THE village of S–– was favored for situation. The river swept majestically down to its mill, having first released four streams that went to form a backwater of more than ordinary size and beauty.
Yet aching hearts were there, for sin was present and felt. Had not the “faithful Word” told us that all had sinned, all like sheep had gone astray? And, even to our dim vision, it was apparent that the inspired words mirrored the situation.
But a greater favor was to be bestowed on S —. There was One who cared for the “heavy laden.” It was the same One who had arrayed the lily, given grace of form to the trees, made the water to reflect, and endowed the sun with its luster-lending power. These conduct but to the “outer court” of His presence, one has said; His heart is revealed in seeking and saving “that which was lost.”
Of all the lovely figures which the Spirit of God has used to set forth the compassionate grace of the Savior, none, perhaps, appeals to the heart with such simplicity and power as that of the shepherd going after the lost sheep. What could so forcibly portray our folly, misery, and impotence as the lost sheep entangled and entrapped, famished and faint, bereft of shepherd care, and far away from the shepherd’s voice, exposed to every form of danger, a helpless prey to the destroyer? And what could so finely picture the individual love of the Divine Seeker, the force and persistency of it, as the shepherd going after the lost sheep just as if there were no other, regardless of toil, hardship, or danger, seeking on till He finds it, sparing not Himself till He saves it, resting not till He brings it right home rejoicing?
Reader, have you ever well considered the stupendous fact that this beautiful illustration was chosen by the Lord of glory Himself while on the way to the cross, and that it is preserved in His Word for the very purpose of attracting the hearts of destitute sinners? Should these lines meet the eyes of one such, weary of this cold and selfish world, and yearning for a deeper and more abiding love than it can afford, be comforted, here it is in divine perfection proffered to you. A love that needs not a worthy object to call it forth, nor a worthy response to sustain it, but which, in the majesty of its own infinite excellency, flows forth to the one without worth, beauty, or strength, and, having cleared a divinely righteous ground for its free exercise (“by the sacrifice of Himself”), endowers that one externally with its unsearchable riches.
His seeking and saving grace is still in blessed activity, all praise to His sacred name! It filled the hearts of some in towns near to S––, and constrained them to come to the village to tell out the good news in a cottage there.
Among the toilers at the mill was Susan D —, and she was one ‘of those who came to the cottage-preaching. So really and deeply did she feel the burden of her guilt, that she expressed it in her looks; and bowed her head, as if the load were on her shoulders as well as on her conscience. The last ray of hope was sinking from her breast. For was it not now for a long time that she had been looking within for the experience of an elect one, and had looked in vain?
Alas! that even good men should so little understand the love of God as to render void His Word by their tradition.
The astronomer reads His power in the constellations with more diffidence. Peering through billions of miles, he dares not set bounds, knowing that as the penetrating power of the observatory glass is increased, it is but to bring more millions of miles of illimitable space into ken, and fresh worlds “that declare the glory of God.” Precious for us is it, that to the same One that belongeth power, belongeth also mercy (Psa. 62:1111God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. (Psalm 62:11) and 12).
“His love is as great as His power,
And knows neither measure nor end.”
In the cottage at S–– it was no mixture of thoughts (Psa. 119:113113SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. (Psalm 119:113)), that was preached with God’s glad tidings, but the free, full, blessed, grace of God which bringeth salvation. And it was spoken out of a full heart by men who sometimes had to wade ankle deep through flood’ water, and to cross the river at some risk.
To Susan D–– it came as music from the skies. It was more welcome than the cry of “sail” to the ocean waif, and more eagerly drunk in than rain by the parched ground after drought. Despair gave way to delight, gloom to gladness, doubting to thanksgiving, mourning to praise. And when, not a great while after, she was laid low, never to rise again (for this world), her joy seemed proportioned to her previous sorrow, and her love to the amount forgiven her (Luke 7:4747Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (Luke 7:47)). In her intervals of consciousness these would find expression in the words of the “highly favored among women”—“My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior” — which she would often quote, with uplifted eye and extended hands, in tones that betokened the intense fervor of her feelings. Told by an acquaintance she would soon see —, a mutual friend who had “gone on before,” she replied–– “Perhaps I shall, but it seems to me it will take me twenty years to look at Jesus.” Thus was she taken right home rejoicing through His boundless grace.
Once more has attention been called to the judgment passed by supreme authority that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)). Once again has been pointed out the ocean fullness of that grace which “justifies freely through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:2424Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Romans 3:24)), and now would we beseech earnest consideration of the resultant responsibility as set forth in the divinely sanctioned words, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb. 2:33How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)). The refusal of grace must entail the acceptance of judgment. They who will not be cleansed from their sins must be punished for them. The Savior, in the supremacy of His grace, stooped so low to make propitiation, because He “loveth righteousness, and hateth iniquity” (Psa. 45:77Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Psalm 45:7); Heb. 1:99Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Hebrews 1:9)). But having been appointed Judge in virtue of His work, He will judge in righteousness (Acts 17:3131Because 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 17:31); Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)).
The warning is given and emphasized, but our desire and prayer is, that they who may have read this feeble presentation of His grace, may have had their interest awakened in Him. For such we have a special message: He who came to seek and save is corning again for those who have accepted His grace to take them home to His Father’s house (John 14:2, 32In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2‑3)). This crowning moment is drawing very near. While we wait for it, watching for Him to see Him in His beauty, He bids us, in the very closing hours (ay, it may be moments) of this day of grace, publish abroad the divinely given and sweetly opportune word, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:1717And 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. (Revelation 22:17)).
A. J. H.