HE was seventy-four years of age, and the brother of the one whose testimony to the Name of Jesus was given in a previous issue of "Gospel Light.”
Through poverty, and having no one to care for him, he was brought to the Union Infirmary, where he many times heard the gospel of the love of God.
1. THE MEASURE OF GOD'S LOVE in the gift. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son"; a world that was at enmity with Him, and hated God and His Son without a cause.
On one Lord's Day after he had heard this gospel, I went to him, and asked him what he thought of this wonderful love, which brought from his lips the above-quoted words.
He said, "Now, does it sound to sense that anyone would give His only begotten Son for His enemies?”
This dear man was a thorough radical in politics, and a reasoner as to things of God. He would talk about politics for hours, but he still sat and heard the gospel of God's love.
2. THE MANIFESTATION OF GOD'S LOVE.
“God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:8-108He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:8‑10).)
It was put before the hearers that God's Son took upon Himself the penalty of sin, and the sentence on Adam's race, that is, death. That He took the sinner's place on the cross; the sinner's sins, and the sinner's judgment. That He then by the shedding of His own life-blood in atonement for sins, fulfilled the Scriptures as to the claims of God, and gave God infinite satisfaction in respect of the sinner's guilt: "For it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." “I have given it to you upon the altar,” said the Lord, “to make an atonement for your souls." “And without shedding of blood is no remission," no forgiveness. (Lev. 17:1111For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11); Heb. 9:2222And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. (Hebrews 9:22).)
3. Behold, what MANNER OF LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sons (children) of God. (1 John 3:11Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1 John 3:1).) Yes, we are children of God, because when He sent and gave His Son we believed on His Name.
(John 1:1212But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12).) And, being children, He loves us as a Father, and purposes that, having a title as children, we shall dwell in the Father's house and be with and like His Son forever.
4. The GREAT LOVE of God. "God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ," and hath raised us up tog-ether, and made us sit together in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus "; accepted in His beloved, us who were by nature the children or wrath even as others. (Eph. 2:3-73Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:3‑7).)
We pointed out that God does not see His children now as in Adam, but He sees us in His Son, and therefore says, "As He is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4:9, 10, 179In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:9‑10)
17Herein 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).)
The subject of our narrative heard these news with delight, and getting much better in health, he was put in the convalescent ward, where we ministered these precious things every Lord's Day afternoon.
He was a great talker and delighted to get in argument on politics, or any matter.
The following Lord's day, when we arrived in the ward, we saw him sitting in a corner of the room with his face in the corner, and his back to the others in the room.
After greeting the men there, I said, "What is the matter with Oscroft?”
One answered, "We do not know, Mr. F.; but he has been like that for days and hours.
He won't speak to us, or answer us when we speak to him.”
I went to this dear one, and putting my hand on his shoulder, said, "Well, Mr. Oscroft, what are you sitting like that for?”
He waved his hand towards the men in the room, and said, "Because I don't want to talk to them, nor want them to interfere with my thoughts.”
Why, "I said," what are your thoughts?" "Oh" he said, "I am thinking constantly of God so loving His enemies and the world which hated Him. It is too wonderful.”
Several in that company were children of God, and we sang together with thankful hearts and loosed tongues:—
Have you heard the story of the love of God,
Have you seen it displayed at the Cross,
When from Jesus' side flowed the precious blood
Which eternally saves from loss?
Do you know that Jesus is in glory now,
And has taken His seat on the throne,
And that every knee at His blest Name must bow,
And His greatness and worthiness own?
Would you like His glory to be your bright home,
And your heart to be filled with His love?
Then confess your guilt, and to the Saviour come,
And His mercy you'll instantly prove.
Can you say, ' He is mine,
He's the love gift of God unto me '?
Have you heard Him saying,
Thou art ever mine,
For I bought thee with blood on the Tree '?
Dear reader, this gift of God was for the world. What are you going to do with it?
Accept Him now, and sing,
"I can sing, He is mine,
He's the love gift of God unto me.'”
C. H. F.