Echoes of Grace: 1970

A visitor among the poor was one day climbing the stairs to a top-floor garret. It was in one of the worst slums of a large city. Suddenly he was stopped by seeing a man of most repulsive countenance standing upon the landing. With his arms folded across his chest, he was leaning against the wall.

Something about the man's appearance made the visitor shudder. His first impulse was to go back, but in an effort to start a conversation with him, he told him that he was there with the desire to do him good. The visitor would like to see him happy, and the Book he had in his hand contained the secret of happiness.

The ruffian shook him off as if he had been a viper, and bade him begone with his nonsense, or he would kick him downstairs.

While the visitor was endeavoring with gentleness and patience to argue the point with him, he heard a faint voice. It appeared to come from behind one of the broken doors that opened upon the landing, and was saying: "Does your book tell of the blood which cleanses from all sin?"

For the moment the visitor was too much absorbed in dealing with the rough man before him to answer the inquiry. Soon it was repeated in urgent and thrilling tones: "Tell me, oh, tell me, does your book tell of the blood that cleanses from all sin?"

The man stood aside as the visitor pushed open the door and entered the room. It was a wretched place, wholly destitute of furniture, except for a small stool and an old mattress in a corner. On this lay the wasted form of an aged woman, the man's mother. As the visitor entered, she raised herself on an elbow, fixed her eyes eagerly upon him, and repeated her former question: "Does your Book tell of the blood that cleanses from all sin?"

The Christian sat down upon the stool beside her, and asked: "What do you want to know about the blood that cleanses from all sin?"

With alarming energy in her voice and manner she replied: "What do I want to know of it? Man, I am dying. I am going to stand naked before God. I have been a wicked woman, a very wicked woman, all my life, and I must answer to God for everything I have done."

She groaned bitterly as the thought of a lifetime's iniquity seemed to burden her soul. "But once," she continued, "once years ago, I came by a church. I went in—I didn't know what for. I was soon out again! But one thing I heard there I have never forgotten. It was something about blood that cleanses from all sin. Oh, if I could hear of it now! Tell me, tell me if there is anything about that blood in your Book!"

The visitor answered by opening the Bible and reading 1 John 1. The poor creature seemed to devour the words, and when he paused, she exclaimed, "Again! Read it again."

As he read it the second time, a slight noise made him look around. The angry ruffian had followed him into his mother's room; and though his face was partly turned away, the visitor could see a changed expression. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the visitor read the portion over and over until he finally had to stop. However, the sick woman would not let him go till he promised to come again the next day.

After that, he never missed a day in visiting and reading to her for the short time she lived. Very blessed it was to see how, almost from the first, she seemed to find peace by believing in Jesus.

Every day the son followed the visitor into his mother's room and listened in silence, but not in indifference. This was proved on the day of her funeral. As the attendants were filling her grave the son beckoned the Christian to one side.

"Sir," he said, "I have learned to know Jesus, too, and I have been thinking that there is nothing I would so much like as to spend the rest of my life in telling others of the blood that cleanses from all sin. Will you teach me how?"

After that it was the Christian worker's joy to help and encourage this newborn soul. With a deep love in his heart for Him who had spoken peace to his dying mother and had brought his own lost soul from the darkness of sin into His marvelous light, this repentant and forgiven sinner also found peace in believing in Jesus.

Only a Text

It was a little cottage, a small company, and a young and untrained preacher. But the Spirit of God was there in convicting power, and as the speaker pressed upon his hearers the importance of accepting God's great salvation, the soul of one young woman was thoroughly aroused by the stirring question, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"

After the meeting, as she passed along the country road on her homeward way, these words were ringing in her ears, wakening the slumbering conscience and causing deep anxiety as to her eternal destiny.

But the devil, the arch-enemy of Christ and of our souls, was there, and at once set to work to hinder this precious soul from heeding God's warning yet loving voice; and he had a capital tool with which to work. The year end was drawing near with its round of gaiety and pleasure, and our young friend was to take no unimportant part in the plays and programs which were being arranged for the close of the year. She knew that if she confessed herself a follower of Christ, she could not consistently take part in these worldly entertainments. Accordingly, she endeavored to stifle the voice of conscience and forget the warning words she had heard. But this was hard to do. At the house where our young friend lived, the Christian host had placed on the dining-room wall a large text. There, to her dismay, she found the question she was trying to forget staring her in the face: "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?"

In spite of this earnest appeal to her soul, she still resisted. The weeks passed by, and the year end came with its round of merrymaking and fun and frolic. Though she did withdraw from an active part in it all, her conscience was not appeased. There was no pleasure for this sin-burdened soul. In fact, she confessed to a Christian friend that it had been the most miserable year end she had ever spent! Now, disillusioned with the world and all its sinful pleasures, the disappointed girl was in proper frame of mind to turn to the loving Savior, the Source of all true joy. In Him she found full satisfaction for her hungry soul and abundant goodness to fill her longing heart.

Reader, at this holiday time, you have doubtless received from many loving lips the kindly greetings of the season. But have you first received HIM who is God's unspeakable Gift? Do not neglect any longer His great salvation. If you will come as a guilty sinner to the Savior, you will find in Him the Secret of all true joy and happiness. Then you too can sing:

"O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found,
And found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy, I sought so long,
The bliss till now unknown.
Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other Name for me;
There's love, life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee."

What Are You Living for?

Friend, have you ever asked yourself that question? Let us, in all honesty, search our hearts for a true answer.

Are you desiring, above all else, the wealth of this world? Then hear the witness of a famous American millionaire, Jay Gould. He had wealth in abundance, yet almost his last words were: "I suppose I am the most miserable devil on earth."

Do you long for worldly glory? The price is high, and the benefits are ephemeral. Even Sir Walter Scott, the famous writer of fiction and, as such, unexcelled in the world of letters, when he came to die he demanded fact. He said: "The Book—bring me the Book! There is only one Book—the Bible."

Is high honor your goal? Scripture says: "He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Queen Victoria, revered by millions, answered a rough Highlander when he questioned her eternal salvation: "Yes, by the grace of God and the all-availing blood of Christ, I'll meet you there."

Would you climb the social ladder to gain high position and earthly pleasure? Benjamin Disraeli, the only Jew to attain to the Prime Ministry of England, wrote: "Youth is a mistake, manhood a struggle, old age a regret." Lord Byron, who reveled in pleasure almost all his days, wrote on his last birthday:

"My days are in the yellow leaf,
The flowers and fruits of life are gone;
The worm, the canker, and the grief
Are mine alone."

Is your every endeavor toward physical prowess or fleshly beauty? Is the championship in sports or the crown of the beauty queen the height of your ambition? Note the words of the Apostle Peter: "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth forever." 1 Pet. 1:24, 25.

Wealth, worldly glory, high honor, position, earthly pleasure, physical beauty, skill and strength—how many spend their lives striving to reach the pinnacle in these worldly attainments! To the few who may taste the fruits of victory in their chosen field, the record is that their possession is brief and the bitter conclusion is: "All is vanity and vexation of spirit."

Then, you say, what is there to live for? I want possessions—to reach the heights—to have fame! I want to be happy.

In that case, the question is: what is true happiness? Its answer is found in what Sir Walter Scott considered the Book of facts—the Bible. First of all, do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and His mighty work of redemption accomplished for you on Calvary? This is the basis of all true happiness.

"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." John 3:16.

To all who receive Christ Jesus as Lord, He says: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." Col. 3:2, 3.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace."

Indeed, dear seeking soul, only in Christ can you find an Object worth living for. With Him as the preeminent One before you, your pathway on earth will be according to His plan for you. He will make plain your way. "As thou goest, step by step, the way shall open up before you." So says the old Syriac version of Proverbs 4:12. With the Lord Jesus Christ as your Guide, your Keeper, your Friend, you can claim His promise that whatsoever ye do, you may do all to the glory of God. Only thus, in obedience to His Word, can you reach your goal of true happiness; for "in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psa. 16:11.

What Am I Living for?

A long, hot day of toil was over. Weary workers thronged the streets of the busy city, nearly all of them intent on a destination, a plan for that particular evening's occupation, or for the indulgence of fleshly desires. Some, sad to say, seemed to give little thought to the where, why, when, or what of the immediately approaching hours. These, for the most part, stood idly on street corners or gazed blankly into shop windows—the human flotsam and jetsam of every large city.

Friend, do you know where you are going? Is your destiny marked out and the way plain before you? Are you seeking the satisfactions of this present evil world, or are your eyes set on the joyful end of the way at the Lord's right hand in glory? He has said through the Psalmist: "Thou wilt skew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psa. 16:11.

Suddenly, louder than the usual din of home-going cars and crowds, came the screech of brakes, a piercing shriek, and an agonized cry. The instant swirl of people towards one point near the street corner indicated the place of tragedy. Through the crowd a helmeted policeman shouldered his way, seeming to clear a path for a calm-faced man of God following hard on his heels. Both were needed: the officer of the law to restore order and to expedite those duties attendant on preserving life; the Christian minister, to offer spiritual aid and comfort insofar as possible.

Already the policeman's duties were partially discharged. From the corner call-box he had summoned ambulance and squad car, and knew they were on the way. As for the minister, in tender solicitude he had knelt for a moment beside the unconscious form of the young woman lying white and still in the street. Then his attention turned to her companion, a young man near her age, limp with shock and staring uncomprehendingly at the injured girl.

Taking the young man's unresisting hand, the Christian questioned: "Your wife?"

Almost inaudibly the answer came: "No, but soon to be—we had planned. Now"—and his voice rose to a cry—"if she is gone, what am I living for?"

As though roused by the well-loved voice, the recumbent girl slowly opened her eyes, and her wandering gaze finally fastened on her fiancé’s face. At the sorrowful cry, "What am I living for?" a faint smile touched her lips.

In an ecstasy of hope, the young man threw himself on his knees beside her. "Rose, Rose, don't leave me. Without you, my Rose, what have I to live for?"

Very slowly and brokenly the injured girl answered: "God knows best, Fred. He knows I am His and ready for His call. He knows—oh, Fred—He knows you are yet in your sins. You are not His child. He is giving you another chance, another opportunity to believe in Jesus. Receive Him, Fred—and meet— me—there."

A gush of crimson from the pale lips stifled the faltering voice, and the fainting girl relaxed in the arms of the ambulance attendant. With gentle care she was placed on the stretcher and it, in turn, was rolled into the ambulance. In a daze, the young man followed, and the Christian accompanied him, for he saw his work for the Lord clearly before him.

Friend, what are you living for? In God's love and mercy, you have been granted the inestimable boon of life. When He formed man, God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7). As an off-spring of that first man, Adam—and we all are—you partake of that Adam— life, of that same sinful nature that chose to believe Satan's lie in the Garden of Eden. Because of this, man's great failure, the epistle to the 1 Corinthians 15 tells us that "In Adam all die."

Friend, "why will ye die?" "In Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Cor. 15:22.

Are you "in Christ"? If so, your happy destiny with Christ is assured; and though the road that leads to the Christian's home in glory may often be rough, it will be smoothed by the comforting sense of His presence. Will you take Christ, the Savior of sinners, as your Lord? With Him as your object, His love, His life, His ineffable sweetness will flood your soul with "joy unspeakable and full of glory." Then you will know "what you are living for."

The Apostle Paul said: "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Phil. 1:21.

Why the Case Was Stopped

A lawyer came to his client and announced that he could not prosecute a certain claim. The client wanted to know the reason. The lawyer told him of a visit he had made to the home of the man he was to prosecute. He related: "I found the house and knocked, but nobody heard me. So I stepped into the hall, and through a crack in a door I saw a cozy little room. On her bed, her head high on the pillows, lay an old woman. I was about to knock again when the old woman said: 'Come, father, let's begin. I am all ready.'

"Down on his knees by her side went the old white-haired man, and I could not have knocked then for the life of me. With folded hands and face upturned, he began. First he reminded God that they were still His submissive children, and that whatever He saw fit to bring upon them, they would accept, though it would be hard for them to be homeless in their old age. How different it would have been if at least one of their boys had been spared!

"The old man's voice broke then, and a thin white hand stole from under the coverlet and moved softly through his snowy hair. He went on presently, saying that nothing could be so hard as the parting with the three boys had been—unless mother and he should be separated. Then he quoted several promises assuring the safety of those who put their trust in God. Last of all he prayed for God's blessing on those who were demanding justice."

Then the lawyer said to his client: "I would rather go to the poorhouse tonight, myself, than stain my hands and heart with such a prosecution."

"Afraid you'd defeat the old man's prayer?" asked the client with a hard tone.

"Bless your soul, man," said the lawyer, "you couldn't defeat that prayer. Of all the pleading I ever heard, that one moved me most. Why I was sent to hear that prayer I am sure I do not know. But I hand the case over."

"I wish," said the client uneasily, "that you hadn't told me about the old man's prayer."

"Why so?"

"Well, because I want the money that the house would bring. I was taught the Bible myself when I was a boy, and I wouldn't want to run against it. I wish I hadn't heard a word of what the old man said. Another time, if I were you, I would not listen to anything not intended for my ears."

The lawyer smiled. "My dear fellow," he said, "you are wrong again. That prayer was intended for my ears, and yours too. God almighty meant it so. My mother used to sing, 'God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.' "

"Well, my mother used to sing that, too," said the client. He twisted the claim papers in his fingers. "You can call in the morning and tell the old folks that the claim has been met!"

God always has the answer to His children's prayers. It is not for us to question as to how. "With God all things are possible." To us He says, "Only believe."

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him." 1 John 5:14, 15.

"Trust Him when the day shines brightest—
Trust Him when the shadows fall;
Trust Him, when just simply trusting
Is the hardest thing of all."

If I Owned the World

If I owned the world, but not the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?
If I owned the world, but not the Savior,
Would the gain be worth the life-long strife?
Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?

Had I wealth and love in fullest measure
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no home beyond, no harbor waiting
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer,
If I owned the world, but not the Savior,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge
Whither in my anguish I might flee?

Oh, what emptiness—without the Savior
Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity! How dark without Him!
Only night, and tears, and endless woe.
What though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
Oh, to face the valley's gloom without Him,
And without Him all eternity.

Oh, the joy of having all in Jesus,
What a balm the broken heart to heal!
Ne'er a sin so great, but He'll forgive it!
Nor a sorrow that He does not feel!
If I have but Jesus, ONLY Jesus!
Nothing else in all the world beside!
Oh, then I have EVERYTHING in Jesus!
For my needs and more He will provide.

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

John 3:3

Yours, a Fool

That was how the letter ended. Now let me tell the story of both the writer and the letter. When I first met him he was just passing out of his teens into a promising young manhood. His home life had furnished him with many advantages, and his natural ability, linked with a fair education, pointed to a successful career. But the trashy and sensational literature upon which he constantly feasted made him restless. The most reasonable restraint of home became irksome and distasteful to him.

Little by little there was aroused within him a desire for adventure. He was weary of the monotony of the little town, and longed to see life—the gay and boisterous life of which he had read so much. He, too, would taste the rapturous joy, and feel the thrills of a freer, bigger world. And so one morning there was consternation in the old home—Tom was missing! In his bedroom was found a note, to the effect that he was "fed up!" and was out to see life in the world for himself.

Through the long, dark night he sped along familiar roads, passing many a well-known village and town. Never had his bicycle seemed to serve him so well. A well-packed suitcase strapped behind contained clothing that would last him some time, while a well-filled purse helped to furnish him with the first of his longed-for thrills—he was out to see life! What mattered it that it was at other people's expense?

His second thrill was found in a new name. Dropping his old identity, he signed the hotel register in a certain city as Bertram Wallis. Swiftly he had reached the "far country" and the "riotous living," and then followed the easy path to the swine troughs. Boon companions, who gaily helped him to empty his purse, disappeared. Soon his suitcase was in the keeping of the pawnbroker. His loved bike sold for a small sum. Then he found himself penniless, homeless, and friendless.

Pulling himself together he tried, but all in vain, to secure employment. Nobody wanted him—he was too obviously a wastrel. How he began to long for the old home! But the memory of his shameful departure made return impossible. And so he determined to make one more effort to see life.

When I saw him later, he was a smart-looking soldier! A few months of strict army discipline had re-shaped him physically, but it had not quenched his craving for the thrills of life. He began to chafe under the rigid routine of the barracks.

It was at this time that he came under more helpful influences. Christian workers in a "Soldier's Home" sought to help him in every way possible. They soon won his confidence and secured the story of his life. His attendance at the devotional meeting gave them the opportunity to show him the folly and the peril of a life given wholly to selfish indulgence. At the same time they told him that, in spite of all the failure and sin of the past, there was hope in Christ who had died for the ungodly. "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

He learned, therefore, that there was hope for him, because God loves to pardon all who are willing to own their guilt and "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

He seemed to listen earnestly to the wonderful story of salvation as set forth in God's infallible Word, but to their sorrow they saw that he was determined to continue in his own way.

Neither the constraining love of Christ, nor the fact of the ultimate wrath of God towards the impenitent, seemed to move him. He had set out to see life, and he would still pursue its fleeting, mocking pleasures. Once more he was seized with the old, passionate restlessness, with its craving for excitement. The barracks seemed like a prison, from which he determined escape.

There was consternation in the Depot: Private Wallis had deserted! A comrade's watch was missing, and another man's wallet! There was further consternation through the disappearance of a new bicycle belonging to one of the staff at the Soldier's Home. Inquiries were set on foot, but months passed without news of the missing lad. The incident was nearly forgotten when a letter arrived. It enclosed a receipt for a bicycle which had been left in a cloakroom in a faraway seaside town. With the receipt was a letter from Wallis—the saddest letter ever read. It was a pitiful confession of sin and shame and despair. "I have made a mess of my life," he wrote, "and I see no hope for me. By the time you get this I shall have made my grave in the water. Yours, A Fool."

That week the local papers told of an inquest upon the body of a young soldier named Bertram Wallis, and the verdict was—"found drowned."

Unsaved friend, none but Christ can satisfy. He longs to save and to keep all who will come unto Him by simple faith in His atoning death upon the cross. Accept the Savior NOW, and He will not only save you eternally from the penalty of sin, but from the power of sin day by day. Believe in Him and you will receive ETERNAL LIFE!

"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.

A Questionable Performance

On a Saturday night some years ago a gifted young preacher was billed to take a leading part in a theatrical entertainment. The performance was described as "an extravagant farce," and the box office announced "standing room only" long before the curtain rose.

Do you question, as did some others, the propriety of a servant of God thus lending himself to the service of the world and Satan? Strange indeed was his excuse. He claimed that his purpose was not to advance himself as an actor, but to advertise his church and draw an audience to it!

When, at the end of the performance, the company was acknowledging the applause, a loud voice from the gallery shouted: "Give us the 'Glory Song,' Parson!"

Immediately the strong voice of the actor-preacher behind the footlights responded. "When all my labors and trials are o'er," he commenced. The orchestra conductor swung his baton into the rousing "Oh, that will be glory for me."

The pit and gallery started it. The dress circle was silent for a few minutes. Then they began to look ashamed of their abstention, and presently plunged wholeheartedly into the song. The orchestra stalls succumbed next, and those in the boxes could not help themselves. Presently the whole theater was engulfed in the chorus. Altogether it was the most remarkable performance ever seen or heard in that theater.

It is no lack of charity to say that probably, with few exceptions, all in that audience were unconverted. If anyone cares to dispute this statement, let him take his stand outside any theater and ask as many as he can the all-important question, "Are you converted to God?" He will soon be convinced of the truth of our assertion. Furthermore, any stray Christian in the audience would not be an earnest, bright, right-minded Christian, you may be assured.

Think then of the awful mockery of men and women, some under the influence of drink, some whose lives would bring the blush to the cheek, many mere pleasure-hunters, unconverted men and women, singing:

"When by His grace I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me!"

If they had sung the truth, they would have sung lines something like this: "When by His might I shall stand in His sight, That will be wailing, be wailing for me."

How else could a sinner in his sins meet the Savior whose grace he has spurned?

On the Easter program of a church an utterly unconverted man sang a solo: "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

Oh, the mockery of unconverted lips singing such words in a church, or singing the "Glory Song" in a theater—it matters little which. Men and women may sing thus, but the testing time will come, and how will the Savior speak?

We beg of you, unconverted reader, to turn to God in real repentance of soul, and trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Then you can join the redeemed of the Lord in heartily and thankfully singing the chorus:

"When by His grace I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me."

It will be "glory" for the believer to look on the face of the Savior, but "wailing" for the unbeliever. Which will it be for you?

A Prodigal Reclaimed

A profligate son of wealthy parents who were Christians was a sad disgrace to his family. Bob had turned his back upon home and parents. He gave himself up to a life of sin and debauchery. He became a wanderer without home or real friends. Finally, brought to the verge of starvation, he made a desperate resolve: he would break into his own father's home in the absence of the family. He knew where certain valuables were kept, and he foolishly reasoned that his father owed him a living. Bob determined that he would have it.

It was a simple matter for the lad to get into the house and no trouble at all to break open the safe. In the stillness he began to search for whatever he could turn into money. Finding a packet of papers, and glancing through them for something he could sell, he came upon his father's will! He began to read it and was amazed to find his name among the heirs, with a large bequest for the deluded but still beloved prodigal. At first he could not believe it possible, that the father with whom he had quarreled and whom he had treated so disgracefully, against whom he cherished such bitter feeling, still loved his wayward boy!

"Can it be true," he said to himself, "that my father loves me in spite of all my bitter hatred? Can it be, in spite of the dishonor I have brought upon the family, that he is still ready to treat me as a son?"

The more Bob thought of it, the more ashamed he was of his own wretched conduct. His shame soon turned to sorrow and, like the prodigal, he confessed, "I HAVE SINNED."

The happy sequel need not be told for we are more interested in YOU, dear reader! Are you a lost sinner? God loves YOU, in spite of your wanderings and enmity toward Him. He seeks your highest good, your eternal happiness. He waits with open arms to embrace you, for He longs for your salvation.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: 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.

A Lesson From an Old Picture

In the Bodleian Library at Oxford, England, there is an ancient manuscript written by an old monk. In this volume is a picture which most strikingly illustrates the spiritual condition of multitudes of men and women in the present day.

The picture shows Moses in the wilderness pointing the Israelites to the brazen serpent. "And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died... And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live." Num. 21:6, 8.

The serpent's bite was deadly. No medicine could cure it, but God provided an exceedingly efficacious but simple remedy. Whosoever looked—"simply looked"—at the brazen serpent on the pole was completely and instantaneously cured.

The old picture referred to is divided into two parts: (1) Healed ones standing near Moses, gazing at the brazen serpent, and (2) those who have been bitten and will not look at the brass replica.

What a fore-shadowing of the cross of Christ! Even as His agony on the tree can be the divine and efficacious panacea for the cure of sinful man, so the brazen serpent on the pole depicted to all who would "look" a sure antidote for the venom of the viper.

The cross is the dividing line of the picture. In the foreground is a man attired as a pilgrim who, with sad and dejected countenance, kneels on the ground and fixes his earnest gaze on Moses. Moses, with rod in hand, points him to the uplifted serpent, but he persists in looking at the wrong object—a man. There is one, and only one, way of deliverance, and if he despises or neglects it he will assuredly die.

There is but one way of salvation from the guilt and doom of sin, unsaved reader, and it is clearly and fully revealed in God's holy Word: "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." John 3:14, 15.

This is God's way of salvation. Some declare that way is "too easy," and assert that they must do this, do that, or do some other thing before they can obtain it. Deliverance from coming wrath and judgment can only be obtained through faith in the finished work of Christ. The words of Him who cannot lie are: "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Isa. 45:22.

The Philippian jailor questioned the Apostle, "What must I do to be saved?"

The answer came, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:30, 31.

In the second division of the picture, we see behind him who is gazing upon Moses, a man lying on the ground. A serpent is seen at a very short distance from him, but the man appears to be ignorant of his peril.

How like he is to careless, worldly, pleasure-seeking ones who know not their danger and feel not their load of guilt! Many are in this class. They assert that they have always loved God, and don't remember a time when they did not believe in Christ. They refuse to think that they were ever "bad enough" to deserve eternal punishment, and maintain that they have always done their "best," were never "lost", and never needed to be "converted." They know not that they "MUST BE BORN AGAIN.' John 3:7.

A third person in the picture appears to be busily engaged in attending the wounded. Not one look can he spare for the uplifted brazen serpent, nor does he point those whom he serves to that one efficacious remedy. Scripture says: "If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Matt. 15:14.

My reader, salvation is "not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:9. It is a free gift, and is offered you, even as you read these lines, by believing on Him who "gave Himself a ransom for all." 1 Tim. 2:6.

Behold the figure in the picture of a man striving desperately to kill the fiery serpents. With club in hand he is bent on the work of destruction. Many today are joining the battle, seeking to "elevate the masses." They enthusiastically demonstrate against the crying evils of society, while ignoring their own imminent peril.

An Israelite bitten by the serpent, even though he killed every one of them, could be cured in only one way—by a "look" at the brazen serpent. The people of Israel besought Moses to ask God to remove the serpents. If God had done no more than they asked for, what would have become of those who were already bitten? They would have perished. There was only one way to be cured, and that was looking at the serpent of brass upon the pole—not at the pole, not at Moses, not at his own wound. He must submit to God's way. The moment that his eye beheld the brass serpent glistening in the sunshine, he would be healed. And so it is with the sinner.

"There is life in a look at the crucified One:
There is life at this moment for thee.
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.

It is not thy tears of repentance nor prayers,
But the blood that atones for the soul.
On Him, then, believe, and a pardon receive,
For His blood now can make thee quite whole."

Christus Pacificator

High up in the Andes in South America, in a lonely spot, stands a monument with the inscription, "Christus Pacificator." This monument stands to commemorate the reconciliation of two nations which had been at war with each other. These two republics had been fighting and trying to destroy one another.

When by some means strife had come to an end and peace had been brought about, the combatants had shaken hands and friendship had been restored. So thankful are they, that they have mutually raised this monument. Giving the inscription, "Christus Pacificator"—Christ the Lord Jesus—the credit of it, they announce Him as the Peacemaker.

On a hill outside Jerusalem a monument once was raised which, while it told of man's continued bitter hatred and enmity, told out God's great heart of love and His yearning for man's peace and salvation. That monument was the cross on which "Christ the Peacemaker" died for man's sins. He "made peace through the blood of His cross," Col. 1:20, and now any man, "whosoever will," if he but lay down his arms of rebellion, can enter into "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1. Peace has been made. Peace has been proclaimed by the gospel to sinful men; and now peace may be enjoyed as a present thing, by any or all who accept this "Christus Pacificator" as their Savior.

Sin is madness, further strife consummate folly. Sinner, lay down your arms, confess your sin, accept the pardon God now holds out to you. There can be no peace until you give in and submit to God's terms.

After one of Lord Nelson's battles, the captain of one of the ships he had defeated went on board the Admiral's ship. After stepping on board, the vanquished man went up to Lord Nelson and held out his hand to shake hands. "Your sword first, please," said Nelson, and not till that was given up could the hand be held out in restored friendship.

Unsaved reader, confess your need of a Savior. God stands ready to receive and bless you on the ground of the death of "Christus Pacificator."

Speak Now for Jesus

Look now to Jesus.
"It is finished!" He cried.
His blood made atonement; for sinners He died;
Yes, died to redeem us, and bring us to God.
Look now unto Me and be saved is His word.
Look now to Jesus.
Speak now for Jesus.
Yes, amidst the gay throng,
When the world's wild hatred would muffle your tongue;
Though the conflict be great, and scoffers deride,
Still speak for the Savior, the One crucified.
Speak now for Jesus.
Work now for Jesus.
There is work to be done;
Laborers are wanted, the harvest's begun;
Ask not for wages, neither question your right;
Your Lord has commanded go ere it be night.
Work now for Jesus.
Fight now for Jesus.
Though the battle be rife,
Unsheathe from the scabbard your sword for your life;
Unfurl the Royal banner, and let the foe see
Victory was won when Christ died on the Tree.
Fight now for Jesus.
Watch now for Jesus.
He will not be long;
The day-star is rising, the morn has begun;
Yes, soon, very soon, you shall meet in the air
The Savior, Lord Jesus, His glory to share.
Watch now for Jesus.

IT IS
APPOINTED UNTO MEN
ONCE TO DIE,
BUT AFTER THIS
THE JUDGMENT.
HEB. 9:27.

BEHOLD,
NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME;
BEHOLD,
NOW IS THE
DAY OF SALVATION.
2 COR. 6:2.

The Chaplain and the Sergeant

As a Christian working among the troops during the war, I encountered some rather hard cases. Ignorance, superstition, and false teaching were the constant foes to be met and conquered, if possible, by the glorious simplicity of the gospel of God's great love to man.

One big, rough fellow, a sergeant, proved to be a hard nut to crack. For every statement of gospel truth presented to Sergeant Jack he responded with voluminous arguments and scoffing disdain. To me this was a most serious matter, since these soldier lads were constantly exposed to sudden death. How terrible to think of one being hurled into a Christ-less eternity! Each time we met I sought, by the leading of God's Spirit, to reach the hardened heart of the lost man and lead him to the Savior.

While traversing the trenches one day, I came face to face with Jack. In the narrow space he could not avoid me. With a fervent prayer for divine help I greeted the sergeant with a question, "Is your heart right with God, Sergeant? Have you settled accounts with Him yet?"

He shook his head and answered hesitantly, "I don't know as I have, sir. There's nothing to go on. Nobody has ever come back to tell us."

"Christ came back," I said. "And one who had passed over to the other side said, if we 'believed not Moses and the prophets,' we should not believe `though one rose from the dead'

"But there is something to go upon—a way by which we may be sure we are right. It is the word of Christ Himself. 'If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine.' And that will—the will of God—is that we should believe on His Son. Now come, Sergeant, will you put it to the test?"

"Well, what I say is—," he began.

"No," I interrupted, "we will not argue about it. Will you put it to the one sure test of Scripture?"

"It wants thinking over," he said as he turned away.

Some weeks passed before we met again, and then the poor fellow was in blue instead of khaki. He had had a tough experience on the firing line; he had been badly wounded, and his arguments were shaken. I sat down beside him on a bench outside the hospital while he told me his story. It was a tragic one.

"We had gone over the top," he said quietly, his whole manner subdued and altogether unlike his former self. "Fritz caught us in the open. There was nothing for us but to go on. Talk of facing the music! It was worse than being in a drum with all the madmen in a lunatic asylum banging away for all they were worth. Men were falling all around us. The earth was churned into a scum of choking dust—powdered chalk and rock. We went on until we could go no further, blinded and lost. My old pal Bill lurched up against me, and we both plunged headlong into a shell hole. 'I'm done for this time, Jack' he said."

The sergeant paused. To my suggestion he should not continue the sad story, he answered gravely: "It is easier talking of it than thinking endlessly about it."

He continued: "Poor old Bill and I had stuck to one another like leeches ever since we joined up together. When I looked at him, I knew he was done for; but I wasn't going to leave him. I ripped off one of my puttees and made a bandage of it to stop the blood. 'Don't mind me, Jack,' he said. 'Look after yourself for your wife and kiddies' sakes—and for mine too.'

"Fritz was dropping them like coals down a chute. Some of the medic chaps found us and helped me to get Bill on to my back. We crawled towards a hole; and then, before I could creep in, a piece of shell caught Bill and hurled him off my back. He may have already gone west—I don't know—but he was dead when I bent over him.

"Six of us made it into the hole and huddled together while shells screeched over us. None of us spoke—not a soul. For hours we were like that. Pray? I don't think I ever had prayed before, not in all my life. Now I did. It wasn't that I might be spared, for I wanted a shell to strike and put an end to my torture. Then I remembered the line of a hymn: 'Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.'

"For the first time in my life I flung all my excuses and arguments away. Helpless and in agony I clung—clung to Jesus Christ, who died for me. And that's where I am today—just clinging to the cross of Christ."

I knew then why Sergeant Jack had been so anxious to tell me his story. Here and there one may find a man ready to recount some terrible experience, but men of the sergeant's type are slow to speak of the horrors through which they have passed.

"And so you have been spared to serve Christ, Jack," I said.

He responded, "I want to. That was the first thought that came to me after we had buried my old pal, for he was a real chum to me. True as steel was Bill. Not a chap to say much; he left that mostly to me. But He was a solid-souled clean-living Christian. If I had followed his example instead of arguing, I would have a good deal less to be sorry for. With God's help I can look after his wife and kiddies when I get back. And I'll never stop praising Him for that mighty work on the cross of Calvary."

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Gal. 6:14.

The Simplicity of Faith

The simplicity of faith puzzles people; they worry their brains to understand, when they ought to yield up their hearts to receive. The reception of the truth is like a boy receiving a watch as a present: he understands nothing of the movements within; all he knows is that it is useful and almost every man has one, so he accepts it with delight. Future investigation enables him to comprehend the works, and how to regulate it.

So it is with God's Word—it has to be accepted by faith. Reception of it brings with it an understanding of God's principles, and an awakening to the responsibilities connected with it, and a delight in accepting them.

a Form of Godliness

A young woman was suddenly taken desperately ill, and when doctor saw her, she was told that she had not many weeks to live. How frightened she was to learn that she must soon appear before God, for she did not know Jesus as her Savior. She had been, as she said, a good churchwoman. Thus she had passed for a Christian, because she was regular in her attendance at church, took the sacrament often, gave liberally for religious and charitable purposes, and was well acquainted with what is generally known as the plan of salvation. "But," she said, "I have never thought it necessary to know a living Savior, nor to know from Himself that my sins are forgiven."

When a Christian lady went to see her, the dying woman explained to her this sad condition. Then she added, in hopeless anguish: "It is too late to seek Him now. I have had the form of godliness without the power of it. Now I am lost—lost forever."

In vain the Christian friend told her "God is love," and set before her the all-sufficiency of Christ to save her as she was, quoting 2 Peter 3: 9.

Sadly, the invalid wailed: "Too late. The gospel is not for me; it is for others. For me it is too late."

Her illness was running its course, and death, so dreaded, drew nearer and nearer. Her friend visited her often, and day and night ceased not to pray that the Lord would give her faith to believe.

When she was very near the end, she said: "Sometimes I think I could almost believe that 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have eternal life.'

"For me it has sounded in vain through a long lifetime. And now I can justify Him in saying, 'You have never cared for Me. You have been satisfied with Christianity without Christ. Only now, because you are dying, you come at the last moment in cowardice to My feet. Depart from Me! I never knew you.' "

Her friend, in great distress, cried silently to God to open her eyes to see Jesus as He is. Then she pointed out to her how sinful it was to speak against the character of love and mercy as seen in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I have not said anything against His character," the sick woman replied, earnestly. "I have told you I could wholly justify Him in condemning me."

"You did not intend it, I am sure," replied her friend, "yet you have refused to take Him at His word. He has said, 'Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'; and, 'Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out.'

"Now you say that, because you are weary and heavy laden, and are a dying creature, He says to you, as you stand trembling on the brink of eternity, 'I cast you away from your last hope... My promise is of no avail towards you.' I entreat you, never say that of Him again, for He is just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

The light of God's word shone into her soul, and she saw the wickedness of her unbelief, exclaiming: "I never understood before what an injustice I am doing Him! What shall I do? My last sin is my greatest!"

In deep contrition she clasped her hands, and prayed, "O Lord Jesus Christ, I am so grieved; I am so ashamed! I have distrusted Thy goodness, Thy marvelous enduring love, Thy truth, Thy faithfulness. My unbelief in Thee is my greatest sin of all. Lord, I now believe; help Thou mine unbelief."

Faint and weakened with conflicting emotions and the exertion she had made, she turned to her friend, saying: "Perhaps now I had better thank Him for having kept His promise, for having forgiven all my sins. I will not doubt Him anymore. You say the words out loud, and I will follow them in my heart."

How gladly and thankfully her friend did as she requested! Thus together their praises ascended to Him who "turneth the shadow of death into the morning."

As they parted, perhaps for the last time, this newborn soul repeated this old verse:

"The soul that to Jesus has fled for repose,
He will not, He cannot, give up to his foes;
That soul, the' all hell should endeavor to shake,
He'll never, no never, NO NEVER forsake."

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

Afraid of God

I was looking for a house to rent and went to look at one that was advertised. A very pleasant woman was in charge and kindly showed me over the place, readily answering all my questions.

As I was leaving, my eye caught sight of an old torn Bible lying on the stairs. It looked as if it said, "They didn't think me worth taking away. So here I am, the good Book, containing most blessed news from God about His Son."

I picked it up and asked my guide what Book it was.

"Oh," she said, "I'm sure it's a very good Book."

"How do you know its a very good Book?"

"It tells us good things about heaven—about God."

"Are you afraid of Him?" I immediately asked.

"Deed I am!" replied the woman. Then added,

"About the only One I am afraid of."

"Oh, dear soul, it only shows you do not know Him," was my answer. "He is the One who gave His Son to die for just such as you and me. Afraid of Him?"

I read her one or two passages, and she promised to take the old Bible home, and look into it for herself. She asked me to mark with pins, which she took out of her dress for the purpose, a couple of verses I had particularly pressed upon her. They were, "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." John 3:16. "The blood of Jesus Christ HIS SON cleanseth us from all sin." I John 1:7.

Well, dear reader, are you afraid of Him? Do you mentally say, "I am! I dread the thought of meeting a holy God, I am such a sinner"?

Take comfort! Christ died for sinners, just for such as you, and if you go to Him He will never cast you out.

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

Who Will Die First?

Waiting at the railway station for my train to start, I was talking to a well-known evangelist and two Christian friends. "He that winneth souls is wise," (Prow. 11:30), is an exhortation which was strikingly exemplified all through the devoted life of this aged preacher of the gospel. Perhaps it had never been more so than on this present journey.

There being some races at a place a little distance up the line, there was an unusual crush of people on the platform. Presently a band of young men jumped into the compartment where the three Christians were sitting. It was a somewhat incongruous mixture, for to all outward appearance these pleasure-bent youths knew little of heavenly matters, nor were they a likely congregation at such a time for a gospel address. Some of them were smoking, and all of them talking and laughing as light-heartedly as possible.

"Dear brothers," said the old evangelist, in the gentle and loving way so peculiar to himself, "we have made a mistake. This is a smoking car; let us change into another."

"No, sir," said one of the young men, no doubt struck by the old man's gentle manner, "this is not a smoking car! We ought to change."

"Don't you trouble to change," said, the old Christian; "we can get into another."

"Not a bit of it, sir," replied a chorus of voices.

"We shall get out. Stay where you are."

With that they all left. After a few minutes the whole group returned, for the train was full. Out went their pipes, and they settled themselves down somewhat more quietly than they had done the first time.

If our old friend had taken the law into his hands in the first instance, and, with a "Now then, this is not a smoking car," peremptorily ordered them either to desist or to get out, as we have often heard under similar circumstances, his opportunity for serving his Master would have been ended so far as that journey was concerned. But his gracious ways had pierced beneath the rough exterior, and touched a tender spot in all their hearts.

He was quick to seize his opportunity. Looking across to one of his friends who sat in the farther corner of the coach, he called out, "What a remarkable verse that is that says, 'Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.' "

Then continuing, he said: "Certainly I knew that I was a sinner, and had committed many sins; I was unjust, and far away from God; but then, Christ suffered for my sins—what a wonderful thing! And He, the Just One, too, took the place of me, the unjust guilty sinner. Oh, what love was this!"

Much more in the same strain followed, to which all the young men listened most attentively. It seemed as if they must; he had gained an influence over them which they could not resist. Or was this the constraining love of Christ in action?

Presently his hand dived down to the depths of the inside breast pocket of his coat. His every movement was watched intently by the gang. Out came a tract. Its title was, "Your Dying Hour!"

Holding it in his hand for a moment or two, he then looked quietly from one to another in the coach. "I wish I had one to give you each, but this is the last I have left." He paused.

"I feel this to be a very serious matter. I am sure this booklet contains a message from God to one of you. But which one is to have it?"

Again he paused. Every eye was fixed upon the speaker. "A thought just strikes me," he said. "I will give it to the one who is going to die first."

For some minutes a pin might have been heard to drop; at length one of them gasped out, "I hope it won't be me, sir."

"My young friend," replied the evangelist, "I will give it to you. Of course, I do not know whether you will die first, but I charge you solemnly to read this book carefully through one hour before you die."

The train pulled up at the station. The young men got out, leaving the three Christians alone again in the coach, praying that this arrow shot at a venture might pierce the hearts of not a few of them.

As the train moved away from the station the group of young men were seen standing close together on the platform reading the book. The day of Christ alone will declare the full result of that day's incident.

Reader, there may be but one hour before you die. Are you ready?

I Have Called You Friends

A college professor had impressed a group of students by his outstanding comportment. His face reflected such peace and joy, and his ways were so gentle and kind, that all were drawn to him.

One day, a student decided to follow as closely as possible this certain professor in his activities. He wanted to learn the secret of his calm, quiet life. Therefore, when evening came and it was time for the professor to enter his study, this student discovered a way to remain unseen while observing this exemplary man.

After the professor was seated at his desk, the student watched him open the Bible which was known to be on his desk at all times. One hour the professor spent in meditation over the open Book and in silent prayer.

After this, he closed the sacred volume and audibly pronounced these words: "Lord Jesus, Thou knowest that I belong to Thee, and that all is well between Thee and me."

Dear reader, the student now understood the reason why this man was different—he realized that this man had spent time in secret with the One who loved him and gave Himself for him. The words of John 15:15, "I have called you friends," had become real to him.

The Lord Jesus said those cherished words for those who know Him in such an intimate way-the climax that any human life can reach: "I have called you friends."

Why Don't You Speak of Jesus?

You're speaking of the sunshine,
You're speaking of the rain,
Of flocks and pleasant pastures,
And of the golden grain;
Why don't you speak of Jesus?

You're speaking of your children,
Of kindly hearth and home,
Of loving and beloved ones
Who far away must roam;
Why don't you speak of Jesus?

His love is love abiding,
Which never can decay;
Though home and heart be lonely,
He will not turn away;
Then speak to me of Jesus.

When speaking by the Spirit
In glance, and thought, and word,
It is the quiet wisdom
Which cometh from the Lord.
Thus speak to me of Jesus!

Now listen, O my brothers!
And listen, sisters mine,
Go forth and scatter freely
Each seed of fruit divine;
And ever speak of Jesus.

But go, remembering daily
We live in holy strife;
You'll speak of Him most surely
By likeness to His life;
Thus truly speak of Jesus.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out."

Acts 3:19

A Light in a Dark Place

The missionary, Moffat, once came, hungry and tired, to a heathen village on the banks of the Orange River in Africa. He and his companions were treated roughly, and ordered to halt at a distance. They asked for water, but were denied. Moffat then offered several buttons off his coat for a little milk. This also was refused. The travelers realized that they must expect no kindness, but must pass another night without food and water.

When, however, twilight came, a woman appeared bearing on her head a bundle of wood. In her hand was a vessel of milk. These she put down before them and went away without saying a word. In a short time she came again with a cooking vessel on her head, a leg of mutton in one hand, and water in the other. Still preserving her silence, she prepared a fire and cooked the food. Of this feast she motioned the little company of Christians to partake.

After the meal, the native woman was affectionately entreated to give a reason for showing such unlooked-for kindness to strangers. Tears stole down her sable cheeks, as she replied in the Dutch language: "I love Him whose servants you are. Surely it is my duty to give you a cup of cold water in His name. My heart is full. I can't speak for the joy of seeing you in this out-of-the-world place."

And what was her history? She was a solitary light in a dark place. When asked how she kept up the light of God in her soul, she drew from her bosom a copy of the Dutch New Testament. She had received it in a missionary school. "This," said she, "is the fountain whence I drink; this is the oil which makes my lamp burn."

"Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted." Psa. 89:15, 16.

The Czar and the Psalm

When Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, came to the throne, few Bibles existed in his empire, and indifference towards religion almost universally prevailed. A high place in the church soon became vacant, and the emperor appointed his favorite prince, Alexander Galitzin, to fill it. At first the prince declined the appointment, pleading entire ignorance of religion; but the Emperor overruled the objection and Galitzin felt constrained to accept the appointment.

The prince, on his first interview with the venerable Archbishop Platoff, requested him to point out some book which would give him a concise view of the Christian religion, that he might be better qualified for his official duties. The archbishop, rather surprised at the prince's professed ignorance of religion, recommended the Bible. The prince said he could not think of reading that Book.

"'Well," replied the archbishop, "that is the only Book there is, or ever will be, that can give you a correct view of the Christian religion."

"Then I must remain ignorant of it! Reading the Bible is out of the question," was his reply.

The words, however, of the venerable Platoff remained in his mind, and he shortly afterward privately bought and read the Bible. The effects were soon visible. He was not known to be a "Bible reader," and his changed attitudes were viewed with contempt.

In the year 1812, when information reached St. Petersburg that Napoleon's armies had entered Moscow, panic came upon the inhabitants. They hastily packed up their valuables to flee to some place of security, fully expecting that the French would soon march upon the capital. The Emperor himself was preparing to go forth with a body of troops from the city to withstand the invading foe.

During this time Prince Galitzin remained calm and unconcerned, and engaged a large number of men in repairing his palace. Indeed, he continued to occupy it, notwithstanding the prevailing anxiety and fear. His companions were astonished at his course, and some envious persons even reported to the Emperor what he was doing, and ventured to hint that he might be a traitor, with some secret understanding with the invading foe! Alexander sought an interview with the prince, who was glad of an opportunity to acquaint the Emperor with the foundation upon which his confidence was built.

"Galitzin," asked the Emperor, "what are you doing? What means all this? Everyone prepares to flee, and you are building."

"Oh," said the prince, "I am here in as sure a place of safety as any I could flee to; the Lord is my defense."

"Whence have you such confidence?" questioned the Emperor. "Who assures you of it?"

"I hold it in my heart; and it is also stated in this divinely inspired volume," answered the prince.

He drew from his pocket and held out a small Bible—a Book which the Emperor had never seen before! He put out his hand to receive it, but by some inadvertence it dropped on the floor, opening as it fell. The prince raised the sacred volume, glanced at the open page, and said: "Well, permit me to read to you in that very place at which the Bible lies open."

It was that wonderful passage, Psalm 91.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

"Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

"Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."

"Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

"Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

"Oh, that your majesty would seek this sure retreat!" said the prince, as he read the inspiring words.

The Emperor stood for a while as a man astonished. His army was now marching out of the city; and, as was customary, he must repair to the great church for public worship, that being the last place the Emperor visited when leaving the capital for some time.

After entering there, a religious service proceeded, and the officiating priest read, to the wondering Emperor's amazement, the same ninety-first psalm!

After the service Alexander sent for the priest and asked if Galitzin had mentioned the circumstances of their recent interview. The priest replied that he had heard nothing of the matter. "Then who told you to make choice of that particular passage this day?"

The priest replied that no one had told him, but that he had desired in prayer that the Lord would direct him to the particular portion of the inspired volume he should read to encourage the Emperor. That 91st Psalm had come before him and he apprehended that it was the word of the Lord to him.

The Emperor now proceeded on his way some distance. Late in the evening, feeling a great seriousness of mind, he sent for his chaplain to read the Bible to him in his tent. He came and began to read: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

"Hold," said the Emperor. "Who told you to read that?"

"God," said the chaplain.

"How?" said the Emperor. "Has Galitzin told you?"

He replied that he had not seen the prince, nor had any one told him what to read. "Surprised at your sending for me," continued the chaplain, "I fell upon my knees before God, and besought Him to teach my weak lips what to speak. I felt that part of the holy Word pointed out to me. Why your majesty interrupted me I know not."

The Emperor astonished at this, paid the greater attention 'to what was read, believing that this must be the Lord's ordering. He was therefore very solemnly impressed, and from that time he faithfully read, morning and evening, a chapter in the Bible. The impressions made upon his mind by that psalm were not transient. He took Galitzin's Bible, and to use his own language, "I devoured it, finding in it words suitable to, and descriptive of, the state of my mind. The Lord, by His divine Spirit, was also pleased to give me an understanding of what I read therein. It is to this inward Teacher alone that I am indebted: therefore I consider divine Inspiration, or the teachings of the Spirit of God, as the sure foundation of saving knowledge and keeping grace."

"They received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:11.

A Timely Intervention

"I'll go to the theater and enjoy myself in spite of you both. Why should a young fellow be so cramped and hindered by two girls from having a little fun?"

These words were almost shouted in an angry outburst. This was so unusual in that quiet home that, as soon as Harry had closed the door, leaving his two sisters alone, they burst into tears. It was the first jarring note that had marred the harmony of the trio who, since the mother's death, had lived happily together in the old home.

The two sisters were earnest Christians, never ashamed to let their light shine, or to tell others of the Savior whom they loved. The younger was a delicate girl, not able to get about much; but she gathered together a class of little girls on the Sunday afternoons, and had much joy in telling them the way of life through Jesus.

Harry was a student at the college in a nearby city. On the weekends he came out to their country home to spend Sunday with his sisters. He had "professed" conversion when quite a boy, and during his mother's lifetime maintained his profession, outwardly at least. Indeed, he could scarce do otherwise, for under her ever-watchful eye, he could not go far astray. Now that she, his spiritual prop, was gone, Harry had found new companions in the city, and it was becoming painfully evident to his sisters that he was either a "backslider," or that he had never been really "born again."

His determination to go to the theater that evening, so soon after his coming from the city, and expressing the bitter words of defiance he had spoken to his affectionate sisters, had finally convinced the girls that Harry was not the Lord's. If he had ever been truly converted, how could he find satisfaction in the theater? Could a Christian enjoy the company of such as frequent the shows?

Distressed by the untoward altercation with their brother, the two girls could only look to God. As they knelt together, an earnest, tearful prayer was wafted from that lone room to the throne of grace. Surely it must have entered the open ear of God the Almighty. Miracles, such as were performed in the early days, exist no more; but the "Lord's hand is not shortened." Isa. 59:1. In answer to prayer it is yet made bare.

At the very moment the sisters were praying, Harry was stopped as if by an unseen hand. He cannot describe what he felt, but the words rang in his ear: "Prepare to meet thy God!"

They were God's message to arrest the wanderer and bring him to Himself. For a long time, Harry wandered in the dark night, in real mental agony. He had not wanted to hurt his sisters nor to dim his testimony of being a Christian. Also, he had promised his mother in his boyhood that he would never indulge in worldly pleasures. Now he was on the way to break that promise. Harry knew that one step would likely lead to another, and that, once on the downward path, he would in all probability be plunged into the vortex of worldliness and utter ungodliness. Once the restraints of home and Christian upbringing are cast aside, how easy for one to sink deeper into the slough of sin than any other!

Wandering to and fro, the conscience-stricken youth was uncertain what to do or where to go. Ashamed to return to his sisters and confess his faults, he was goaded by the devil to make the plunge. What restrained him? Was it only his conscience? Was the remembrance of his mother's counsels and warnings now being brought before him—in answer to his sisters' prayers? He wandered into a quiet street and there—not by "chance," as men say, but by the appointment of that God who "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will"—he stood in front of a brightly lit hall. At the door a number of young men were standing, singing the hymn, "Jesus is mighty to save."

One of the circle seeing a stranger, evidently not "on business bent," went up to him with a cheery greeting. He invited Harry to spend an hour at their gospel meeting. It was to be addressed that evening by a band of converted students.

Harry needed no second invitation: he entered and sat down. To his surprise, a few of the speakers were his own classmates, and as one after another told simply but definitely how he had been awakened, convicted and converted, Harry was fully convinced that his former "profession" had been a sham. He now knew that he had never been truly converted at all.

God spoke to the troubled lad during that meeting. At the close he had a long, close, personal talk with two of the students. To them he opened his heart, expressed his difficulties, and was pointed to a personal and present Savior. One said: "If you missed the mark before, and did not have Christ, you need not fear to trust Him now. He is able and willing to save. And you will know that you have not a profession, but a possession of eternal life, the moment you cast yourself upon Him."

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

Harry did surrender himself as a sinner to the Savior, and He—as He ever does—received him. He ran without stopping till he reached his home. Opening the door, he hurried to his sisters and, locking them in his arms, he burst into tears. Then came the joyful confession: "NOW I AM SAVED!"

"I'm saved now, thank God!"

There was great joy and many thanksgivings as he told the story of haw the Lord had met him. At last he knew Jesus, who is "mighty to save."

"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. 7:25.

A Fly

We have often heard of men, women or even children who, in God's ways, have been used for special blessings to others around them. But could you ever believe that a fly, that undesirable insect, could be an instrument in God's hand to bring a soul to Him? Yes, our God in His infinite wisdom can use the smallest and weakest to confound the strong and mighty.

When the well known gospel preacher, John Wesley, was holding meetings in the city of Dublin, Ireland, a man was drawn to come to hear that outstanding speaker. Being fond of music, he came with the idea that he could stop his ears to the preaching and open them for the singing of hymns.

All went well and according to his plan until a fly flew near, persistently settling itself on his face. This annoyed him so that he kept chasing it away with his hand. Believe it or not, that small lapse of time was put to a remarkable use, for the man's own good.

As he uncovered his ears to swat the fly, a solemn warning came from the preacher. Over and over the message sounded. God, in His infinite mercy and love for lost souls, speaks once, yea, twice. Woe to those who close their ears and minds against Him. The warning was four times repeated: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 11:15.

"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:9.

"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." Matthew 13:43,

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Mark 4: 9.

The man who was so determined not to hear was, in spite of himself, brought under the sound of God's voice. And in spite of every hindrance, when God speaks, His words do not return unto Him void.

This man was arrested against his will. He was forced to take heed in such a way that he had no rest until he found peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

"Incline your ear, and come unto Me: hear, and your soul shall live." Isa. 55:3.

Just As You Are

How many there are who think that they must feel differently, or that they must improve their condition, before they come to Jesus! That is a mistake. Jesus invites you to come to Him just where you are, and just as you are, and just now; and

"If you linger till you're better,
You will never come at all."

Are you conscious that you are a sinner? Do you find that the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me, a sinner", suits you? Then that is your recommendation. Come to the Savior, and be assured that He is waiting to welcome you. Only "come to Him just as you are."

My Jewels

In a day of closing darkness,
When the outlook is so black,
When the hearts of men are failing,
And the feet of saints turn back—
When corruption spreads her mantle
O'er the minds, and ways, of all,
When the violent doth prosper,
And men's passions rise and fall,

Then, amid the gloom and darkness,
Shines one feeble ray of light—
Some, who feel and own the ruin,
Seek by faith to walk aright—
Some, who "fear" the Lord of glory,
And who think upon His name,
Some who often speak together
Of His glory and His shame;

Some, who often round Him gather,
To exhort, and sing, and pray—
Some, who prove amid the darkness,
They are children of the day;
Some, who wait a coming
Savior, And who long His face to see,
Some, who wait their hope's fruition
Till conformed to Him they be.

God, who dwells in heavenly glory,
He beholds this feeble few,
He records in His remembrance
All the sorrows they pass through;
He discerns each true affection,
And declares, "They shall be Mine!
When I gather up 'My Jewels,'
These shall in My presence shine."

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

The "Cat" Burglar

While I was a youngster in a mill town of the South many years ago, one of my playmates was a small Negro lad known by his white companions as "Black Joe." Many were the good times we had together. Little Joe generally was along and figured prominently in most of our escapades.

I remember so well "hog-killing" time. Black Joe was always present and enjoyed the season along with his white friends. In the spring, "marbles for keeps" and egg rolling occupied us. Summer brought the gang to the old swimming hole where Joe proved to be excellent in our diving contests.

Many years have passed since those days of simple pleasures. One morning lately, while reading the old home paper, I was attracted by an article with bold headlines:

"CAT BURGLAR STILL AT LARGE"

The city was being terrorized by someone with exceedingly sly, cat-like movements. Every effort made by the authorities to trap him had been cleverly evaded, and the situation had continued for some weeks.

Late one evening, true to the word of the ever living God, "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Num. 32:23), a Negro man was seen furtively entering a residence. The alarm, quickly sounded, was answered immediately and a bloody fight followed.

Later that night the "Cat Burglar" was no longer at large. The seriously wounded black man was carried, under guard, to the local hospital.

On reading of the wounding and capture of the criminal, I was struck by the name Joe Davis. Could he possibly be my former playmate, Black Joe? It was only a few miles to the hospital where he was being held, and I decided to go and inquire.

I was told I must receive permission from the police before entering the room. This was finally granted through the Chief of Police (with whom I am personally acquainted) and I was allowed to enter the prisoner's room.

There he lay, motionless, his face turned toward the wall. I approached his bed and softly called his name. He painfully turned his head and opened his eyes. I repeated his name, my name, and the name of our little town, over again and he 'recognized me. It was Joe!—little Black Joe, my friend!

"Joe," I said softly, though his eyes were now closed, "If I had seen you ten years ago I could have told you then of the Savior's love. I might have been the instrument used by God to have saved you from this terrible condition; for by His grace I have known the Lord Jesus Christ's saving and keeping power for the last fifteen years.

"Joe, will you accept Jesus as your Savior—now? He can save you from your guilt and sins just as His blood washed away the sins of the dying thief on the cross because he believed. You are in a critical condition and soon may pass into eternity. Won't you trust in that blood of Calvary, shed for sinners such as you and me? Then you will be ready to go to be with Him in the glory above."

"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." John 3:16.

I took his hand in mine and waited. With tears coursing down his cheeks, he opened his eyes for a moment and I caught a feeble murmur from his lips.

"I do—I do trust Him."

Kneeling at Joe's side I prayed to our Savior, thanking Him for saving such sinners as Joe and me and praising Him for His wondrous grace and love.

We parted—never to meet again on earth. But, praise His name, through faith and mutual belief in the cleansing power of Jesus' blood, Joe and I shall meet in the glory.

Dear reader, do you know Christ as your Savior? You may say, "I'm no thief." No, but you are a sinner. God has declared that "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

There is nothing that can save a sinner but the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Trust Him today and then, like the eunuch of old, you may go on your way rejoicing. (See Acts 8:39).

What Is Sin?

"Sin is lawlessness." I John 3:4 (R. V.)

"All unrighteousness is sin." I John 5:17.

"An high look, and a proud heart... is sin." Prov. 21:4.

"The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.

"Whatsoever is not faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.

"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

The Latter End

These lines were found among the papers of a renowned educator. He had spent his life in devotion to the quest of honor and fame. His attainments would, no doubt, be highly commended by the world. The lines speak for themselves with a seriousness and intensity which cannot be overstated, and stand as a solemn warning to all who would walk ambition's glittering pathway.

"Why labor for honor? Why seek after fame?
Why toil to establish a popular name?
Fame! aye, what is fame? A bubble—a word,
A sound that's worth nothing, a hope that's deferred;
A heart-sickening hope that's too often denied,
Or withheld from the worthy, to pander to pride.
Then out upon fame! Let her guerdon be riven!
Nay, hold! Let me strive as I always have striven.
Out, out upon fame! Too late will she come.
Her wreath mocks my brow. Will it hang on my tomb?
Too much have I labored, too willingly gave
My thoughts to the world—AND HAVE EARNED BUT A GRAVE."

Such lines need no comment. Let us turn from them to an extract from the last writings of one who had renounced the most ambitious career, to take up the cross and to follow the Lord Jesus into the place of rejection.

At the end of a life of trial and suffering, such as few are called upon to undergo, he was cast into a Roman dungeon. Almost all his earthly friends had forsaken him. He had appeared once before that cruel tyrant Nero, and before him lay the lions or perhaps some other fiendish torture. Truly it was "a latter end" to be naturally greatly dreaded.

What had this man earned? No thoughts of the grave filled his soul when he wrote to his young friend Timothy: "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

Again no comment is needed. The language of Paul the Apostle is too sublime to require human praise.

Now we would earnestly ask every reader of these lines to ponder well the striking contrast, remembering always that no man can serve two masters. It must be God or the world. I beg you to be wise, understand the truth, and consider the latter end of these things.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Josh. 24:15.

One Sheep

"What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?" Matt. 12:11.

One sheep! Who would have thought one sheep could be of so much value in the eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ? And yet it is. A rich proprietor, you would say, who had thousands grazing on the mountain side, would not miss one sheep. He would not take it much to heart if one should fall and perish. What would the loss of one sheep be, where countless multitudes remain in safety?

Such may be the reasoning of man, but it is not the thought of Jesus. One sheep is precious to Him—aye, every sheep, as much so as if He had no other. Even though it fall into a pit, still it is precious. He will not abandon it. Surely He will lay hold of it, and lift it out.

Deep was the pit in which it lay by nature—filthy the mire which covered and defiled it (Psa. 51:5), but the shepherd's love was towards it even then. Love that was strong as death, love that sought its object in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deep. Love that braved everything to work its rescue from the jaws of the destroyers—from the wolf that waited to devour. Love that gave all it could give—life itself—to satisfy the holiness of God—to break the adversary's power—to save, and wash, and bring to light and liberty the fallen, sunken sheep.

How well that love has done its task—most perfectly—most fully! All that was necessary to the poor sheep's blessing—all that was needful for its everlasting security has been accomplished for it. God has been glorified in its recovery. And who has done this? Jesus. He who came from heaven to earth to ransom us. For we were as that sheep: going astray, fallen into the pit of mire. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, was the only one who could seek and save such as we were. And He did.

He took me out of the pit and from the miry clay,
He set my feet on the rock, establishing my way;
He put a song in my mouth, my God to glorify,
And He'll take me some day to my home on high.

E'en Down to Old Age

Mrs. Ware was blind. She had been brought up in the church, but at the age of sixteen she had ceased to attend. She married, and her family were all grown. Mrs. Ware was influenced by a neighbor to return to her former church.

Subsequently, three of her sons and a daughter were soundly converted to God, and, of course, their beloved mother became a continual subject of their prayers. She was also remembered in prayer before the Lord by a number of Christians gathered to His name in the city of Ottawa, though her home was outside the city.

God heard, and answered the prayers in a most remarkable manner. Mrs. Ware was now quite old over eighty— and blind. She was ill and in bed some years ago, when members of the family heard her talking to herself, as they supposed. One of the girls, a granddaughter named Maggie, going in heard her exclaim, as she clapped her hands together: "Yes, Lord, I believe You, for You never told a lie."

Maggie inquired, "Oh, Granny, what's the matter?"

Granny answered: "Maggie, don't you see that beautiful text? "Come unto Me, come unto Me; though your sins be as scarlet I will make them whiter than snow: though they be crimson I will make them as wool.' Don't you see it? It is as plain as A, B, C. I haven't read it for years, but I can read that as plain as A, B, C."

Maggie, quite frightened, ran to her father. "Father," she said, "Granny's crazy. She thinks she can see things on the wall, and there's nothing there at all."

Her son ran in and the old lady put her arms around his neck, and cried, "Oh, John, I'm saved now and I know it. I need no minister anymore."

Imagine with what joy John told the good news to his brother, who returned with him. Together they sat with their mother, talking and praising God until midnight.

The following Lord's day her daughter came to see her. "Oh, Mary Ann," she said, "I'm saved now, and I know it."

"Before this," said this very daughter, "she would say it was presumption for anyone to think they were saved until after judgment."

Dear reader, this is a plain, simple account of God's peculiar and special way in bringing that aged one to Himself. Have you never heard Him say to you, "Come unto Me, come unto Me"?

"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.

"I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9.

Bible Testimony

The Hon. William Ewart Gladstone, one-time Prime Minister of Great Britain, a great scholar and statesman, was a strong believer in the Bible as the Word of God. Here is his testimony, a worthy contribution to any gospel paper.

“‘Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.' As they have lived and wrought, so they will live and work. From the teacher's chair and from the pastor's pulpit; in the humblest hymn that ever mounted to the ear of God from beneath a cottage roof, and in the rich, melodious choir of the cathedral, 'their sound is gone out into all lands and their words unto the ends of the world.'

"Nor here alone; but in a thousand silent and unsuspected forms will they unweariedly prosecute their holy office. Who doubts that, times without number, particular portions of Scripture find their way to the human soul like messengers from on high, each with its own commission of comfort, of guidance, or of warning? What crisis, what trouble, what perplexity of life has failed or can fail to draw from this inexhaustible treasure-house its proper supply? What profession, what position is not daily and hourly enriched by these words which repetition never weakens, which carry with them now, as in the days of their first utterance, the freshness of youth and immortality?

"When the solitary student opens all his heart to drink them in, they will reward his toil. And in forms yet more hidden and withdrawn, in the retirement of the chamber, in the stillness of the night season, upon the bed of sickness, and in the face of death the Bible will be there, its several words often winged with their several and special messages, to heal and to soothe, to uplift and uphold, to invigorate and stir.

"Nay, more, perhaps than this; amid the crowds of the court, or the forum, or the street, or the marketplace, when every thought of every soul seems to be set upon the excitements of ambition or of business, or of pleasure, there too, even there, the still small voice of the Holy Bible will be heard, and the soul, aided by some blessed word, may find wings like a dove, may flee away and be at rest."

It was the Bible in Latin, accidentally discovered, which revolutionized Martin Luther's life, and stirred Christendom to its depths. He read the Book and it shook him to the very center of his soul. It has been said, he trembled before no man; but he trembled before the Word of God and cried out, "my sins! my sins!" Finally the same Word led him to see God's remedy for sin, and he found pardon and peace in believing. Christ became everything to him. Afterward he wrote to a friend: "Come over and join us, a great and awful sinner saved by the grace of God." Reader! What is the Bible to you?

Not Yet

"Go thy way for this time." Acts 24:25.

The Savior calls! He speaks to all;
"Oh, listen to My cry;
I'll set you free from Satan's thrall—
Oh why, then, will you die?
Believe in Me—believe today":
Men list awhile, then turn away,
Their hearts intently set
On something they would first obtain—
Renown or pleasure, ease or gain—
And they respond, "Not yet!"

"Not yet: I wish to get a name,"
Said one whose cheeks were pale,
Already known to earthly fame,
Yet wishing to excel;
"Relieved of all my labor soon,
Rest shall be mine-a long sought boon;
Then I will seek Thy face."
Alas! before it came he fell,
And sad, oh sad indeed, to tell,
Unsought the God of grace.

"Not yet," said one; and went her way,
On pleasure bent alone;
"I'll think of Thee another day,
When age comes creeping on."
Then mingling in the busy crowd,
Her heart was light, her laugh was loud,
As pleasure's round she tried;
But sickness came-again the voice
Said, "Make the Savior now thy choice."
"Not yet," she said, and died.
"Not yet; my business claims my mind,"

Said one, and went his way;
"Another season I must find—
I cannot yield today."
Forthwith with heart and soul he went
On enterprise and business bent,
Nor thought of aught beside;
Immersed in cares, no time he found
To think of where his soul was bound,
And so he lived—and died.

"Not yet!" alas! the echoed phrase,
We hear as on we wend,
From youthful lips, and those whose days
Are drawing to an end.
Life, precious life, they thus despise,
For while they wait, the blessing flies;
The Savior says, "Today."
Be wise; on Jesus fix thy heart,
And choosing thus the "better part,"
Rejoicing, speed thy way.

Waiting

Some years ago I visited a fisherman who was in deep exercise as to his soul's salvation. "Oh, no," he said, "I am lost! There is no grace for me. I did not open my heart when the Savior stood before its door, knocking. Now He has gone away."

The man had neglected to decide fully for Christ when others were pressing into the kingdom. Since then he had been in fear and sorrow, constantly saying: "I did not open unto Him when He knocked, and now He has gone away."

"What you are saying is not so," I responded, "for if you would but open unto Him now, you would find Him still standing there, waiting, for it is still the day of salvation."

With these words I left him, bidding him farewell. He looked at me fixedly, but said nothing.

The next day the man came to me with a face beaming with joy, saying: "Oh, sir, you were right. When I opened unto Him, then I found Jesus standing there, still waiting. Now I have received Him and He is my Savior and Lord, and I am happy and at rest."

This man is still a happy Christian, walking with the other believers of the village in the narrow path of life which leads to eternal glory.

Behold the Savior at the door!
He gently knocks—has knocked before;
Has waited long—is waiting still;
You use no other friend so ill.

"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.

The Foolishness of Preaching

"How can a man believe that through the blood of the crucified Jesus he can receive the forgiveness of his sins and peace with God? Is not that foolishness?" asked a man of a Christian.

"Surely it is," answered the believer, "the Apostle Paul calls it so."

"You are jesting, sir!" said the other. "Paul and I cannot agree on that subject."

"Just read this," the believer said, handing the inquirer God's Book. It was I Corinthians 1:18: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but to us which are saved it is the power of God."

The man turned away abruptly. He was far more touched than he would acknowledge. He has read since then very diligently in the Word of God, secretly at first, then boldly. Now the preaching of the cross is no more foolishness to him, but truly the power of God unto salvation.

"For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." I Cor. 1:21.

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

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel
of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that
believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek."

Romans 1:16

It Is Awfully Dark

A friend of mine lived and labored for the Lord for several years on the Canadian prairies. During this time, while holding gospel meetings on the Western plains, he learned the story of a young lady with whom he became acquainted. One evening when this unsaved girl was present, the evangelist pleaded with all unbelievers to receive Christ as Savior. He presented God's offer of eternal life as a free gift, at the same time warning his hearers of the dreadful doom which awaited all who continued despising or neglecting God's Son.

The young lady was aroused to her lost condition, and was then led to ask the all-important question: "What must I do to be saved?"

Satan, the arch-enemy of souls, was busy, as usual, seeking to do his utmost to keep the unsaved from closing with God's offered mercy. He whispered that she should delay the acceptance of salvation until a more "convenient season." There was "no hurry"; she was strong and healthy, and if she then surrendered to Christ she would have to "give up" so much. The repentant girl was quite convinced that she ought to remove the bolt of unbelief from her heart and let the Savior in. Yet she halted between two opinions: should she accept at that time God's "unspeakable gift," or put it off until another occasion?

A conflict was being waged between light and darkness, between her best Friend and her worst enemy. God, however, would not compel her to accept His love gift. He would not force her to be reconciled to Him. Though the Lord Jesus is represented as knocking at the door of the sinner's heart, He will not force it open. "Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life," was spoken to some who rejected His claims, and He did not coerce them.

Is the reader refusing the Lord Jesus entrance into his heart?

"Behold a Stranger at the door;
He gently knocks—has knocked before."

Draw back the bar of unbelief, and let the Savior in.

The Canadian girl resisted the Holy Spirit and stifled conviction. In doing this she became the victim of the Satanic delusion that she could continue procrastinating until she reached the end of life, and that then, by presenting herself to God, she could obtain salvation. To one who warned her of her folly she said, "If I have but five minutes before I die, I can make matters all right for eternity."

How dreadful that anyone should believe such a thing! Yet this is what many think. They may not use the exact words, yet deep down in their hearts they believe that they can put off receiving the Savior until they are near death. Then, they think, by crying for mercy they will obtain it!

What a delusion and a snare! Sinner friend, we earnestly beseech you not to yield to such a delusion. You may never have a sickbed or a deathbed. You may be called into eternity in your sins, and if you die unsaved, there is no second chance in hell. "Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." Job 36:18.

Buoyed up with the hope that there was "plenty of time," the Canadian girl sought to banish from her mind thoughts of God and eternity. In the midst of her worldliness and folly she became very ill. The physician was summoned, and he made it plain that death was possibly near at hand.

Think of it: dying, and unsaved! How dreadful! When the sick girl was told that the disease was likely to prove fatal, she became greatly alarmed. The awful fact was then brought home to her heart she was passing unprepared into God's presence. As death drew near, the poor girl struggled in an attempt to speak.

What does she say? Does she plead for mercy? Does she ask to be prayed for? Ah, no. What then, are her dying words? Remember them, oh Christ rejector.

"I am lost, I am lost!" was her pitiful cry. Then she added, "Oh, it is awfully dark." As these sadly suggestive words escaped her lips, her spirit passed into the eternity beyond.

Procrastinator, take warning by this solemn incident. You "hope," "expect," and "intend" to be saved sometime. Why not now? Without a moment's warning you may be cut down in your sins and awake in the abyss of despair. Now, while the gospel door is open, while the day of grace is prolonged, while the Lord Jesus invites and entreats, while the Holy Spirit strives, accept Christ as your Savior and Lord. Believe on Him who loved you and gave Himself for you. Believe on Him who bore sin's penalty, and died to save you from the "everlasting burnings"; He will receive you and you will become a child of God, an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ Jesus.

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38, 39.

I Believe If I See!

"You see, sir, I am not one of those simpletons who believe everything they hear. I only believe what I see. For example, I believe I have this coat."

"Indeed! Well, I can tell you that I go farther than you. I believe you had a tailor to make it, although I have not seen him; and to my mind it is easier to admit that your coat was made by a tailor than that it made itself. But tell me, as I see you have a somewhat skeptical mind: is it really true that you only believe what you see? No doubt you have seen Voltaire?"

"No, I have not."

"Then, of course you will be in accord with me when I say to you that no such person as Voltaire ever lived." "What folly! Have I not read his books?"

"But you have never seen him."

"No, but all the world agrees that such a man did live and his works are the evidence of it."

"Ah, then it appears that you believe some things you have not seen. Have you any children?"

"Yes; I have two boys who go to school."

"I believe you, although I have never seen them. I suppose you will bring them up with your way of thinking?"

"Certainly. I say to them: 'My children, look out for the people whom you meet; do as I do! Believe only what you see.' "

"Very well; I shall not ask if your children believe what they have never seen. I would only like to ask you to explain what they will do when their teacher gives them a lesson in history or geography. He will be under a disadvantage if he undertakes to teach them about Charlemagne, or even Napoleon, China, or Australia; and if they follow your principles they will go through life denying that Napoleon ever existed or that the earth is round."

"You carry things to an extreme. This is an age of great enlightenment. Books and papers are being printed and scattered abroad to acquaint us with many things of which our fathers were ignorant. It is against the teachings of religion that one must be on guard. This is what I have taught my children. After all, one cannot believe all that is in your Bible."

"What, for instance?"

"Well, that if one goes to church every Sunday he will go to heaven."

"But the Bible does not say that."

"Another thing: that when we make a multitude of prayers, God will be pleased."

"But the Bible does not say that—where have you read it?"

"I have not read it myself, but someone told it to me."

"You said a moment ago that you only believed what you could see. It seems to me that you believe a good many things besides. You are not only a believing man but a credulous man. You refuse to believe what God has said, and you apparently believe everything that man says or writes, even without any proof of its truth.

"When you read the works of Voltaire, you believe in the existence of Voltaire; but in the face of this marvelous universe you say that it has made itself. You refuse to believe in the One who has created the worlds, because you know that, if you admit the existence of God, you must acknowledge His rights over you and submit to Him. Therefore, in God only do you refuse to believe. Thus you debase your power to reason, and thus you say, 'I must see to believe.'

"If I were you and desired to be consistent, I would use the reasoning power God has given me to accept His declarations, for 'the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.' Psa. 19:1.

"I would render to Him my confidence and humbly admit that He knows things I do not know and cannot comprehend. That is the only reasonable basis for true knowledge, the 'fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' "

"He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son." 1 John 5:10.

Filthy Rags

Perhaps you may know that each of the various tribes of Indians in this country has its own style of dress which distinguishes it from all others. Since most of the Indians living on reservations are very poor, new clothing is scarce among them. They wear their tribal garments until they are indeed "filthy rags."

The Navajos, a tribe living in the western part of the United States, are among the proudest of this proud race, and they seem to cling closest to their tribal ways and beliefs. Indeed, so firmly do they hold to the thoughts and superstitions of their ancestors that it has been difficult for missionaries to bring Christ before them.

A very effective way to reach these darkened hearts is through the children in the schools. To this end, some women teachers whose lives are devoted to the Savior use every opportunity to tell them of Him who so loves them. Many are the kindly acts of these true missionaries for the Lord, as they seek to live Christ before them.

One of these teachers gave a Navajo girl some nice new clothes, such as are worn by young ladies in the cities. She received them with many thanks, and seemed delighted to have them on; but when she went home, she took them off.

Next day, when she came again to the school, they were surprised to see her dressed in her old, ragged clothes. They told her they were too ragged and dirty to be respectable, and that if she came to their school she must wear the clothes that had been given her.

She went away, and before long returned with the new clothes on; but she had put the dirty old ones over them! The teachers then told her that, if she wished to continue wearing the old ones, she must wash them. But this she refused to do.

The ladies tried to persuade her to change her old clothes for the new ones which they had given her. But she became quite haughty and went away, evidently feeling that she had been much insulted.

Perhaps this Navajo girl, and many others of her tribe, consider the native style of dress so superior to any other that they prefer their own clothing, even when filthy and in rags.

Unsaved friend, is this a picture of your heart? Do you cling to its "filthy rags" of self-righteousness even though God offers you a perfect robe of divine righteousness?

Many would readily have assented if the Bible had said that all our "Unrighteousnesses" are as filthy rags. But it says all our "righteousnesses" are like these repulsive things. "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." Isa. 64:6.

Do you realize this? Do you own that all the things you have thought were good about you are filthy rags in God's sight? He, the thrice holy God, cannot look upon sin: and the Word says that all unrighteousness is sin. Christ Himself is the believer's robe of righteousness, provided by Him in the blood of His cross.

"Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30.

Five Dollars, Sir!

I had given away some gospel books to my fellow passengers in the railway coach. When the train stopped, I got off and started towards the little town. Soon I was overtaken by a farmer. He spoke to me and said he had heard that I had been engaged in a good work.

"Are you, too, a Christian?" I inquired.

"Do you see the lights in yonder chapel? We had a meeting for the Sunday school there last evening," he replied.

"Indeed. Then you are interested in such matters. Are you a Christian, sir?" I repeated.

"We had a collection last evening for the schools," said he.

"Really! But are you a Christian?"

"I gave five dollars to the good work, sir! Besides doing the schools good, that is a good example, eh?"

"Well, but are you a Christian? Or, speaking more plainly," (for the farmer seemed deaf as a stone to my question) "are your sins forgiven? If you should die this moment, are you ready to enter God's own presence?"

"Tut, tut," said the old man, "who knows that? Have I not helped the good cause for the Almighty?"

"Then do you think that God needs your five dollars?" I asked. "You seem to set much value upon your gift. He tells us not to let our right hand know what our left does, and He loves a cheerful giver."

"I have helped on the good cause," said the farmer. Stepping out with fresh energy, he repeated, "Five dollars, sir!"

"Man!" I cried, "God does not want your miserable gift. Do you mean to go out of this world offering Him your paltry money? He is freely offering to you, lost in your sins, the value of the precious blood of Christ. You are turning from this unspeakable gift, His own dear Son, to boast how you dragged out a bit of money from your unwilling pocket."

At this point the old farmer, annoyed at my plain speaking, yet fully self-satisfied, turned down a dark lane where, in the distance, a light in a window marked his dwelling. As he went he repeated, "I gave five dollars to the schools last evening."

The hardened conscience of the old farmer displayed the secret of his heart. His high idea of his good works was told out with native bluntness. How many there are who, like him, cover up with religious politeness their self-righteous thoughts! Yet they fancy that money given on Sunday or a large subscription to charity is, to say the least, one step up the ladder to heaven.

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matt. 6:20, 21.

The Precious Blood

As there is a scarlet thread running through every bit of rope made for the British navy, and it is seen wherever the rope is cut, so from Genesis to Revelation is to be found the great truth of atonement by blood. From the coats of skin, wherewith the Lord clothed Adam and Eve after their fall, until it is said in Revelation 7:14, they "have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb," and "they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony," the doctrine of atonement by blood has been proclaimed by God.

A gentleman once said to Sir Isaac Newton, "I do not see the atonement in the Scriptures."

"Sir," said Newton, "sometimes, in my absent-mindedness, I try to light my candle with the extinguisher on. You take the extinguisher off, and you will see the atonement."

Friend, when you are freed from the base influence of unbelief, then you see the atonement all through Scripture. Like the scarlet thread in the rope, it is seen everywhere. Take the "extinguisher" off, and all is clear.

To refuse the doctrine of atonement by blood is to deny what God says, "Without shedding of blood is no remission." Heb. 9:22. And again, "The life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11.

God also says: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you."

One thing alone sheltered the firstborn in the land of Egypt 4000 years ago, and one thing only will shelter the sinner today from the impending judgment of God. It is the blood. The blood of the paschal lamb then. was but a type of "the precious blood of Christ" that redeems and shelters now. 1 Peter 1:18-20 says: "Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you."

Reader, stop and ask yourself the important question: "Am I sheltered by the precious blood of the Lamb of God?" God says, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." Does He see the blood of Christ sprinkled on you? Nothing else can redeem but the "precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

God is holy. Heaven is a holy place. No sin can find an entrance there. You are a sinner, defiled by sin. Therefore you are unfit for the presence and home of God, who is "of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity." Hab. 1:13.

What can wash away your sin, and make you clean in God's sight? Only the precious blood of Christ. Neither baptismal waters nor sacramental wine can remove the stain of sin, or give a ransom for your guilty soul. What can? Ah, listen, fellow sinner; for in the answer is our only hope. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

"Put my finger," said a dying woman, "on that word 'all.' I can go into the presence of God resting on that word 'all.' "

A woman who was known to be a vile sinner in a small town where she lived, confidently affirmed, when dying, that she was going to heaven. "You going to heaven?" said someone. "Don't you know what a sinner you have been?"

"Yes," said the poor dying woman. "I know I am a sinner; but it is the blood, the blood, the precious blood, that cleanses!"

"Though the restless foe accuses,
Sins recounting like a flood,
Every charge our God refuses:
Christ has answered with His blood."

Once, or Twice Born

The ungodly man but once is born
But when he feels the life-strings sever,

Then twice he dies; and angels mourn
A spirit lost, that dies forever.

Twice born, the godly die but once;
The second death enduring never;

His life through endless ages runs,
He dies to live, and lives forever!

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1:18

The Buddhist Priest and the Bible

Soon after Japan was opened to the gospel, a Buddhist priest named Yohoi was present at a great ecclesiastical function in Niigata. A discussion sprang up among the priests there assembled as to the most effectual methods of attacking and thus hindering the spread of Christianity. Yohoi contended that in order to oppose it successfully, each priest must study its doctrines personally, and become fully acquainted with them. To encourage others in practicing what he had advised, he went direct from the conference and purchased a New Testament for himself, which he diligently studied for several months. The result? He became convinced of the divine origin and character of its contents, and of his own sinfulness and need of a Savior.

A few days later he handed in his resignation to the chief priest, saying he could no longer serve under him. Returning to his northern temple, he gave up his charge and set off to Tokyo, a distance of 180 miles, which he traveled on foot. Arriving at the capital in deep anxiety of soul, through reading in the New Testament, he sought out a Scotch Christian missionary. To him he unburdened the state of his mind. A fuller knowledge of God, His holiness, His justice and His righteous judgment only plunged him into deeper distress and soul trouble. So intense was his conviction of sin that he despaired of being saved, and was tempted by Satan, the great adversary, to throw the Book of God away and return to idolatry.

When we see men of more intelligence and enlightenment turn their backs upon God, and close their ears against His Word, which disturbs them in their sins, we need not wonder that this man, just emerging out of the dense darkness of heathendom, was thus tempted. But he continued to read the Word of God, and the entrance of that Word gave him light.

In deep distress, burdened with a sense of sin before God, he took up the New Testament to read it, and his eyes fell upon the words of Matthew 11:28, spoken by the Lord Jesus: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

These wonderful words, so full of grace and tenderness, attracted him greatly. He read them over many times, slowly musing upon each word, and then committed them to memory. All through the silent hours of that night he lay awake. He thought of them, he pondered them, he believed them. His heart became lightened; he experienced the "rest" of which the words speak, and then and there Yohoi was saved and knew it.

He did not hide his light, but confessed Jesus as his Savior and his Lord. He ever after delighted to tell of these words, which were used in leading him to Jesus who gave rest to his troubled soul, and by whose precious blood he was cleansed from sin and set on the heavenly road.

Reader, you are no heathen! You have been born in a land of gospel light and gospel preaching. You have heard of Jesus the Savior, and His ability and willingness to save us; but have you, like Yohoi, the Buddhist priest, been convicted of sin and converted to God? Have you accepted Christ as your personal and only Savior?

Mere knowledge will not save you. There must be appropriation—definite, personal appropriation of Him as your Savior. And then, as the word of God declares, so you will prove it.

"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." John 1:12.

You Go Your Way: I Will Go Mine

Traveling home from the big city one night not long ago, two men were conversing together. One was setting before his friend "the way of life." Earnestly and lovingly he pressed his companion to receive God's gift of eternal life and turn to Jesus—"the way, the truth, and the life."

The listener disdainfully turned his head away and, as he bade his friend farewell, exclaimed, "You go your way; I will go mine."

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12.

The young man had chosen his way, rejected the offer of mercy, and continued his journey along the "way of death." What his thoughts were as to seeking the Lord another day I do not know; what his resolutions for the future no one living can tell.

That same week he again took the train to the big city, spent some hours there, and returned by the last train at night. His home was at a wayside village, and the nearest station was Morningside. On his way from the city he fell asleep, and slept so soundly that he did not awake when the train stopped and the porter called out, "Morningside Station." The signal was given, and the ponderous train began to roll out of the station.

A sudden jerk aroused the sleeper. He discovered that the train was moving away from the station where he intended to get off. He jumped up, rushed to the door, leaped out, was caught by the wheels, and instantly crushed to death. His lifeless body was picked up and carried to his sorrowing friends. But what of his soul? "You go your way; I will go mine" had been his response to the last offer of mercy he is known to have had. Think of it, reader—awakened from sleep, and hurried in a moment into eternity!

Sooner or later you also must pass into eternity. It is of little moment whether you do so surrounded by loving hearts and hands ready to minister to every need, or in a moment are hurried out of this world. The great and all-important questions are: Are your sins forgiven? Have you eternal life? Are you personally acquainted with the Lord Jesus Christ? We seek to awake you to the solemnity and importance of a decision for Christ now.

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

In contrast to the case of the young man whose sad end speaks so solemnly to us is that of another young man who fell asleep while traveling one night from the city. A fellow-passenger, fearing he might go beyond his destination, aroused him from sleep. Then he used the occasion to speak to him about the salvation of his soul. Finding he was unsaved, he warned him of the peril of being quietly lulled to repose and indifference about such an urgent matter. He listened; his eyes were opened to see his peril; and with deep and earnest anxiety he turned to the Savior, and experienced the blessedness of passing from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. His feet were planted in "the way of life" for the first time. Ever since, in speaking of that memorable journey, he says, "I was awakened out of two sleeps that night."

Friend, which of these two young men is a picture of yourself? Which path are you in? What road are you traveling, the "way of death," or the "way of life"?

The Indian's Blanket

An Indian and a white man, at a gospel meeting together, were both brought under conviction of sin by the same sermon. The Indian shortly afterward received Christ as his Savior and was led to rejoice in pardoning mercy. The white man for a long time was under great distress of mind, and at times was ready to despair. At last he too was brought to see the way and to rejoice in the forgiveness of his sins.

Some time afterward, meeting his red brother, the white man said: "How is it, brother, that I should be so long under conviction of sin, while you found comfort so soon?"

"Oh, brother," replied the Indian, "me tell you. There come along a rich prince. He propose to give you a new coat. You look at your coat, and say: 'I don't know; my coat pretty good. I think it will do a little longer.'

"The rich man then offer me new coat. I look at my old blanket. I say, 'This rag good for nothing.' I fling my blanket away and take the new coat. Just so, brother, you try to keep your own righteousness for some time. You think it good; you don't like to give it up! But I, poor Indian, had nothing; so I glad at once to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my righteousness."

Sinner, are you like the white man, trying to hold on to some fancied goodness in yourself? Have you not discovered that what God says of you is true? "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." God says: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

Throw away the old blanket of your own righteousness. It isn't fit for the holy presence of God. Take Christ, and you will then be able to sing:

"Clad in this robe, how bright I shine!
Angels possess not such a dress;
Angels have not a robe like mine—
Jesus the Lord's my righteousness."

Eternally Separated

Mr. Ray occupied a responsible position in one of our large railway companies, and with his wife and family resided in the city. His wife and he were professing Christians, and were members in good standing of one of the churches. Mrs. Ray, through attending some special gospel meetings, had been brought to know Jesus as her Savior and Lord. On reaching home she told her husband of the joy and peace that were now hers, and earnestly besought him to accept Christ.

Mr. Ray was not at all pleased with his wife for her change of heart. Her appeals to him to receive Christ were also displeasing. Had he not for over twenty years been a member in good standing in "the old church"? He had attended Sunday services, and had borne his proper share of the church expenses. What else could one do? He could not go so far as to say he was saved, and was not so "presumptuous" as some who made "such a great profession"; yet he hoped that if he did his duty he stood a "good chance" of being in the kingdom "at last."

Mrs. Ray again and again tried to show him that unless he were "born again" of the Holy Spirit he must be eternally lost. As she continued faithfully attending the meetings, she learned that the Christian's hope is the Lord's second coming and that He might return at any moment. She rejoiced to find that all real Christians would then be "caught up to meet the Lord in the air"; but what a terrible thing it would be for all who had spurned His mercy and would be left behind for judgment! The weight of this momentous truth bore heavily upon her. "The Lord may come at any moment," she said to herself, "and my dear husband and I will be parted forever."

She could not endure the thought that the one she loved so dearly and tenderly, the one who had been such a loving and affectionate husband and father, might be eternally separated from her. She became greatly troubled and concerned about his spiritual condition, and redoubled her efforts to win him to Christ. "The Lord is coming! The Lord is coming!" was the uppermost thought in her mind.

When they retired to rest, she would remind him that Christ was soon coming, and that if she were taken during the night, he would be left. Her concern about the salvation of his soul was so intense that, again and again, she awakened him out of sleep with the words, "Tom! Tom! Jesus is coming, and if you are not saved, you and I will be separated forever!" Eventually her insistence and her prayers led him to renounce his false position and to accept Christ as his Savior.

Unconverted reader, the Lord Jesus is coming. He tells us plainly in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 that, "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 the Lord Jesus Christ."

I pray you, open your heart to the Savior who even now stands ready to take up His abode within you. He stands at the door and knocks. Believe Him, receive Him, and the same joy and peace as Mrs. Ray enjoys will be yours now and eternally.

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

Thomas Bilney, A. D. 1530

During the sixteenth century there was in Trinity College, Cambridge, a student, a young doctor of divinity. He was much given to the study of canonical law, and being of a serious turn of mind, he strove, although ineffectually, to fulfill the commandments of God.

Anxious about his soul's salvation, the young man, Thomas Bilney, applied to the clergy whom he looked upon as physicians of the spirit. Kneeling before them, humbly and self-accusing, he told them all his sins and even those of which he doubted. They prescribed, at one time, fasting; at another, prolonged vigils; then pilgrimages and other devotions, which cost him dearly. The poor doctor went through all these practices with great devotion, but found no consolation in them. Being naturally weak in body, he wasted away by degrees; his understanding became confused, and his purse became empty.

"Alas," said he in despair; "my last state is worse than the first."

One day Bilney overheard his friends stealthily whispering about a new book. It was the Greek New Testament recently translated, which they highly praised for its consistency. Attracted by the beauty of the style, rather than by the divinity of the subject, Bilney sought to see the Book for himself and stretched out his hand for it. Just as he was going to take the volume, superstitious fear came upon him and he quickly withdrew his hand. Then came the thought: Was it not the testament of Jesus Christ? Might not God have placed therein some word which perhaps might heal his soul?

At last, urged by the Spirit of God, Thomas Bilney took courage. He slipped into the house where the volume was sold in secret, bought it with fear and trembling, and then hastened back and shut himself up in his room.

He opened it—his eyes caught these words: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." He laid down the Book, and meditated on the astonishing declaration. "What! St. Paul, the chief of sinners, and yet St. Paul is sure of being saved?" He read the verse again and again. "O assertion of St. Paul, how sweet thou art to my soul!" he exclaimed.

This declaration continually haunted him; and, in this manner, God instructed him in the secret of his heart. He could not tell what had happened to him: it seemed as if a refreshing wind were blowing over his soul, or as if a rich treasure had been placed in his hands. The Holy Spirit took the word as Christ's, and announced it to him. "I am a sinner like Paul," he cried; "and, like Paul, the greatest of sinners. But Christ alone saves sinners. At last I have heard of Jesus." His doubts were ended, his sins forgiven, and he was saved.

"I see it now," said Bilney. "My vigils, my fasts, my pilgrimages, my devotions, were all destroying instead of saving me." All these efforts on his part had been in vain.

Bilney never grew tired of reading and proclaiming his New Testament. A true witness to Jesus Christ had been born by the same power that had transformed Paul, Apollos, and Timothy.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8-9.

The Battle Scene

In the city of Detroit there was exhibited a few years ago, a large painting. It depicted with great precision of color and figure, one of the many striking engagements by the opposing forces of the North and South during the Civil War. It was realistic in the extreme, and people who looked at it felt awed and hushed as they gazed on the awful scene of carnage. There stern men were portrayed vividly as they engaged in deadly conflict. As a picture, it was a pronounced success.

One lady who, with her husband, stood looking at it, so far forgot that it was "only a picture," that she pointed excitedly to one of the figures and exclaimed to her husband: "My dear, why doesn't that foolish man get behind that tree? He will certainly be killed!"

And then, smiling through her tears, she said: "It was so real, I forgot it was only a painting."

If the picture was so vivid and real, what must the actual battle have been? What must it have been to stand on some eminence and witness the real battle! The most realistic picture must fall far short of such a scene, and be tame in comparison with it. This you must admit.

And here we are led to think of what many would like to believe is "only a picture" of the future portion of the unconverted. To such a thought we would apply the same test as we have to the relation of a battle scene to the real engagement.

In a conversation held recently on this subject between two men, one of them contended that such terms as "hell," "torments," and "the lake of fire," were but "figurative language," and not to be taken literally. He was hoping thereby to blunt the edge of such portions of scripture as "the wicked shall be turned into hell" (Psalm 9:17); "the rich man died... and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments" (Luke 16:23); and "whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20:15).

His friend allowed him to explain his theory, and then simply inquired: "IF SUCH BE THE PICTURE, WHAT MUST THE REALITY BE?" Since God uses such expressions in His Word when giving, as you say, a PICTURE of the future punishment of the wicked, what will the reality of the punishment be? Beyond words, it must be; awful; and who but one void of judgment would wantonly brave its stern realities?"

My friend, what is your condition? "Ages to come" are ahead of you, for you are a creature born for eternity; and you will spend those ages amid either the glories of heaven or the woes of hell. All will be very real too. Have you been honest with your soul and thought seriously of this? If not, we beseech you to do it now, and do not rest until you are safe in Christ Jesus from the "wrath to come." For the gospel of God's good news is simply this: that God, who knows the realities of future judgment, and the just deserts of sinners, knew also their inability to save themselves. Therefore, in Christ Jesus, God has PROVIDED A Savior. He "died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:3, 4.

"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.

Through faith, then, in the Lord Jesus Christ who died, "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God," you may be saved at once and forever, and know the blessedness of being, like the Thessalonians of old, "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven... even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thess. 1:9, 10.

Jesus Is Able

Whoever receiveth the crucified One,
Whoever believeth on God's only Son,
A free and a perfect salvation shall have,
For He is abundantly able to save.

O sinner, the Savior is calling for thee;
His grace and His mercy are wondrously free;
His blood as a ransom for sinners He gave,
He is abundantly able to save.

Whoever receiveth the message of God,
And trusts in the power of the soul-cleansing blood,
A full and eternal redemption shall have,
For He is both able and willing to save.

Whoever repents and confesses his sin,
And sees Jesus, the One who suffered for him,
A present, eternal salvation shall have,
For Jesus is ready this moment to save.

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, Him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.

"But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven."

Matt. 10:32, 33

A Soldier's Question

Some time ago, in a city near a military training camp, an entertainment had been arranged by the local people for the soldiers. A large crowd of the soldier boys responded and seemed to enjoy the music and secular songs. An officer who was in charge of them stated that he desired one of them to come forward and publicly thank the management for the splendid time given them.

Immediately one of them arose, went to the front and expressed their appreciation. Thanking the singers, he stated that they all had enjoyed a very happy evening. "BUT," said the soldier, "I wonder if there is anyone here who can tell us how to meet death? As you know, we leave for the front tomorrow, and I would like it IF SOMEONE CAN TELL US HOW TO MEET DEATH."

A dead silence reigned. The officer in charge was very disconcerted and fidgeted nervously. After a very considerable pause, the man repeated his question. Then the answer came, when one of the singers arose, walked to the platform, and feelingly sang the grand old hymn:

"Rock of Ages! cleft for sin,
Grace hath hid us safe within!
Where the water and the blood,
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Are of sin the double cure;
Cleansing from its guilt and power.

"Not the labor of our hands
Could fulfill the law's demands;
Could our zeal no respite know,
Could our tears forever flow,
Naught for sin could e'er atone
But Thy blood, and Thine alone!"

Again there was silence. The final result, we do not know; but ONE THING IS CERTAIN, the question asked by the soldier was of paramount importance. It should demand the attention—not only of the soldier—but of every one, since the Scriptures declare: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT." Heb. 9:27.

Reader! YOU, TOO, MUST MEET GOD! Shall it be in GRACE or in JUDGMENT? The choice is yours.

Toplady, the writer of the hymn, "Rock of Ages," had no doubts nor mere hopes. He could say in the language of Scripture; "I know WHOM I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto HIM against that day." 2 Tim. 1:12.

Dear reader, will you not, if still unsaved, come in all your need TODAY? The Lord Jesus has said, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

A Remarkable Confession of Faith

Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, the American banker, made a remarkable statement in his last will and testament. The testimony is as follows: "I commit my soul into the hands of my Savior, full of confidence that having redeemed it, and washed it with His most precious blood, He will present it faultless before the throne of my heavenly Father. I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all hazard, and at any cost of personal sacrifice, the blessed doctrine of complete atonement for sin through the blood of Jesus once offered, and through that alone."

There is one thing clear in Mr. Morgan's testimony, and that is, he did not believe that his "good works" had anything whatever to do with the salvation of his soul. It is evident that he held to the blessed doctrine of justification by faith alone. Such is the teaching of God's holy Word. "By grace are ye saved through faith;... not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9. "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 4:5.

Mr. Morgan speaks of Christ as "MY Savior." Can you say truthfully, "Christ is MY Savior?" Has He saved you from the thralldom of sin? "He is able... to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Heb. 7: 25.

Mr. Morgan did not think it "presumption" on his part to say that he was confident that his soul was saved and his sins forgiven. He declares that he is "full of confidence," that his soul is redeemed and washed in Christ's precious blood. Have you that confidence? Nothing but the blood of Christ can cleanse us from the defilement of sin.

Ponder carefully the closing words of Mr. Morgan's statement: "The blessed doctrine of complete atonement for sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, and through that alone."

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

Only a Day at a Time

A woman was injured in a railway accident. After being placed in her bed and attended to by the doctor, she asked anxiously: "How long shall I have to lie helplessly here?"

"Only a day at a time," was the wise answer.

How much happier we would all be, we who know that an eternity of blessing is made sure to us through the work of Christ, if we took life a day at a time.

"Day by day the manna fell,
Oh, to learn the lesson well;
Still by constant bounty fed,
Give us, Lord, our daily bread."

The promise is not, "as thy weeks or months," but "as thy days so shall thy strength be." Deut. 33:25. Grace is not issued in season tickets, but is "available on day of issue only."

The tomorrow we fear may never come. The Lord Himself may come today. Only a day at a time, anxious mother, weary sufferer, or tired preacher. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."

"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matt. 6:34.

The Eskimo Chief and John 3:16

Early in the last century Hans Egede, a Danish missionary, responded to what is called the Great Commission, the "Go ye" of Matthew 28:19. He left his native land to preach the gospel to the Eskimos of Greenland. He labored and toiled for years, preaching "hellfire and damnation," and seeking to instruct them in the truths of Christianity.

Though he preached his heart out, as he said, yet he saw no apparent results from his arduous and self-denying efforts. Eventually he became discouraged and depressed by the indifference of the people. He decided to leave the country. The text he selected to use for his farewell sermon was from the words, "I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for naught, and in vain." Isa. 49:4. Even this brought no response.

Egede was succeeded at the station by Mr. Beck, another Moravian missionary. On his arrival he began to tell the poor pagans of God's wondrous love to guilty sinners as revealed at Calvary's cross. When Kajarnak, the Eskimo chief, a wicked old murderer, heard the missionary reading the blessed and glorious words of John 3:16, he exclaimed, "Read it again!"

Beck read the "wonderful words of life" again and again, and Kajarnak burst into tears and wept like a child. God's holiness and righteousness did not move him; the terrors of law and hell made no impression on him. But the matchless grace of God in giving His only begotten Son to die that he, a poor heathen, might be eternally saved completely broke the stony heart of the murderous Eskimo chief.

Thousands on earth praise God for John 3:16. Tens of thousands will do so in the glory. And yet how hard for the unsaved to grasp the saving truth enfolded in the words of this "miniature gospel," as Luther delighted to call it. Every word in it is full of the deepest significance.

"For God so loved the world." Then God loves you, O unsaved fellow traveler to eternity. However careless and indifferent you may be to your eternal interests, God loves you. He hates your sin with a perfect hatred, but loves you with an unmeasured wealth of love. He proved it in that "He gave His only begotten Son."

Loving and giving are inseparable; and the love of God for lost mankind was so great that He would redeem him even at so great a cost. That is love that "passeth knowledge."

Why did God give His Son to die? That you, my lost friend, "should not perish, but have everlasting life." Sinners are perishing, fast perishing in their sins; yet it is not the will of God "that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9.

It is His desire that "all men" should be saved (1 Tim. 2:4-6). At an infinite cost He has provided salvation for all. Everlasting life as a free gift can be obtained NOW through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

"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." John 3:16.

Hundreds of Years Too Late

One night a young man came into a Gospel meeting earnestly inquiring, "What must I do to be saved?"

"You are too late," said a friend to the anxious inquirer.

"Oh, don't say that," exclaimed the young man, "for I must find salvation. I would do anything or go anywhere to obtain it."

"I can't help it," said the other; "you are too late. Your eternal salvation was accomplished many hundred years ago in the Person of Jesus Christ, and it is a finished work. All you have to do is simply to accept it, for you have done nothing and can do nothing to merit salvation. It is God's free gift to all who receive His Son."

The anxious inquirer laid hold of this great salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He accepted the proffered gift, owning his unworthiness, but trusting Jesus, who can "save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him."

Where Will It End?

A man of God was traveling by train when some young men entered the coach. Disregarding his presence, they began a loud argument, using profane and disgusting language.

The Christian protested, but without effect. On leaving the train he bade them farewell, saying, "Goodbye, for the present."

The young men asked him why he said "for the present?"

"Well," he replied, "you see, I am the prison chaplain, and no doubt we shall meet again."

What a rebuke was in this remark! Impure and profane language is the outward evidence of an impure and disgusting heart. It leads to impure and disgusting conduct. One needs only to read the items in the daily press to find abundant evidence that the filth of foul language lines the road to prison.

Whether those young men and the chaplain ever met again in the way he indicated or not, it is dead certain that they would have to face God about it. We read on the page of unerring truth that for "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." Matt. 12:36. And again, "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. 14:12.

Reader, think over your past life. Consider the words you have spoken and the deeds you have committed. Still more serious are the things you ought to have done and have not done. Are you and I ready to face the great Judge of the hearts of men?

Though the user of profane or obscene language may escape prison on earth, how shall he escape the judgment of an omniscient God? When an oath escapes your lips, remember this! When an obscene jest passes your lips, remember, it is recorded! At the Great White Throne, the books of record will be opened; and every man standing there shall be judged according to his works. Friend, let me ask, Where will it end?

These are serious questions, but one other is infinitely more serious; and every soul is concerned in this. How do you stand in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ? This is so intensely serious that it is plain to the simplest heart. Friend, what think you of Christ?

Wondrous thought! The Son of God became Man. Why? To die on the cross in order to express God's love to ruined sinners to satisfy His righteous claims against sin.

"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." John 3:16.

Jesus, the Savior, has opened up the way through His atoning death upon the cross whereby all your sins-your oaths, your disgusting language, maybe; your disgusting deeds, perhaps—may all be forgiven. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Can you refuse this wondrous offer? The way for all your sins to be forgiven is open. Will you add to your iniquities the worst of all sins, the dark, black ingratitude of refusing such love, in rejecting such an offer? If you do, let me ask: "What will the end be?"

"He that believeth on Him (the Lord Jesus) 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 3:18.

Sowing and Reaping

"What good can I do?" said a very sincere but timid Christian servant girl to a friend who was urging direct effort for the soul saving of perishing sinners upon her as a personal duty. "I have so little time and less opportunity."

"Can't you even give away tracts?" was the answer.

"When? I am employed from morning to night. On Sunday I take my turn with the others just to go to chapel and back again. Through the week I go out only on errands for my mistress. I wish I could work for Christ Jesus my Lord, but how can I?"

"Well, it is difficult, Maria; but is not your duty to answer the door bell?"

"Yes."

"Then carry tracts in your pocket, and when anyone comes to the door to sell or beg, give one away with prayer."

"So I will. I never thought of that! But if they refuse—?"

"If one should refuse, all will not."

The tracts were bought, and soon an occasion for their use offered itself. A woman selling fruit and vegetables at the house rang the bell, and Maria answered her. As the purchase was completed, she quietly gave a tract to the woman.

"What do I want with that trash?" said the woman angrily, and she whirled the tract into the air and went her way. Poor Maria! It was a very discouraging beginning.

Not long after, she was taken ill. In her illness she told the friend who had advised her effort how badly it had succeeded.

"Did you give it with prayer?"

"Oh, yes, and even tears."

"Then leave the results with God. You have done your work, and must be content that the disciple shall not be above the Master. Jesus was scorned by those He came to save. Let no failure turn you from your resolve. When you are better, try again."

But Maria was going to her heavenly home. Her illness was soon ended and she was taken to the Savior's sheltering arms. She never knew what became of her silent messenger.

It was night; an impatient man walked up and down a lane which skirted a large city. Presently he stopped under a street lamp, stooped down, and picked up a piece of paper lying there. It was headed, "What am I living for?"

"What, indeed!" said the man to himself bitterly. Then he crushed the tract in his hand, stood still a minute, unfolded the crumpled paper, and read it to the end. As he left the lane and turned into a street, he went with firm steps and a peaceful heart straight to his home. The crumpled tract was God's arrow to his troubled conscience, and was used to point the way to life everlasting.

Only a "piece of paper" to the woman at the door, poor Maria's despised tract had been carried by the wind to do God's bidding. In His mysterious providence she was not permitted on earth to learn of its fruit, nor of her answered prayer; but by it the erring man had been turned from darkness into the eternal light of God's love. In the day of recompense the timid believer's trembling, tearful effort will receive the Savior's "Well done. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord."

"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Gal. 6:9.

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

The Remedy, Have You Applied It?

Muttered in hot, angry tones, there was no mistaking the words in their plain meaning. They conveyed a sentiment as false as it is general and, sad to say, shared by multitudes.

The speaker was an avowed infidel, and the words were addressed to an outstanding Christian. The angry, sarcastic words were: "The gospel you preach has not done much good in the world. There is plenty of wickedness and suffering wherever one goes. I don't believe in your religion and won't have it."

The two walked on a little further. Presently they passed a very dirty lad playing in the mud. Said the Christian to the infidel, who happened to be a soap manufacturer: "Your soap has not done much good in the world. See, that boy is filthy, and there is plenty of dirt in the world. I don't believe in your soap."

"But," said the soap manufacturer, "my soap is all right, if it is applied."

"Just so," replied the Christian, "the gospel of Christ... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth'; and all who have believed have certainly found out the truth of these words. The trouble with you is, you have never applied the gospel to your OWN soul, any more than that dirty boy has applied your soap to his body."

Now, may we ask you very earnestly, Have you applied the gospel to your own case? Have you received the gospel of God for yourself, and found it the power, the mighty dynamic, of God to your own soul?

"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." John 1:12.

My Last Day on Earth

There is a day that comes apace,
Long looked for by a heaven-born race,
That ends their earthly story;
Their last day here of toil and strait,
Whose sunset finds them at the gate,
The very gate of glory.

What could they wish that day to be,
Whose night-fall brings with certainty
The close of time's brief measure?
Oh, nothing better could they ask
Than grace to fill their last day's task
Entirely for His pleasure.

Since life's short span so soon is past,
To count each fleeting day the last,
Be this my warm endeavor:
His will, my gain; His strength, my power;
His love, my joy each passing hour;
And then His home forever.

JESUS SAYS:

"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."

Revelation 3:20.

How Died Von Ribbentrop?

Just before World War II, Joachim von Ribbentrop was a familiar figure in the San Francisco Bay section of the United States. He was a handsome addition to the best social circles of this country, and was noted for wearing a monocle, so beloved by German aristocrats. Possessing diplomatic immunity and arrogantly oblivious of danger to others, he zoomed over our highways in a showy, foreign made car, and his name was often seen in the newspapers. A former wine merchant, he had attained a position of power because he was a close friend of Adolf Hitler. Hitler had sent him to San Francisco as German Consul, and he later became Hitler's Foreign Minister.

As a German diplomat in San Francisco, Ribbentrop was in a good position to carry on dangerous spy activity, and we Americans weren't too happy about his presence among us. But while our countries were still formally at peace with each other, von Ribbentrop got about, and his children attended our American schools.

How true is the proverb: "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Prov. 16:18. Because of the turn of events, von Ribbentrop's death was not as one of the world's mighty ones. He was executed as a criminal upon a gallows. But "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" Rom. 11:33.

During his last months in Nuremburg Prison, awaiting the execution of his sentence, the God of all grace made Himself known to this arch criminal. Because of the work of His Spirit in the prisoner's heart, there is good reason to believe that we shall see Joachim von Ribbentrop in heaven—a sinner saved by infinite grace.

World War II ended in disaster for Hitler and his strong men. During the final days of fighting in Berlin, Hitler died, probably by his own hand. His leaders and counselors were arrested by the allied armies and tried as those who had plotted World War II. Von Ribbentrop, with ten others, faced death by hanging.

As he waited in Nuremburg Prison, this condemned man had many visits with an American army chaplain who knew the Savior, and loved God's Word. When this Christian, Chaplain Gerecke, visited him the first time, von Ribbentrop remarked with a sneer that "this business of religion was not as serious as the chaplain felt." But ere long von Ribbentrop began to realize his desperate situation.

How true is the saying we often hear: "Man's extremity is God's opportunity"! As a last resource this Nazi criminal began to read the Bible. His unbelieving mind was slow to accept the blessed truth of God's holy Word, but at last the simplicity of the way of salvation became clear to him, and he cast himself upon Him who has said: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

It is reliably reported that von Ribbentrop spent many hours of his last days on earth in reading his Bible. For him, time was running out. Could he have spent it better?

He was the first of eleven men to go to the gallows.

Just before leaving his cell, he and the chaplain knelt in the little room for their last prayer together. In it von Ribbentrop stated that all his trust was in Christ.

Chaplain Gerecke accompanied the doomed man to the last. As he stood upon the gallows, he made his final statement. Then he turned to the chaplain who had spent long hours faithfully preaching Christ to him. His farewell was: "I'll see you again!"

"I'll see you again!" How the chaplain's heart warmed to this expression of faith! They were parting forever here on earth. But "I'll see you again!" said von Ribbentrop. When? O glorious meeting!

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout,... and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

Later Than They Think!

A man rushed into a railroad station one morning. Almost breathlessly, he asked the ticket agent: "When does the 8:01 train leave?"

"At 8:01," was the answer.

"Well," the man replied, "It's 7:59 by my watch, 7:57 by the town clock, and 8:04 by the station clock. Which am I to go by?"

"You can go by any clock you wish," said the agent, "but you can't go by the 8:01 train, for it has already left."

God's time is moving forward hour by hour, minute by minute. There are multitudes who seem to think that they can live by any schedule they choose, and that in their own time they can turn to God.

But His time is the right time. Now it may be "later than they think." Soon it may be too late.

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

It may be later than we think. The great question for each of us is: ETERNITY—WHERE?

Perhaps the article of death may not be our portion. Scripture warns that "the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Are you ready to meet this One into whose hands all judgment has been committed? He may come tonight. Are you His?

"It may be at morn when the day is awaking,
When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking,
That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory,
To receive from the world His own."

If the question of your eternal destiny is not yet settled DO NOT DELAY. Receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior NOW. Then you shall be among "His own" at His coming, and be "caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air." Leave Him out, and to you He will come "as a thief in the night" to seal your eternal doom apart from that heavenly throng.

Make haste, I pray; for even now it may be "later than you think."

"He that believeth on the Son 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.

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

A Settled Matter

It was Saturday night. I was traveling by coach to my next appointment. The train stopped at a small town, and a very intelligent looking man of middle age got in and sat down opposite me. After a bit I said, "Have you far to go, sir?"

"Yes," the new passenger answered; "but that is not the worst: I expect to find the only one I love, other than my two children, dead."

Poor man! It was his desperately sick wife he alluded to. His anxiety was intense, having only that afternoon received a telegram about her illness. He could not possibly reach his destination before early Sunday morning.

After a pause, I asked: "Is she sheltered under the precious blood of Christ?"

"No, sir," was his reply, and I then asked, "Are you?"

"No, sir! I will be honest with you. If I were to die at this moment, I would go straight to HELL."

Horrified at this bald statement, I then spoke of God's great love to sinners and quoted the well-known verse, John 3:16: "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."

"You can't tell me anything I do not know about the Bible," was his impatient answer. "But I can't feel it here," smiting his breast.

"Oh, my friend," I said, "you would never feel it there, if you lived a thousand years!"

With surprise he answered, "God grant I never may then."

I then showed him that he must be looking for some miraculous change in himself instead of resting calmly, in simple faith, upon the Lord Jesus Christ and His work, and knowing that, "He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life."

He then told me that for many years the thought had haunted him, that some day he would wake up in HELL.

Never shall I forget his intense anxiety and eager look, when with tears coursing down his cheeks he said: "Oh, I would give all I possess to enjoy that peace you seem to have!"

I answered: "It is 'without money and without price.' Christ, we read, has made peace by the blood of His cross. 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' "

After further conversation, I was convinced that he was a Christian, but that the enemy of souls had tormented him in this way. Finally I asked the question: "Do you hate the Lord Jesus Christ?"

"Hate Him, sir! Hate Him, sir? Do you mean H-A-T-E, hate?"

"That is exactly what I do mean," I said.

"Ah, no," with tears filling his eyes, he replied. "Why, HE is everything to me, and has done everything for me!"

"Well, then, my friend," I continued, "while you are traveling to your destination, through the silent hours of the night, think of HIM, 'who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,' but is now at the right hand of God in the glory. Think how you have grieved His heart with your wretched doubts and fears."

As the train was near my station, I took his hand, while he firmly grasped mine. With real regret I said: "Good-by! Perhaps we may never meet again."

But he answered in faltering voice, and tears filled his eyes, "I SHALL MEET YOU ABOVE."

I reminded him that a little while before he had told me that he would be in hell; and I added, "by the grace of God I shall never be there."

"Oh!" he replied, "I do believe, I do believe, and I shall meet you above."

So we parted; but I do expect to meet my fellow traveler in the Father's house above.

And now, dear reader, are YOU saved, are you sheltered under the precious blood of Christ? If not, an everlasting hell must be your portion. Think of John 3:18. "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 3:18.

The Gospel According to You

You are writing a Gospel,
A chapter each day,
By deeds that you do,
By words that you say.
Men read what you write
Whether faithless or true. Say!
What is the Gospel
According to YOU?

Hands up!

Have you heard this phrase? It is the command to surrender. It denotes that the one so doing is vanquished. We use the word with varying meanings. "Taking a part" is spoken of as "having a hand in the matter." Withdrawal from participation is said to be "washing the hands" regarding it. Pilate sought thus to be clear of guilt in the condemnation of the Lord Jesus.

It is a sobering fact that the hands of the first man born into this world were stained with his brother's blood. Indeed, the page of history has been written in blood.

The great central figure of history is the culminating act of man's heart and hands, when they nailed the Lord of Glory to the cross. The coming of the Lord Jesus is the central fact of history. B. C. and A. D. proclaim the fact. The cross is the crowning act of man's wickedness. Peter, charging those directly responsible, said, "Him,... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain." Acts 2:23.

Such was the world's answer to the love of God made known in His Son. By that act the world was condemned. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." John 3:19.

This concerns you, my self-righteous friend. You have a hand in it. Your attitude to the Lord Jesus and His death declares this. Does His cross mean anything to you? Paul, the erstwhile hater of Christ, could say, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Much has been written in a sentimental way of the sufferings of Christ. It was the hatred of man's heart, the wickedness of man's hands, that nailed the Savior to the tree. Man did his worst:—God did His best. But "the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." Psa. 76:10.

The expression of deepest hatred became the display of boundless love. When man had done all he could (remember, he is held responsible for his act) God declares forgiveness to all who will accept His Son as their Savior. Truly we can say, "out of the eater came forth meat!"

But we would warn you: God has decreed that everyone will honor His Son. He has "given Him a Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow... and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil. 2:9-11.

If you own your guilt and confess His Name, all the blessing is yours now. Your past will be closed forever. The present will be illumined with the light of God's love. The future will be secure and bright.

If you refuse to accept God's Son, you rank yourself among those who cried, "Away with Him." You turn from the only way of salvation. You expose yourself to God's righteous judgment! All who refuse to bow in grace shall bow in wrath. With open arms and outstretched hands the Lord Jesus welcomes you to Himself today. Come, ere it be too late!

Is Your Heart Right?

In these days of sudden shocks and continual stress, a sound heart is. a great asset. But it is not a medical point that we raise with you. What we wish to bring to your notice is more important, and we beg you to read carefully this little message.

The term "heart" is used in two ways: (1) The heart is that marvelous organ of the body, the center of our mortal being. Early in the 17th century it was discovered that the blood circulation contained the principle of life. But long before that, Moses had this knowledge, for he declared "the life of the flesh is in the blood." Lev. 17:11.

(2) The heart is also the seat of affections, motives, etc. Relative to the latter aspect, the Word of God says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?" Also, "The heart knoweth his own bitterness."

All will agree as to this. However, the evil of the heart is not recognized by most men. Of the days preceding the flood, we read that "every imagination of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil continually." Gen. 6:5. You may plead that many years have rolled away since then; and with the advance of centuries, men are different—better—today. Are they? Look abroad on civilization. Men have not changed! The Lord Jesus scathingly condemned those who appeared clean outside and yet their hearts were uncleansed. He said, "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies; these are the things which defile a man." Matt. 15:19, 20.

Is your heart right? You may pass muster with your fellows. You may deceive them and yourself; but you cannot deceive God. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam. 16:7. Every thought of your heart is known to God. "Thou God seest me" not only means He sees our acts, but He sees the heart. How searching were the words of Peter to Simon the sorcerer! The good outward show of that deceiver was discovered and called forth the rebuke of the Apostle: "Thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Acts. 8:21.

What about your heart? If our best friends knew our hearts, we might soon be friendless; but God knows our hearts and yet He loves us! How matchless is His grace! It shines forth in the verse: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. That has been proved beyond doubt! "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.

God does not ask for your best efforts to please Him. His finished work is your only plea and God can accept you only as your heart is cleansed through faith in what Christ has done. God brings His salvation to your very heart's door. Friend, is your heart right with God?

"The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10: 8-10.

Is your heart right?

Drifting!

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest haply we drift away from them." Heb. 2:1 (R. V.)

Joe Vinson, lying in the bottom of a small boat, was picked up by a passing steamer. When rescued, the lad was naked and delirious, chewing his clothing, part of which he must have eaten.

The boy and two of his friends had been fishing. A storm came up and the boat broke loose from its moorings. His companions swam ashore, but Joe, unable to swim, remained in the boat and drifted to sea.

For nearly a week the boat drifted. Exposed to wind and weather, the boy's sufferings were intense. When picked up he had drifted 530 miles from the mainland. He had only drifted; that was all. He did nothing, but just drifted with the tide. That drifting nearly cost him his life.

Friend, once we get loose from God's Word, we may drift anywhere.

Drifting away from hope's blessed shore,
Drifting away where wild breakers roar,
Drifting, and stranded, and wrecked evermore,
Far from the light of God;
Why will ye drift on billows of shame
Spurning His grace again and again?
Soon you'll be lost, in sin to remain,
Drifting away from God.

Dost Thou Know Jesus?

Dost thou know Jesus, sinful one,
Oppressed with guilt and shame?
Dost thou not know that God's dear Son
For sinners once was slain?
Then come to Jesus if thou wouldst be whole,
His blood alone can cleanse thy guilty soul.

Dost thou know Jesus? Trembling one,
Why fear to trust His love?
Dost thou not know 'twas love alone
That brought Him from above?
Then trust in Him who gave Himself for thee,
Sweet proof of love, what stronger could there be?

Dost thou know Jesus? Canst thou dare
To doubt His power to save,
When God, His fitness to declare,
Has raised Him from the grave?
Then come to Jesus; why shouldst thou delay?
Cast off each doubt that keeps thee still away.

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, He cannot see the Kingdom of God."

John 3:3.

Deliverance

When Nicholas I became Emperor of Russia, his first task was to put down a formidable sedition among the aristocracy of his realm. Many nobles, detected in guilty plotting, and many who were simply suspected, were thrown into prison.

One nobleman who was later proved innocent, was by nature a man of fiery temper. His wrongful arrest infuriated him, and he raved like a wild animal. Day after day, brooding over his treatment, he would stamp, shrieking, through his cell. He would curse the Emperor and blaspheme God—why did He not prevent this great injustice?

No relaxation came to him save in the intervals of exhaustion that followed his fits of rage. A venerable clergyman who visited him on the ninth day of his confinement urged him to take it patiently. His advice was without effect—indeed, it was heard with sullen contempt. When he repeated to the weary man the divine words—"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," they sounded like mockery to the embittered prisoner. The aged minister went away, leaving a Bible in the cell, which he begged the prisoner to read.

As soon as the minister was gone, the angry nobleman threw the Bible into a corner. What, to him, was the word of a God who let tyrants abuse him? How could God love him to allow him to be treated so? But when the terrible loneliness of succeeding days had nearly crazed him, he caught up the volume and opened it, and his first glance fell on the 15th verse of the 50th Psalm: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee."

The text surprised and touched him. Truly this was the day of trouble for him. Would God deliver him? Should he call upon Him? But his pride resented the thought and he dropped the book.

The next day desperation drove him again to the only companion of his solitude. Its words gave rays of hope. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego called upon God and He delivered them from the burning fiery furnace; Daniel called upon God, and was delivered from the lion's den. From that time he read the Bible constantly, began to study it, and commit much of it to memory.

The entrance of God's Word gave light, exposing to him his own sins. He saw that his many offenses against God, who had only done him good, were far blacker than the Emperor's wrong to him. Yet this God had sent even His own beloved Son to die for his sins, and was now offering him forgiveness, saying that "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth from all sin."

Such love won his heart! He did now call upon God in the day of trouble; and, reading with enlightened eyes, the story of the Savior's love and death totally changed him. He was suffering unjustly; but had not Christ, the Holy One, been unjustly accused, ill-treated, and slain? Beholding the meekness and patience of Christ under worse treatment than his own, vengeful rage gave way, and a deep cairn took its place. Like the persecuted Christians shut up in the Roman Catacombs, he forgave his enemies, and cursing gave place to blessing. The shadows of wrong and death vanished in the new light of grace and glory. His lonely hours, before spent in harsh thoughts and words, were now filled with praise and prayer. With humble, believing heart he did call upon God in his trouble and was marvelously delivered.

His was an unhoped-for deliverance at the last moment. When the jailor's key turned in the lock of his cell on the fateful morning, he expected the executioners to lead him to the death chamber. Instead of the officers, the Emperor himself stood before him. A conspirator's intercepted letter had established the innocence of the suspected nobleman beyond question, and the Czar made what amends he could by bestowing on him a splendid castle and a general's commission. Though many years have passed away since then, and with them the life of the almost martyred Russian, the fruit of his labors among his fellowmen, the hospital he built for the sick and friendless, still bear witness to the faithfulness of Him who says, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me." Psalm 50:15.

Unsaved reader, this same mighty Savior is able and ready to deliver you from the wrath to come.

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom. 10:13.

The Twelfth Hour

In one of Mr. Moody's meetings a man once raised his hand for prayer. The evangelist went to him and said, "I am glad you have decided to be a Christian."

"No," said the man, "I have not; but you pray for me, and I will later on."

His address was taken, and Mr. Moody visited him when, later, he was ill. Again he pressed him for a decision for Christ.

"No," said the man; "I will not decide now. People will only say I was frightened into receiving Christ while. I'm sick."

He recovered; but ere long he suffered a severe relapse. Mr. Moody visited him again and put his need of Christ before him.

"It is too late," he said.

"But," Mr. Moody replied, "there is mercy at the eleventh hour."

"Mr. Moody," the sick man answered, "this is not the eleventh hour; it is the twelfth." A few hours later he was dead.

Mr. Moody said: "We fear we wrapped him in a Christ-less shroud, put him in a Christ-less coffin, buried him in a Christ-less grave; and if this be so, he went to a Christ-less eternity."

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

How Belief in Jesus Saved a Jew

I was brought up a Jew, and taught to observe the ceremonies and rites of Judaism. When I came to years of responsibility, I fell into the companionship of some atheists, and began to devour their blasphemous assumptions. While I was still outwardly conforming to the ritual of the synagogue worship, skepticism was eating up the vitals of my belief, and I was beginning to lose faith in God's revelation.

At this time He who said to Nathaniel, "When thou wast under the fig tree I saw thee," took particular notice of me. Even then His unseen hand was guiding, and He caused me to be brought into contact with a godly Christian man. I soon knew that this man had something to which I was an utter stranger. It was not so much what he said as his reality and his godly walk that impressed me. What surprised me most of all was to see a man delighting in the One whose name I despised and blasphemed.

Seeking to follow in this Christian's footsteps, I began to pray and read my Bible. I became a teacher in a Sabbath school, and very devoutly followed the Jews' religion. I vainly imagined that what faith in the despised Nazarene could procure for a Gentile, Judaism could surely give to a member of Jehovah's chosen race. I knew not the Scripture which thunders out in language unmistakable and clear: "ALL OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSES ARE AS FILTHY RAGS." Isa. 64:6.

One Sunday afternoon I took a walk into the city. There I saw and joined a crowd surrounding three men who had been holding an open-air meeting. They were just concluding by singing a hymn, the last line of which is, "Whosoever will may come." That grand word "whosoever" stuck to me.

The singing over, the three friends asked the bystanders to follow them to a meeting room. Among others, I was invited by one of the preachers, but declined. Thereupon he looked me in the face and asked me, "Are you saved?"

I replied, "Yes, but not in your way."

This answer of mine drew from him the scriptural fact that there was only one way of salvation, and he quoted God's Word: "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved."

I began to argue with him, but he quietly answered, "Friend, in a little while I will be praying for you."

Not long afterward his prayer was answered; but how? By God showing me my real condition before Him—that I was a sinner against One who is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity."

I was stripped of my self-righteousness, leaving behind a dismal void and an accusing conscience. Sin, my sin, was making life a burden and existence a misery. "The pains of hell got hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow." The thought came to me with awful intensity, "Where shall I flee for refuge?" Everything in which I had trusted proved insufficient to bear the weight of my guilty soul. My friend, whose life had so impressed me, began to tell me at this time of the Lord Jesus, though he was utterly unaware that I was anxious about my soul. I did not argue this time, and soon learned that "salvation is of the Lord." I learned that, if I was ever to be saved, it must be by faith in the Lord Jesus, and by Him alone.

At last, one Lord's Day afternoon, I came to Jesus as I was. I rested my weary soul on Him who died for me on Calvary's cross. From that moment I knew that I was one of the WHOSOEVERS. I believed in Him and my sins were forgiven for His name's sake. Now my heart rejoices in His Word, knowing, as I could not before, that my "transgression is forgiven" and my "sin is covered" in His precious blood. (Psa. 32:1).

The Lord Is Coming!

WHEN? It may be today! The Word of God does not tell us; but we read that "the coming of the Lord draweth NIGH" (James 5:8), and again: "Surely I come QUICKLY" (Rev. 22:20).

WHY? In order to take His blood-bought ones, dead and living, to be where He is. Hence we read that "the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds... and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16, 17). And again, "I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am there ye may be also" (John 14:3). Notice, the word "ye" excludes mere professors such as the "foolish virgins" of Matthew 25.

HOW? "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God" (1 Thess. 4:16). "Behold, I come quickly" (Rev. 3:11). Thus He comes in person—"the Lord Himself." He does not send an angel. He who ascended is the same as He who returns.

WHERE? The meeting-place shall be in the air, and not on earth. The Lord shall descend; they shall "be caught up... to meet the Lord in the air." Such is the appointed trysting-place.

WHITHER? To the Father's house on high, the heavenly home of the children of God, to the prepared mansion above, and the joys of the eternal presence of the Lord. (See John 14:1-3). Then He shall see the fruit of His agony on Calvary, and divine love shall have its glorious consummation. How blessed is the prospect!

He Came, But Why?

Do you know that the Lord Jesus Christ did not come to earth primarily to teach us how to live nor did He seek to show us how to die? God tells us why He came. The Bible says, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." This then is the reason for His coming—He came "TO SAVE SINNERS"!

Note well, He did not come "To save those who feel that they are good enough to take their chances on judgment day," nor did He come "to save those who by works of righteousness hope to obtain salvation." He did not come "to' save those who feel sorry for their sins and are trying to do better." He came, God tells us, "TO SAVE SINNERS!"

It is also truly said of Him, "This Man receiveth sinners." His call, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest" is directed to sinners who realize that they are hopelessly lost and need a Savior.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the wonderful Savior God sent to SAVE SINNERS! He saves them now and for eternity, for He has said, "Him that 'cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out."

Friend, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior now, and according to His own Word He will save you.

"Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him." Heb. 7:25.

Jesus Is Waiting

It was growing dark. On a hill at the edge of the woods stood two persons peering down the road leading into the city. They were a servant of the Lord, and a young man seventeen years of age. Both of them were on the way to a nearby village, and were waiting for several Christians who had promised to meet them there and go with them.

The two had waited several minutes, when the young man's patience gave way. He said, crossly: "I feel like going on; it is awful to have to wait so long."

The older man, looking earnestly at the lad, said in a tone that he never forgot: "Yes, but there is One who has waited days, weeks, months, yes, many years, for you."

The younger man understood very well what the Christian meant. He hung his head in confusion, tears starting to his eyes. He had been attending the meetings for years, and knew quite well that he should accept the Lord Jesus as his Savior, but he had always been too indifferent about it.

On New Year's evening he had fully determined to turn to the Lord, but he wanted to wait until spring. Spring came and went, but the careless boy had not confessed the Lord. He had put off his soul's salvation again, and decided to wait to accept the Lord in winter, for in winter he thought he had a better opportunity of attending the meetings. But the whole year had passed, and now-?

Yes; the Lord Jesus was still waiting for this unrepentant one. If God had lost patience, and death had claimed the lad, how would it have fared with his soul? These thoughts passed through the young man's mind this evening, and for him there was no more rest.

That same evening he met with another young man, his friend, who was also out of Christ, and put the question to him: "Bob," he said, "When do we want to get saved?"

His friend answered: "I have been waiting for you."

"And I have been waiting for you," was the rejoinder. "But now you may or not. I don't intend to keep the Lord waiting any longer. Why should we not now accept the Lord?"

"Yes," said the friend, "if we are not in earnest about it now, we may never be saved."

Together they knelt before God and confessed their sins and earnestly called upon Him for salvation.

God readily hears everyone who calls upon Him from the heart. He opens His arms willingly to receive everyone who comes to Him in faith. That same night both young men found forgiveness of their sins, and peace with God through Jesus' blood. They are still happy children of God; but grieve for the days of their youth when they kept their Savior waiting.

How about you, friend? Do you still neglect so great salvation?

Twelve Words

Some time ago a Christian, when telling how the Lord saved him, did so briefly in words simple but full of meaning. His testimony was: "God said it; Christ did it; I believe it; that settles it." He was not a very learned man, yet he had grasped the gospel in all its blessed simplicity. These twelve words refer to three persons and to a wonderful result.

"God Said It"

He began with "God," and this is the only right way to begin. God is the speaker—the great God who inhabits eternity. "He sent redemption unto His people: He hath commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend is His name." Psa. 111:9.

He has stooped to speak to men. His word is unchangeable; His promises are immutable; He cannot lie. The heavens and earth will pass away, but God's word abides. "Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven." Psa. 119:89. It behooves us then, with chastened spirits, to listen to what He says. We can do this with the utmost confidence, for God is man's best Friend and He will never deceive him.

As to our condition by nature and practice God has said:

"There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none that understandeth,
There is none that seeketh after God,
They are all gone out of the way.
There is none that doeth good, no, not one."

"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Read Romans 3.

All are guilty before God. This is a very solemn indictment! God says, you are guilty. What is your plea? Is it G-U-I-L-T-Y? Although you are not righteous and are guilty before God, He offers you a righteousness which is "unto all," but it is only "upon all them that believe." What, then, are you asked to do?

Believe God! "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." God is Just, "and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

Friend, do you accept God's indictment and claim His promises? Do you believe in Jesus, and claim His righteousness? Then you can gladly say,

"Christ Did It"

What comfort there is simply to say from the heart: "I believe it." As unrighteous and guilty we were subject to the just and righteous judgment of God; but in love to God, His Father, and to you and me-poor, lost, guilty hell-deserving sinners, Christ willingly submitted to Calvary's gloom. There He wrought a work which glorified God. His precious blood was shed on the Cross and the righteous claims of God were fully met.

Yes, Christ did it!

"I Believe It"

Friend, how can you come into the good of all this? The righteousness of God is unto all. On what principle? "By faith of Jesus Christ."

"Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Now "faith" and "believe" are New Testament terms for the Old Testament word "trust," which comes from Hebrew words meaning, "to take refuge," or "to lean upon." As a sinner, exposed to the awful judgment of God. I pray you to "take refuge" in Christ. He is the "shelter from the storm." You are unable to do anything to save yourself. Just "lean upon" Him! Stretch out the hand of "faith," and take the promises God and Christ have secured for you.

What Then?

Someday you will come to the end of this life,
You know not how, or when;
But the summons will come and you must go:
Rejector of Christ—what then?

You have spurned God's Word, reviled His name,
Rejected His cleansing blood:
What will you do when you come at last
To stand in the presence of God?

You have turned your back on the Crucified;
Rejected His nail-pierced hand.
What then will you do at the Great White Throne?
For there, in judgment you'll stand.

Too late to cry for the mercy of God,
When death has silenced all plea;
Today you must answer: "What think ye of Christ?"
What then will your answer be?

Today is the day of salvation, my friend.
Death closes its door for aye.
You may find tomorrow forever too late!
Then why not accept Him today?

D. B. P.

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

1 Timothy 1:15.

Who Made It?

Sir Isaac Newton had a friend who, like himself, was a great scientist; but he was an infidel. Newton was a devout believer, and the two men often locked horns over this question, though their mutual interest in science drew them much together.

Newton had a skilled mechanic make him a replica of our solar system in miniature. In the center was a large gilded ball representing the sun. Revolving around this central ball were smaller balls fixed on the ends of arms of varying length. They represented Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, in their proper order. These balls were so geared together by cogs and bolts as to move in perfect harmony by turning a crank.

One day as Newton sat reading in his study with his mechanism on a large table near him, his infidel friend stepped in. He was scientist enough to recognize at a glance what was before him. Stepping up to it he slowly turned the crank. With undisguised admiration he watched the heavenly bodies all move at their relative speeds in their orbits. Standing off a few feet, he exclaimed: "My! What an exquisite thing this is! Who made it?"

Without looking up from his book, Newton answered: "Nobody!"

Quickly turning to Newton the infidel said: "Evidently you did not understand my question. I asked who made this thing?"

Looking up now, Newton solemnly assured him that nobody made it, but that the aggregation of matter so much admired had just happened to assume the form it was in. At this the astonished infidel replied with some heat; "You must think I'm a fool! Of course somebody made it, and he is a genius. I'd like to know who he is."

Laying his book aside, Newton arose. Placing a hand on his friend's shoulder, he said: "This thing is but a puny imitation of a much grander system whose laws you know. I am not able to convince you that this mere toy is without a designer and maker; yet you profess to believe that the great original from which the design is taken has come into being without either designer or maker! Now tell me: by what sort of reasoning do you reach such an incongruous conclusion?"

The infidel was at once convinced and became a firm believer that "Jehovah, He is the God." 1 Kings 18:39.

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Gen. 1:1.

"And God made two great lights;... He made the stars also." Gen. 1:16.

"The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land." Psa. 95:5.

"God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands... but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead." Acts 17:24-31.

The Old Scotsman

While I was laboring in the gospel in a little village in Ontario, my hostess and I planned some visits. On our way, she pointed to a cottage by the side of the road, and said, "An aged Scotsman lives in that cottage. He loves the children of God, and I am sure he would enjoy a visit from you."

We alighted at his door. Deep furrows in his face revealed his more than eighty years. I said to him: "The Scriptures say, 'We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.' As I am one of the brethren, I have come in to see you."

His face fairly beamed with joy, and he expressed himself as thankful for a visit on such a principle.

"Have you known the Lord very long?" we asked.

"Well, there is a story to that," he replied. "I belonged to the kirk from quite a lad. But whether I belonged to the Lord, He alone knows. I cannot tell. But I came to Canada, and was steward in a gentleman's house in Kingston, when a poor convict killed his guard in trying to escape. He was sentenced to be hanged, and during his days of grace he was converted through the ministry of an evangelist then preaching in Kingston. This evangelist wrote a book telling of the conversion of this prisoner, Daniel Mann. I read the book and ever since then, I have known I BELONG TO THE LORD. I tell ye, there is no doubt about it! It's a mighty different thing to belonging to a kirk."

"I am very glad to hear that my little book has helped you!" I replied.

"NA!" he cried.

"Yes, I wrote the book."

"Na, it canna be!" he cried again in much amazement.

"Yes! It was I who was preaching then in Kingston, and ministered to that poor convict and wrote the booklet," I said.

Convinced at last, he rushed to me, grasped me in his arms, and for a long time sobbed aloud.

Reader, does it mean as much to you to know whether you belong to the Lord as it did to this dear old Scotsman? You may not be as deep in sin as the convict whose story brought him peace. But remember the words of Scripture: "ALL HAVE SINNED AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD." Rom. 3:23. ALL ALIKE need the Savior, whose precious blood we read, "Cleanseth from ALL SIN." 1 John 1:7.

Will you now, at this moment, if still unsaved, unforgiven, own your lost and helpless condition, and trust the only Savior, while the day of God's grace is still present? Soon, how soon we know not, the door of mercy will close, and the gospel day will end!

Heed, dear reader, the words of Scripture: "TODAY if ye will hear HIS voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation... in the wilderness." Psa. 95:7, 8.

Listen to the Savior's call: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST." Matt. 11:28.

A Little Bit of Naked Truth

The late Doctor Chalmers lay dying. As his end was approaching, he said to one that stood near him, "Now just give me a little bit of naked truth to die upon."

He himself had often preached the gospel with all the charms of his own natural eloquence; but now he wanted to hear it in all the majestic sweetness of the naked word of God, without any of these human embellishments. He knew well that this was the only safe ground upon which the soul may drop its anchor for full assurance of eternal salvation; for "the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.

It is in such a moment as this that the false hope of a Christ-less religion is shattered, and infidel theories collapse like a child's sand-castle before the rising tide. When the death wave rolls up to you, dear reader, then you will want, and want badly too, what the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has.

"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll:
Fastened to the Rock that cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love."

A young married woman, brought up in a truly Christian home, had for years made some sort of religious profession. She was suddenly taken ill. A doctor was called in who diagnosed her malady. From him she got a very serious "bit of naked truth" about herself.

Her case was most critical. An operation was imperative if her life was to be spared, and yet it was of such a nature that ninety-nine out of every hundred died under it. Of course, she might be the hundredth, and come through.

Upon this slender chance, humanly-speaking, she decided to stake her life. The operation was arranged for, and on a beautiful morning, in a private hospital, it was performed.

This is her story: "As I lay upon my bed before the operation, I was made for the first time in my life seriously to take my bearings. What will it mean for me to wake up in eternity? Where shall I spend it? How can I meet God?

"These were questions that demanded an answer, and promptly, too. All I had rested upon in the way of religious profession was giving way under me, for I realized that it had left the question of my sins unsettled. Going into the presence of God possibly, and my sins unforgiven! What stern realities these!

"Oh, how I longed for some little bit of the bare word of God upon which I could rest for peace and assured salvation! But who could give it at that moment?

"God Himself gave it! Quick as a lightning flash an old and familiar text shot into my mind, 'The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' 1 John 1:7.

"I gripped it with all the eagerness that a drowning man would grip a lifebuoy that had been thrown to him, knowing well there was no time to lose. I said to myself, I will meet God with that! As I hung by simple faith upon God's testimony to the virtue of that precious blood, a sudden peace filled my troubled soul, such as I had never known before. I went to the operating table as calm as I would have been had I been going to my breakfast.

"I was, through God's mercy, the hundredth case, for I was brought safely through; and I have come back from the very gates of death able to say that, trusting in the precious blood of Jesus, the vilest sinner can meet God without a quiver of the conscience or doubt in the heart."

Friend, a little bit of naked truth about yourself is that behind you is a lifetime of sins all unforgiven. You may forget them, but God has not forgotten. "God requireth that which is past." Eccles. 3:15.

This night thy soul may be required of thee! Lose no time about this matter. There may be but a crumbling moment between you and a lost eternity. The naked truth of the gospel is, "NOW is the accepted time; NOW is the day of salvation."

Sinner, nothing will meet your case but this same precious blood. It alone can cleanse a sinner in the eyes of God. Trust it and you trust that which "satisfies God, silences Satan, and saves the sinner."

"Precious, precious blood of Jesus, Let it make thee whole; Let it flow in mighty cleansing O'er thy soul!"

No Foundation!

"I have nothing to expect, sir, but condemnation! Nothing ahead but condemnation!"

The speaker spoke with difficulty. He was a big man of massive features, just stricken down seriously ill, and had been told that his illness must soon prove fatal. His nurse sought, as quietly as possible, to ease his sufferings, which were very great.

"Oh, don't talk of pain!" he cried, bitterly. "It is the mind, woman, the mind!" Then slowly and deliberately he said: "I knew it at the time—every time. I knew it. I knew that a penalty must follow sin. Yet I have done wrong, knowing that it was wrong; first with a few qualms, then brushing aside conscience, and at last with the coolness of a fiend. Sir, not in one minute of my life have I lived for heaven, for God, or for Christ; no, not one minute."

"But Christ died for the ungodly and for sinners," was the comforting reply.

"Oh, yes, Christ died for sinners. I know that. My intellect is clear, sir; clearer than ever before, I tell you."

His voice became shrill and concentrated. "I can see almost into eternity; I can feel that unless Christ Himself is believed on, His death can do me no good."

Soon after this he said: "I have been following up the natural laws, and see an affinity between them and the great law of God's moral universe. Heaven is for the holy and believing; without, all are dogs and whoremongers. That is the distinction! It is all right, all right. God is just and holy."

After eleven o'clock, roused by the striking of the clock, he looked around. He sensed the presence of his nurse, and of his Christian friend waiting nearby. "It is awfully dark here," he whispered; "my feet stand on the slippery edge of a great gulf. Oh, for some foundation!"

He stretched out his hand, as if feeling for a way. "Christ," gently whispered his friend; "He is a firm foundation." "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:11.

"Not for me!" he moaned, and pen cannot describe the immeasurable woe in that awful answer.

Can anyone read this solemn incident and not be moved to the deepest depths of his moral being? Can a true believer in the Lord Jesus read it, and not with adoration, heartfelt and solemn, bless God that his feet stand firm upon the "Rock of Ages"?

Can any mere professor of Christianity read it and not tremble, as his conscience whispers to him that his feet are resting only upon the quicksand of time, through which at any moment he may sink into eternity to meet an unknown God, and to stand before the judgment seat with his sins all unforgiven?

Can any skeptic read it and not, in spite of himself, find his heart quail before the stupendous and awful realities of an eternity, for which, even to the extent of one true thought, he is unprepared, utterly without foundation of any kind—a wild, unreasoning "leap in the dark"?

The frame-work of human wisdom, whether religious or atheistic, is as airy nothings when the presence of God and of eternity are brought to bear upon it. The foundations of time, secure and strong as they seem while the pulse of life beats full and steady, avail naught in the dread hour of death. The frown of "the king of terrors," well named so for an unbelieving soul, abashes all false confidence then. When the dark billows of death, with their deepening and resistless tides, surge in upon the struggling soul, vainly does it endeavor to keep its foothold upon the shores of time. Vain is the strength of man, or the help of man, in that hour. One foundation alone stands firm then: Jesus Christ, the righteous.

The soul that has built on this foundation stands firm amid the crash of created things, and in the dissolution of soul and body. With peculiar force at such a moment does the word of the living and eternal God, "still and small," sound its comforting and assuring utterances in the believer's ear, taking away all doubt and uncertainty. The flood may rise, the storm beat ever so vehemently upon the house, but, founded upon the rock, it cannot be shaken, and the heart reposes in peaceful joy upon the word of Him who said, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious stone, a sure foundation, and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded."

A Memorable Night in York Minster

Not often are great cathedrals so filled with people as was the nave of the fine old Minster at York, England, on a December night many years ago. Men and women from all parts of the city and representing every rank in life had gathered there to hear the gospel as proclaimed by a plain mission preacher. This man's words as directed by the Holy Ghost produced conviction of sin in many, and under the power of the Spirit, they were converted to God. Some wondered and some scoffed at the idea of "Revival" meetings being held in the great cathedral; but God can use any place in which His voice is heard, and bless any people who hear it anywhere.

Among those who gathered in the stately building that winter night was a young man studying for the ministry. He was half-curious to learn the secret of getting such crowds, when so few attended regular services at his church. He had been duly ordained and was well educated, but he lacked the "one thing needful"—the new birth. The sight of so many, the reverent hush preceding the preaching, the absence of all ritual, the simple but hearty singing, followed by a short, direct, earnest prayer that God would "awaken and convert sinners" then and there, all impressed the young student-preacher with the reality of divine things in a way he had never known before.

The evangelist announced his subject. It was Exodus 12—the chapter that tells the story of the pass-over in Egypt: the killing of the lamb, the sprinkling of the blood, the salvation of the first-born. Under three simple "heads," he pressed home the three-fold gospel lesson of the type.

First—Condemnation

Second—Substitution

Third—Appropriation

While the gospel preacher was setting forth the first of these as the sinner's ruin by nature, his guilt by practice, his just condemnation by a righteous God, the young student became conscious for the first time of his state before God as a sinner.

Under the second heading he showed forth the virtues of Christ, the perfect sacrifice once offered to God, a sacrifice never to be repeated and to which nothing can be added. Then the awakened clergyman saw the suitability of Christ as his Savior.

Finally the preacher told of the necessity of personal acceptance of Christ for salvation, of individual trust in His atoning death for justification, and the certain fact that all who do thus personally trust Him are saved as truly as the Israelite who heard the word of Jehovah, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." Ex. 12:13.

The young clergyman comprehended immediately God's way of salvation. Casting himself as a sinner on the Savior, he was born of God, saved by grace, and set on the way to heaven then and there, even as he sat in the nave of York Minster that December night.

Yes, what neither education, religion, nor holy orders could bestow, the old gospel, faithfully, simply preached, was brought to him as a sinner, and as a sinner he gave it welcome. Then to the mission preacher that very night, he confessed Christ. The next Sunday he told his own congregation that he had been converted, and urged upon all the need of being sheltered by the blood.

Reader, are you thus sheltered, or are you exposed to judgment without Christ? Which is your position? Remember, there is no middle ground. Saved or Lost! Which?

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

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

God or Man

(The following lines were found written on the back of a bank note.)

This piece of paper in your hand
Declares to you that on demand
You twenty dollars shall receive;
This simple promise you believe;
It puts your mind as much at rest
As if the silver you possessed.

So Christ, who died, but now doth live,
Doth unto you the promise give
That if you on His name believe,
You shall eternal life receive.

Upon the first you clearly rest;
Which is the surest and the best?
The bank may break; heaven never can;
'Tis safer trusting God than man.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, and He will abundantly pardon."

Isaiah 55:7

A Miracle of Grace

"George, I had a real experience last week. I was invited out to lunch with Bob. He was on vacation. I accepted, and we had a real nice time over the Word.

"When I was ready to leave for home, Bob's wife said, 'Vern, you have just got to go and visit Al. Did you know he is dying with cancer?'

"Well, I knew the man—at least, I knew him to be an infidel, or the same as one. So Bob said, 'Let us pray about your going.'

"We got on our knees, and earnestly asked the Lord to give courage and wisdom. So when we rose from prayer, Bob said, 'Vern, I am going to stay home and keep praying for you. You go, and I will pray.'

I realized then that I was on the spot, and could not refuse to carry out this mission. I knew too that this man had been visited by a number of persons interested in his welfare. He was reported to be a terrible character, cruel to his family, and had even chased his wife from the room because she tried to read the Bible to him. He would have nothing to do in any way with God.

"To make a long story short, I went to Al's home. His wife greeted me very coolly at the door. I said, `Can I visit your husband for a few minutes?'

"She said, 'Yes, I guess you can; he is in the back room.'

"I went in, and what a sight! Al was just skin and bones—a terrible sight to look at.

"Al greeted me with an oath, and kept on cursing. I could see and hear the open rebellion in his heart. He was not going to give me a chance to say even a word.

So I thought, 'How am I ever going to speak to this man about his soul?'

"Then I thought of Bob at home praying, and I just said very timidly to myself, 'Lord, please help me.'

"The man stopped talking! His cursing ceased, and I spoke to him very gently and tenderly about the love of the Lord Jesus.

"At first there was a look of hatred on his face. His eyes became cold as steel. He even made a terrible face at me! But he never spoke a word, and I kept on talking. After some minutes of this, he looked up at me, and such a helpless look it was! I could see that the Spirit of God was striving with this poor unsaved soul.

"Ere long Al began to cry. He confessed what a terrible man he had been. I could only quote some scriptures, especially part of Romans 3:22: FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE,' and the first part of verse 23, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED.'

"This seemed to make him consider his soul's condition and soon I left him, but not before he made me promise that I would see him again the next day. I knew that the Spirit of God would do the rest, and I need not press him further.

"The next day I went back and his wife greeted me at the door, all smiles. She at once invited me to his room. Al took my hand, and with tears flowing down his cheeks, said, 'Alt three o'clock this morning I took your Savior as my Savior.'

"Such a change had come over this dear soul! No fear of death any more. No more cursing and blaspheming, but just simply trusting in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus. I was with him about two hours, and we read and talked together. I went back the next day and took Bob with me to see this work of God. Even his wife said it was a miracle. People along the road who knew him could not understand the change that had come over him—that is, the unsaved ones; but we know that it was the Lord's work, and it is marvelous in our eyes.

"Surely this was a brand plucked from the burning. He lived only a few days after this, and went to be with the Lord rejoicing in his new-found Savior. How precious to know that we shall see dear Al again when the assembling shout gathers all the redeemed home."

"Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

Thy Word Is Truth

Dr. Cyrus Hamlin told the following story. While he was in Constantinople, soon after the Crimean War, a colonel in the Turkish army called to see him, and said: "I want to ask you one question: What proof can you give me that your Bible is what you claim it to be-the Word of God?"

Dr. Hamlin evaded the question, and drew the officer into conversation. While talking together he learned that his visitor had traveled a great deal, especially in the East in the region of the Euphrates.

"Were you ever in Babylon?" asked the doctor.

"Yes. And that reminds me of a curious experience I had there. I am very fond of hunting, and having heard that the ruins of Babylon abound in game, I determined to go there for a week's shooting. Knowing that it was not considered safe for a man to be there except in the company of several others, and money being no object to me, I engaged an Arab sheik with his followers to accompany me for a large sum.

"We reached Babylon and pitched our tents. A little before sundown I took my gun and strolled out to have a look around. The holes and caverns among the mounds which cover the ruins are infested with game, which, however, is rarely seen except at night. I caught sight of one or two animals in the distance, and then turned back towards our encampment, intending to begin my sport as soon as the sun had set.

"What was my surprise to find the men striking the tents, or, as you would say, breaking camp. I went to the sheik and protested most strongly. I had engaged him for a week, and was paying him handsomely, and here he was starting off before our contract had scarcely begun! Nothing I could say, however, would induce him to remain.

“‘It isn't safe,' he said. 'No mortal flesh dare stay here after sunset. In the dark, ghosts, ghouls, and all sorts of things come out of the holes and caverns, and whosoever is found here is taken off by them, and becomes one of themselves.'

"Finding that I could not persuade him, I said: `Well, as it is, I'm paying you more than I ought to; but if you'll stay I'll double it.'

“‘No,' he said, 'I wouldn't stay for all the money in the world. No Arab has ever seen the sun go down on Babylon. But I want to do what is right by you. We'll go off to a place about an hour's distance and come back at daybreak."

"And go they did and my sport had to be given up."

"As soon as the officer had finished," said Dr. Hamlin, "I took my Bible and read from it the 13th chapter of Isaiah: 'And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures; and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.' "

"That's it exactly," said the Turkish officer when Dr. Hamlin had finished. "But that's history you've been reading."

"No," answered Dr. Hamlin. "It's prophecy from my Book you called the Bible! Come, you're an educated man. You know that the Old Testament was translated into Greek about three hundred years before Christ."

He acknowledged that it was.

"And the Hebrew was given at least two hundred years before that."

"Yes."

"Well, wasn't this written when Babylon was in its glory, and doesn't it foretell Babylon's present state? Who but an omniscient God could have prophesied so truly?"

"I'm not prepared to give you an answer now," he replied. "I must have time to think it over."

"Very well," Dr. Hamlin said; "do so, and come back when you have thought it through and give me your answer."

Dr. Hamlin has never seen his questioner since; but what an unexpected testimony to the truth of the Bible in regard to the fulfillment of prophecy did that Turkish officer give!

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33.

"Let God be true, but every man a liar." Rom. 3:4.

Example or Substitute

At the close of a gospel service some time ago, a stranger accosted the preacher rudely. "I don't like your preaching," he said. "I do not care for the story of the cross. I think that instead of telling of the death of Christ on the cross, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and the example."

"Would you then be willing to follow Him if I preach Christ, the Example?"

"I would," said the stranger; "I would gladly follow in His steps."

"Then," said the evangelist, "Let us take the first step. 'Who did no sin.' Can you take this step?"

The stranger looked confused. "No,' he said at last. "I do sin, and I acknowledge it."

"Well, then," said the preacher; "your first need of Christ is not as an Example, but as a Savior."

Friend, this is every man's need. Until Christ becomes your Savior and Lord, and your sins are cleansed by His precious blood shed for you, that perfect Example can mean nothing to you. Believe on Him, take Him as your Lord, and you will then gladly follow in His steps. (1 Peter 2:21).

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

"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." Isa. 53:6.

The Emigration Movement

By land, by sea, and by air people are carried today from one to country to another—from the old countries of their birth to new ones, for better or for worse. And as thousands thus move out and on to new fields, they make room for others who rise up to fill their places.

But there is another movement, far more extensive and important than the one just mentioned. Thousands move away from this planet every day and emigrate from time into eternity. We are informed that every twenty-four hours about 100,000 leave thus. What a stupendous thought—100,000 men, women, and children leave this world every clay! It includes the wealthy as well as the poor, and they go from the courts of kings as well as from the dwellings of the lowly.

Have you not observed how anxiously emigrants search the maps of the new countries and read up on their history? Then, again, how anxiously they study the soil and climate! They do wisely in all these things. They carefully decide upon their destination; then they get ready, and move on.

Let me ask my reader: "Where are you emigrating to? Where do you expect to spend eternity?"

How important these questions—how serious the answer! We would earnestly ask the reader not to rest until they are settled.

That "new world," to which vast numbers are daily passing, is divided, as the Bible shows, into two separate places, and a great contrast exists between them and their inhabitants: one, called heaven, is the home of the blest; the other, called hell, is the abode of the lost—of all that is evil. To which of these two places are you bound, my reader?

The masses are steadily moving out every day, and your turn is surely coming. Good health is no assurance that you have plenty of time, and wealth will not prevent your ship from leaving port for the other shore. "I cannot, I will not die," said one who, shortly after, had to leave. Determination and willpower cannot keep one here when the hour arrives to depart.

The passport to the home of the blest is free, and its inheritances also are a free grant, "without money and without price." The blood of Christ, shed upon the cross—the Substitute suffering for the guilty—was the payment rendered to God to secure both the inheritance and the passport there. And not only this, but that precious blood canceled also every debt those emigrating had contracted. Oh, what grace is expressed in this, dear reader!

How happy is the emigrant as he looks back—not a debt left unpaid! New prospects rise up before him; new friends and old await him on another shore! So with those who put their trust in Jesus: they will see the Friend who in love and grace canceled all their debts, secured the passport, and holds the inheritance in reserve for them.

They are "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Pet. 1:5.

The emigration agents are anxious that people moving out should be on the right ship, and that their tickets read correctly. So, my reader, we would ask you, Have you entered the true ark of safety? Here it is: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1. Have you the true passport? This is it: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

A hearty welcome also will be accorded to all the redeemed on the other side. The country is a delightful one. The inhabitants are all united, peaceful, and happy. The King there is the precious Lord Jesus Himself, who gave His own life for us. There He is loved and revered by all.

As for sickness, disease, and death, they are never heard of there. No sin is there, and its happy people live forever and ever! What a blessed country! And what a blessed hope!

Will you come to this blest land? Jesus Himself invites you. "Come unto Me," He said, and "I will give you rest." The Holy Spirit urges you—Cornet "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

Would Heaven Be Heaven to You?

We were in the train together, a stranger and myself. Our conversation had turned on the state of the weather, and then on the way of salvation. I had quoted that lovely verse:

"I have a home above,
From sin and sorrow free;
A mansion which eternal love
Designed and formed for me."

To this quotation my fellow-passenger replied, "So have I."

"Indeed," I rejoined; "have you a home in heaven? Are you really a converted man?"

"Oh, no! I have never thought much of these things," said he; "but I hope, of course to go to heaven."

"But that is impossible," I replied, "unless you are converted; for Christ said that 'except ye be converted, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.' It is vain to say that you have a home, or that you hope to go there, except on the conditions He has laid down."

"Well, as I said, I have not given much thought as yet to these things," he replied.

And yet he had given no little thought to the things of time. He has traveled in various foreign countries, and had seen much of the world for one who was still young. But the interests of his soul lay neglected! Oh, the criminality of such neglect, the downright folly of leaving for tomorrow—and tomorrow—the matter of salvation! Nothing can demonstrate more fully the deadening effects of sin.

Who would not escape from danger when he sees it? Who, but the sinner? Dear reader, if you have never thought of the salvation of your soul, let me urge you to do so at once. "Tomorrow" has wrecked multitudes!

"I was listening to a long sermon," said my companion, "and the thought struck me, that If I felt an hour in church wearisome, what would heaven be forever?"

"Fearful!" I replied. "Heaven would be a positive hell to a man who had not a nature capable of enjoying it. It would be no home to him. What could he do there? He would find himself a stranger to God and to all the surroundings of heaven. He would be positively miserable there. If you find no pleasure in the things of God on earth, how could you enjoy them hereafter?"

"Quite true," he said, "that has passed through my mind. I fully admit the truth of it."

"And therefore you must have a nature that loves God. You must, in fact, 'be born again,' as the Lord said to Nicodemus, in order to be happy there," I replied.

Evidently, dear reader, while sin cannot come into God's ever-holy presence, but must be expiated by blood, so also must a change as radical as the "new birth" be effected by God ere the sinner is fit for that place. Yes, I repeat, heaven—God's own blessed home—would be a perfect hell to an unconverted man. It is the height of folly, to hope you may go there and be happy, unless you are a child of God. Of course, only His own can go there, that is certain; and no efforts on your own part, or by others on your behalf, can do for you what your own faith in the name of the Lord Jesus alone can accomplish. (See John 1:12, 13).

"But now," I asked my companion, "if you feel that you would not be happy in heaven, would you be better off in hell?"

"No, indeed!" said he.

"But that is the only alternative," I remarked. "Hereafter we must be in either of these two places, for the Word of God speaks of no other. Live forever we must, in heaven or in hell. Let me beg you to turn to the Lord, and thus to ensure your eternal salvation." I gave him a book explaining the way, and then we had to part company.

Reader, ask yourself this question: "Would I be happy in the presence of God for all eternity?"

If you are obliged to admit that you would not, then ask yourself: "Am I resolved to sink into the lake of fire, and be tormented day and night forever and ever?"

Hell is no less real than heaven, for God is no less "Light" than "Love," and eternity is based on what God is.

"God is Love." Blessed fact, proved at Calvary, where Jesus, His Son, died to save souls from hell. Receive Him now as Savior, and heaven will be for you a blest eternity with Him.

Still Unsaved?

STILL UNSAVED???
After all the Spirit's pleading,
After all God's tender leading,
After all of Calvary's cross
To redeem your soul from loss;
While His grace and love abound,
Can it be that you are found
Still unsaved? Still unsaved?

STILL UNSAVED???
Will you still refuse His pardon?
Still in sin your conscience harden?
Still reject 'til death o'ertakes you?
Then when every hope forsakes you,
Dare you face your God at last,
When your every chance is passed,
Still unsaved? Still unsaved?

STILL UNSAVED???
Sinner, stop, and look before you!
See the storm-clouds gathering o'er you;
Ere they burst in judgment on you
And in endless woe o'erwhelm you,
To the cross of Jesus fly,
Lest forever you will cry—
Still unsaved? Still unsaved?
STILL UNSAVED?

"As many as received (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

John 1:12

Echoes of Grace: 1970

Table of Contents

The Cleansing Blood

Only a Text

What Are You Living for?

What Am I Living for?

Why the Case Was Stopped

If I Owned the World

Yours, a Fool

A Questionable Performance

A Prodigal Reclaimed

A Lesson From an Old Picture

Christus Pacificator

Speak Now for Jesus

The Chaplain and the Sergeant

The Simplicity of Faith

a Form of Godliness

Afraid of God

Who Will Die First?

I Have Called You Friends

Why Don't You Speak of Jesus?

A Light in a Dark Place

The Czar and the Psalm

A Timely Intervention

A Fly

Just As You Are

My Jewels

The "Cat" Burglar

What Is Sin?

The Latter End

One Sheep

E'en Down to Old Age

Bible Testimony

Not Yet

Waiting

The Foolishness of Preaching

It Is Awfully Dark

I Believe If I See!

Filthy Rags

Five Dollars, Sir!

The Precious Blood

Once, or Twice Born

The Buddhist Priest and the Bible

You Go Your Way: I Will Go Mine

The Indian's Blanket

Eternally Separated

Thomas Bilney, A. D. 1530

The Battle Scene

Jesus Is Able

A Soldier's Question

A Remarkable Confession of Faith

Only a Day at a Time

The Eskimo Chief and John 3:16

Hundreds of Years Too Late

Where Will It End?

Sowing and Reaping

The Remedy, Have You Applied It?

My Last Day on Earth

How Died Von Ribbentrop?

Later Than They Think!

A Settled Matter

The Gospel According to You

Hands up!

Is Your Heart Right?

Drifting!

Dost Thou Know Jesus?

Deliverance

The Twelfth Hour

How Belief in Jesus Saved a Jew

The Lord Is Coming!

He Came, But Why?

Jesus Is Waiting

Twelve Words

What Then?

Who Made It?

The Old Scotsman

A Little Bit of Naked Truth

No Foundation!

A Memorable Night in York Minster

God or Man