings, or experience; it is the Word of God. A person may say, "But must I not feel?”

"You must believe," I reply. The word "feel" casts me upon myself. The word "believe" casts me upon God.

Of what use would my feelings have been as an authority for my position in the railway train? None whatever. I did have a very comfortable feeling; but it was because I was trusting the testimony of a competent authority. I felt I was in my right place, because I rested upon a sure testimony.

Reader, are you resting, for the salvation of your precious soul, on a divinely competent authority?

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater... God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:9.

If therefore you believe in Jesus, you have eternal life. God says so, and faith takes Him at His word. Faith is believing what God says, because He says it, not because you feel it. No doubt you will feel happy when you believe it; but if you wait for feeling in order to believe, it would be faith in your feelings, and not in God's Word at all.

Thus it is as to the grand and all-important question of salvation. And the same holds good as to all the details of the Christian's course, from first to last. How am I to know that I am in my right position, and pursuing my right path? By having competent authority, even a "Thus saith the Lord" for everything. Nothing but this will stand amid the shiftings and shuntings and dark sidings of Christendom; and in the face of ten thousand blind guides and incompetent authorities.

The Word of God is the only basis of my individual peace, and the only authority for my individual path.

Do you know the deep repose and solid blessedness of resting, as to all things, upon a divinely competent authority?

Jesus said, "He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

Why Do You Insult My Father?

In a train sat two sailors in eager conversation. The talk between them was not evil, but through a bad, inherited custom, they continually misused the name of God, till an unknown fellow-traveler, an old man, turned to one of them with the words, "Please, my friend, do not insult my Father any longer!”

"Insult your father!" said the astonished sailor, "I don't know him and have never spoken of him. Perhaps you know him, Johnny?”

"No" replied his comrade.

"All the sadder for you!" said the unknown man. "If you knew my Father, you would love Him; I ask you kindly not to misuse His name any longer.”

Thereupon the old man took the sailor's hand and began to tell him of God's love and mercy. That went to the sailor's heart, and he told that six months before, he had stood at his mother's death-bed. She had put her hands on his head and prayed God to bless him. With this remembrance came suddenly the question from the lips of the sailor, "Do you believe that God will still save me, a poor sinner?”

Then followed a long and blessed conversation. Through the faithful witness of this servant of God, the two sailors found peace with God through Christ that day—peace, forgiveness, eternal life. They turned from darkness to light. Their life before had been towards the sun setting—towards eternal destruction; now, it had altered—it was towards the sun rising, and they were on their way to the Father's house.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." Exodus 20:7.

The man who spoke for the honor of the name of God, whose heart could not bear to hear that name spoken "in vain," is a simple man of the people. His hands are hard from using the pick and shovel but God has equipped him to work on the heart, and to break through the hard stones of unbelief, indifference and enmity to God that lodge there.

"That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most high over all the earth." Psa. 83:18.

What Shall I Do Then With Jesus?

(Matt. 27:22)

"What shall I do then with Jesus?"

A question most solemn and true,

For God will require an answer,

Then what is the answer from you?

"What shall I do then with Jesus?”

A question for young and for old,

Which sooner or later will meet you,

Your state and condition unfold.

"What shall I do then with Jesus?"

The One who in Bethlehem lay,

Despised and rejected, a stranger,

What will you do with Him, pray?

"What shall I do then with Jesus?”

Accept or reject him today?

How then shall you answer this question?

What are you going to say?

The issues of this are eternal,

Accept, or reject Him, you must,

Go on in your sins and your folly;

Or place in that Savior your trust.

"What shall I do then with Jesus?"

O do not the answer delay,

But gladly, adoringly tell Him,

"Lord Jesus, I'll trust Thee today.”

"CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: AND I WILL DELIVER THEE, AND THOU SHALT GLORIFY ME."

Psalms 50:15.

"THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: AND HE KNOWETH THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM.”

Nahum 1:7.

April

The Two Brothers

In a country home, there was great rejoicing, one winter's day, at the birth of a son. Bonfires were lighted in the grounds, and the satisfaction of the glad father was expressed in many substantial ways to all around.

Anthelme, for so the welcome babe was named, grew into a sturdy, healthy, energetic little soul, full of love for those who so loved him, and eager in his childish way to show it. His wisdom, however, was not always equal to his zeal. One day wishing to express, by an offering, the homage of his heart to his mother, he emptied into her lap in triumph, an apron full of tulip buds, having for the purpose entirely stripped a rare collection of plants, whose development she was eagerly watching. Alas! some of our zealous efforts to serve the Lord are as bungling!

When Anthelme was two and a half years old, to his delight, a little brother was born.

The two boys were simply inseparable, leading a joyous life together in the sunny gardens that surrounded the house. Here, at their merry play, one day Philippe's little life was nearly brought to an untimely end; for, as he scampered heedlessly about, he fell into a large, open tank, where the rainwater from the terraces above was collected for watering the garden.

Anthelme with a courage and presence of mind unusual in a child of five years old, leaned over the edge of the tank, and, as Philippe rose to the surface, seized the little fellow by his clothing and dragged him out in safety. Thus, through God's mercy, he was used to save his brother's life, who was to be the means, in later years, of bringing him a far greater salvation.

As they grew up, the two brothers developed different tastes, which without diminishing their affection for one another, drove them to seek other companionship.

Anthelme became an enthusiastic sportsman, and was never so happy as when, with gun on his shoulder, and dogs at his heels, he trampled through forest, and over mountain and valley.

Philippe took a more intellectual turn, he was an ardent lover of music.

The family having now moved into the city, he was able to encourage these tastes to the utmost; his unmistakable talent for poetry, and his musical ability made him a favorite with the marked literary characters of the day.

And yet it was just as the world smiled its brightest upon him, that God gave Philippe to see, as it were, a brightness above the sun at midday, which was forever to dim to him all the false lights of earth.

His mother had lately been led to the knowledge of the Savior, through a godly minister. Her first thought was for the salvation of this beloved child. Praying God that the one, who had been used in blessing to her own soul, might be also used to her son's conversion, she entreated the pastor to seek out the young man, and try to win him to Christ. Philippe yielded to his solicitations to accompany him on a tour he was about to make where there had recently been a revival, many people having found joy in accepting the gift of God, eternal life through Jesus Christ.

An extraordinary change its was for one, fresh from the whirl of gay society, to find himself in the company of simple peasants and humble farmers, whose chief theme of conversation was the Savior's love, and who spoke with joyful certainty of spending an eternity with Him.

It was a new and strange world to Philippe. He could not doubt the reality of the faith and joy of the Christians among whom he was thrown. Day by day the impression, made upon him by their simple testimony, deepened in his soul, and the vanity and emptiness of his own life stood out in bitter contrast.

A deciding point came one evening, when, at the close of a little meeting in one of these pious households, the pastor turned to the young stranger and asked him if he would pray. Philippe, feeling it impossible that he, who had never before bowed his knees, nor opened his voice in prayer, should do so now in public. However, he knelt down, and, as he afterward said, "For the first time in my life, I felt there was a living God, present among us.”

As he stammered forth a few broken sentences, then and there light streamed into his soul. God, in tender mercy, revealed Himself as the Savior-God to the young man who knelt trembling before Him.

From that night Philippe's lips were opened to confess Christ as his Redeemer and his Lord. Through long years, whether in sickness or in health, he never wearied of his Master's service, but gave himself in loving living sacrifice to the One who had purchased him at the price of His own blood.

Like Andrew, who, having been found himself of the Lord, "first findeth his own brother.... and brought him to Jesus." Philippe's first desire, on his conversion, was to bring his dearly-beloved brother to the Savior's feet. Long and prayerfully he considered how best to reach him. It was no easy problem to solve, for Anthelme ever openly avowed his utter distaste for anything of a religious character, and would never attend preaching. When his pastime he so loved, was out of season, he would frequent the gavest circles of society, where his ready wit and graceful, courteous bearing, made him one of fashion's favorites.

Serious thought, and grave conversation seemed alike impossible with the young worldling, and Philippe felt he must wait for a God-given opportunity before he ventured to open his lips to his brother about eternal realities.

And the Lord gave him what he sought.

One Autumn day, Anthelme set off early with a party of sportsmen across the hills. They roamed far and wide, until, at the setting of the sun, the party dispersed at some miles' distance from home. Hungry and dissatisfied with his day's sport, Anthelme came in to find that the family had already finished their evening meal and had quitted the dining-room. With some impatience he called for his repast, declaring himself dying of hunger, and then restlessly strode up and down the deserted room.

Philippe had foreseen that, on his brother's return, he would have some little time to wait while his dinner was preparing, and that such delay would be wearisome enough to the hungry sportsman, who would probably welcome any distraction to kill the time. With this thought he went to his little stock of gospel tracts, and prayerfully selecting a pamphlet, placed it along side of the plate laid for his brother.

As Anthelme paced backwards and forwards, his eye fell on the tract lying by the empty plate.

"What have we here?" exclaimed he.

And to pass the time, he took it up carelessly, and glanced it over. His attention was arrested; he seated himself in the chair at the table, and forgetting all about his famishing state, and unmindful of the tardiness of the servant, read with an ever deepening interest of God's claims upon the sinner, and of his need of the Savior's cleansing blood. When the last page was reached, Anthelme turned back again to the first, with an ever increasing gravity re-perused the whole slowly and seriously.

Through the partly opened door Philippe had been cautiously watching the success of his strategem, while lifting up his heart to God for blessing on his beloved brother. Now, as Anthelme again finished the last page, he could restrain himself no longer. In trembling solicitude, he approached, and resting his hand lovingly on his brother's shoulder, asked,

"What think you of that pamphlet?”

"What do I think of it?" repeated Anthelme, excitedly; "why, that the author is right, and that what he says is the truth.”

Great was the joy of Philippe to find that his brother's conscience was truly awakened. Tenderly he pointed Anthelme to the Savior, telling him how willingly He had received him but a little while previously, and earnestly prayed with him, and for him. From that hour Anthelme rested not, until he could say that he, too, had known and believed the love that God had to him and could stay his soul on the finished work of the Crucified One, Christ Jesus.

And so Philippe was the means of bringing life eternal to the brother, who, in childhood, had saved his life, from a watery grave.

Now were the young men more closely united than ever. Strong as had been their fraternal affection, love in Christ was a yet closer bond. They walked hand in hand in the narrow path that leadeth unto life, building one another up in their most holy faith; strengthening one another in courage to confess Christ.

By God's grace, the two brothers now, once and for all, turned their backs upon the world and its allurements, "esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." Now that He had become precious to them, they abandoned the vain pleasures that had formerly charmed them.

They relinquished every ambition as to fortune or position, and laying their all at the feet of Jesus, were filled with but one desire, to preach Christ, and His wonderful work of redemption at Calvary's cross.

"Them that honor Me, I will honor," and He fulfilled His word to these young men, blessing them much in ministry to souls, so that many were through them brought to the knowledge of Christ as their Savior and Lord.

"Be it known unto you, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." Acts 13:38, 39.

Too Late

I happened to be at a large railway station in the country. The train was expected, and great was the bustle among the passengers, on the platform. Suddenly the bell rang and the long train drew slowly in. My friends were waving their hands— "Goodbye, good—bye" and I was slowly walking away, when in a moment a man rushed in at the door, breathless and excited.

"Just too late, sir," said the porter.

The man walked up and down, and drew his hand over his brow, as if to rub off some unpleasant weight.

I left the station, pondering these words,

"Too late.”

My walk took me past the post office, where many people were thronging, in three minutes more the door would be closed. Poor and rich, masters and servants, hurried to get their letters. But the time was up, the door closed, and then stared me in the face two words, "Too late!”

The same afternoon I went into a cottage near my home to visit a child who was dangerously ill. I found the family in deep distress, for the little one was suddenly worse and dying. I went up stairs, stood by the bed, and saw that even then the hand of death was upon her. In a few minutes the doctor, having been sent for, came hastily into the house. I heard the mother say, as he came softly up the stairs, "I am afraid it is too late, sir." He went into the room, touched the child's wrist, shook his head, and said in a whisper, "I can do nothing; it is too late.”

Can you wonder that during the day, and for many a day after, those words, "Too late," seemed to be ever ringing in my ears, and that many solemn thoughts filled my mind?

Reader, how is it with your soul? It is bad to be "too late" in earthly matters; many a man has thus been ruined as far as worldly things go. It is possible to be "too late" in reference to your soul. Look in the 25th chapter of Matthew, and read this: "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward came also the other virgins saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not." It was too late.

For you, reader, it is not too late yet. Still the voice of mercy sounds in your ear; still Christ as the Savior of lost sinners is preached to you; still the calls to repent and believe the gospel are addressed to you; still the precious promises of God's Word are before you; still God waits to be gracious. But what if you should be surprised in the midst of your indifference by death? May God's Spirit lay the commandment of the New Testament on your heart which says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

Ho! all ye heavy-laden, come!

Here's pardon, comfort, rest, and home;

Ye wanderers from a Father's face,

Return, accept His proffered grace;

Ye tempted ones, there's refuge nigh,

"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”

But if you still His call refuse,

And all His wondrous love abuse,

Soon will He sadly from you turn,

Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn—

"Too late! too late!" will be the cry—

"Jesus of Nazareth has passed by.”

Are any of my readers halting between two opinions, not yet decided between Christ and the world? O, I beseech you halt no longer. Decide at once, and decide for Christ. Life or death, depends on the decision.

The time is short. Life so uncertain. Death busy everywhere. Satan is seeking careless, thoughtless souls to drag them into perdition. Eternity is very near. The Savior, the loving Savior is calling you to Himself. He waits to be gracious.

"Him the cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

“Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 4:7.

Saved in Three Minutes

Coming from a service, a messenger met me, requesting that I go at once to a neighboring house to see a young man who was considered to be near his end. I hurried to the place accordingly, and knowing the time was short, I came at once to the all-important subject, and said, "My dear friend, I see that you are very ill. Are you prepared for what may be before you?”

"O, if I only were!" he replied, giving me a look in which despair and importunity seemed strangely blended, "and if I could be spared two or three weeks.' I believe I might be prepared; but the doctor tells me I can only live a few hours.”

"Three weeks in order to be saved!" I exclaimed in surprise; "let me tell you how you may be saved in three minutes.”

So saying I opened the Word of God and read, "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12.

"If I gave you this gold watch," I asked, "how long would it take you to receive it? Could you not take it at once?" He assented that he could.

"The gift of God is eternal life" (Rom. 6:23), I said, reading again from the Bible. "What have you to do with a gift? Do you buy it, or beg for it, or wait a long time to be prepared to accept it? Will you take Christ, God's gift, just now?”

"But how can I take Him? Tell me actually the way to do it," he exclaimed.

"Here we have the way told exactly, `If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' " Rom. 10:9.

"Now, if you want to be saved, just receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and tell Him that you do so.”

"Isn't it wonderful? He showed me how I could be saved in three minutes, when I thought I must have weeks.”

The Way

"I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.

Out of Christ as the way, there is nothing but wandering; out of Christ as the truth, nothing but error; out of Christ as the life, nothing but eternal death.

"Look unto Him and be saved.”

"The Time Is Short"

To princely hall and peasant's cot,

My message is but one;

Or high or low it matters not,

Or rich or poor your earthly lot,

How soon 'twill all be done,

How soon your race be run,

And where, O! where, eternity begun?

You mark the freshly budding green,

The spring-time of the year;

You mark the autumn tints, I ween,

The withered leaves that strew the scene,

And tell that death is here —

To you, e'en you, how near!

And after death, O! how would you appear?

Think, as you greet the morning prime,

Think thro' the passing day,

That, ere the midnight hour shall chime,

For you this now accepted time,

May all be passed away,

Nor aught its flight can stay;

Then why, ye careless ones, O! why delay?

Hark to the Savior's pleading call,

Poor souls: "Why will ye die?”

O! come to Him, both great and small,

His loving heart hath room for all

Who to the refuge fly,

His Word is very nigh;

He shed His blood for sinners, such as you and I.

"THEY CRIED UNTO THE LORD IN THEIR TROUBLE, AND HE DELIVERED THEM OUT OF THEIR DISTRESSES." "O, THAT MEN WOULD PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN.”

Psalm 107:6, 8.

May

"Hallelujah! What a Savior!"

A wounded soldier lay in hospital when the door of the ward opened and in walked a Christian worker. The soldier immediately saluted him with the remark, "You don't know me, but I know you. You were the means of my conversion.”

The gentleman was at once intensely interested and wished to know how it had taken place. In words something like these the soldier replied: "Fourteen years ago I was in a park when I came across a crowd gathered round some open-air preachers. I was not a bit interested, but as I passed by I saw you. You were speaking. I was not concerned at all, but as I strolled by I heard you cry out, `Hallelujah! What a Savior!'

"I strolled on thinking no more about it. Thirteen years rolled on, a pretty big slice out of a man's life, and the incident had apparently passed out of my mind, at any rate consciously.

"The war broke out, I volunteered, was drilled, and in due time found myself at the front. Appalled by the terrors of war, afraid that any hour might be my last, I began to think seriously about my soul, and where I should spend eternity.

"All at once I seemed to be in the park again. I could see, as it were, the whole scene re-enacted—the crowd; the open-air preachers. I distinctly recalled your face; I could hear again your voice crying, `Hallelujah! What a Savior!'

There and then I trusted that Savior, and found the joy and peace that my soul longed for. I never expected to see you again, but God has given me this joy, praise His Name.”

Again that verse of Holy Scripture was gloriously realized.

"Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.

Of course no mere flippant, superficial cry to God is of any avail; but when a man, as this soldier did, truly realizes his lost and unsaved condition, and turns to the Lord, salvation is his. He may turn to Him. as this soldier did, amid the frightful horror of war, or in the solitude of prison walls, in the crowded street, or under the preaching of a faithful minister of the gospel, or in the privacy of his own room. Where does not matter, but how does. Simply, earnestly, truly as a soul trusts the Lord, so truly will that soul find the truth of that glorious verse, "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead; thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:9, 10.

God give you to be in earnest about your soul's salvation, for however earnest others may be, until you are in earnest yourself, all will be of no avail. Indifference is the crying evil of the hour. It seems as if the world were drugged to sleep by the devil. Business, pleasure, the war, absorb and monopolize the attention of most, and all thoughts of eternity are thrust out. Let it not be so with you. Be in earnest. Get this important matter settled now, confessing Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you will be able to join in the words of the hymn.

"Lost and in our sins, were we;

Spotless, sinless, holy, He,

Bearing guilt upon the tree,

Hallelujah! what a Savior!

Him as Lord we gladly own,

Seated on His Father's throne;

Soon we'll sing in sweeter tone,

Hallelujah! what a Savior!”

Extract: In Adam and Out of Adam

An unsaved person is one who is in his sins, in Adam, in the world, out of Christ, on the road to the lake of fire, ready for it and deserving it.

A saved person is one who is not in his sins, out of Adam, not of the world, in Christ, on the road to glory, and ready for it, though utterly undeserving of it.

Reader, which are you?

The Door Is Open for You

"Night and morning, for many years, she never failed." These words occur in the account of the early life of a great living celebrity, whose autobiography has been in the hands of thousands of delighted readers.

The story connected with this remark runs somewhat like this. The great man's mother had in her family one son who had left home to seek his fortune in a distant part of the world. Years passed, but he did not return, and all news of him ceased. Every one believed that he was dead, except his mother, and she, loving soul, looked for him, and expected him daily. Night after night, before she retired to rest, she would open her cottage door, and, peering out into the darkness, would cry in loud, yearning tones,—

"O my child, my child, come home, come home See, the door is unbarred for you.”

That door was never fastened. No bolt or bar was ever shot; it was kept on the latch, through all those waiting years. Every morning, as soon as it was light, the mother rose, and hurried away to the crest of a hill near by, from which the surrounding country could be seen for many miles. She faced every way on that hill-top, and strained her eyes to catch some glimpse of her boy. Then opening her arms, while heavy tears rolled down her cheeks, she would cry,—

"O my child, my boy, come, come home!”

Night and morning for many years she did the same, and yet her "boy" never came back, and she was consumed with a mother's sorrow.

Did it ever strike you, dear reader, that night and morning—nay, more than that, every hour of every day and night—One has been yearning for your return, longing for you to come back, spreading forth hands of welcome, and crying, in a voice of entreaty,

"Come home, come home, My child.”

Each time the sun has risen upon you, it has been a ray of light thrown across your path, to show you the way "home." Each time the funeral bell has tolled, telling of some soul's departure for the future life of bliss or woe, it has been a voice crying to you,

"Be ye also ready"—"Come home today.”

Each night, as it has closed in upon you, and brought with it quiet and rest, has been as the voice of your Father, crying, "Come now," amid the stillness of this hour, "and let us reason together: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18.

For our sins have separated us from God—from home—from peace—from rest.

There came a time in the life of that mother when she could no longer go to the hill-top or to the door, and call for the return of her boy. She died. But God will not die, cannot die.

"Jesus ever lives above,

For us to intercede.”

He stands crying to you, the reader of this book, today, just at the moment your eye lights on these printed words, Come unto Me, and I will give you rest.”

The son of that good woman of whom I have written was most likely either dead, or unable to come; but you have the opportunity to come to God, if you will use it. It is your will that is in the way. You can, you do use that will on every other personal matter that you please; now exercise it in this matter of your soul's salvation. Say, "God helping me, I will seek Jesus as my Savior; I will come to Him and serve Him.”

This determination acted upon, is as the opening of the heart's door to Christ; and, once that is open, He undertakes to do the rest, saying.

"If any man hear My voice, and open the door" (is willing), "I will come in to him." Rev. 3:20.

This is Jesus coming to you; but if you think it is too much for you, a sinner, to expect (though it is not), that the mighty Savior should come to you, then, like the prodigal of the parable, go to Him. Just turn round from sin, and seek God. For, like that mother, He is watching daily, hourly, for you, and while you are still "a great way off," He will run to meet you. Listen to His word: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Do you say, "I am willing to come, but I don't quite know what coming to Jesus means?" In your home, when they say, "Come to dinner," how do you get the benefit of the meal that has been prepared? Why, you come to where it is spread, you look at it, you take it, perhaps you say, "Thank you," for it, and you go away satisfied.

Now come to Jesus in the same way. Come to the cross; look at Jesus dying for you, and hear Him saying, "It is finished" that is —your salvation. Now take this salvation. "How?" you ask. By believing it, and resting upon it. Then say, "Thank you," for it.

Just where you are, when you read this, lift up your heart to God and say, "Lord, I am ignorant and wicked, but Jesus has died for me. Please accept me for His sake; enable me to accept Him; and do Thou accept my thanks for Thy wondrous gift.”

Do this in earnest, and you shall be taught the truth of your salvation by God, and shall receive power from His Spirit to live henceforward the life of godliness.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"I Will Do As I Please"

I had occasion to drive from C. to D. The driver, a, quiet, elderly man, born and raised in C., during our conversation about the things of the Lord, and in confirmation of my statements as to the carelessness and indifference displayed everywhere to eternal things, told me the following: "A young woman in C. was reprimanded by her mother for misconduct. She replied: `I shall do as I please, and I defy you or God Almighty to stop me.'

She was very shortly afterward taken ill, and in less than a month after uttering her dreadful defiance was a corpse.”

This incident is related with the hope that God may bless it to the awakening of some to abandon their willful thoughts, and turn to the One who loved them and gave Himself for them.

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37;

"He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:47.

Salvation

Salvation in His name there is,

Salvation from sin, death, and hell,

Salvation into glorious bliss,

How great salvation, who can tell;!

But all He hath for mine I claim,

I dare believe in Jesus' name.

This is the language of simple faith—the faith that honors God. It looks not at itself nor at circumstances, but takes its stand on the Word of God. That word declares that there is everlasting life for "whosoever believeth" on the Son of God. And it makes it plain to all who hear that there is salvation in none other name under heaven.

Is It All Settled?

"Well, is it all settled?”

"No indeed; I wish with all my heart that it were," was the answer to my question.

The speaker was a tall, well-dressed young man who was coming out of a large and crowded hall in a great city, where I had been one Monday evening preaching the Gospel, speaking of the Lord's coming. His grave and intelligent face was marked by deep emotion, and showed the soul exercise he had passed through as he had been listening to the tale of grace which the Spirit of God had unfolded that night, followed by solemn appeals to the unconverted, in view of the possibility of the Lord's immediate return, and the certain eternal woe that must be the fate of the unprepared, and hence unsaved soul.

Arrested by my question, he stood still, as if inviting further converse; so I went on, "But if you wish the matter settled, why is it not settled?”

"I really don't know; but I fancy I don't understand it.”

"Tell me, now do you take your place as a really lost sinner before God, and are you anxious to be saved?”

"Indeed I do, and I am most anxious to be saved.”

"Are you willing to receive Jesus as your Savior, just where you stand?”

"I am most willing. I wish heartily I could say He were my Savior. I am quite prepared to receive Him.”

"Do you think He is willing to receive you?”

"Ah, that is just the question. If I were only sure of that, I should be at rest.”

"O, my dear fellow, rest assured on that score; I can answer for Him as to that. Have you never read, `This Man receiveth sinners?' ".

More followed, but still he saw not the truth; so, fancying that he might be in business, and thought an illustration might help him, I said, "Are you in business?" "Yes.”

"What line?”

"Woolen goods—wholesale," he replied, rather astonished at the sudden change from things eternal to earthly matters.

"Suppose I turned up at your warehouse tomorrow, would you be prepared to do business with me?”

"Certainly.”

"Well, suppose I come wanting so many bales of cloth of a certain quality and price, you would be prepared to sell them?”

"Yes.”

"And when I have agreed to take and pay for, and you to sell and deliver these goods, what would you say about the matter?”

"I would call it settled."

"And settled by what?"

"Mutual agreement," he replied.

"Exactly so. I agree to take and you to deliver.”

"Now see, here you stand and tell me you are willing to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, and God's Word says, He is willing to receive you, a sinner.—What do you call that?”

"I would call that mutual agreement," was his slow but firm reply.

"Yes, Christ is agreed to receive you and you are agreed to receive Him. Are you not at one in this matter. Are you not both of the same mind?”

"Dear me, how simple it is. I see it all clearly now, thank God. I just receive Christ simply by faith, and He receives me?”

"That is just it, and exactly as it it put in John 1:11, 12,

`He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.' You believe on His name, don't you?”

"Yes, I most sincerely believe in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

"Then God says that is how you receive Him; and receiving Jesus, you become a child of God; for it is again written, `Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.' Gal. 3:26.

"The moment you believe in Him with your heart, you receive Him, and become a child of God.”

The cloud disappeared off his face, the anxiety departed, his eye lit up with a newborn joy; and, seizing and shaking my hand most warmly, he said, "Thank God. Thank you, too. I see it all. It is so simple.—It's mutual agreement. He receives me, I receive Him, and now I am a child of God. Good-bye, and God bless you.”

Reader, can you say it is settled? If not, why not? It must be that you are not willing, because Jesus is. He said to some who listened to Him once, "Ye search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me that ye might have life." John 5:39, 40.

"Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Extract

Lot saw a well-watered plain and a city, and then dwelt in it on the earth, and consequently was in the midst of God's judgment; while Abraham sought a city out of sight, and he enjoyed the blessing and comfort of God being with him, go where he might.

"HE THAT BELIEVETH
ON THE SON (OF GOD)
HATH EVERLASTING LIFE:
AND HE THAT
BELIEVETH NOT
THE SON
SHALL NOT SEE LIFE:
BUT THE WRATH OF GOD
ABIDETH ON HIM."

John 3:36

June

I Am a Sinner, but There Is the Precious Blood”

A Christian farmer had arranged the kitchen of his house for gospel preaching. One evening the hearers were astonished to see among them a woman whom no one would have expected to see there. She was notorious through her wicked life, and more than one person said;

"What could have brought her here?”

Ah! They little thought of Him who came to seek and to save that which was lost, and who had that night drawn thither a poor wandering sheep that she might hear the words of life.

However, Caroline came regularly to the gospel meetings, while no one knew what was passing in her soul.

A little later it was noticed that she had ceased coming.

"She soon got enough of it," some thought, while others said:

"The Word was too clear for the conscience of one so bad.”

Some time passed, when the farmer received a message saying that Caroline was very ill, and wanted to see him. He went at once to her. They told her that M. D. was there. Opening her eyes, she said: "I am very thankful that you have come. I have wanted to see you. I am going away home.”

"Going away! where are you going?" asked M. D.

"To heaven," she replied.

"But how can such a sinner as you, be in such a holy place as heaven?" asked the farmer.

She turned towards him, and said: "I am a sinner; but there is the precious blood," and she passed away from this world to be with Him who receiveth sinners.

Simple and precious testimony, expressing repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ! Like David, long before, this sinner confessed; "I have sinned;" and the grace of God responded as it did to him; "The Lord also hath put away thy sin." Reader, listen to the word of God, "For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

"For there is no difference... for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." Rom. 3:22, 23; 10:12.

Wrong Thoughts about God

What wrong views some have of God! Like the man with the one talent, they only know Him as an austere man, demanding every jot and tittle, a hard exacter of every farthing, a demander of His rights and every letter of the law, one seeking to crush to the dust, having a stern frown, and a hidden face. Now this is not the aspect in which He presents Himself. No! it is

"God is love.”

"God so loved the world."

"God gave.”

God willeth not the death of a sinner, God full of grace, mercy, pity, compassion, having an eye of love, a heart of tenderness, a hand open to bestow, a voice of mercy.

O! that we realized this more, knew Him as our best friend, and that the way is open for access to Him! No mediator but Christ, no advocate but Christ, whose yearning heart of love longs and seeks for every lost one.

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.”

"Would you like to be saved?" "Indeed I would.”

"And would you like to be saved in God's way?" Then "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Extract: Life and Happiness

We can get life and happiness only in Christ. Apart from Him, all is death and misery.

"O! What Great Love"

A man came to this country laboring under an extraordinary depression of spirits, which he could not get rid of. He came to consult an eminent physician, who devoted himself especially to treatment of diseases of the mind.

He was a man of wealth as well as of rank, surrounded by everything that could make life enjoyable. Beloved in his family, and esteemed by his friends, his cup seemed to run over. But was he happy? No, for, strange as it may appear, a deep gloom hung over his spirits, which neither the charms of a happy family circle, nor the important duties of public life, could dispel.

His friends became much alarmed on his account, and by their advice he consulted various medical men. They recommended him change of air and scene, baths, music, company. He tried all, but in vain. His melancholy increased rather than diminished, and serious fears were entertained that his reason would give way, and that he would have to exchange his home for a lunatic asylum.

Just at this juncture an intimate friend advised him to consult the above-mentioned physician. To this he willingly assented, and before many days had passed he was seated with the doctor in his office. Having put the usual questions to him, the doctor, after a most careful and patient examination, said, "There is nothing wrong with you, sir. I can find nothing in the state of your system to account for the melancholy of which you complain.”

"That is strange," said the patient. "This depression of spirits endangers my reason. Do, doctor, help me if you can.”

"Perhaps an inordinate ambition may have something to do with it?”

"No, I have no desire for great things. I am in the position just suited to my taste and wishes.”

"Some family trouble or bereavement?”

"No, doctor; peace and love reign in my family, and my circle is unbroken.”

"Have you any enemies?"

"Not that I am aware of.”

"What subject most frequently occupies your thoughts?”

"You are approaching a matter which I hardly like to speak of, doctor. I am a skeptic, and the ceremonies of religion are in my view as repugnant to common-sense as its mysteries are to reason. I do not believe in revelation, and yet, I must confess, one of its dogmas haunts me like a specter. I try to persuade myself that it is the result of a disordered state of the brain; but yet my mind is continually occupied with it.”

"Will you tell me what it is?”

"A vision of the last judgment is constantly present to my mind. The end of all things seem to have come, and the Great White Throne is set up. There is One seated on the throne whose look of stern justice and majesty terrifies me. I hear Him call me in a voice like thunder. I try to escape from His penetrating glance, but heaven and earth have disappeared, and I am left alone. Doctor, can you understand what that means—alone—alone in the presence of perfect purity—alone under the scrutinizing eye of One who reads me through and through? Every moment I expect to hear the awful words, "'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.'”

"What makes you fear such a sentence?”

"Well, in the eyes of men my life is deemed irreproachable, and not without reason. I have less to accuse myself of than most of my acquaintances; but in the presence of such dazzling glory—such spotless purity—my very best actions appear black and hideous. That eye searches out the thoughts and intents of my heart; so that not a single act of my life is pure in His sight. I feel guilty and condemned, and long to find some spot where I can hide from His presence.”

"Is that what causes the melancholy of which you complain?”

"I suppose so. This terrible vision is always before me. I cannot get rid of it. Sometimes I think it is only imagination, the effect of a depressed state of the nervous system, and that when I get strong, it will pass away. But then again the thought forces itself upon me,—What if, after all, it should be a Divine truth—a scene in which I must in reality someday appear? My mind gets bewildered with these conflicting thoughts, and I look and long in vain for deliverance. This is a humbling confession for a man of my views, doctor.”

"I have by me an old book which contains a remedy for your disease," said the doctor with confidence, as he turned to his book-case and took down a book, which bore the marks of frequent use. He turned over a few pages, and then handing the book to his patient, he requested him to read aloud the lines to which he pointed,

"He read as follows:—

"'Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”

Doctor—"The unbelief, which the prophet complained of over two thousand years ago, exists in our own day. Who among the millions in our so-called Christian countries believes this report?”

“Tor He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we shall desire Him.'

"Of whom do these verses speak?”

"Of the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, whom He sent into the world, that by His propitiatory death He might make atonement for sin.”

"'He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.”

"This is indeed true: we have not esteemed Him.”

"'Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.'”

"Here again the prophecy has been fulfilled.”

“‘But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.'

"What does that mean, doctor?”

"That the Son' of God took the sinner's place, and bore the punishment due to the sinner. He became the willing victim, and God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, and with His stripes we are healed.”

"What! did the Son of God take my place, and die for me?”

"'The Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.'”

"If that is so, there is no punishment for me.”

"'The chastisement of our peace was upon Him.”

"Is it possible, doctor? What Divine beauty and simplicity! The guiltless dies for the guilty!”

"Read on a little farther.”

"'He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth.”

"Because He stood there as the willing substitute.”

"'He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth.”

"He gave up His life as a ransom for me.”

"'He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was He stricken.'”

"Praise the Lord. He took the sinner's place.”

"'And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief.”

"O! what great love to sinners!”

"When Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities.'

"There it is again, doctor. I see it as clearly as possible! justified by the death of another! O, why did I never know this before? `Justified'—what a word for a guilty sinner!”

"'Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; because He hath poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bare the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.'" Isa. 53.

"Doctor, such a salvation could never have originated in the heart of man; none but God could plan such a salvation; none but God could carry it out. What love in God! what love in His Son! What grandeur! what beauty! Doctor, my load is gone. I no longer fear the judgment. Christ has been judged for me. I believe in Him; I trust in the value of His death on the cross.”

"If you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, He Himself tells you, you have everlasting life. Read it for yourself.”

"'Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

The man received this glorious truth then and there, and left the doctor's office a different man—his dreadful forebodings were gone. The future he no longer feared; but, like the Ethiopian of old (see Acts 8), to whom Philip, the evangelist, opened out the same Scripture, he received Jesus as his Savior and "went on his way rejoicing." Returning home with a heart filled with gratitude and praise, he desired henceforth to live to the glory of Him who loved him, and gave Himself for him.

Dear reader, that which troubled this man was no mere illusion of a fevered brain. No, the judgment of the Great White Throne is declared in God's Word to be a solemn reality. It lies in the future of everyone who does not receive the salvation which is provided for him by the death of Christ upon the cross. Our sins deserved the judgment of God; Christ bore that dreadful judgment for sinners. If we receive Him as our Substitute and Savior, the judgment which has fallen upon Him will never be repeated. It has fallen upon our Substitute, and therefore cannot fall on us. We are thereby free—eternally free. O, what a glorious salvation! and all are welcome to receive it, without money and without price.

Come, then, dear reader, to this Savior. Come now while still there is time. He will save you, and take away all fear of future judgment, and by and by He will present you faultless before the throne of His glory with exceeding joy. Come then and accept Him as your Savior, and God will make you His child, and by His Spirit He will teach you and help you on your journey through life, until you reach that happy land where sickness and sorrow are unknown.

O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head,

Our load was laid on Thee;

Thou stoodest in the sinner's stead—

To bare all my ill for me.

A victim led, Thy blood was shed;

Now there's no load for me.

Death and the curse were in my cup—

O Christ! 'twas full for Thee.

But Thou hast drained the last dark drop—

'Tis empty now for me.

That bitter cup—love drank it up;

Left but the love for me.

For me, Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,

And I have died in Thee;

Thou'rt risen; my bands are all untied;

And now Thou liv'st in me.

And when Thou com'st to take

Thy bride, Thy glory then for me.

"Whosoever"

What a very comprehensive word this is, Whosoever! It means you and me, and includes all persons, embracing every one.

Learned; rich, strong, sober, honest, good, religious—"Whosoever.”

Ignorant, poor, weak, drunkard, thief, bad, infidel—"Whosoever.”

To each and all it applies, when God says, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

Therefore, whosoever will take, must receive, for God has pledged His word to save, and He will never fail His promise. Christ is the Water of Life.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

God of all grace! I gladly own

What in His death Thy Christ has done:

What He is there upon Thy throne,

What Christ is now, and Christ alone,

Is all my joyful plea; He's all my trust!

He's all my boast! For, since

He died to save the lost,

I'm sure He died for me.

July

"He Paid"

Four Christian friends were riding in a bus; as they neared the place where the bus stopped, a youth stepped inside and asked for the fares. One of the four friends paid for all, which led one of the party to say to the youth, "You won't ask me for my fare, will you?”

"No, sir," was the reply.

"Then you are satisfied?”

"Quite.”

"But I did not pay you?”

"He paid," said he pointing to the one who had done so.

This circumstance, simple in itself, brought to my mind the great transaction which took place nineteen hundred years ago, when God delivered Christ for our offenses, and raised Him again for our justification (Rom. 4:25).

"Behold the Lamb! 'Tis He who bore

My burden on the tree;

And paid in blood the dreadful score,

The ransom due for me.”

Reader, do you believe, that Jesus Christ was delivered for our offenses—the offensive thought, look, word, and deed? that He bore our sins on the cross, and suffered for them there?

"He gave Himself for our sins.”

This was the only way sins could be disposed of. God "made Him to be sin for us, He who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Three blessed results flow from Christ giving Himself for our sins, and being made sin for us, to all who believe; sins are gone; sin is judged; and righteousness is conferred.

"He paid." Who? The one who was personally and perfectly free from the debt. Jesus, the Son of God, "He paid." How? With His precious blood.

"Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain,

He washed it white as snow.”

And just as the youth in the bus did not require payment twice, neither will God.

"Payment God will not twice demand; Once at my bleeding Surety's hand, And then again at mine.”

Dear reader, are you satisfied with what Christ did once for all on the cross? God grant that you, by faith, may look up to where Jesus is in heaven, and say, with an adoring heart, "He paid.”

Extract

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son." John 3:16.

I have the knowledge of what was in God's heart as proved by His acts. He thought of my state when I was a mere sinner and needed His love.

"God commendeth His love towards us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

I have thus the heart of God as the spring and source of all.

The Soldier

I have been in the army for the last ten years, and I may say that during that time my adventures have been varied. I have been all over, in large and small cities and in villages, and have had sufficient opportunity to get thoroughly acquainted with people.

I have had plenty, and have suffered want; I have traveled by foot and by railroad; I visited churches and theaters; I was gay in the dance hall, and lay sick in hospitals. My superiors were satisfied with me and my comrades respected me. I was considered a thoughtful, intelligent man, yet I knew nothing about Christianity.

I went to church only when I was ordered to go, but I never heard anything about Christ there, whether this was because my thoughts were generally allowed to wander, or whether the preachers were partly to blame, I do not know, but at any rate, up to the time of my conversion I had known nothing of true Christianity.

I possessed no Bible, could not pray, indeed, outside of a church building I had never heard prayer nor spiritual songs, and when there, I neither joined in praying nor singing. As far as I knew, none of my comrades possessed a Bible, and to tell the truth, I hardly knew what a Bible was.

Considering my ignorance of religious matters, it is not to be wondered that I was proud of the fact that I was an upright man, and it would never have entered my mind to consider myself a wicked person. I had not the least idea that one living without God is in reality an ungodly person, even though well behaved in the eyes of men.

My dear friends! is it not awful to be brought up, and live in a Christian land, and know nothing about God, or His Son, Jesus Christ? Thus I lived for years, but though I did not think about God, He had thoughts of love and grace towards me. He knew how to find me, and in a most simple, but no less wonderful way.

One day we entered a village where we were to remain for eight days. I was directed to a farm house for my quarters, where I was received in a friendly manner, and was shown my room. I was asked whether I preferred meals alone, or with the family.

I said I preferred the latter, and being just at noon time, the man of the house led me to the large living room, where the family, including hired men and women, were seated at the table.

The meal was brought in, and now a great surprise was awaiting me—all rose from their seats, and the father spoke with an earnest voice, "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. O God, our Father, bless this food, for Jesus' sake. Amen.”

Everyone, even the small children listened reverently, with folded hands. I had stood with the rest for politeness sake, but I must confess, this made such an impression on me that my knees trembled. After the meal, all stood up again, folded their hands as before, and the man of the house prayed.

"O, give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever," then each went to his work and the children went to school.

I seated myself in a corner to reflect, when the small boy of four years old came to me, and said to me in a childish, familiar way, "Tell me something about the Lord Jesus!”

I became greatly embarrassed. Tell about the Lord Jesus? About Him whose name I scarcely knew? How could I begin? But I must relate something, as the little one gave me no rest, so I began to speak of sheep and goats, of horses, oxen and donkeys. But the little man was not satisfied with that; he insisted that I relate something about the Lord Jesus, and he pressed me so, that I felt forced to answer, "Well, my boy, I know nothing to tell you about that!”

"What! you know nothing about the Savior?" he replied, greatly astonished, "and you so big? Then you will not go to heaven.”

Not go to heaven? That was a thought I had not been concerned about before, and it made me extremely uncomfortable. Besides, it was painful to me to get my sentence from the mouth of a child.

I left the room and sought my companions in the village, hoping to change the current of my thoughts, but I could not rid myself of a feeling of uneasiness. I did not return to my quarters for supper, as I did not wish to place myself in a position for unwelcome questions again.

At about 9 o'clock in the evening I went to the house of my host. As I had expected, the evening meal was over, but they had saved my supper for me. I began to eat, but there appeared my little friend, who had carefully watched my every movement, and looking earnestly at me, said, "First pray, then eat!”

That was a rebuke for me. I could not pray. The little one must have entered into my position, for he took his stand beside me, folded his hands, and said, "Lord Jesus, bless what Thou hast provided for us. Amen. This is how you must pray.”

He then was called away to be put to bed, but I was so affected that I could hardly swallow a morsel of food.

The little fellow had scarcely gone out when the whole household entered the room for evening prayers. A hymn was first sung, then the man of the house read a portion of the Word of God, and made a few explanatory remarks. Finally all kneeled down, including myself, and the farmer prayed. He cried to God for many things in such a sincere, confident manner, as a child would speak to its father, yet so full of reverence, that I was very much affected; all was so new and wonderful. I did not know how I felt. I was so ashamed, I hardly dared to lift my eyes, yet I was confident they were right. When all had risen, they shook hands, bidding each other "good night," and all retired for the night, except the farmer and his wife, who remained for a while in the room with their Bible. The good man handed me a Bible, too, with the remark that perhaps I would like to read from the Word of God. I opened the book and read, but without understanding, in the least, what I read. I could scarcely lay hold of a single thought, my heart was too full. For the first time in my life, I sat with a Bible on my knees. Later, when in my room, I prayed for the first time in reality. My prayer however was short, "O, God, Thou God of this house, be my God, also!”

The days which followed, passed about as the first. The good people who noticed well enough what was going on within me, spoke a great deal with me about the salvation of my soul. When I asked how it was there was such peace in their home, they answered, it was because they had peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Gradually the light shone within me. I began to see that I was a poor lost sinner, on the way to everlasting judgment. The more I realized this, the more grew my desire for a Savior, who could forgive all my sins, and make me as happy as the people who gave me lodgings. God saw my desire and heard my pleadings.

On the following Lord's Day, I went with my new acquaintances to hear the Word of God preached, and there I heard for the first time about the work of Christ on Calvary's cross, and this brought me to Him. Since that time I have known and loved Him as my Savior, know that He bore all my sins, and I long to go to be with Him in His home.

My dear young friends, have you been brought to know the Lord Jesus as your Savior, and desire to be with Him? If you have not, may you seek Him now while He may be found, for soon the day of grace will be closed and He will not be found by you then.

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6.

Extract

The end of man is not death, for after death the judgment, but man seldom glances forward even to the first hour which must ensue after his spirit has left his body. How few can say what that hour will be to them. A thick darkness hangs over the last moments of their lives, a darkness thicker still over eternity.

But the Christian's joy is to look onward, and in the word of his God to behold what eternity will be for him.

"With Christ, which is far better." Phil. 1:23.

Christ's Appeal

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.

"Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you." Isa. 30:18.

"I am standing outside thy door tonight,

Seeking thine heart to win;

The world for a while has withdrawn its light—

Wilt thou open and let Me in?

I have traveled far on a lonely road,

In sorrow and agony;

I have borne sin's heavy crushing load,

All for the sake of thee.”

"I am standing to plead with thee tonight,

While the dews of evening fall;

O'er the moaning and surging waves of life,

Dost thou hear My yearning call?

I would free thy soul from the chains of earth,

Its care, its sorrow, its sin,

I would give thee joy for its hollow mirth—

Wilt thou open and let Me in?”

"From the glorious heights of heaven I came,

To seek thee and to save;

But the world, it gave Me a cross of shame,

And a lonely borrowed grave.

I left My radiant home above,

All for the sake of thee:

I have died, to prove My deep, deep love—

Wilt thou open the door to Me?”

"Thou hast wandered far in the paths of sin,

Thou art weary, and sad and lone;

But My blood can cleanse, and My blood can win,

May I make thine heart My own?

The world, it has given thee care and pain,

Often famine and misery;

I offer the treasures of priceless gain—

Wilt thou open the door to Me?”

"If thou wilt not answer My pleading call,

If thou wilt not open to Me.

Thou wilt sadly repent thy willful choice,

Through a lost eternity!

And thy bitter cry will arise too late—

"Open, O Lord, to me!”

While the door of grace, where thou madest Me wait,

Must be shut forever to thee?”

"Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

"Though Thou Wash Thee with Niter"

A lady has bought a Bible, intending to give it to one of her relatives. Not having an opportunity for sending the book, it remained some time in the room of one of the maid servants. One evening this young woman opened it, and her eyes fell upon this passage; "Though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord God." Jer. 2:22.

Being struck by these strange words unknown to her, she became troubled and closed the book, but what she had read impressed itself upon her mind, and occupied her thoughts all the following day. In the evening she took up the Bible again, and behold it opened at the very same place. The same solemn words met her view.

"Though thou wash thee with niter.”

Her trouble increased, her sins were brought to her remembrance, she sought and found rest in Jesus, the Son of God, whose blood, "cleanseth us from all sin" (1 Joh. 1:7).

Reader have you found rest for your soul in the blood. the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin.

"It is the blood which maketh atonement for the soul." Leviticus 17:11.

"Without shedding of blood is no remission." Heb. 9:22.

The Father's Ring

A profligate young man was in the habit of wearing a ring, on which his virtuous father's name was engraved. While in the midst of his wickedness, one day, a friend of his departed father observed the ring on his finger, and said, "You should take off that ring, or make your life conform to the worthy name it bears.”

From that day the ring with his father's name was removed, and it was not long ere the profligate young man was converted, and became a follower of Christ and an imitator of his father, whose name he then bore worthily.

There are many who bear the Name of Jesus, who call themselves Christians, but who live in sin and serve the devil. They plainly show by their speech and manner of life, that they are merely professors, who have never been saved. By professing the Name of Christ, and denying Him in their lives, they are a dishonor to Him.

To all such we would say—Give up your false profession, and dishonor Christ's Name no longer. To live as a Christian ought, you must first become a Christian, and this is not done by wearing a Christian profession, but by coming as a lost sinner, and receiving Christ as your Savior.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remissions of sins." Acts 10:43.

Will You Be There?

Beyond this life of hopes and fears,

Beyond this world of grief and tears,

There is a region fair.

It knows no change and no decay,

No night, but one unending day,

O say, will you be there?

Its glorious gates are closed to sin,

Naught that defiles can enter in

To mar its beauty rare.

Upon that bright eternal shore,

Earth's bitter curse is known no more,

O say, will you be there?

No drooping form, no tearful eye,

No hoary head, no weary sigh,

No pain, no grief, no care;

But joys which here we cannot know

Like a calm river ever flow,

O say, will you be there?

"HE (CHRIST) WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS, HE WAS BRUISED FOR OUR INIQUITIES: THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM; AND WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED."

Isaiah 53:5.

August

Acts Ten, Forty-Three

At the close of a gospel service where the power of God had been felt in no small degree, I entered into conversation with a young man of a very refined and gentlemanly appearance.

Quite a number had been visibly affected, and not a few had apparently decided to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ in their hearts, and to confess Him with their lips.

Noticing that this young man lingered as if loath to leave a spot where the Spirit of God was producing such blessed results, I inquired how matters stood with him. He was not saved—he owned it frankly. Did he not realize his danger? O, yes. He owned that it was all true: that he needed a Savior, that he might have that Savior on the spot: that he need not leave the hall without Him—all this he readily admitted.

"Then will you not trust Him tonight, before you leave this place?" I asked.

"No, thank you, not tonight," he replied, and that in the most polite and courteous manner.

"But why not? There is no reason on God's side why you should not be saved. The atoning work has been finished on the cross, and the Lord Jesus Christ is a Savior both able and willing to save you now, straight away. Besides, there is danger in delay; you don't know what a day may bring forth; you may not have another chance;" and so I kept urging him to decision, there and then.

"No, thank you, not tonight. Please do not ask me to decide this tonight. I don't want to be unkind or offensive; I quite appreciate your kindness; I hope you understand me, it is from no motive of resentment, but please do not ask me to decide tonight;" and so he went on.

It was a strange case, and not knowing what next to say, I ventured, "Isn't your mother saved?”

With this, the dear man fairly broke down, and commenced sobbing like a child.

"No," he gasped out, "mother's not saved—father is. O, do pray for mother; pray for me too.”

Back of all this there lay a history which I did not feel justified in reviving, but there was a touch of genuine human feeling which could not fail to strike a chord of sympathy.

"Well," I said, "the Lord knows all about that, and if you were only saved yourself, you would be a help to your mother. But tell me, why do you not want to decide tonight?”

By this time the hour was advancing, and having left the hall, we were walking down the street together.

"I once made a profession," he said, "about two years ago. It lasted for a little while, but I went back completely, and I don't want to repeat this again.”

"I understand that," said I, "and I give you credit for a perfectly right and just feeling. You do not want to bring dishonor upon the Lord, and discredit upon the gospel—isn't that so?”

"Yes," said he, "if I were to say I was saved, nobody would believe me.”

"What made you think you were saved two years ago?" I asked.

"I had been attending some revival meetings, and felt very happy.”

"Was that all? Supposing I had met you two years ago, and asked you upon what your hope of heaven rested, what would you have replied?”

"O, I felt very happy. I was sure I was all right.”

"But, my dear fellow, what scripture had you to base your faith on?”

"O, I hadn't any scripture particularly," said he.

"Then I understand it all now," said I; "you were trusting in your feelings; these were merely passing emotions. In order to satisfy the demands of your own conscience in view of judgment to come, and in order to silence the attacks of Satan, the great adversary of your soul, you must have the Word of God to rest on. One line of that blessed, living Word of God will silence Satan, and produce a peace and rest of soul which all the happy feelings in the world could never give, and, thank God, which all the dismal feelings could never rob you of. I can tell you one verse—there are multitudes, but this one will suffice for the moment—which can give you assurance, if you just simply believe it as God's own announcement to yourself.”

The hour was late, and my young friend, hurriedly taking his watch from his pocket, said, "I can't wait, I have only just time to catch the last train. Where is the verse?”

As he was running down the street, I called after him, "Acts ten, forty-three.”

From the distance he replied,

"Acts ten, forty-three—thank you so much.”

We have never met again, and in all probability, shall never do so until we meet around the Lamb. There was such a hearty ring about "Acts ten, forty-three—thank you so much," that I cannot doubt, if I had been able to look in upon that young man before he turned in for the night, I should have found him reading attentively, "To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”

And now, reader, will you not do the same?

The believer in Christ can look up into heaven, and say, "As long as God's Word is settled in heaven (Ps. 119:89); as long as God's Son is seated on God's throne (Acts 2:34); as long as it remains impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18), just so long is it absolutely certain that my sins are forgiven.”

Will not this assurance of forgiveness produce happy feelings? Certainly it will. The one who, with humble faith, and calm serenity, can add his "Amen" to those blessed words put into his lips by the Spirit of God, "In whom we have redemption through His (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of sins," can open his mouth in praise "giving thanks unto the Father" (Col. 1:12-14).

Then no longer trust in your feelings, but trust in God's Word.

Come to Jesus

Come to Jesus, don't delay,

He invites you, come today;

You are standing on the brink,

Any moment you may sink

Into ruin, dark and drear,

And before the Judge appear;

Christless, hopeless, there to be,

In a dread eternity.

There to weep an endless wail,

There to pray without avail,

Not one drop of water there;

Endless, dreadful, dark despair;

O! poor sinner, stop and think,

Ere you glide across the brink,

Where no voice shall ever say,

"Come to Jesus, don't delay.”

Do not, then, despise the grace,

Shining in the Savior's face,

He has come from heaven above,

Died upon the cross in love,

Suffered all that dreadful ire,

Thee to save from endless fire;

Now a pardon full and free,

Comes to all through Calvary.

Is That in the Bible?

A battlefield worker writes:

"Three days and three nights I had worked. Fully exhausted, I lay myself down at last to sleep. Toward midnight I was awakened by a call to visit a badly wounded soldier. I was very much inclined to refuse the messenger, seeing that I was so very weary. However, as the man informed me that the soldier was in a very bad way, I arose with an effort, and went with him. Never shall I forget the expression on the countenance of the wounded man as I looked into his face. Upon asking him what he wished of me, his reply was:

" 'Help me—I am dying.'

"I told him how gladly I would, if such were possible, carry him in my hands to heaven. I explained to him the Gospel of Christ as well as I was able. But he wearily shook his head and answered me only with the words: " 'He cannot save me; all my life have I sinned against Him.'

"I reminded him of his home, and told him his believing mother would be praying for him. One promise after another I held before him, but all with the same result. Then said Ito him: "I will now read you the account of a conversation with a man that Jesus had while He yet walked in the flesh on earth.

"I began to read to him slowly and with emphasis the third chapter of the Gospel of John. While I read, he kept his eyes steadily upon me, and it seemed as though he was receiving the Word of God with intense desire, as a dry and thirsty land receives the rain. As I came to the place; " 'As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life,' he interrupted me with these words.:

“‘Is that in the Bible?' When I answered him in the affirmative, he exclaimed: “‘I did not know that. O, please read it once more!'

"Upon his elbow he raised himself half up with his last remaining strength, and listened with great attention while I read again, slowly and earnestly, the words that had so appealed to him (John 3:14, 15). As I finished he exclaimed: “‘That is good, that is beautiful. O, please read it yet once more!'

"As I read it the third time his eyes were closed, and he lay exhausted upon his bed. On his face was a peaceful smile and his lips were whispering. As I bowed over him I heard these words repeated: " 'As Moses—lifted up the serpent—in the wilderness,—even so—must the Son of Man—be lifted up; that whosoever—believeth in Him—should not perish—but have eternal life.'

"The dying soldier opened his eyes, looked at me happily, and said:

" 'It is enough-read no more!'

"As I came next morning into the hospital I found his bed empty. Upon inquiring from the guard how it had gone with the man, he told me that the soldier had died shortly after my departure, but in great peace of soul. He said the dying man's last words before he departed this life were: "'That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.'”

"Help me, I am dying." This is the inarticulate cry of thousands today. They are dying without Christ, and they want the Lord Jesus. It is an awful thing to die unsaved. Better never to have been born than to die without Christ.

Fly, O lost one, unto Jesus,

Now is God's salvation day;

Tenderly He will receive thee,

None who come are turned away.

He will save thee from the judgment

Soon to sweep this world of guilt;

He will wash thy soul and heal thee,

'Twas for this His blood was spilled.

O He longs to make thee whole,

He will save thy sin-sick soul;

Sinner, trust, O trust in Jesus,

At His feet thy burden roll.

Extract

"Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean." Matt. 8:2.

The leper was sure of His power, but did not know His love that was there. He carries the love right up to the leper, "and touched him saying, I will; be thou clean.”

If man touched a leper, he was unclean, and put out of the camp. But the Lord cannot be defiled. Holiness undefiled and undeniable carries to sinners the love they need.

"Have You Ever Thanked Him?"

At the close of a gospel meeting, I observed a young woman retiring from the meeting, with a look of great distress upon her face. As she was passing me, I spoke to her about her soul, and inquired the cause of her sadness, when she told me that she was anxious to be saved, but could not see her way clear.

I asked her if she had been anxious any length of time—if she believed she was a poor, lost, helpless, and hell-deserving sinner; and with tears in her eyes she answered: "Yes!”

I then asked her what she was doing to get relief.

She informed me that she was doing the best she could, and asking the Lord to forgive her.

"But," I replied, "Christ has done a complete and sufficient work upon the cross, and then said, 'It is finished!' and has also borne the sins of all who believe in Him; and has put them away forever.”

She assured me that she believed all this, but that it brought her no happiness.

I then turned to 1 Peter 2:24, where it says, "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree;" and endeavored to show her from this Scripture that Christ had all our sins upon Him on the tree; that if He had not then, He never would, for He would never be there again; that He then put them all away with His blood; and that if He did not then, He never would, as He could not again shed His blood, having shed it when He was down in this sin-stained and guilty world. I then asked her: "Do you believe that Christ had all our sins upon Him when He was on the cross?”

"Yes, I believe He had.”

"Do you believe that He put them all away with His precious blood before He left the cross?”

"Yes, I believe He did.”

"Do you believe that He was buried, and rose again without them, according to the Scriptures?”

"Scripture says so, and I believe it is true.”

"Do you believe that He is in heaven, and has been for more than nineteen hundred years without them there?" She answered, with all her heart,

"Yes.”

"Well now, does not that make you happy?" I asked.

"No," she answered.

I saw she was an honest soul, and for a moment could not understand her difficulty. At last I asked her the question at the head of this paper, "Have you ever thanked Him?”

She owned she had not, and at once saw the secret of her unhappiness.

I advised her to do so without delay, assuring her that the Lord would make her happy.

The next evening she was at the meeting again. At the close she came to me, and with a bright and happy face said: "I have thanked Him for what He did for me on the cross, and He has made me so happy.”

Months have rolled away since this dear young woman believed in the Lord and His work—since she confessed it to Him, and thanked Him for it; still she is rejoicing in the knowledge that her body is a temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 6:19); that she is a member of Christ's body, of His flesh, and of His bones (Eph. 5:30); and that she has been converted to wait for God's Son from heaven (1 Thess. 1:10).

How is it with the reader of these pages? Are your sins all gone? If not, you cannot go to heaven with them; for heaven is the home of holiness; while hell is the abode of sin.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:'7.

Trust it, dear soul, and I shall meet you in heaven.

A Tennis Player's Conversation

I played tennis and golf, and was very fond of both: indeed I spent every spare hour I had at them. There is nothing wrong in the game: it may be useful to many for health, but I was so absorbed in it that I had no time to think where I should spend eternity, or how it was between my soul and God. A friend sent me a card with "Get right with God" on it. I did not like that, but God aroused me to concern about my soul. I had a terrible time of misery, until I saw that Christ was the Savior of sinners, therefore mine.

I find plenty to do for Him now, and am perfectly happy in His joyful service.

We do not work for the Lord in order to be saved, but because we are saved.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:58.

"IT IS THE BLOOD (OF JESUS) THAT MAKETH ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL"

Leviticus 17:11.

"WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION."

Hebrews 9:22.

"THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON, CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN."

1 John 1:7.

September

Saved

It was early morning at a pretty watering place. The blue sea rippled and sparkled underneath the blue sky, and the sun shone cheerily down, but as yet there were few people astir. The beach was almost deserted, save by a straggler here and there who thought the fresh cool morning hours too precious to be missed.

Had there been any watchers, they might have seen a swimmer strike out boldly to sea, through those rippling waves. A strong swimmer he was, and every stroke told, and put the shore at a greater distance from him. He was alone, and a stranger to the place, having only arrived there the evening before. Had he asked the fishermen, they would have told him of strong and dangerous currents, they would have warned him of risk, and counseled him to be careful; but he was in the very prime of manhood's strength, and he never thought of danger; so on he went, and never turned his head to see how far he had left the shore behind, till at last, a little wearied, he rested a moment and thought of returning. Then he found he had been carried out far beyond his thoughts or intentions by the strength of the current, and that between him and the shore there was a long distance. "It is time, indeed, to return," he said to himself, and struck out once more for land.

But the Lord's eye was on him, and He had something to say to him alone on the face of the deep ere he touched the land again.

I have said that he was strong, and a bold swimmer, but now he found that he had both wind and current against him, and his utmost efforts made no appreciable headway against them. For long he battled on, but the shore was still far off, too far off for any cry of distress to reach it. He raised himself and shouted; no answering voice, no friendly shout replied. Still he struggled on, till, worn out by his exertions and utterly exhausted, he felt that nothing but a watery grave was before him. His strokes got more feeble and more unsteady each time, and he knew he was losing the little way he had made, and was being drifted seaward. Then he ceased struggling, turned on his back, and gave himself up for lost.

There and then the Lord spoke to his soul. He had been religiously brought up; nay more, Lord's day after Lord's day, from the pulpit of a fashionable church, he had preached to a large congregation Bible truths as to the way of salvation. He had made Scripture his text, and discoursed ably from it. He had read prayers in public and in private.. He had visited in his parish, and administered the sacrament to the dying. He had lived a careful life, and attended to every rite; and till this moment he had been on very good terms with himself, fully persuaded that a life such as his, was fit to bring to God.

Now, with death and eternity before him, his soul awoke to find that he had no hope for eternity; he had never met God, he was not ready to die—he had one thing lacking, he had no link with Christ. Horror and agony seized him. The noise of the waves seemed to be roaring this verse into his ears again and again, "Lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

He felt he had preached a Christ he did not know, had told others of a salvation he himself did not have. His whole life came before him with its outward ceremonies and its inward hollowness. The life he had so prided himself on, he loathed now as only mockery of the God who had said, "My son, give Me thine heart.”

He felt he had given Him his time and his money, but never his heart; and had thought to merit heaven by these poor gifts. Now he saw them at their true value, "dead works." Now he saw that, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him," that the work that could save his soul, must be done for him, and done by another,—that the righteousness he had prided himself on, God looked on as "filthy rags," and his offerings to God had been like Cain's bloodless offerings.

"Without shedding of blood is no remission.”

It was not concerning his body, but his soul, that he cried there on the mighty deep, there alone with God on the waves, a great cry, "Lord, save me, or I perish; God be merciful to me a sinner, a hypocrite—save me!" Even as he cried the answer came, "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth from all sin; whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"Faint and weary, with the natural life almost gone, the once strong man murmured, "Lord, I believe that precious blood was shed for me"; and with that murmur, life, and peace, and rest, came to his soul, and then utter unconsciousness.

"Father, father, look ahead; what is that on the waters-surely, it is a man?" said the young son of the skipper of a fishing smack, which was putting in towards shore. One moment the father looked in the direction his son indicated, the next he sprang to an oar, calling to the little crew, "Row for very life, men, there's a fellow-creature perishing.”

The men rowed with a will, not waiting even to ask a question; rowed in silence, bending all their energies to the task. The skipper looked ahead, saw the body of a man sink once and rise again, rise farther from the shore and nearer to the boat; sink a second time, and this time he concluded it would rise almost close to them if they made a desperate effort.

"Bend to your oars, men," he cried, "for one last pull and then stop; it is now or never.”

They did so. When next the body rose, it was within arm's length of the boat. Strong arms were stretched out to grasp it, and more than one was prepared for a plunge. They saw that the man was apparently lifeless; he could not help himself; if he were to be rescued, it must be entirely through the work of those in the boat.

It was no easy task. Had there been more sea on, it would have been an impossibility to bring that apparently lifeless body into the boat. But they managed it, and then took every means in their power to restore animation, making all possible haste to the shore to get more efficient help. By the time they reached it, they had the satisfaction of seeing the man they had rescued, show some signs of life. Plenty of willing hands were found to carry him ashore, for it was a living, breathing man they carried, and not a corpse-a living man in two ways, possessing now not merely natural life, but eternal life.

A week later, in that same fishing smack, the one that had been lifted into it from the waves in utter helplessness, was sitting, in the calm of a summer's evening, telling the skipper and his crew, with some others of the fishermen who had gathered round, the story of what the Lord had done for his soul only a week before, when death and judgment to follow had threatened him. The men listened intently. He was an object of special interest to them; for had they not saved him from a watery grave? He spoke to them of Jesus the Savior, of the impossibility of our doing anything to save ourselves; the work must all be done by Him, or we must be lost; and he read to them these verses from God's Word: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved),... For by grace ye are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.”

He illustrated his meaning by referring to his own condition.

"When you saw me in the water that morning, was I in need of salvation, skipper?”

"Ay, ay, sir, indeed you were, as much in need of it as ever I saw any one yet.”

"Could I help myself?”

"No sir, you were o'er far gone for that, you were like dead.”

"Did I feel my need even?”

"No, sir, no, you were past feeling.”

"Then I owe everything to you and your brave men?”

"Well, sir, if we had not been by, it would have gone badly with you.”

"Exactly; did I pray and beseech you to help me or save me, or take me into the boat?”

"Why, no, sir, you couldn't have done it, and we didn't need it; we should have been worse than brutes to see a fellow-creature perishing, and not put out a hand to save him.”

"Just so; I did not pray to you to save me, I did not help you to save me; you did all the work, and I got all the good. I never even lifted a finger for myself. Now, my friends, do you not see how it is with the Lord and us? He does all the work, and we get all the good. We, dead in sins, could do nothing for ourselves. We did not even ask Him to come and save us. He came unasked, took our sins on Himself, the sinless One, suffered in our stead, and now offers salvation as His free gift; that is, He took our place, and offers us His place. You risked getting into my place in order to bring me into your place that morning.”

"O, sir," said the men in concert, "don't say any more about that; you make too much of what we did. But we see what you mean, sir, its very plain; we think God has taught us all a lesson by this.”

"One word more, my friends, let me say, about your act. Do you think, however long I live, I shall ever forget that morning, ever cease to be thankful to the brave men who rescued me from a watery grave? Do you not think I shall always carry about with me feelings of gratitude and love for the men who did so much for me? Nay, do not mind my saying it," he continued, as the men disclaimed having done anything but what anyone would do, "I must feel and express my gratitude to you, and this is how it is with us to the Lord. When I know He has saved me at such a cost, I cannot go on just as I did before, as though it were all nothing. I want my life to show out my gratitude and love and praise; I want to be a friend of Christ, as I am your friend today.”

The men were silent; there was a reality about the whole thing which deeply touched them, and every head was bowed and reverently uncovered during the few words of prayer that followed—earnest supplication for their souls. In more than one case there was complete surrender to Christ at the time; and the whole of the fruit unto life eternal of that morning's incident will perhaps never be known till "the day" declares it.

Reader, what must you do to be saved, beyond believing in Jesus?

"Nothing, either great or small;

Nothing, sinner, no;

Jesus did it, did it all,

Long, long ago.”

Jesus, the Savior

Jesus is a loving Savior,

Love it was that brought Him low;

Come, He says, in words of mercy,

Prove My loving kindness now.

Jesus is a mighty Savior,

Strong His outstretched arm to save;

He has vanquished death and Satan,

He has triumphed o'er the grave.

Jesus is a willing Savior,

Fully, freely, He forgives;

And the soul which looks unto Him

From that happy moment lives.

Jesus is a righteous Savior,

He has suffered once for sins;

Death He suffered, ere in triumph

He could bring redemption in.

Jesus is a lasting Savior,

Ever will His love endure;

Souls which rest by faith upon Him

Are eternally secure.

How the Atheist's Mouth Was Closed!

"Look here! There is no God, and what's more I'll come along to your Mission this afternoon and prove it!”

This challenge was rattled off by the second Officer, and was addressed to his visitor, the Lady Missionary from the Sailors' Rest nearby, who had just completed a round of calls on the ship's company.

The challenger was quite a scholarly fellow; keen for any discussion, and perhaps not a little proud of being a fluent speaker and a member of a Debating Society, and —as his words showed—an atheist. Quietly accepting the challenge, an appointment was made for that afternoon, and his Chief who happened to be present, gallantly offered to act as umpire, and "see fair play for the lady.”

It was not without some inward qualms and misgivings that the Missionary wended her way back to the "Rest," for she recognized that she had no mean antagonist to face, but a man evidently well versed in his subject, and probably used to debate, and ready to meet with expert argument all that she could bring forward to prove the greatest fact in the universe that

"God Is!”

Moreover she feared that in mere verbal debate she might find herself no match for such a skilled opponent, and that the cause she had at heart might suffer loss if she were beaten.

However, she knew of the one place where true wisdom and courage is to be found, and there, like King Hezekiah of old, she humbly spread the matter before the Most High, and claimed His help. Thus when at the appointed time she found her opponent and the umpire awaiting her in the General Room of the "Rest," it was in no strength of her own that she sat down at the table opposite them, and opened fire with the question, "So you don't believe there is a God?" "No, I don't," was the instant and eager reply, "and I am here to prove it!" Very calmly back the quiet assertion, "Well, I do, so before we begin to have our discussion, I'm going to pray to Him.”

The prayer ended, she looked across at the atheist and nodded assent for him to open his case. But something had happened to the vainglorious dueler; he appeared as one struck dumb!

A minute passed, a minute of deadly, intense silence, then another, and another, and still in the embarrassing silence no word escaped from those mute lips. What was wrong with this fine fellow who was never at a loss for words? It was evident that the fluent speaker could not speak.

"Come on!" urged the Chief, losing patience and giving his junior a dig in the ribs. "Say something!" The umpire was of course exceeding his duties, he was there not to incite but to decide, though the smile with which he regarded his silent friend suggested that he thoroughly enjoyed the situation.

But every incentive was in vain. The One who closed the lion's mouth in Daniel's den, had now closed this lion's mouth, and no urging could open it.

"Do speak up!" again came the pressing urge. "You've got plenty to say aboard anyway." But no reply came from the sealed mouth, and silence again reigned supreme.

At last the umpire, arising, shook hands with the victor, and announced the verdict, "You've won!”

"No," she corrected, "God has won." True words indeed with which to conclude such a well-nigh miraculous happening!

But ere the loser stepped out through the door, with sailor-like honesty and frankness, he shook hands with his opponent, as he left this parting message to gladden her heart, "One thing be sure of," said he, "I shall never say again 'There is no God' although I don't believe in Him as you do!”

Who can tell where such a beginning as that may end?

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them diligently seek Him." Heb. 11:6.

Story of a Tract

"Will you take a tract telling of One who receives sinners," said a timid boy to a fast-looking man, who stood smoking his cigar on a railway platform. The tract was received, and through reading it, the receiver was converted. He at once took a decided stand on the Lord's side, confessed His' Name, and began to preach the Gospel in his native village. Many were converted. A large hall was built; children taught; believers gathered together in the Lord's Name, and for many years, a continuous stream of blessing flowed, the permanent results of which may be seen at the present time to the praise of God's grace.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

"This Man receiveth sinners." Luke 15:2.

Dear Reader, have you come to Him to be saved?

"BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD."

Psalm 33:12.

"THE WICKED SHALL BE TURNED INTO HELL, AND ALL THE NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD.”

Psalm 9:17.

"BUT IN EVERY NATION, HE THAT FEARETH HIM,.. IS ACCEPTABLE WITH HIM."

Acts 10:35.

October

The Power of the Gospel

Several years ago a murder was committed, and a man named George Groves was arrested on suspicion of being the chief actor in the bloody tragedy. For this offense he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to be hung. From facts elicited at his trial, and confirmed by his own confession subsequently, he appears to have been one of the most infamous characters of the time. Commencing, while young, with stealing small articles of little value, he passed rapidly through the different grades of crime, until he reached this, the highest offense known to the law.

A few days before his execution, a pious minister, having acquainted himself with the history of the unfortunate man, resolved to make an effort to lead him to repentance and salvation.

It was near the close of about the third day before the execution, when he presented himself at the door of the prison, and asked permission to spend the night with George Groves. He was well known to the jailer, for it was his custom frequently to visit the inmates of the prison, and pour into their wounded hearts the oil and wine of the Gospel. But the keeper hesitated.

"Are you acquainted with the character of the prisoner?" asked he in astonishment.

"I am," replied the minister.

"Then, sir, I hope you do not think of trusting yourself alone with him. He is the most desperate villain that has entered these walls for years. He has already made an attempt to take the life of the person who has the charge of him. I would advise you, therefore, to dispatch your business with him as speedily as possible, and retire with myself.”

"If this be your only objection," the minister replied, "I prefer to remain. I do not fear the result. It is a duty I owe to God as His servant, and to the soul of this poor man. He who delivered Daniel out of the mouths of lions, is able to deliver me out of his hands.”

"Well, sir, if that be your determination, you shall be gratified; but, I assure you, it is a perilous undertaking.”

So saying, the jailer led the way. Passing through several huge iron doors, each one of which was carefully secured after them, they reached a long, narrow passage, facing which on either side were the cells of the prisoners. Before one of these cells they stopped. The doors of the cell were thrown open, and the jailer, followed by the minister, entered. Grove was seated on the margin of his cot, with a long, loose chain suspended from every limb. The light of day, which at best shone but dimly into the narrow apartment, had now almost forsaken it; but enough remained to discover to the minister the stern, demon-like expression that sat upon his countenance, as he looked up from beneath a pair of dark, heavy eyebrows, and a low, receding forehead; the latter almost hid by a mass of disordered hair. After an exchange of salutations, the minister, without stating the object of his visit, seated himself near the prisoner. The jailer bade them good evening, and retired.

The minister and the murderer are now alone. The minds of both are filled with deep and anxious thoughts; but, O, how different are the subjects that occupy their minds! An angel from heaven, and a devil from hell, could not present a more striking contrast.

Groves listened attentively to every sound, and almost counted the receding footsteps of the jailer, as he passed along the narrow passage. At length his practiced ear caught the low rumbling of the outer door, as it echoed and re-echoed among the prison walls; then, springing from his seat, like a lion on his prey, he seized the minister by the throat.

"Ha! ha! ha! ha!" said he, in fiendish triumph, "I have you in my power, and I'll murder you! Come to guard me, aye? you shall suffer for your folly. You can't hang me twice. I have but one life, and that's but a day!" and the grasp of the strong man grew tighter and tighter.

The good man made no effort to release himself, for he knew that a stronger arm that that of Groves was underneath him.

"Groves," said he, scarcely able to speak, "Groves, hear me for a moment. I have an important message for you. I have not come to guard you; I come to you in love.”

"Love!" quickly exclaimed the other; "'tis a lie, you do not love me.”

"Yes, Groves, I love you, your soul, your poor soul," said the minister, in a voice of love and tenderness.

"What! love me! George Groves, the thief, the robber, the murderer! No, no, it cannot be. I hate all men, and all men hate me. Love," he continued, "that word sounds strange in my ears. But I remember now. 'Twas my mother. My mother loved me,—O, my mother! I remember when I sat upon her knee; she called me her own dear boy, her idol, and her hope. And, when at last she called me to her dying bed, and pressed me to her bosom, I felt the warm tears falling on my cheek, and I knew she loved me. But, since that hour, the world has hated me, pursued me, and, before the week is gone, will have deprived me of the right to breathe the free air of heaven.”

His voice faltered, and the big tears fell from his eyes despite his efforts to restrain them. Relaxing his hold on the minister, he sank upon his seat, and buried his face in his hands.

"Poor Groves," said the minister, "there is one left to love you, Jesus Christ, the sinner's friend. And tonight I come to offer you pardon in His name. Will you accept it?”

"Jesus Christ does not love me; He will not pardon me. I cannot hope," said Groves, amidst tears and sobs.

"How can you doubt His love? Did He not die for you the shameful death of the Cross? Does He not invite you in His Word to come unto Him and have life? Hear what He says, " 'Him that cometh to Me I will in nowise cast out.'

“‘He that believeth hath everlasting life.'

"Will you not believe in Him and be saved?”

"O, I do believe, I never doubted. I believe all that is written concerning Christ, and it is this that troubles me. O, that I could doubt it, for I might then die in peace! But hell is my portion. Its pains have seized upon me already.”

"The simple assent of your understanding to the truths of the Gospel can never save you. You have sinned against a holy, just, and good God. You must repent of your sins and believe on Him with all your heart.”

"It is too late now," replied Groves. "If I could be restored to liberty, I might hope, by acts of devotion to God, to atone in some measure for the evil I have done. Christ will not accept me now.”

"Had you a thousand lives to live, Groves," said the minister, "and all of them should be spent in doing good, you could not thus atone for a single sin. You cannot merit your salvation by good works. Grace alone can save you. You have only to believe and live. To exercise saving faith, you have only to believe that God is sincere in making you the offer of salvation. Then, repent of your sins, and take God at His word; comply with His terms, and He will save you. For this let us pray.”

The minister and the murderer knelt together in prayer—earnest, importunate prayer; mercy was all their plea.

In this manner they spent the greater part of the night. The morning at length dawned; but ere the sun had scattered the morning clouds, the Sun of Righteousness by its healing beams had dispersed the thick clouds of darkness that enveloped the soul of the poor prisoner. George Groves gave the clearest evidence of being a changed man; not converted simply, but regenerated and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Death to him was stripped of all its terrors.

On the day of his execution the minister accompanied him to the scaffold, and then, for the last time, they knelt together in prayer. After an affectionate parting, they separated to meet again in heaven. He died expressing a firm reliance in Jesus Christ for salvation, and rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Death was robbed of its sting, and the grave of its victory.

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

A Soldier's Testimony

On joining the Forces in October, 1941, I made the acquaintance of a young accountant of brilliant intellect; he took first place in his intermediate examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. We went to a training camp together, and soon became close friends.

Early in January, we became frequent visitors of a Forces' Institute situated near the large depot in which we were stationed. Each night there is a meeting where the gospel is faithfully preached. We enjoyed these short services, and my friend soon became deeply interested in the Word of God. I began to notice a great change in him, and, toward the end of January, he confessed that he had accepted the Lord Jesus as his personal Savior.

Just before he parted from me to go overseas, my friend and brother in Christ gave the following testimony at a gospel meeting, "About two years before this war commenced, I attended a creditors' meeting. On one side of the table sat the debtor looking very miserable as he faced the prospect of disgrace and financial ruin. On the other side were the creditors who had met to consider his case, and, if necessary, to force him into bankruptcy; that was the penalty for his transgression against them.

"At the head of the table I sat. The debtor was trusting in me, his accountant, to make the best terms possible with his creditors. Fortunately, I was able to persuade them to allow me to continue the business, in an effort to restore its financial stability.

"Today, the business is once again in a sound position. The debtor was saved from disgrace and financial ruin.

"In January, 1942, I found myself in a similar position before God to that of the debtor before his creditors. I learned that I was a lost and ruined sinner, already condemned by God for my transgressions against Him. I saw before me a life of hopelessness and misery throughout eternity.

"But I also learned of a wonderful Savior in whom I could put my trust, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.' John 3:16-18.

"I trusted Him, and He has saved me from the guilt and penalty of my sins. I have found joy in the new life which I have in Christ.”

O, the love that drew salvation's plan;

O, the grace that brought it down to man;

O, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary,

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;

Pardon there was multiplied to me;

There my burdened soul found liberty, AT CALVARY.

The Voice of God

One evening as a minister of the Gospel was passing along a street, he heard three soldiers who were walking behind him, making use of bad language, when one of them, probably to outdo the others in profanity, expressed the awful wish "that God Almighty might damn his soul in hell to all eternity!" The servant of the Lord immediately faced about, and, with a look of deepest compassion, said solemnly, "Poor man! What if God should say, `Amen,' and answer that prayer?”

He then passed on; but the soldier stood still, as if suddenly struck with a bullet, and hardly recovered himself sufficiently to reach his quarters. There his distress of mind grew deeper, until his distraction was so great, that it threw him into a fever, under which he had the most awful forebodings of eternal misery.

The words were few and simple, it was neither them nor the manner of utterance that could account for the terrible distress of this vile sinner. What was it, my reader, that thus harrowed up the man's conscience? It was that God had spoken in that short sentence to his soul. He had heard God, not man: and was so conscious of this, that he was under the full conviction that it was an angel who had spoken to him in the street, and that God had sent him to do so.

He told those about him that he was beyond the reach of mercy, and when asked why he thought so, said, because God had told him so by an angel from heaven! Of course he was mistaken in this, but it serves to show how fully persuaded he was that the message was not man's, but God's.

All the sins of a lifetime had risen up before this man's soul, and he felt as he judged himself in the light of the presence of God, that he deserved the doom which he believed God had announced by His messenger.

At last, it occurred to someone in the hospital, to ask him to describe the supposed angel he had seen on the street, and on his doing so, a well-known minister was recognized from the vivid description which the poor man gave. He was asked whether he would like to see him again? and replied, "O, I would wish of all things to see him; but he will not come near a wretch like me!”

The servant of Christ was fetched at once, and set before the convicted sinner, Christ crucified and risen again, "able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.”

"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!" Look to Him, exclaimed the preacher.

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

See Him on the cross bearing sin, forsaken of God, enduring all the judgment due to sin, exhausting the whole penalty, and crying, "My God, My God! why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

In conscious perfection, integrity, sinlessness, yet "made sin" there, in infinite love for sinners! Only believe in Him and all your sins shall be at once forgiven, for God hath said, "Be it known unto you, that through this Man (His own Son), is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.”

The convicted sinner listened as to the voice of God, and believing Him, got peace to his troubled soul at once. After this, the agitation of his mind being gone, he speedily recovered, and became as remarkable for his piety and consistency, as he had previously been for his profanity.

By his desire, the minister who had been so remarkably used in his conversion, procured his discharge from the army, and the man obtaining more suitable employment, continued to "adorn the doctrine of Christ", thus proving to all who knew him that "the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;" salvation not only from the awful doom that once threatened his never-dying soul, but also from "the dominion of sin," to which he had so long been a miserable slave.

Will you, my reader, now and henceforth hear in the Gospel, the Voice of God?

The Gospel Message

Hark! Hark! the invitation

Resounds through all the land,

The glorious proclamation,

The Savior's blest command.

Good news to all the nations,

Glad tidings of great joy,

How sweet the declarations

To sinful man brought nigh.

Ho! every one that thirsteth

List to the loving call,

In this God's grace consisteth,

'Tis free alike to all.

Salvation without money,

Pardon abundant, free,

As wine, and milk, and honey,

It flows for you and me.

Come now, though red as crimson

Thy scarlet sins do show,

I have the power to cleanse them,

And make them white as snow.

A fountain has been opened

Which purifies within.

The precious blood of Jesus,

It cleanses from all sin.

Again the invitation

In silver strain rolls on —

Come all ye heavy laden

For I your griefs have borne;

Lay down your weary burden

Upon My gentle breast;

Come, all who toil and labor,

And I will give you rest.

"YET A LITTLE WHILE, AND HE THAT SHALL. COME, WILL COME, AND WILL NOT TARRY."

Heb. 10:37.

"SURELY, I COME QUICKLY. AMEN: EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS."

Rev. 22:20.

November

"It's Only a Text Book"

"Truly His ways are wonderful," said a friend, who had just heard the following story.

"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.”

A brief visit to loved ones came to a close, and, on driving to the station, we noticed our little girl of four summers holding a little book in her hand, which was found to be a text book, taken from grandma's table. Its owner, however, would not take it back.

"Let her keep it," she said; "it's only a text book.”

On arriving at home the text book was put away in a drawer, and forgotten; but it had a mission to fulfill quite unknown to us. Many months after, as I was packing some little books to take away to my next scene of labor, the text book turned up, and was put in with the rest, almost without a thought. The little book traveled upwards of a hundred miles, and was destined to have a history all its own.

Our work began on a bright autumn morning. On the second Sunday evening a woman came in quite careless. During the service she was convinced of sin, and went to her home miserable. The night was spent, not in quiet rest, but in deep heart-searching and sorrow. Monday night found her at the service again, and at the close she remained to tell her sad tale, and to ask the way of life. John 14:6 was turned to, and we read, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." She left, still without life.

That night we had a prayer meeting in the house of my host, and the burden of our prayer was.

"Lord, save this woman.”

Tuesday night found her at the meeting again. She listened most eagerly to the Gospel message, and again remained, and cried, "What must I do to be saved?" The answer given was the Apostolic one, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31. In reply she said, "It's no use; I cannot believe. I am lost, I am lost!”

I repeated the lines,—

“Believe it, O sinner, believe it,

Receive the glad message, 'tis true;

Trust now in the crucified Savior,

Salvation He offers to you.”

Yet she left apparently without hope. Prayer was made for her continually. The next day I determined to find out where she lived, and before setting out I searched for some suitable book to give her, when my eye caught the title, "Text Book," and straightway it was put into my pocket. With little difficulty I found the anxious inquirer, when again I sought to bring her to the Savior's feet. On leaving, I asked her to accept a little text book, "The Redeemer's Counsel." My prayer all the afternoon was, "Lord, use the little book for Thy glory.”

That night she was at the service, but it was needless to ask if the burden was gone.

"O," said she, "that text book was a Godsend! It pointed me at once to Jesus. 'The Redeemer's Counsel' to me was, "'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' I came to Him, and He at once gave me rest.”

"Come unto Me, ye weary,

And I will give you rest,”

O, blessed voice of Jesus,

Which comes to hearts oppressed!

It tells of benediction,

Of pardon, grace and peace,

Of joy that hath no ending,

Of love that cannot cease.

It gave us great joy to see her simple trustfulness from that day. A short time after, a letter came expressing thanks for the text book, and enclosing $1.00, requesting me to buy five other text books to give away to others who might be passing through similar soul trouble.

As I thought upon the case of my poor friend, grandma's words were recalled, "It's only a text book.”

But did it not contain "The Redeemer's Counsel"? God Himself used the little book to the salvation of one soul.

Reader, have you an unused text book? Use it. It may contain some message from God to you.

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matt. 11:28-30.

" 'Come unto Me:' it is the Savior's voice,

The Lord of life, who bids thy heart rejoice.

O weary heart, with heavy cares opprest,

`Come unto Me, and I will give you rest!'

"O dying man, with guilt and sin dismayed,

With conscience wakened, of thy God afraid!

'Twixt hopes and fears, O, end the anxious strife,

`Come unto Me, and I will give you life.'”

Extract: No Such Thing as Man's Free-Will

There is, strictly speaking, no such thing as man's free-will. If man be self-governed, he is really governed by Satan; and if not he is governed by God.

Saved in a Barracks

A dear old Scripture reader, in a barracks, was the first man who ever spoke to me about my soul, and where I was to spend eternity. He came in and sat down in the midst of us, pulled out his Bible, and read the Word of God, often amid much noise, and little acknowledgment. He was a faithful witness for God, and spoke without fear, of the truths in it, telling us of the sinner's doom who lives and dies unconverted. I was awakened then, but not saved. We were soon afterward moved to D. and there I was brought to Christ, through His work of redemption accomplished on the cross. It was by means of the word, "The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

I saw it was for me Christ had come, and died for me, for surely I was lost, lost to God, to holiness, to heaven.

I believed He came to save me, and I was saved while sitting in the barracks. I told my mates that from henceforth I was the Lord's.

I had a hot time for a while, but Christ gave the victory. I am His, and He is mine. He is a good Master, I can and do recommend Him to you. He says to you, "Come unto Me... and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

And Yet Be Lost

"What! do you mean to say that I may be respectable, and obliging, and yet be lost?”

"Yes; and yet be lost.”

"What! religious, amiable, courteous, and yet be lost?”

"Yes; and yet be lost.”

"What! be devoted to my church, the cause, and subscribe well: and yet be lost?”

"Yes; and yet be lost.”

"What! be a preacher, eloquent, successful; and yet be lost?”

"Yes; and yet be lost.”

"What! fast, deny myself, do penance; and yet be lost?”

"Yes; and yet be eternally lost; shut out from God forever.”

"But what more can I do than I have done?”

"Listen! You can stop making God a liar; for who has required these things at your hand?”

"Making God a liar! I do not intend doing that.”

"That may be very true, but you are, nevertheless. Again, I ask, who has required these things at your hand? Who?”

"But does not God require us to be good, and do good, before He will save us?”

"Where does God say in the gospel (which is His message to you) that you have to be good, and do good, before He will save you? Where?”

"But—God won't take us into heaven—He won't receive us just as we are.”

"Pray, dear friend, what book have you been studying on this most important question?”

"Why, of course, the Bible, for there is no other to turn to.”

"I grant you there is no other book that can enlighten a poor sinner on this important subject but the Bible; but where does it say that God won't receive a sinner just as he is?”

"Well, I don't know just where it is, but I have always been under the impression that we must be good, and do good, before God will receive us.”

"My dear friend, all that I can say is, you never got it from the Bible, and I am bold to say all this time you have been contradicting God, and therefore making Him a liar. He says one thing, and you say another. But let us turn to the Scriptures.”

"In the first place, for whom did Christ die? Was it good people? What answer do the Scriptures give to this important question? They say, He died for the ungodly, for sinners, for the guilty, yea, for His enemies, and that He came 'to seek and to save that which was lost.' Are you such?”

"Yes.”

"Then He died for you?”

"But have I not to do something to help save myself?”

"Yes; you have got to cease acting the hypocrite, and own to God just what you are, and in heart and conscience take your place before Him accordingly.”

"But will He accept me just as I am, in all my sins and vileness?”

"If He does not, He will never accept you; for how can you remove the moral stains from your soul, when it is written: `Without shedding of blood, is no remission,' and again 'It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul' " (Heb. 9:22; Lev. 17:11)?

"But what say the Scriptures on this subject, as to how a poor, unclean sinner (and we are all that, for there is no difference) is received by God?

"Look at the glorious 15th of Luke, and what do we find there? Why Christ's enemies are charging Him with what was His glory, and what He left heaven to do. They were saying: `This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.' See whom the blessed Jesus, the Son of God, received—sinners. Is that your name?”

"Why, yes; to be sure I am a sinner; I feel that to be so.”

"Then He will receive you, if you will only be warned against the 'leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy,' that is, pretending to be what you are not. Repentance is the full recognition, and confession of the fact, that you are a sinner, and that to God, who knows all—the judgment, too, of yourself, not merely of what you have done.

"But to proceed with Luke 15. It was the 'lost sheep' that the shepherd went after. It was not the sheep seeking the shepherd, but the shepherd seeking the lost sheep. And how glad and happy he was to get it back to his bosom! Jesus is the Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep: and what joy it gives His heart to find and save a lost sheep—a lost sinner.

"Again, the woman with the light seeking the piece of silver represents the Holy Ghost with the Word, detecting, convicting, and quickening the poor lost, dead sinner. And what joy it gives Him thus to do!

"Lastly, we have the prodigal in his rags, degradation, filth and misery (solemn picture of the sinner), received by the father with a heart of overflowing love and compassion: who as he embraced him, kissed him, and pressed him to his bosom, said to his servants: `Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again: he was lost and is found; and they began to be merry.'”

And when will the joy stop? Never!

"Thus we have in this wondrous chapter, the united joy of the ever-blessed Trinity, in receiving and saving completely and eternally a poor lost, hell-deserving sinner. We have also in what condition he was received. True, it was a repentant one (for that God demands, Acts 17:30), but in all his misery, degradation, and helplessness.

"Thus we see from the Word of God, that He receives sinners, just as they are, simply because they cannot better their condition, and He is bent upon saving them. And it is easily to be seen how the reversing of this order is simply making God a liar, and in many, many instances, it is "the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1-3).

May God bless these few lines to the reader, is the writer's earnest prayer. Read Luke 7:36-50. Works follow as a consequence of salvation, but never precede it.

All a Gift

"It is all a gift, ain't it, ma'am?”

These were the words that greeted my ear as I entered a little dwelling in one of the narrow streets of H—. The beaming countenance of the poor sick man as he uttered this, and my knowledge of the state of anxiety and distress in which he had previously been, made it easy to understand his meaning. But an indefinable pleasure in hearing him explain himself, and tell out his whole soul on the subject, made me ask: "What is it that is all a gift, Samuel?”

"Why, you see, ma'am, as Mr.— was preaching last night, from Romans 3:23 to the end, it made me feel worse than ever.

I knew he would speak to me, if I went to him after; but I did not feel I should, so I came home and took the Book, and my wife sat down and I read that chapter—and read on, and on, till I came to this beautiful verse: "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

"It is all a gift, ain't it, ma'am? And, after what the major said about being 'justified freely by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ,' I seemed almost to get hold of the gift—and wife did the same—and said she saw it to be all a gift, too. We did not read any more just then, but praised the Lord. It's just as you and the others told me, it's all a gift, ain't it?”

"Yes, Samuel, it is all the free grace of God to us poor sinners.

`God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

"By grace ye are saved; 'it is the gift of God'; and He has graciously given you to know that He who spared not His own Son, will freely give you pardon, peace, holiness and eternal life.”

"O, yes, not quite so clear at all times, but somehow God helped me to put up a prayer for it, and then I felt lightsome again, a deal more lightsome than when I was well and in work even.”

Samuel did "get stronger." Though apparently in consumption, it pleased the Lord to restore him to health. He immediately began reading the Scriptures and praying with his family, and each succeeding visit was a striking exemplification of: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart." Psalm 19.

"Surely I Come Quickly"

Christ is coming, quickly coming,

Art thou ready, sinner, say—

Are thy crimson sins forgiven,

In His blood all washed away?

Once on Calv'ry's cross He suffered,

Died in grace to set thee free,

Hast thou yet believed the tidings

Sent by God to you and me?

Jesus waiteth to be gracious,

Waiteth even now for thee,

Listen to His earnest pleading—

"Come, poor sinner, come to Me.”

Come and gaze, by faith, upon Him.

Sinner, come and look and live;

See He waiteth to receive thee

That He may thy sins forgive.

O! the bliss, the rest of knowing

Jesus as thy dearest Friend,

As thy Guide, thy Guard, thy Shepherd,

Who will love thee to the end.

Knowing God as thine own Father,

And His heaven thy glorious home—

This thy portion if thou heark'nest,

And to Jesus now dost come.

Then thou wilt not fear His coming;

Thou wilt hail with joy that day,

When He'll come and take His ransomed

To His Father's house away.

"GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES: AND THERE SHALL BE NO MORE DEATH, NEITHER SORROW NOR CRYING, NEITHER SHALL THERE BE ANY MORE PAIN: FOR THE FORMER THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY."

Rev. 21:4.

December

The Only Remedy

William was the only son of a pharmacist, Dr. N. He was such a loving boy, always lively and happy. Many envied him because of his pretty face and beautiful curls. Yet the little fellow was not to be envied; appearances often deceive. Rosy cheeks and a pretty face are not always the signs of health, and to the casual observer, many appear to be strong and robust, until a sudden flush of the cheeks betrays the gnawing of disease at the seemingly strong body.

With William this was the case. His outward looks were deceiving. The precious little bud had begun to wither. The little boy, who before was so full of life and joy, began to grow dull and weary. For a long time, his father sought to persuade himself and others, that the case was not as serious as it really was, but at last he had to admit that his child was fatally ill, and he was fading away. Everything possible was done to hinder the progress of the disease, but all remedies proved insufficient nothing was found to give the little sufferer the desired health back again.

"O, papa," exclaimed the little one in great fear; "I do not wish to die! O, that makes me so afraid! Is there no way to get to heaven? Have you any medicine for that, papa?”

Poor man! What answer could he give to such pitiful words? He tried to make the child think of other things, for he could not give a direct answer, as he did not know the way to get to heaven, and his well-equipped pharmacy had no remedy for such a case.

The only Physician who was able to help him, he did not go to. He did not want to go to the Lord Jesus, the Savior of sinners, who invites the tired and sorrowing ones to Himself, so kindly, saying, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

But was there no one who knew of the only remedy which was of avail at this time? Did none of the friends of the pharmacist know that great and loving Physician who dispenses His wonderful remedy altogether without money and without price?

Yes, there was one. To be sure, he was not classed among the friends of Dr. N.

He was not a learned man, nor a fellow-druggist, but only a boy, whom the Dr. had picked off the street to run his errands.

So it was not a rich man, nor a nobleman, and yet he was rich and noble.

He was an heir of God and joint-heir with Christ. He had become rich through faith in the One who had become poor in coming into this world and laying aside His glory in order to go to the cross to take our place in judgment, and redeem us to God by His blood. He now knew God as his Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, and therefore was made both rich and noble.

Like William, he at one time was unhappy and full of fear in regard to eternity, but he now knew that all his sins were washed away in the blood of Christ.

David, the errand boy, had often wished to speak to his master's sick son about his soul's salvation, but had not found an opportunity. He was not allowed to enter the sick room, for his master knew that he was a Christian, and with his heart at enmity against God, it was no wonder he did not allow the boy to visit the little sufferer.

David, therefore, was very much astonished when his master came to him one day, and said, "William wishes to see you, David. Go and entertain him for a while, and seek to brighten him up.”

"Thank you, Doctor," said the boy gladly.

"But one thing, I tell you, boy, not a word about religion, you understand! I do not care for you or your views, and Willie shall not be bothered with them.”

David stood there quite shocked; was such language possible in the face of death, and that from a man of common reason?

"I am not to speak of the Lord Jesus, Doctor?" he exclaimed, "That is impossible. I must speak of Him!”

"Listen, David, my child wishes to see you, and for that reason I would like for you to go to him, and if you do as I have told you, you shall have a dollar.”

One dollar! That was quite a large sum for David, but he did not waver for a moment.

"O, Doctor," he exclaimed: "That would be a bad promise. I want to show him the way to heaven, and tell him of the only remedy which can help him.”

The doctor began to get provoked. What, should an errand boy instruct his son? When David remained firm, he sent him away, but he had not reached the door when he was called back.

"Come back here," commanded the doctor; "go and entertain my boy, but see to it that he keeps under the covers.”

This David promised gladly, and with a happy heart, he soon sat near the bedside of the little sufferer, holding his thin and wasted hand in his own.

Before long he began to tell him of his beloved Lord who suffered and died for sinners, who once tasted that bitter cup of judgment for us, that we might have a remedy for our great need. He pointed the troubled one to the loving Savior, who was wounded for our transgressions, who was bruised for our iniquities, with whose stripes we are healed.

As these words of comfort came flowing from the lips of the little evangelist, the sick one did not turn his eyes from him. That was just what he so greatly needed —rest for his troubled soul.

William did not have to be urged to come to Jesus. He was so glad that he was allowed to come, just as he was, with all his sins, into the outstretched arms of the Good Shepherd.

He, there and then believed in Jesus as his Savior, and found rest and peace in Him, which he so much desired. He had now found the sure and only remedy—the way in which he would reach heaven— through the Lord Jesus Christ, who says,

"I am the Way.”

The effect this assurance of salvation had upon William was remarkable. While before this, he was downcast and unhappy, and at times almost in despair, he was now able to sing for joy, in spite of his pain. He knew he need not fear death any more, and that he was no longer facing an uncertain future, and death would only safely land him at Home with his Savior.

An hour later his father entered the room. One look was sufficient to convince him that a change had taken place with his little son. Instead of meeting a sad and troubled face as before, he now looked into a pair of eyes beaming with joy, and from two children's voices, one strong and the other weak, the words of a beautiful hymn to the praise of the Savior's love and grace, sounded in his ears.

Not long after the death of his child, the doctor became seriously ill, and lingered for some time between life and death, but a change came for the better, and at the doctor's own request, David was sent for to come and wait on him.

Here, too, the faithful little witness did his duty cheerfully. In order to make good use of his time, when he thought the doctor was sleeping, he would go over the verses to be learned for the next Lord's day in Sunday-school, repeating them in a low tone. But quite often the sick man was not asleep, nor did he interrupt the boy, but listened quietly. In this way he heard the Word of God.

As David was, one day, bringing the doctor a cup of broth, he stepped quietly into the room, as he was accustomed to do. The sick one was all alone, and had not noticed the errand boy enter. On his bed before him lay the open Bible; David heard him whisper in much earnestness,

"O, Lord Jesus, Thou true and only source of salvation, wash me from my sins!”

Thus Dr. N. came to Jesus, and he proved the preciousness and efficacy of this only remedy—the only means of salvation—Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross.

Do you, dear reader, know Him as your Savior? He said, "I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." John 14:6.

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Christ Died for Sinners

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

I can never forget the deliverance, followed by the peace, which came to me when the light of that glorious truth dawned upon my soul, that it was not saints, but sinners that Jesus came to save; and that it was bad people, and not those who thought themselves to be good, unrighteous, that God receives and forgives for Jesus' sake.

For long years I had tried to sin less, live better, in the hope that God would favor me because of this, and grant me mercy at the last day. The most we heard in the way of preaching, favored this idea. We were earnestly taught to be good, and to do good, to attend the "means of grace," to read the Bible, and in some way which was not made very clear, God would exercise His mercy to forgive whatever sins remain uncompensated by these good deeds.

There was nothing of Christ, nor His work of redemption on Calvary's Cross, but He was a good Example and Intercessor for us on suing for mercy to be granted us in the judgment day. No present, free and known salvation was ever spoken of, nor had I ever met any who owned he was saved through the Lord Jesus Christ.

You may understand my surprise when a near relative of mine wrote me a letter saying she had been "saved" while attending some Gospel meetings, and that the words that led her to the Savior were: "'God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.' It is not good people, but bad, that God loves and Jesus saves," she said. "This is where nearly all make mistakes; they want to make themselves good, and think that God will then save them, whereas God saves sinners just as they are, and all for Jesus' sake.

"I resented this at first, my proud heart rebelled against it; but bit by bit my pride was humbled, and I had to take my place as a sinner, with nothing, able to do nothing, and then the Lord saved me.

"O, that I could, with the voice of a trumpet, tell it far and wide that: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

"Safely Anchored"

Driven by storms in the Sea, a boat with five fishermen was overdue by several days, causing much anxiety to friends at home. At last they reached the harbor, and telegraphed to their families the words, "Safely Anchored.”

One of the men was unsaved, and in great distress of soul. While waiting for calmer weather he was led to the Savior, and wrote to his Christian wife, "Safely Anchored in Christ.”

Yes, that is what the sinner is, who flees to Christ for refuge. To him there is salvation, rest and peace. This is good anchorage. Can you say it is yours? There is no other, all else is shifting sand.

"That we might have a strong consolation, (in Christ), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us; which we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast." Heb. 6:18, 19.

Believe and Live

My friend, this world shall pass away,

With all its pomp and show,

Are your affections set above,

Or fixed on things below?

Are you upon the narrow path

That leads to realms of light?

Or are you still upon the road

That leads to endless, night?

Perhaps you say, "I'm striving hard

To gain the narrow way;

I wet my couch with many a tear—

I mourn—I sigh—I pray.”

"But yet my soul is all unsaved,

Though I have labored long

That I might be a child of God,

And join the heavenly throng.”

My friend, God does not ask thy tears,

Nor aught that thou canst give,

Thy prayers can never save thy soul,

"Believe," and thou shalt live.

The work was finished long ago,

All merit set aside,

When Jesus, in the sinner's stead,

Upon Mount Calvary died.

He there became a substitute,

The sinner's debt to pay—

He brought in everlasting life—

For all who will obey.

And Jesus, risen from the dead

Is now the proof to thee

That all the debt was fully paid,

By Him upon the tree.

There's nothing left for you to give,

Nothing for you to pay;

If you but trust in Jesus' blood

You may be saved today.

Saved, if you simply place your trust

In God's beloved Son,

And rest your faith alone upon

The work which He hath done.

Thus, having Christ, by living faith,

You stand before the throne,

In all His perfect spotlessness—

His comeliness alone.

Then cease from all thy useless toil;

Thou art not asked to give—

God tells thee, Christ has paid thy debt.

"Believe," and thou shalt live.

"There's Nothing to Hold on to"

He belonged to the infidels' club, while in health and strength had said, "There is no God" but now, his health had broken down, his strength failing and he is about to cross the border.

Two members of the club, watch by the bedside so as to take back a report of the manner in which he died.

The end draws near, his boasting has vanished, upon his soul falls the shadow of a lost eternity and a sudden fear takes hold of him.

"O, God! I'm lost! I'm lost!" he cries.

His two friends try to allay his fears, saying:

"Hold on, John! Don't show the white feather.”

But poor John replied:

"There's nothing to hold on to! I'm lost! I'm lost!" Thus he died.

Reader! in love for your soul, I beseech you, listen. Your dying hour, too, may be very near; will you be like poor John, and find nothing on which your soul can rest as you cross the cold waters of death.

"I'm not an infidel!" Perhaps not! But are you saved? Do you know your sins were washed away in the precious blood of Christ? If not, you are lost! Poor John realized this when it was too late.

Take warning, reader, don't put this paper aside until you have accepted Christ as your own personal Savior. He is waiting to receive and bless you now.

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Timothy 1:15.

Extract: Glory in the Cross

The world is a hindrance to many; it has so much power over the heart, that the separating effect of the cross is but little understood. For the Apostle it was a simple matter.

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Gal. 6:14.

"Accept His Love Now"

Dear reader, you and I must pass out into eternity one day—will you let some passing straw hold you from Christ—can you lay your sins at the feet of any other? Will it comfort you in hell to remember that it was moral beauty you worshiped, gentleness for which you staked your soul? Will it ease your spirit when you see Christ in all His wondrous beauty as God and man, and know whom you rejected; whose love you cast aside; to see the childish image you clung to, instead of to the divine outstretched arm? He looks upon you now, a risen Man—the living Jesus—He calls you now. And as surely as you read these pages so surely will you one day stand face to face with Him.

Will you not accept His love now? Will you not shelter beneath His blood, and let it make you as safe as He Himself is.

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.”

He may never call you again. His Spirit may never strive with you again. Tomorrow you may be gone.

"What shall it profit "you" if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul." Mark 8:36.

"THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS, IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

2 Thess. 1:7, 8.

Echoes of Grace: 1943

Table of Contents

January

Jack, the Huckster

Yes or No

"Six Weeks Trying"

Peace with God

Quietness and Confidence

The Bible

A New Year's Wish

"With Good News"

Extract

February

"Prove That There Is a Devil"

A Sailor's Bible

Not "Feeling" but "Believing"

Extract: In Satan's Net

Christ's Matchless Love

A Savior

March

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

Forever With the Lord

Extract: Walking Before Men and Walking Before God

Boston Night Club Disaster

Competent Authority

Why Do You Insult My Father?

What Shall I Do Then With Jesus?

April

The Two Brothers

Too Late

Saved in Three Minutes

The Way

"The Time Is Short"

May

"Hallelujah! What a Savior!"

Extract: In Adam and Out of Adam

The Door Is Open for You

"I Will Do As I Please"

Salvation

Is It All Settled?

Extract

June

I Am a Sinner, but There Is the Precious Blood”

Wrong Thoughts about God

Extract: Life and Happiness

"O! What Great Love"

"Whosoever"

July

"He Paid"

Extract

The Soldier

Extract

Christ's Appeal

"Though Thou Wash Thee with Niter"

The Father's Ring

Will You Be There?

August

Acts Ten, Forty-Three

Come to Jesus

Is That in the Bible?

Extract

"Have You Ever Thanked Him?"

A Tennis Player's Conversation

September

Saved

Jesus, the Savior

How the Atheist's Mouth Was Closed!

Story of a Tract

October

The Power of the Gospel

A Soldier's Testimony

The Voice of God

The Gospel Message

November

"It's Only a Text Book"

Extract: No Such Thing as Man's Free-Will

Saved in a Barracks

And Yet Be Lost

All a Gift

"Surely I Come Quickly"