76. in the Envelope
A little boy wrote his first letter to an aunt. It was, as you may guess, scarcely readable and badly blotted, so much so, that he feared it would never reach her. His mother addressed the envelope in a neat hand, and into it the blurred letter was put. The child danced as he saw it closed, and said, "It will go now mother, 'cause its inside, and they'll only look at the envelope." So believing sinners are in Christ, and where He is, they shall be (John 12:2626If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. (John 12:26)).
77. in the Shoes of Christ
An Indian convert took part in a prayer meeting in London, and began his prayer by saying, "O God, we come into Thy presence, in the shoes of Christ." A missionary who had spent much of his life in India, explained that when an Indian servant enters his master's presence he takes off his shoes, but a son keeps his on. The Indian convert had learned the truth of his standing "in Christ" (Col. 2:1010And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (Colossians 2:10)), of his being "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)).
78. the Ewe and the Lamb
A ewe belonging to a farmer had three lambs, another one lamb, which died. The farmer wanted the one whose lamb had died to suckle one of the three belonging to the other ewe, but she would not allow it near her. At last he fell on a plan. He put the skin of the dead lamb over the living one, and taking it to her thus covered, she accepted it, and suckled it as her own.
79. the Scarlet Shawl
Coming along the public street, was a woman wearing a scarlet shawl. The friend, in whose office I sat, raised a piece of red glass, and putting it into my hand said, "Look at that scarlet shawl through this." I did so, and found it appeared as white. "That," said he, "is how God sees sinners who are in Christ. Their scarlet sins are white as snow" (Isa. 1:1818Come 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)). He beholds no "iniquity" (Num. 23:2121He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them. (Numbers 23:21)) in them.
80. Black yet Fair
"Brother Harkless," an aged Black man, who knew what it was to be "in Christ," said to a preacher whose ministry was legal, and tended to occupy his hearers with themselves, and with their experiences, instead of with Christ, "In myself, I'm black, and poor, and old, but in Christ I'm fair and beautiful to God, just 'cause I'm in Him.' Preach like that to your people.”
81. the Sample and the Stock
A grain merchant sold a hundred tons of wheat to a miller, from a sample of half-a-pound. The stock was accepted in the sample, and guaranteed to be the same. Christ, at God's right hand, is the "First fruits" (Lev. 23:1111And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (Leviticus 23:11); 1 Cor. 15:2020But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)), and in Him the harvest is accepted. "As He is," so are His people (1 John 4:1717Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. (1 John 4:17)).
82. Title and Fitness
A Christian nobleman whose benevolence to the poor and lowly is well known, invited a crossing sweeper boy to his mansion on the outskirts of London. He knew the lad had no clothes to fit him for such a place. So the Earl accompanied the invitation with a suit of clothes for the lad to wear. The invitation gave him the title to go, the clothes gave him the fitness to be there. God gives the invitation to his presence now, and to His holy heaven hereafter, and He provides the outfit necessary for such a place (Rom. 3:2222Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22); Phil. 3:1919Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) (Philippians 3:19)).
83. His Own Gift
A bridegroom presented his bride with a splendid bridal dress, because being of lower rank she was unable to provide one of her own. In her bridegroom's gift she appeared on her wedding day, admired of all, and beautiful in her bridegroom's eyes. So the believing sinner is robed and decked and rejoiced over by the Lord (Isa. 61:10; 62:1610I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)).
84. Embracing the Maiden
The second Marquis of Argyle, arrested by order of the Duke of York, and condemned to be beheaded, slept peacefully until within an hour of his execution. An Officer of State, who visited his cell, returned saying, "I have seen a man within an hour of eternity sleeping like an infant." The Marquis awoke, dressed, and was led out to die. He embraced the maiden, the instrument of execution, saying, "No sweeter maiden ever have I kissed than this, which will be my inlet to glory." A man must know Christ as his Savior and Surety in order to be able to do that.
85. Into Him
RICHARD BAXTER, whose preaching of Christ was blessed to many, said. "In self there is no righteousness, in Christ there is no sin, so I step out of myself into Him." Visited on his dying bed by a friend he said, in answer to the question, "How are you?" "Almost well, and nearly home.”
86. Three States
GUTHRIE of Fenwick, a preacher of Covenanting days, had often to flee from his home and hide himself from the persecutors. Returning home early one morning, he said to his wife, "I saw the most wonderful sight of my life last night up among the hills, in a lone house where I was sheltered for the night. I spoke to a dying woman. I met her in a state of nature: in the mercy of God she entered by faith in Christ into a state of grace, and ere the day dawn she was in a state of glory.”
87. a Bit of Christ
WILLIAM REID of Carlisle, preached one Sunday from the words, "We are members of His body" (Eph. 5:3030For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30)). A Christian mother, whose young daughter sat at her side, considered that there was little in the sermon for her child, it being as she thought "too deep" for her. On the way home she said, "Mary, did you understand what Mr. Reid was saying?" "Yes, mother, I understood it fine. He said all who believe are a bit of Christ, and as dear to God as He is." She had got a grip of that.
88. the Anchor Holds
A ship captain, who had been awakened about his soul, was much occupied with his frames and feelings, and sought in them evidences of his salvation. "Captain," said a friend, "Do you cast your anchor into the hold of your ship, or outside it into the sea, when you want safe anchorage?" "Into the sea of course," said the captain. "Let your faith lay hold on the work of Christ and the Word of God, both unchanging, and never mind your feelings. Then you will have peace." Next time they met, the captain smiling, said, "Yes, the anchor holds there.”
89. "I Put Myself Into It."
An Irish soldier, giving his testimony to the saving power of the Gospel in a Dublin Barracks, said-"It was that grand word 'Christ died for the ungodly' (Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6)), that opened my eyes. I just put myself into it, and said, 'Lord, I am all that. Have me as I am. And He took me in. Now I am `ungodly' no more, but accepted in the Beloved.'" Bless His Name.
90. Honest Doubt
"Is there no place for honest doubt?" asked a caviler of one who was pressing upon him the interests of his soul. "There can be no honest doubt when it is God that is doubted. To doubt God, is to make Him a liar" (1 John 5:1010He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: 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)) was the answer.
91. on Account of Gallantry
On a May day in 1779, three soldiers of the "Black Watch"—then known as "The 42nd"—were condemned to die for mutiny. Three empty coffins, behind which the men were led blindfold with pinioned hands, were slowly borne in presence of the regiment, assembled in front of Edinburgh Castle. The firing party raised their guns awaiting the word to "Fire." Sir Adolph Oughton stepping forward drew a paper from his breast, and read aloud: "In consequence of gallantry displayed by the 42nd Regiment, it has pleased His Majesty to pardon the rebels." The men were released, in virtue of the gallantry of their comrades. So sinners are freed from sin's condemnation, on account of Christ's obedience unto death (Rom. 5:1919For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)).