ALL right at last!" involuntarily escaped my lips, as I saw approaching me, at the close of a Gospel meeting, an elderly man, whose smiling face be-spoke a new found joy.
“Yes, thank God, it is!" said he, and the long life of a self-satisfying religion, or rather one which lulls but cannot satisfy, followed by a few weeks of painful discoveries of the sandy foundation on which he had all along so faithfully built, had now ended, and he was at peace! Well might he say, "Thank God!”
And the bright face, cloudless and sunny, told the tale.
There is joy in heaven; yes, and joy in the heart of all who receive Christ, and to whom power is given to become children of God.
The change in his countenance was so striking,—the transition from gloom to gladness, from despair to rapture—that I felt constrained to ask him if conversion were not a wonderful thing?
“Yes," said he, " it's just like-like-like coming out of darkness into light.”
A good illustration, thought I. So it is—and “marvelous light," too; and hence we find it written of the believers in Jerusalem, immediately after their conversion, when they had so much to endure for Christ's sake—"after ye were illuminated.”
How expressive, but true of all who are truly converted! But how is this?
Well, my reader, we are either burdened by a load of sins, against which conscience cries out, or else we are deceived by a Christless religion, whereby the conscience is drugged, until we are converted.
Either way, the soul is guilty and wretched. Then when this is felt, as, indeed, it should be, the load becomes intolerable—dark forebodings, dread misgivings, a "fearful looking for of judgment," torture and agonize it! The very face portrays the inward battle,—food, sleep, occupation, are secondary things, and the one absorbing passion can only find expression in the publican's prayer—" God be merciful to me, the sinner." Thoughts of an offended God terrify, feelings of personal guilt overwhelm, and the only star of hope is lisped in the lovely word "MERCY." The distracted soul tremblingly interposes that golden word between God and its guilty self.
Then, with more than lightning speed, mercy comes, and in her train forgiveness, peace, salvation, flowing freely now from the blessed “redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Mercy's message falls on the ear with tidings of a full, free salvation, and faith leaps to embrace the news. Then the glad illumination! The burdened conscience springs from her load as cleansed by the precious blood of Christ the heart feels for the first time the pulsations of a new life, and the smile of divine satisfaction plays upon the face.
And that is something new, and as real as new.
Friend, have you ever known it? Like many, you have doubtless pursued the will o' the wisp far too long, till, perhaps, your wearied heart would grasp the substance. Well, let me urge you to come to Christ. Beside Him all is shadow. He is enough to fill the poor little heart of man with all its immeasurable longings. Ah! let me commend Him, the Savior, the Christ of God, to you. Only prove Him. One taste of His grace will furnish the proof. A host innumerable vouches for His worth. Myriads of guilty ones witness to His grace. God proclaims His exclusive right to save.
His glorious Godhead, His lowly, perfect manhood, His infinite condescension, His love beyond expression, His death, resurrection, ascension, intercession, and coining glories, all assert Him as the only, but the ever ready Savior. Charming Gospel message! Oh dear reader, what can be said more?
Is it not for you to reply, “He is mine, and I am, His "? J. W. S.