During the Civil War, an earnest evangelist who had gone to preach Christ to the soldiers, was returning, weary and tired after a hard day's work in the camp. As he looked up to the bright stars, sparkling in the firmament far above the scene of war and bloodshed, he thought of the peaceful home of the redeemed in heaven, and of those who were saved on earth, now resting with Christ in that fair and peaceful home. His weary spirit mounted upward, and he burst forth in singing "How bright these glorious spirits shine!—
Whence all their bright array?
How come they to the blissful seats
Of everlasting day?
"Lo, these are they from sufferings great,
Who came to realms of light;
And the blood of Christ has washed
These robes which shine so bright.”
Next day as he walked toward the camp, he met a soldier almost in rags, his shoes so worn that his naked toes were seen. Speaking a kind word to the poor fellow, he gave him some money to procure for himself a pair of shoes. The soldier warmly thanked him, remarking, "I am not what I was last night!" "How's that?" asked the missionary. "Last night," said the soldier, "I was so miserable that I loaded my gun and came out to commit suicide. As I came round the point I heard someone singing, 'How bright those glorious spirits shine!' It brought back to my mind my childhood days when I sang it in Sunday school, and many of the words I heard there. I returned to my tent, convinced that, if someone could be so happy in this place as to sing that song, so could I.”
"Do you know who the singer was?”
"No," said the soldier.
"Well, it was I," said the other, at which the soldier burst into tears, and requested him to take back the money, saying: "I can never take it from you, sir, after what you have been the means of doing for me.”
It was the turning point in that soldier's life, for he was truly converted to God. He put his trust in the precious blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin, and fits the soul for the inheritance of "the saints in light.”
All who go to that blessed place have been cleansed from sin by Jesus' blood. They have been born again by the Spirit of God.
Reader, no matter what your past may have been, the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse you from all sin. Forgiveness of sins and assurance of eternal life are yours simply by placing your faith in Christ as your Savior. He is willing to save and able to keep you. He makes no hard conditions. He asks no pledge nor covenant. He will take you as you are, for of Him it is said: "This Man receiveth sinners." Luke 15:22And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (Luke 15:2).