A FARMER who cultivated a quantity of watercress in a corner of one of his fields, had one day a man brought before him charged with stealing the cress. The poor fellow had the evidence of his guilt in his hand, and he hung his head for shame. The farmer, who was a Christian man, said: “What made you steal my cress?”
“I am sorry, sir,” the man began. “I do hope you will pardon me. I have a wife and three children, and I am out of work. I’ve tramped all day, trying to get a job, but can’t. I have no money, and the children are without bread; and when I saw the cress I thought I might sell a few pennyworths, and thus get a loaf. I do hope, sir, you will pardon me.”
The farmer said, “Give me the cress,” and as the man did so he placed in the hand of the culprit a half-crown, saying, “Here, take this and get bread; I forgive you.”
Such unexpected kindness was too much for the poor man’s feelings; he burst into tears, and, thanking the kind-hearted farmer again and again, he departed a free and happy man.
This incident illustrates the state and condition of unsaved men and women. Just as this man was guilty of taking that which was not his by right, so they have taken time, gifts, opportunities, position, and influence, as if they had a right to them, and they have used them for their own ends and purposes, thus incurring fearful guilt. They are “guilty before God.” (Rom. 3:1919Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. (Romans 3:19).)
Reader, still unforgiven, pause a moment and think of your state before God; confess your transgressions. Is it not written: “He, that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” (Prov. 28:1313He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13).) Again: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9),) And again: “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” (Psa. 32:55I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5).) If you take the sinner’s place, and put up the sinner’s plea, “God, be merciful to me a sinner,” you will obtain a present and full pardon for your sins, whatever they may be.
The poor man of whom I wrote obtained money to buy bread as well as forgiveness, and God gives grace for the day as well as pardon of sin. This man obtained pardon for sin, received provision for need, and went away in peace. Even so you may get from God this moment present pardon, full provision for present and future need, and possess perfect peace with, God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
J. H. I―g.