Echoes of Grace: 1945

During a mighty work of grace, a young gambler was converted. In a miserable state he had crept in unseen to a place where God's Gospel was being preached night after night. First, the arrow of conviction pierced his soul, and made him tremble as he thought of meeting God. Then, the good news of a Savior, able and willing to deliver him from the penalty and the power of sin, on whom he cast himself and was saved.

Coming out into the dark street, he remembered that, at that hour, his former associates would be playing cards in their club. His first impulse was to run past the door, but this seemed cowardice. Why not go in and tell them what God had done for his soul. Lifting up his heart to God for strength and courage, he entered the familiar door, not without a sense of fear. as he remembered how often he had stumbled out at that door drunk. Walking up to a group who sat playing cards he was asked to "take a hand," to which he answered, holding up both hands,

"No gentlemen: these hands have handled the cards a thousand times, but by the grace of God, they shall never do so again. They have a new master, and will henceforth be used alone in the service of Jesus Christ."

A great shout of derision rose at this statement, and one of the players called for "a sermon from the new parson." To this the young convert boldly answered,

"I am not here to preach a sermon, but as I have helped some of you on in the path of sin, I considered my first testimony to the saving power of the Gospel of Christ should be given in the place where I have so long served the devil."

The gamblers were struck dumb, and it is said several of them were afterwards converted.

God always blesses honest confession, and faithful testimony to His saving grace and power. If that grace has saved you, reader, spread it abroad to others.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf." 1 Peter 4:16.

H., the Cobbler

On a fine summer's evening, as crowds were passing along the streets to hear the music at Altona, a shoemaker was cobbling his shoe beneath an awning near his door. Above his head was a starling, which sang and chattered and seemed to keep a busy talk with its kind-hearted possessor. H. would say half aloud,

"You are a happy bird, and well provided for, and why should not I be a happy Christian with such mercies?" and so he would begin to sing one of the fine old hymns.

While thus engaged on the said evening, hardly looking up from the sole of the large shoe before him, and heedless of the crowded street, a young man who was passing by stopped and addressed him, saying,

"Well, friend,—beg pardon—but you seem a merry fellow!" The person who thus spake had the look and dress of a student. H. looked up, and replied with a cheerful voice,

"Merry! to be sure I am; and why should I not be so?"

"All are not so!" replied the student, with a sigh. "Why should you not? Your own poverty might afford a sufficient cause for sadness. But you have no one, I suppose, to take care of but the bird up there, who seems, by the way, to be as jolly as yourself!"

"And why should he not be merry, my little speckled-breast?" said H. chirruping to his bird. "But he is not all my family, young man, for I have a wife and seven children to provide for with these hands; but see, I can sing at my work!"

The student was silent, and began to think how, in spite of having youth and health on his side, with fair prospects of success in the world, he yet had no peace with God, and knew not Jesus Christ! He was a Jew, and felt that for his soul, old things had passed away, but nothing had as yet become new! And so, while on his way to seek some repose from the music in the public gardens, he was arrested by the busy and happy cobbler, and by a sudden impulse was induced to address him, in order to discover from what source one so poor, and yet so contented, drew his happiness.

Again resuming the conversation, he said,

"I confess, friend, I am surprised to see a poor artisan like you so cheerful."

"Poor!" exclaimed H. "how do you know, my friend, how my account stands with the bank? Poor! I am richer than you know."

"It may be—it may be," said the student, with a smile; "I must have heard, though I have forgotten your name, in the Exchange, or when in the bank."

"Enough," said H. "you have confessed your ignorance of me!" and then stopping his work, laying his hand on the student's arm, and looking at him earnestly, he said calmly,

"Stranger, I am not poor. Don't pity me: envy me, for I am a child of God!"

The student started, made a low bow, and departed.

"Poor fellow, poor fellow!" he muttered to himself. "And are you happy only because you are mad? I have sought strength and comfort at your mouth in vain."

A week passed, and again the student traversed the same street, and there, in the old place, was H. busy as ever. The student, as he passed, took off his cap, and said,

"Good evening to your royal highness!"

"Halt, friend," said H. with a cheerful but firm voice, "and come here for a few minutes. I am glad I have seen you again. You left me abruptly the other evening. I suppose you thought me mad. But I am not, but in sober earnest. I tell you again I am a child of God, and when you interrupted me, I was singing a song about Him. Would you like to hear it?"

"Surely, if it please your royal highness," replied the student, with a benevolent smile, and anxious to gratify his strange acquaintance, whose insanity he never doubted. H. having provided a seat for the young man, began to sing a hymn on "Thy Kingdom Come," and when it was finished, perceiving that it was listened to with apparently deep interest, he asked if he understood its meaning.

The Jew shook his head, upon which H. proceeded to explain all he knew about Jesus Christ, and His glory. Beginning with the promise uttered in Eden, of One who should bruise the serpent's head, he pointed out the growth of prophecy from age to age, showing how "all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and the prophets and the Psalms concerning Christ"; how it "behoved the Messiah to suffer, and to enter into His glory; how all power was now given Him; how He was to establish on earth a universal kingdom, 'never to be moved,' which embraced Jew and Gentile in one citizenship; and how every believer in Him was a son and heir, yea, a `joint-heir' with Christ, and would `reign with Him for ever and ever!'" Rom. 8:16, 17.

As old H. expatiated on these promises, his work was laid aside, his eye beamed with love and hope, and deep feeling gave eloquence and grace to his language. The Jew sat at his feet, gazing up to him with his full black eye, and so absorbed by all he heard for the first time in his life, of the promise made of old, unto his fathers, that he was roused from his waking dream only by H. taking him by the shoulder, and saying,

"Now you see how I am a child of God, and why I am happy, for I know and love this Jesus, and all things are mine. Young man," he asked with emphasis, "believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest! For, unless I mistake thy countenance greatly, thy fathers did; and thou, my son, believing in them, must also believe in Him whom they have foretold, and whom God hath sent to perform the mercy promised to thy fathers."

The Jew was silent. Unutterable thoughts passed through his mind.

"Where," he asked meekly, "can I learn more of this?"

"From this Book," said H. handing him a Bible. "Go home, and read there, and return it to me when you have studied the passages I shall point out to you. And while you are doing this, I shall pray for you, and ask One for you, whom as yet you know not, but who knows you, and who is greater than Moses or Solomon!"

The young man grasped H. by the hand, and taking off his cap, made a respectful bow and departed.

The young Jew has been for many years an eminent and successful Christian missionary to his brethren. He found the One, of whom the prophets wrote, to be his Savior.

"Be it known unto you, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.". Acts 13:38, 39

A Good Time Coming

People often talk and sing of the good time that is to come; but they think of it as brought on by man, and his improvements. I am sure, however, if they will but examine, they will find that after so many thousands of years, people are not a bit better than in the beginning.

Do people love each other more than they did, and themselves less? Are children any more obedient than in the early years of this earth? Are people more honest, or pure, or free from selfishness and pride and hatred? No! What is the reason? Because the nature will never be any other than it is. It is bad, and it cannot bring anything better than what it is itself.

But God having made this earth, does not mean to have it forever go on under the present state of things. The world is to be better. All things are to be new, and the glory of God is to be seen on the earth.

Just now, because men will not have the Man Christ Jesus whom He sent, but put Him to death, there is glory to God in heaven, in the highest, as we find in Luke 19:38, and "peace in heaven." And so God is gathering out a people for heaven. Are you one of them? If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, the rejected One of the world, you are, most certainly.

But soon the Lord Jesus will come to take away all that are His, to heaven, to dwell with Him forever.

And then when all things are made ready here by God himself, putting down the evil with great judgments, and not man doing it by his work, the Lord Jesus will come to reign over the earth and the world, and His saints with Him.

Do you want to be of that number? Believe on Him now as the One who died for you. God will keep you safely till He comes and He will see to it that you are not left behind.

Then shall be on this earth what is told in Isa. 11:6,9:

"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.

"And the cow and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like an ox.

"And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den.

"They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

This is what Christ is to bring in. Well may we care for His coming. Men may talk of getting better, but the Man they rejected, God's own Son, is the One upon whom all this depends.

And the good time will certainly come. He that shall come, will come. Now think of all this, remember Christ who is offered to you, is to do all the work. O, take Him for your Savior. There is no other way, there is no other name.

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Confidence in the Scriptures

I called, a few days since, to see a poor old bed-ridden woman, who has been a sufferer for many years.

She professes to be a believer, and I was talking a little to her about going to heaven.

Her husband, an aged man, who had worked hard all his life, but feebleness rendered him unfit for daily labor, was sitting by her bedside.

Although I had frequently visited his wife, I had never met him before, as he had only recently been obliged to give up his work and remain at home. I turned to him and asked, "Are you going to heaven?"

"Yes, unless the Scriptures are false," he answered.

"O!" I said "is your heart all right then?"

"I trust the Scriptures more than my heart." He further remarked, "I put all my trust in the Lord, and He has said, `I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee,' and His blood has washed away all my sins."

This was what a poor, uneducated quarryman could say about his hope for the future, and that in a tone of firm decision. I was struck with his simple confidence in the Scriptures, and at once saw that, though ignorant and unlearned as to what the world calls wisdom, he was taught of God, and therefore could trust Him.

How few, in these days of great religious profession, possess the simple faith and childlike confidence of this dear old man, and, if asked, "Are you going to heaven?" could give such an answer.

"The Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:25.

All That I Was; All That I Am

All that I was—my sins, my guilt,
My death, was all my own;
All that I am, I owe to Thee,
Thou God of grace, alone.

The evil of my former state,
Was mine, and only mine;
The good in which I now rejoice
Is Thine, and only Thine.

Thy mercy found me in my sins
And gave me to believe,
Then, in believing, peace I found,
And in Thy Christ I live.

All that I am, while here on earth,
All that I hope to be
When Jesus comes, and glory dawns,
I owe it, Lord, to Thee.

Today

Man thinks and says, tomorrow will do just as well as today to be saved—God says, Today; but where does He say tomorrow?

Today the arrow of death is abroad, and every hour we live, it is calculated that one thousand immortal beings pass into eternity.

If death came to you where you are, as you are, and just now, and laying his icy finger upon your pulse, stopped its beating, and laying his hand upon your heart. stopped its throbbing, and breathing upon your now warm blood, froze it in your veins, are you ready?

"Today" the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ may take place; and if it should, He would raise the bodies of all "the dead in Christ," and change the living bodies of all who have eternal life in Him, accomplishing all "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye."

Should the second coming of the Lord take place while you are reading this little paper, are you ready?

None of those—no not one—that have heard the Gospel of salvation "Today" and have been guilty of rejecting it, will have the ghost of a chance of being saved after Christ has come and taken His own blood-redeemed ones to glory (see 2 Thess. 2).

The Holy Ghost says, in Psa. 95:7, 8 "Today, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart:" and Jesus says, in Luke 19:5,

"Make haste and come down, for today I must abide at thy house."

"Today life, light, and glory for ever are offered you in the Gospel, for only believing in the person and work of Christ as a lost and helpless sinner.

Tomorrow may, be death, darkness, and damnation for ever should you refuse. Which is it to be? God grant it may be the first and not the last!—May it be said of you, dear reader, as it was said by the Lord Jesus to Zaccheus, "This day is salvation come to this house;" for "Behold now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation."

"THE LORD IS GOOD,
A STRONGHOLD
IN THE' DAY
OF TROUBLE:
AND HE KNOWETH
THEM THAT 'TRUST
IN HIM."

Nah. 1:7.

"BLESSED
ARE ALL THEY
THAT PUT THEIR
TRUST IN HIM."
Psa. 2:12.

February

The Amended Will

I was asked to dine with an elderly gentleman, over whose head seventy summers had passed. He had been known as a Christian for many years but as we often find, had allowed his ideas of humility to hinder the joy of "full assurance" of salvation. At the same time, his self-denying labors of love, and close following in the footsteps of the Divine Master, would shame many advanced believers.

As he sat in his arm-chair in the course of the evening, he said,

"I am going to the Continent tomorrow, and as we never know what a day may bring forth, especially at my time of life, I have written out a few directions as to the disposal of my property, and wish you to append your name as having witnessed my signature."

He then read the will over to me, and I was particularly struck with the concise way in which he had given expression to his wishes. There was nothing superfluous or vague, and nothing omitted. With the following words he concluded:

"I wish to testify that I die trusting in the merits of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and hope I am accepted for His sake."

"You have stated everything so clearly, may I ask why you add, 'I hope I am accepted'? The Word of God tells us that He hath made us accepted in the Beloved; and again,

`We know (not hope) that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, an house... eternal in the heavens.' " 2 Cor. 5:1.

"Well," said he, 'it is one thing for St. Paul to speak thus, and another for me. I have no sympathy for those who are presumptuous enough to speak so confidently about their salvation. They must be sadly wanting in humility."

"Friend," I replied 'If it be presumption, has not God endorsed it? Did not Christ say,

`He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, path everlasting life. and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.' John 5:24, You say you trust in the merit and work of Christ, and Him alone."

"I do," he added, "firmly believing when He said, 'It is finished,' the work was fully done, and nothing can be added to it."

"Or taken away?" I inquired.

"I see," he replied, 'you do not believe in the final perseverance of the saints."

"I believe S rather," said I, "in the final perseverance of God to guard and keep His saints unto the end. If it depended upon the holiest saint of God to keep himself, it would be a sorry affair. He could not stand for half an hour. It is the perseverance of the Father in drawing all to Jesus,—the perseverance of the Son and the Holy Ghost in keeping them. Is not this a firm basis, on which to rest?"

"It is indeed a sure foundation," he exclaimed. "I see, I see my mistake. It is far more presumptuous to doubt God, than to take Him at His Word;" and he struck out the word "hope," and inserted "know."

"He 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. And this the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things I have written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." 1 John 5:10-13.

There Was No Man There

2 Kings 7:5

But I thought there was. But because I thought, it did not alter the fact, "that there was no man there"

It was when returning, one very dark night, from preaching Jesus Christ in the country—so dark was the night, that it was with very considerable difficulty I was able to keep the conveyance out of the ditches on either side of the road.

Trotting slowly and carefully along, I was suddenly startled on seeing, as I thought, someone close behind.

I suddenly turned round, and (for the moment forgetting that "the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him,") saw, as I thought, two highwaymen on the point of getting in from behind. Instantly the horse was lashed into a gallop, regardless of the danger of the darkness of the night; and after distancing my supposed pursuers, I began to think—Can it possibly be only an idea I thought? But suppose I thought wrong. Was there, after all, any one there at all?

The fact was, "There was no man there;" it was only that I thought there was.

But why make such a ridiculous mistake? Well, this was how. I had on a stiff waterproof coat, which, on suddenly turning round, made an unusual rustling noise; and this, in the darkness of the night, with my own imagination and fears, I magnified into two highwaymen. I thought—well, and suppose I did think, my thinking did not alter the fact.

Like the four lepers in 2 Kings 7, who came to the camp of the Syrian host, expecting to meet with enemies, and perhaps death, "behold there was no man there;" and now, instead of starving at the gate of Samaria, "they did eat and drink."

Why starve then, when there was abundance close at hand? Because they thought what was not true. They thought something stood between them and food and water, when actually "there was no man there."

It was just like me and my two highwaymen, who turned out to be nothing more than my own imagination and, thoughts; and it is just like you, poor unsaved one. Your own imagination and thoughts and will, are the only barriers between you and your partaking of the Bread of Life, Christ Jesus.

You are refusing to believe what God says, choosing rather to believe the devil and your own deceptive heart, which is "desperately wicked."

What more can you possibly ask God to do than He has done?"

Could God have given a greater gift than His own Son?

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

God does not ask you to pray for Christ to die (that is finished,) but God is actually beseeching you to be reconciled.

A little longer doubt God's gift—a little longer think your thoughts,—and you will "go down quick into hell." It is useless hoping to be saved, and at the same time deliberately refusing to believe what God says.

Do not, I beseech you, any longer put in your buts, or ifs, or doubts, or fears, or thoughts, but take God at His word; honor God, by believing what He says, and then to your joy you will know that He has forgiven all your sins for Christ's sake.

Remember, if you go into hell, it is your own doing. Now there is a Savior offered you. Have you no desire, no thirst for Him? Soon there will be no Savior, but an insatiable burning, everlasting thirst. The rich man in hell does not yet have one drop of cold water to cool his tongue. Take heed lest "I thought," contrary to what God says, sinks you into the same awful pit.

The words of the Lord Jesus in Psa. 119:113, are, "I hate thoughts," and then turning round to His Father, in Psa. 139:17, He says,

"How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!"

As long as Naaman turned away, and said, "Behold, I thought," he remained an unhealed leper; but as soon as he did "according to the saying of the man of God," he could say,. "Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel."

And thus we hear God saying in Isa. 55:7, not only, "Let the wicked forsake his way," but also, "and the unrighteous man his thoughts," and why? Because He says, "For My thoughts are not as your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways."

"I thought" has taken many a self-righteous one down to destruction, and the only safeguard is in the "It is written" of God's Word. Thou will our "I thought" be changed into the divinely authorized "I know."

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life." 1 John 5:13.

The Heavenly Neighbor

Luke 10:30-35

I was lying in my sorrow,
Sick and wounded, nigh to death,
Fearing only hell tomorrow,
Soon to draw my latest breath;
Disappointments had beset me,
Friends had passed me heedless by,
And with careless eye they let me
Lie there in my wounds to die.

Till One came whom I had hated,
Scorned and spurned in former days,
And with quivering heart I waited
To be punished for my ways,
But instead-hear my story!
Down He came into my place,
Bid me learn His love, His glory,
By the riches of His grace.

With the best of care surrounded,
There my wounds were staunched and dressed,
And His grace and love unbounded
Gave me His place, and the best:
Safe He led me where no strangers
Intermeddle with His ways,
No more now in fear of dangers,
Free to sing His endless praise.

Do you know this heavenly neighbor,
Jesus Christ who saves the lost?
One who gives, and not for labor,
Free salvation at His cost.
One, who rich, for us descended
From His throne, and poor became,
That such outcasts, thus befriended
By His poverty, might gain.

Gain untold by earth or heaven!
Tell me, do you know the worth
Of the One whom God has given
To this Christ-rejecting earth?
While He passes by to gladden
Poor and sad ones with His smile,
Turn not still away to sadden
Him who waits this "little while."

"When I come again," He said it—
And we know it will be soon:
Do you think I can forget it,
Evening, morning, night, or noon?
So I long that every stranger
To the glories of His grace,
Cared no more to be a ranger,
But "today" would seek His face.

All Gifts Are From Above

A lady once applied to the philanthropist, Richard Reynolds, on behalf of a little orphan boy. After he had given liberally, she said:

"When he is old enough, I will teach him to name and thank his benefactor."

"Stop," replied he, "you art mistaken. We do not thank the clouds for rain. Teach him to look higher, and thank Him who gives both the clouds and the rain."

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." James 1:17.

What Is the Ground of Your Confidence?

I was traveling a little ago on a train, when something occurred which may serve to bring; first, the darkness that exists in the minds of many professing Christians as to the ground of a sinner's salvation; and in the necessity of knowing what God says on the subject, as written in His Holy Word.

On entering the caboose, (for it was what is called an accommodation,) I found it full of people, and some merriment going on which at first I did not understand, but soon discovered that an old man had stumbled, and fallen upon one of the iron rods that keep the stove in position, and had hurt himself considerably. He was recovering somewhat when I got in and on learning what had taken place, I began to sympathize with him. After a little I said, "You are getting on in years, how old are you?"

"Seventy-six," he replied, "and I believe I have made my calling and election sure."

"What is the ground of your hope or confidence?" I asked.

"The ground of my confidence," answered the old man, "why, I have experienced religion; I have done the best I could, and tried to follow Christ."

"Is that what the Scripture says is the ground of a sinner's pardon and acceptance with God," I replied. "Does it not say that the blood of Jesus is the only ground? 'Without shedding of blood is no remission.' " Heb. 9:22. I pressed this point upon the old man, that nothing but the blood of Christ could possibly be the ground of our pardon, or the ground of our confidence as to obtaining a portion in heaven. At this my aged fellow traveler became vexed, and was inclined to be a little discourteous, and he said, "Some people think they know everything, as for me," said he, "I don't believe in big heads."

On his leaving the train I gave him a little book, which I trust the blessed Lord used in blessing to him.

Now, two things struck me in the case of this old man: 1st, the darkness of his mind; 2nd, his great ignorance of God's Word. Now these two things go together: darkness and ignorance. Keep the Scriptures out of sight, and the soul remains in darkness.

But, "the entrance of Thy Word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." Psa. 119:130. Light dispels the darkness, as the sun, the shades of night; so with the Word of God; it introduces the light of God into the soul, and the darkness of nature flees away. And instead of leaving the soul to lean upon its own experienced religion, or doing the best it can, or even following Christ for the assurance of pardon and the obtaining the glory; it turns the eye of faith to, the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross. The cross, the death and resurrection of Christ, are introduced, and presented as the alone ground of assurance.

"Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone." John 12:24.

"The Son of Man must be lifted up." John 3:14.

"Without shedding of blood is no remission." Heb. 9:22.

"Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29.

The Lord Jesus, His atoning death, and His glorious resurrection, are the basis of all blessing from 'God, and the ground of pardon and peace and acceptance with Him.

"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; he was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:3, 4.

"Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." Acts 13:38, 39.

Beloved reader, let me ask you,

What is the ground of your confidence? Christ; or your good works? And what is your title to glory? Doing the best you can; or the precious blood of Christ? Your eternal destiny hangs upon the answer.

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 4:4, 5.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5.

He Saved a Poor Sinner like Me

I was once far away from the Savior,
And as vile as a sinner could be,
I wondered if Christ the Redeemer
Could save a poor sinner like me:
I wandered on in the darkness,
Not a ray of light could I see,.
Till the thought filled my heart with sadness,
There's no hope for a sinner like me.

It was then in that lonely hour,
A voice whispered sweetly to me,
Saying, Christ, the Redeemer has power.
To save a poor sinner like thee;
I listened, and lo! 'twas the Savior
That was speaking so kindly to me.
Then I cried, I'm the chief of sinners,
Thou can'st save a poor sinner like me.

Fully, then, I trusted in Jesus,
And O, what a joy came to me,
My heart it was filled with praises,
For He saved a poor sinner like me.
No longer in darkness I'm walking,
But His light is shining on me,
And now unto others I'm telling,
How He saved a poor sinner like me.

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Rom. 5:8.

Old Betty’s Mission

A poor old woman was very active in visiting the sick, and brought many souls to Christ. At last she caught cold and was afflicted with rheumatism. Lying in bed month after month, she was pain-worn and helpless. A preacher going to see her, asked if, after her active habits, she did not find the change very hard to bear.

"No, sir, not at all. When I was well, I used to hear the Lord say day by day:

"Betty, go here; Betty, go there; Betty, do this; Betty, do that;" and I used to do it as well as I could; and now I hear Him say every day:

"Betty, lie still and cough."

Happy old Betty! She could take all from the hand that is ever skillful, and as kind as skillful. She knew that His will was best.

"As for God His way is perfect." 2 Sam. 22:31.

"COME, SEE A MAN
WHO TOLD ME
ALL THINGS
THAT EVER I DID;
IS NOT THIS
THE CHRIST?"
John 4:29.

"CHRIST JESUS
CAME INTO THE WORLD
TO SAVE SINNERS."

1 Tim. 1:15.

"CHRIST DIED
FOR OUR SINS'
1 Cor. 15:3

March

Three Generations; or Same Jesus for All

A little group, consisting of an aged miner, a careworn younger mother, and a school-girl of ten, waited for our "after-meeting" at the close of the Gospel preaching one Sunday evening. After speaking a few words of Gospel, and pointing the aged miner and the anxious woman to Jesus, who is the "Rest for the weary," I turned to the bright girl saying,

"And would you like to be saved, too?" With a happy smile she replied,

"I am saved, sir, but I am waiting till mother is saved too."

I thus became aware that the happy child was the daughter of the anxious woman whom I had been pointing to the Savior.

"And how do you know that you are saved?" I said, turning to the child, with the desire that she might tell in her own simple manner the way of life, so that the two seekers might hear it, for I knew she could tell it in a way that they would understand.

"It says in the Testament, that Jesus died for sinners, and that is what I am, so I know He died for me. And it also says, that whosoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life; I believe, and so it is mine." I turned to the aged man and the woman, and said,

"Do you hear that? That is God's way of salvation, told by a child who possesses it. Are you willing to be saved in the same way?"

By this time both were in tears, and I believe both then and there, as sinners yielded to the Savior. The child rose with such a beam of joy on her face, and first grasped the hand of her mother, then, to my surprise, of the aged man, who turned out to be her grandfather, and all three went away rejoicing. Yes, three generations saved by the same Jesus, and in the same way, by simply trusting Him.

Are you saved, reader? You may be now; for the same Savior waits to welcome you as He did these three. You will be, if you come to Him now just as you are.

"This Man receiveth sinners," "Now is the day of salvation."

The Solemn Warning

A servant of Christ, living at a watering place, and calling one day to visit one of his hearers, saw a young lady who had come there on account of her health. Seeing her very sad looking, he asked the reason.—

She answered,

"Sir, I will think no more of it, it was only a dream, and I will not be so childish as to be alarmed at a dream; but, sir, I will tell you my dream, and then I will think no more of it."

"I dreamt I was at a ball, where I intend to go tonight. Soon after I was in the room, I was taken very ill, and they gave me a smelling bottle, and then I was brought home into this room, and I was put into that elbow chair, (pointing to it,) and fainted and died! I then thought I was carried to a place where there were angels and holy people in abundance, singing praises and hymns to God. I found myself very unhappy there, and desired to go from thence. My conductor said if I did, I should never come there again. He then violently whirled me about, and I fell down, down, down, through blackness and flame, the dread of which awoke me."

The servant of Christ told her that God was speaking to her in this dream, seeking to show her what an awful place hell is for those who reject His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Savior and thus be saved from such a place, and he endeavored, by every argument possible to dissuade the young lady from going to the ball that night, but to accept the blessed Savior for her own, and to be with Him in the glory forever,—but in vain. She answered,

"I will go, I will not be so foolish as to mind a dream!"

She did go: and soon after she came into the ball-room she was taken ill, and, as she had dreamt, a smelling bottle was given her—she was carried home into the room, and put into that very elbow chair represented in the dream; she fainted and died. Awful warning! awful event! O, that it may sink deep into the hearts of any who are "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."

She was warned by a dream; but you who are unconverted are now warned by a reality, even her mournful death. "All flesh is as grass, and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away: but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:24, 25.

Listening for a Sound

When I was a boy at school, unsaved and unconcerned about my salvation, I was brought to think of eternity and my lost condition, through overhearing a conversation between my mother and a Christian woman who was at our house spending an evening. They were speaking together about the second coming of Christ—a truth that they had just recently learned from the Scriptures—and the change that would be wrought among the living and the dead in that moment of His descent to the air, for His people. I was sitting in the room reading a book at the time, but the conversation became so interesting that I forgot all about my story and sat listening to what they were saying.

"There is a dark side to it," said the Christian lady to my mother. "What about those of our households who will be yet unsaved when Jesus comes? They will be left behind for the judgment. The doom of those who have lived rejecting Christ will be sealed then. I often think if we should be caught away during the still hours of night, what an awakening it will be to the unconverted ones under our roof, to find us all gone, and them left behind."

I could sit no longer. I crept out and got off to bed as quickly as possible, but that word haunted me. What if during the night the Lord should come? I knew that my dear father and mother would be gone—they were both saved; so was my sister and the servant; I alone in the house was unconverted.

I spent several nights of sore trouble, thinking of the possibility of being left.

Several mornings when I awoke and all was quiet, I thought they had gone. One morning particularly I felt so uneasy I arose, dressed, and stood on the stair listening for a sound from the kitchen. How thankful I was to hear Mary, the servant, lighting the fire. I knew then the Lord had not come, and that I had another chance given me.

This went on for several days, until I could endure it no longer. I told a Christian young man, who worked in my father's office, of my state, and he told me it was God speaking to my soul, urging upon me the need of deciding for Christ, and that I ought not stifle my convictions, but close with Christ, accepting Him as my Savior.

"If you have Christ, you will rejoice then that He is coming, but mind there is no time to trifle," he said.

This seemed to sound as God's final warning to me. I saw clearly that I had to make a choice between Christ and the world: I could halt no longer. So going out into the dark night, I took off my cap, looked up into the starry heavens, and said,

"Lord Jesus, I accept Thee as my Savior;

I believe that Thou hast died for me; I want to be Thine." Just then I remembered that it was written in God's Book,

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36.

"I believed God's testimony, thanked Him for giving it to me, and hastened to my room. I was saved, everlastingly saved, all in so short a time, that I could scare realize it was true. But my heart was filled with peace, and I had the witness within me, as well as the Word of God before my eyes, that I was in reality saved. I could not keep it longer; I ran downstairs and told my parents and sister, and there was great joy that night."

Most blessed as is the truth to the believer in Christ, that the coming of the Lord Jesus —His personal return to call His ransomed people home to share His glory—is near, and that it will be sudden, whether at noonday or midnight.

"The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:16, 17.

It has its dark side for the rejecter of the Gospel of God—the despiser of Christ. To all such, it will ring the knell of doom. There will be no more pleading from loved ones in Christ; no more tearful entreaties to come to Jesus. Full well the unconverted sinner knows all this, and dreads the coming of that long expected day.

Reader, these are the true sayings of the Book of God. They are not sentimental fancies; they are not cunningly devised fables. Jesus—the Son of God—will come again, and at His coming He will gather home His own, and the Christ-rejecter will be left for judgment, I only add the question —Have you ever thought what the coming of the Son of God will do for you? Will you be among those caught away to "eternal glory," or will you be left to the "eternal judgment?" Pause and think!

"These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matt. 25:46.

Left, though God pleaded often,
Asked thee again, again;
Called, but thou wouldst not hearken
Why was it all in vain?
Left, not because He wished it,
Left, at thine own self-will;
Left, and thy heart grew harder,
Thou wert rebellious still.

Left for the coming judgment,
Left for the sinner's doom;
Left, while thy life-day darkens
Into a solemn gloom.
Left, but instead of heaven
What will thy portion be?
"Weeping and wailing" only
All through eternity.

O, How He Loves Me

"Do not say God loves me. He does not. The only friend I had in the world died three months ago, and I am left alone. If God loved or cared for me, how could He treat me so!"

The words were spoken in an impassioned tone by a young lady dressed in deep mourning, whom I found seated on a grave. She seemed to be oblivious to all around, absorbed in her grief and weeping bitterly.

Death had suddenly taken from her the father on whom she had leaned, and who had tenderly watched over her since a child, when she was bereft of her mother. Now she was alone in the world—that world which had petted and flattered her in the days of her prosperity, but now in her adversity, no longer knew her. Knowing the deep trials she had passed through, and hoping that some word of Gospel grace might reach her aching heart, I quietly approached the place where she sat, and after a few words of condolence and reference to her departed parent whom I had known in business, I spoke of the love of God in the gift of His Son,

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

And the peace that comes to the heart in receiving Him.

"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 reposing on His precious blood alone for salvation. She listened quietly while I spoke, but soon manifested she had no knowledge of such a God, by the words she uttered as quoted above.

I could say little more, but gave her a kind invitation to some special meetings which were being conducted near to where she resided by an earnest evangelist, whose ministry God was richly blessing in the salvation of sinners. I could only lift up my heart to God and ask that He might reveal His love as manifested in the Cross to this despondent and sorrow-stricken one —for I knew that nothing short of Christ and a knowledge of God, could remove her burden.

On the following Sunday evening, to my joy, I saw her enter in the company of one who had been converted at the meetings. The fresh and fragrant words of John 3:16, were the subject of that evening's address. She listened with marked attention to the Word all the time. At the close, a hymn was sung with great fervor, the lines,

"I know not why I only cry,
O how He loves me."

being repeated until they had a wonderful power over the people. At the close, the bereaved girl laid hold on her companion's arm saying,

"I see it now: the love of God in the Cross, O how He loves me."

The new peace filled her heart.

Another Military Funeral

Some years ago, at a large Government establishment, a number of young men were being prepared for future usefulness. One among the number was an especial favorite. Always in the front of every social enterprise, cheerful and intelligent, with a pleasing aptitude for making himself agreeable, J. was unanimously given the first place. Several of these youths belonged to a smart volunteer corps, and, of a selected batch for the next prize meeting, J. was No. 1. Very sanguine of success, the approaching trial of skill was his frequent theme of conversation.

A short time before, one of the members of the corps had been buried with military honors, and as J. with a few companions, was recalling the circumstances, in his usual light-hearted way, he exclaimed:

"I wish there would be another military funeral: it was so jolly."

I was in the company, and overheard him, and felt pained at his lightness in speaking of so solemn a matter. I had learned some little of the value of a soul, and said to him:

"J., you are anxious to see the body buried; but what about the soul, if it were lost! What if it were yourself?"

"O!" he replied, "you are always croaking, and would never let a fellow have a moment's pleasure if you could help it. If I always thought like you I should be miserable."

"On the contrary," said I, "you would be happy, even though at the expense of passing merriment."

I thought no more of this circumstance, but the following Saturday went some few miles away, as I often did, to visit my friends till Monday. Returning to my lodgings early on that day, as I sat at breakfast, my hostess said to me, with a look of deep concern:

"Have you heard the sad news?" "No," said I, "what news?"

"J. went to bathe yesterday," she replied. "He became cramped, and was drowned, and they can't find the body."

The funeral, the prize meeting—all rushed into my mind—but, above all, those words:

"You are always croaking."

J.'s body was found during the week. He was buried with military honors, and I was one of the bearers.

"Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at naught all My counsel, and would none of My reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh." Prov. 1:24-26.

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

The Savior

All the way from Bethlehem's manger
On to Calvary He trod,
Telling forth the wondrous fullness,
Of the loving heart of God.
Every act and word revealing,
Depths of love beyond compare.
All, that you and I might know Him,
And His wondrous love might share.

On to Calvary's mount He journeyed,
There to meet the claims of God;
There to bear the sins of many;
There to feel the chastening rod;
There to cry "the work is finished.,"
He the power of hell defied,
Won the victory for His people;
There the mighty Conqueror died.

Now the door of mercy's open,
All who will may enter in,
From the highways and the byways,
Yea, from all the haunts of sin.
None will ever be rejected
Who in Jesus Christ believe,
All who come will be accepted,
And eternal life receive.

THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH: BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD."

Rom. 6:23.

"BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH: AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD."

Eph. 2:8.

April

The Refuge from Wrath to Come

Fire broke out one night in a block of houses. The flames raged and roared tremendously, lighting up the room of an aged invalid, whose house adjoined the burning building. She was unable to rise, or to do anything to save herself, yet there she lay, cairn and peaceful. She had asked the Lord to protect her, and she believed that He would not allow a hair of her head to perish.

Two stalwart firemen urged her to allow them to remove her from the house, as the flames were fast gaining ground, but she responded by asking them if they knew the Lord who was her Refuge. One of the two men with a smile declared that he did, but the other confessed himself a stranger to the Lord, in whom she trusted.

The aged invalid testified to him of Jesus, the Savior of the lost, and while they knelt, she prayed that the Lord might control the fury of the flames, and give the fireman and others to see that the Lord was the Answerer of prayer. The fire that moment abated; the invalid's house stood unscorched, and some who witnessed her simple faith that day, will never forget it.

The stalwart fireman wept as he told the story of the invalid lady's trust in her God that awful night.

"I never believed in a God who answers prayer before," he said, "or in a God of love, who gave His Son to die for me, but, as I looked upon that calm face, and heard those lips speak so earnestly of a Savior from wrath and consuming fire, I felt Were was a deep reality in it all. Now I can say with that dear woman,, that I know the Lord Jesus is mine: He is my Refuge and my Deliverer. I fear no wrath to come; for me, Jesus bore it, and in Him I am everlastingly secure. That invalid lady's answered prayer convinced me there was a living God; her words of warning, awakened me to my danger, and by grace I was let to the Refuge-the Lord Jesus Christ."

Reader, do you believe there is any reality in the things of God and eternity?

Do you believe in a real hell, such as God declares, awaits the Christ-less sinner? If you do, you will seek to escape it.

Do you believe in a real Christ and a real heaven? Then you will not delay to accept Him, to bring you to that holy place.

That lowly invalid, lying calm in the confidence that God was her Refuge for time and eternity, amid surrounding flames, tells what possession of a real Savior brings to the soul. Is such a confidence yours?

Footprints in the Sand

Among the visitors at a seaside mansion were two gentlemen. The one, a preacher of the gospel of the grace of God, was telling out the glad tidings in the neighborhood; the other, a man of business, was spending a short holiday among his friends.

Many were the earnest questions asked by the latter of the evangelist. Recently the false peace of his earlier years had been disturbed. Faithful servants of God had told out their solemn messages, giving a plain, unmistakable witness of the danger of resting for salvation upon anything save the precious blood of Christ. Hitherto, all his hopes had been in this—that he was sober, honest, and respectable. True, he was a sinner. To this his conscience ever and anon bore testimony; but he always quieted himself with the thought, that, at any rate, his chance was as good as that of most people. Now this refuge of lies had been swept aside; he saw his real position— the awful danger in which he was, and in true conviction, he asked,

"What must I do to be saved?"

It was at the close of a Gospel-preaching, one evening, that the two wended their way to the quiet, deserted shore. The tide was out, and earnestly conversing, they walked along the hard sands.

As yet, the eye of the anxious one was looking within, to seek for something to bring to God. He was hoping to do some great and good work : to answer for his selfish, misspent, sinful life. He knew not yet that the message of salvation was "to him that worketh not"; that "by grace are ye saved, . . . not of works, lest any man should boast."

They had gone some distance in the stillness of that eventide, and turned to retrace their steps.

"My dear friend," said Captain B., the preacher, "you can no more remove the stains of sin by anything you have done, or can do, than you could remove every mark made by you on the sand of this shore."

"The latter I could easily do," was the response.

"Proceed then," answered his companion.

Stooping at first, then kneeling, the other speaker sought to smooth the sand that had been disturbed, but soon found, that while he removed one footprint, he was making others as prominent as, or more so than, those he sought to hide.

"No, you are right in this," he now replied, "I cannot erase the footmarks I have made."

"And yet you seek, by works of your hands, to purge your sins. This also is beyond your power. Now wait but an hour or two, until the rising tide shall advance upon this sand; then look upon the shore, when again the waves retire. All will be even as before; every footprint gone, every trace of our path removed. Thus the flood-tide of the grace of God rises high above the sin of man. Man, in all his sin and weakness, could do naught to cover his transgressions or his sins. In love, God sent His Son, His only Son. This blessed One has offered to God a perfect sacrifice, fully meeting all His righteous claims ; and more than that, glorifying Him about sin. Jesus, the Son of God, is risen from the tomb, and now is seated at the right hand of God. Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."

The light broke into the troubled soul. Now he could see it was the grace of God that brought salvation, through the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, which cleanseth from all sin. Believing on Him he knew that every stain was gone, every trace of sin removed. By faith, he entered into peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and forthwith, confessing with his mouth the Lord Jesus, sought to tell others of the great things the Lord had done for him.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

The Warning

"For when they shall say, Peace and Safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them." 1 Thess. 5:3.

Speak not of the good time coming,
Say not "Happy times draw nigh."
Lo ! the clouds with terror looming,
Darken o'er the future sky!
Undeceive thyself, O mortal!
To the winds such dreamings give!
Think upon the fearful purging
That the earth must first receive!

Rather tell of wrath and vengeance
Pending o'er this guilty race;
In its shame still glorying—boasting;
Deaf to all the calls of grace.
God forgetting—God dishonoring—
Guilty world, thy doom is nigh !
Fear unknown will seize upon thee
When He shakes the earth and sky !

Sodom's fall but faintly pictures
What thy awful lot will be;
It had not so many warnings,
As the Lord hath sent to thee,
Grace refused, makes judgment sorer—
O what grace hast thou refused!
Guilty world, thy judgments hover,
All escape for thee is closed!

Yet, as in the case of Sodom,
Lot departed ere it fell;
So, the Lord will come from heaven
Take His Church with Him to dwell,
Ere destruction's work commences,
On this Sodom's guilty ones.
They, the salt, alone preserve it—
They removed—the judgment comes.

To the ark and from destruction
All who'd be preserved then haste!
Christ's alone the Ark of safety—
Come and full salvation taste.
Tarry not for reformation—
(Sinners, Jesus died to save)
Art thou lost? He came to find thee,
Thou believing, life shalt have.

Then, amid the coming glory
Which the Church with Christ shall share;
Thou shalt have thy happy portion,
Bride of His—His image bear—
Then His earthly people gathered—
Earth made clean, and Satan bound;
Thou shalt, with thy Savior reigning,
O'er a happy world be found.

That Message Did It

It was in one of our after-meetings that one of our young men approached a very intelligent young man and asked him if he were saved. His answer was,

"I thought until tonight I was all right, but, that message did it; yes, it stripped me of all my good works; for I have been a Sunday school teacher and very religious, and had hoped to get to Heaven on my good deeds, but I saw tonight 'that he that offendeth in one point is guilty of all,' and that my righteousness is as filthy rags, and I am unsaved." He was asked if he desired to be saved, and his answer was,

"Yes, for I see I am lost."

Our young friend pointed him to Luke 19:10,

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost;" also Rom. 5:6,

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

He was then asked,

"Who is without strength?" He said,

"Me, for I am without strength, and not able to save myself." He was asked,

"Who did Christ die for?" His answer was,

"For the ungodly, and I know I am ungodly." He was then taken to another portion, found in 1 Tim. 1:15, which he read as follows,

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." He was asked,

"Who did Christ Jesus come into the world to save ?" He answered,

"Sinners." He was then pointed to John 1:12,

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name." With that he was asked if he would receive Christ. He thought, and said,

"Yes, I will receive Him and become a son of God, for God's Word says so."

With that he bowed down and thanked God for saving him. The Word of God says,

"He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath Everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation." John 5:24.

The Dying Soldier

In these days when one hears of nothing but war, perhaps you would be interested to hear the story of a young soldier.

Tom D., young, brave, and strong, he answered the call to arms, and soon found himself in active service amid the thunder of cannon and the crack of musketry.

He and a friend, George L., more than once distinguished themselves for courage. One day in an engagement, the enemy came upon them in superior numbers, and Tom's regiment was almost wiped out. Tom and his friend had escaped so far. They were lying on a ledge of the mountain behind a ruined stone wall, which had protected them till then, when two of the enemy, with grizzly beards, discovered them and shouted to them, "Hands up !" Seeing that is was useless to resist, Tom stood up, throwing to the ground his rifle and revolver, as a sign that he had surrendered. One of the officers immediately shot him twice with his rifle. A ball entered his body, and he fell to the ground. The men went away at once, leaving him to his fate.

George, his friend, who had been lying in the long grass, had not been noticed by the soldiers, and he came up to his dying companion.

The poor man begged his friend to lift up his coat and look at his wound. There was no doctor or nurse to take care of him. George saw at once that the wound was fatal, that there could be no hope for his friend's life.

He himself was a Christian, a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Very gently he told his friend that he feared he could not live long. The two soldier§ wept together, for there was only a step between the poor boy and death, and every moment was precious to them both. After some moments of silence, Tom asked his friend to put his arms tight around him, which he did. They could feel the beating of each other's hearts, while the great realities of the, other side of the grave—eternity—presented themselves to them.

Even from his childhood, the dying man had often thought of the future, and had felt the weight of his, sins. He had heard the gospel preached which tells of salvation and pardon to those dead in trespasses and sins. But Tom, like many young people of our days, had never read the Bible for himself in order to be enlightened on this important subject, consequently he had never decided for Christ, and possessed no assurances as to the future. Now, only a few moments remained to him, and eternity so near made these things become a reality to Tom. Suddenly he broke the silence, exclaiming,

"George, where am I going?"

"Do you really believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, Tom?" asked George.

"O,' yes, George," he answered earnestly, "yes, I do firmly believe in Him; I believe He died for me."

What joy and comfort for the Christian soldier to know his friend was passing into eternity, saved— washed in the blood of Christ. He answered affectionately,

"Then you have absolutely nothing to fear, Tom; all those who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute on the cross, Whose blood purifies them from all sin, are all right for eternity."

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:9.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, hath everlasting life." John 6:47.

Your End - What Will It Be?

Harry H— was the son of one of the wealthiest and best known tradesmen. His father was a Christian, but his mother was a woman of the world, as well as a slave to drink ; and her son, about eighteen years of age when I met him, good looking, good-natured, though awfully dissipated, followed in her steps.

Mothers have you ever noticed the occurrence in the Old Testament scriptures of the expression :

"And his mother's name was" so-and-so (see 2 Chron. 22:2; 2 Chron. 13:2) ? O! the immense influence of mothers for good or bad!

I was staying with a cousin of mine at the time I met Harry H—, a cousin, alas! as gay and dissolute as poor Harry H— himself. He had paid us a visit one evening, and was at the time particularly full of fun and folly.

A few days after this, I noticed a postcard awaiting my cousin, inviting him to a football match for the afternoon of the Saturday following in the same week.

On that identical Saturday, at mid-day, I was passing C. railway station when, happening to meet my cousin, he said :

"Have you heard the news ?" "No," said I.

"Harry H—is dead ; taken ill quite suddenly in the night (Friday), and died in no time."

Thus did poor Harry H— pass into a Christ-less eternity, without God, and without hope. True, his life was a brief one. And so is even the longest life—as a vapor that passeth away. But it was long enough to repent and turn to God! It was long enough to exclaim

"Lord, save me, I perish!"

It was long enough to turn the eye of faith to the Savior in the glory on the throne of God ; to the One who is seated there in proof of the fact that He has finished the work needed to rend the veil separating man from God, and thus to open a way for every poor, believing prodigal straight into the very presence, and to the very heart of God! But Scripture says :

"Behold now is the day of salvation."

Now! as another, long ago said of it, a short word! a shorter thing; soon uttered; sooner gone. Now! a grain of sand on a boundless plain. A tiny ripple on a measureless ocean! . . . The past, for action, is ours no longer. 'The future may never become present, and is not ours till it does. The only part of time we can use is, this very moment—Now!

O, dear reader, this may be your last opportunity; what will you do with it?

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:1.

"GOD COMMENDETH
HIS LOVE TOWARD US,
IN THAT,
WHILE WE WERE
YET SINNERS,
CHRIST DIED FOR US.
MUCH MORE THEN,
BEING NOW JUSTIFIED
BY HIS BLOOD,
WE SHALL BE SAVED

FROM WRATH

THROUGH HIM."
Rom. 5:8, 9

May

God Loves You

I came as a sinner to the Savior. It came about in this way, there was quite a revival at the chapel, where I attended. One night my “elder brother decided for Christ. This stirred me up, and I resolved to serve God. But it only needed the test which came a little while later to prove that this resolve was not worth much. Indeed at that time nothing would sooner have brought a blush to the very roots of my hair, than being seen with a Bible, or upon my knees in prayer.

Some time afterwards the estate passed into other hands, and every servant was dismissed. To my delight a situation was procured for me. There, with good wages, plenty of mates, and no restraint, I sought to gratify my unsatisfied heart by the pleasures of sin. Sometimes a letter from a Christian friend would be sent to me, but that part of it, which had eternity and its issues as its subject, was often unread, and the enclosed tract unheeded.

My duties often led me to the different race-courses, and it was my ambition to know the pedigrees of every horse on the turf. But God in mercy again spoke very loudly to me. A pony kicked at me; it missed me the first time, but struck me the next, and I fell to the ground badly hurt. My mates carried me upstairs, and the doctor said that half an inch the other way the kick would probably have killed me; but that, if inflammation did not set in, I should recover.

As I lay awake that night I thought of home, of my neglect of parents, of broken resolutions. When all was quiet I got out of bed, and told God that if He would raise me up, I would serve Him. And God did graciously restore me; but, alas! no more was heard of my resolve.

But the blessed God was long-suffering, and I had to have a more severe lesson next time. In the exercise of my own will I left my situation, and humiliating as it was, I could not get another. By one little circumstances or another I always missed it, and in this way it pleased God to show me the value of my true friends, and the hollowness of the friendships of those I had thought more of than of the authority of God's command to repent.

My money was gone, and I had no resource in God. How humbling it was to have to borrow from a kind brother! My pride did not like it.

Just at this time I received a letter from my sister, and this time I read it all through. She said,

"Look to Jesus."

This I thought I would do, so when the young men at the club where I was then staying were gone out, I got on my knees, and asked for a situation, again promising I would serve God.

But it was not till I had been three months out of work that I succeeded in getting employment. The head man was a Christian, and some three weeks after, he said,

"You have a strong voice, Charles." "Yes, sir, I have."

"Did you ever use it to praise God with?"

In a moment his words seemed to go right home to my heart. I was prepared for him to tell me how wicked I was, but this seemed to fix me.

I told him it was no good, I did not want to be a hypocrite.

"But, Charles, you have had your serious thoughts at times."

I told him I had tried to be different, but I could not give up smoking, I could not hold on.

"Why," he replied, "you have not to give up anything. God does not want you to give."

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

You have to be the receiver. God does not say, "Give up smoking and swearing, and the theatre before you receive Christ."

And then the dear man went on to tell me,

"If you are to be saved, it will be as a sinner just as you are, though God hates your sins, He loves you. God wants you; the Lord Jesus Christ wants you; but the devil wants you, and he has got you."

And so with his hand on my shoulder he pleaded with me to turn to Christ. I told him how I couldn't bear to be laughed at.

"Ah!" he said, "they may laugh you into hell, but they can never laugh you out."

My mates were listening, and thinking I should get the best of the conversation, but he went on to speak, and I listened. He held up his hands, as if my soul was in the balance.

"Put into that hand," he said, "the laughs and jeers and reproaches of men, the forgiveness of sins, Christ a Friend with you here, and Heaven with Him forever; and put in the other hand your worldly friends, the pleasures of sin for a season (I don't deny there are such pleasures, Charles), and hell for ever; and choose this day which you will have."

That was about ten o'clock in the morning. It was my turn to stay in that evening, and about eight o'clock I was quite alone. Those words kept ringing in my ears:

"God loves you, and wants to save you; the Lord Jesus Christ wants you; but the devil wants you, and he has got you."

I sat down. I thought over my twenty years of sins, and broken promises, and it seemed now or never. For the first time in my life I really cried to God to have mercy on me, and that if it were possible for a poor, guilty sinner to know he was saved, that I might know it. I confessed everything there before God. I was completely broken down, and felt that. if I did go to hell I would go there trusting in the Lord Jesus.

About ten o'clock that night the dear servant of the Lord, who had spoken to me in the morning, felt such a desire to speak to me again, that he came back some miles, to see me.

"I'm going to be a Christian," I said.

He got out his Bible, and from there he showed me beautiful passages from God's Word—how the death of Jesus had met God's requirements and my need, how God had raised and glorified the Lord Jesus, and how that blessed One, enthroned in heaven, was worthy of the confidence of every heart.

Through grace I was enabled there and then to rest upon Him.

He then lent me a Bible, which told me more of Christ's present love and of His sure return.

It was nearly midnight before my mates came in, and found me with the newly-borrowed Bible before me.

"I am a Christian," I said.

"Hurrah!" replied one, "I'll give you a month!" But, thanks be to the God of all grace, the power of His love has held me for many years, and still holds me. With rejoicing heart I proclaim God as the Giver, and that the only condition I know for enjoying His salvation is still to go on receiving more largely from Him.

"Now in the glory,
He waits to impart
Peace to the conscience
And joy to the heart;
Waits to be gracious,
To pardon, and heal
All, who their sin
And their wretchedness feel."

May God use this story of my conversion to lead others to ask the question of all questions,

'What must I do to be saved?" And to receive the answer,

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31), and to act upon it by putting their trust and confidence in the Savior, who says, "Him that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Jesus Waits

Yes, mercy's gate stands open wide,
And through its pearl-like portal
The old and young from every side
Press into bliss immortal.

Come, all who feel the load of sin,
The heavy laden, dreary;
For Jesus waits that gate within
To welcome all the weary.

Come in, come in, while yet you may,
Before the night of sorrow;
Come in, come in, while still 'tis day;
Too late, too late, the morrow!

I Know It All

A child of God, mentioned to me the case of Mrs. C., who had just left the hospital, and was saying,

"God cannot be Love to make me suffer such bodily agony."

The desire filled me to be able to go to see Mrs. C., and the Lord graciously opened the way.

When I spoke to her of the love of the Lord Jesus in dying for sinners, she surprised me by assenting to all that was said; and, for the first few visits, she said, "yes" to everything, although others residing in the same house said she did not bear testimony to being a saved soul. Why was she so quiet with me? Was it bodily sufferings which made her quiet? No, it was God's own Word going home to her soul, and she did not like it.

One day, while I was speaking to her of the old, old story of Jesus she suddenly raised her voice (which had been made very weak) to quite a loud strain, and said angrily,

"My dear Miss. B., you need not tell me, I know it all! I know it from a child!" And she continued in a loud angry voice, until utterly exhausted, she sank back on her pillow and ceased.

For some minutes I felt quite wordless, and feeling my extreme helplessness, my heart went up to the Lord in silent prayer for a word to speak. He seemed graciously to answer, and to bring to my lips these words,

"Mrs. C., in God's Word we have an account, told by the Lord Jesus of a certain king who made a marriage for his son, and one came in who had not on a wedding garment. When the king came in to see the guests, and saw the man who had not the wedding garment, he asked him how he came without it The man was speechless, and you will be speechless if you wish to go into His presence your own way."

I then arose and stood over her, speaking of the precious blood of the Lord Jesus. She did not again open her lips or eyes, as I pressed a kiss on her forehead, and slowly left the room.

The next three times I called she refused to see me. The nurse apologized for Mrs. C.'s rudeness to me, at the same time remarking that she often heard her engaged in prayer at nights when alone.

The fourth visit she consented to see me, and received me quietly. I asked if I might read God's Word to her. She assented, and I read Matt. 22:1-13; and then spoke of the night when the destroying angel was to smite the first-born in Egypt. The people of Israel had to sprinkle the blood on the lintel, and when God saw the blood, He did not destroy. Similarly, the Lord Jesus on the cross shed His precious blood, so that lying there, she could have all her sins washed away by faith in that blood, which God saw, for

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Then kneeling by her bed in prayer, I pleaded aloud to God for her precious soul.

A few days afterward I heard she was passing away, and was quite happy at the thought of going to be with the Lord Jesus; she was speaking to others also, especially to one of her daughters, of the Lord.

I was told she was too far gone to see me; but when I knocked at her door, someone from inside ran to open the door, saying,

"Mrs. C. wants to see you."

When I entered her room she raised herself up in bed, held out her hand and said my name. I bent over her and asked,

"Are you trusting in knowing it all from a child, Mrs. C.?"

Slowly her head moved from side to side, expressing, "No!" When I mentioned the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and asked if her trust was in that, the head quickly moved, indicating, "Yes, yes!" A few words more with her, and I left her, after she had by signs assented that we should meet in heaven.

Her daughter followed me downstairs, and told me her mother had told them the word spoken on the day of her anger was what God had blessed to her soul.

"Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain." Psa. 76:10.

An eye-witness said her end was bright, and, as if addressing someone she saw, she exclaimed, "It is Jesus!" and was with Him who proved Himself to be a God of Love, in seeking and saving that which was lost.

Dear reader, this true story is written in the simple hope that it may arouse you to ask yourself,

"Am I like Mrs. C., do I know it all?"

You may know in your head the way of salvation, and be a lost soul; knowledge is one thing, and belief in the heart quite another (Rom. 10:9, 10).

"It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11.

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Extract

Being alone with Jesus is the sinner's first position, it is the beginning of his joy, and no one has a right to meddle with it... Sin casts us upon God alone... We must not surrender to any the right of God to talk with us alone about our sins.

He Saved Me

"Someone told me in the night that I am a sinner, who was it, was it God, or was it Satan?" This was the question asked of me as I entered a sick room to visit a lone woman who had sent for me.

"It was God who told you," I said.

"God," she said, "I don't know Him, I have been calling Him my Father all my life and He was not. O, I am a wretch, nobody loves me."

"Yes, God loves poor sinners and gave His Son to die for them."

"But I have been deceiving you and myself," she said. "I told you I was saved and I was not. How could you think I was, I was not like you, I did not care whether you spoke to me or not about these things? Was there not something you could tell, by?"

I then told her I had not seen in her what I had wanted to and added,

"But you told me you were saved and I could not say you were not."

"I thought I was not a child of the devil, so that I must be a child of God. God be merciful to me a sinner. May I say 'God,' shall I offend Him?"

"No, God loves you and gave Jesus to die for you."

"I don't know Him," she said again.

I again told her of the love of God and left her for a little while, giving her a small book called

"Peace with God."

On going to her after a short absence I could see a little light was entering her poor troubled soul, and I then repeated to her,

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

It seemed as if she had never heard it before, although I had often quoted it to her. After a little more conversation I left her again.

A few hours passed and then a change had taken place. Peace with God was on her face, and these blessed words came out,

"My Jesus, my blessed Jesus, He has been with me. He has been talking to me, and I have been talking to Him, my Jesus, my blessed Jesus."

All who went to see her saw that whereas she had been in misery as a sinner, she was now filled by the grace of God with joy and peace. She said,

"I am saved by grace and He saved me."

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (but the Lord Jesus Christ) under heaven among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

Extract

"And they remembered his words." (Luke 24:8). How much mischief do we get into by not remembering God's words! When the Lord Jesus was tempted, He had the word of God at hand, and by that simple word He could claim the victory in the battle.

"THOU ART THE
CHRIST,
THE SON OF THE
LIVING GOD."

Matt. 16:16.

"THE SON OF GOD,
WHO LOVED ME
AND GAVE HIMSELF
FOR ME."
Gal. 2:20.

"IN WHOM WE HAVE
REDEMPTION
THROUGH HIS BLOOD,
THE FORGIVENESS
OF SINS."

Eph. 1:7.

June

My Word Shall Not Return Unto Me Void

Into a shoe factory, where shoes were being made for the Government, a faithful servant of the Lord entered, and began to hand out Gospel tracts among the men, which some took, while others refused. When the intruder (?) had gone, the enemies of the truth grew bolder and reproached those who had accepted the little papers. The boldest of them snatched one of these leaflets from his fellow-workman, holding it in his hand in triumph and saying.

"I know where to put that thing," he places it between the inner and outer sole, nailing them together amidst the laughter of his like-minded comrades.

The eyes of the Lord were upon one of these pairs of shoes, as well as a dear soldier in far off China on the battle field. A ball from the ranks of the enemy struck him, wounding him, though not seriously; but he cannot rise, for his foot has been struck. As his comrades are rushing on to victory, he had to lie there and wait till help comes. In the meantime he examined his wounded foot; the ball had severed the sole from the upper part, and between he noticed a piece of printed paper, saturated with the oozing blood. He looked at it more closely and read these words:

"Shall not return unto Me void."

What was it which should not return void? He desired to know. With difficulty raising himself and bending forward, he drew out carefully the paper with the mysterious words. Only a small piece he is able to draw out, but it is enough to preach to him the Word of Life. It was God's own Word which was meant by it, and, no doubt, was meant for him. This touched him greatly. His whole life stretched itself before him; many a thing against him, accusing him before God. But supposing the ball had struck his heart, and ushered him before God as his judge? His very soul shuddered at the thought of it, for surely his lot would not have been with the redeemed in glory, since he knew nothing of redeeming grace.

Where would he have landed? This thought he was not able to conclude, but with trembling lips prayed,

"God, be merciful to me a sinner!"

How good he found it still to be the day of salvation.

The God of love and grace, whose Spirit hovers even over the battle fields, heard the cry of contrition and answered it. He drew this dear one to His loving Father-heart, and forgave for Jesus' sake, all the sins of his life, the mighty debt he had incurred.

Now a far better hope than to return to his earthly fatherland filled his soul, for heaven itself was now open to him, for the One who has said,

"I will come again and receive you unto myself," had first given him a right and title to yonder glory land, to enter it perhaps very soon, to sing the praises of Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has wrought the mighty victory against sin, death, hell and Satan, with all those who are redeemed by His precious blood, thus finding grace in the day of salvation.

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

The seed sown in his native land had borne fruit in distant China, though the Godless mocker meant to destroy it. God had shown again that His Word should not return to Him void, "but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa. 55:11;

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 5:1.

Ever the Same

The Bible, God's Word is like God, unchangeable. The progress of thought of the twentieth century may sound very great, but the everlasting truth of God, and the tide of human thought, are not to be confounded.

Thought does not make truth. Man thinks out his own notions; the truth is, and ever is, the same. However, generally speaking, men are more concerned with the progress of human thought; than with the unchangeable reality of the truth of God.

Out of the Mouth of Babes

It was not quite train time, and among the waiting passengers a gentleman walked to and fro in the long depot, holding his little daughter's hand. A commotion near the door attracted general attention, and several officers brought into the room a manacled prisoner.

It soon became known that he was a notorious criminal, who was sentenced to the state prison for twenty years. The little child looked at him, first with wonder and horror; then, as she saw the settled, sullen gloom of his countenance; a tender pity grew on her sweet face, until, dropping her father's hand, she went over to the prisoner, and lifting her eyes to his face, she spoke a few low words.

He glared upon her like a fiend, and she ran back afraid, to her father's hand. But a moment after, she was at his side again, pressing nearer than before in her self-forgetful earnestness, and this time the prisoner dropped his defiant eyes as he listened, and a slight tremor passed over his hard face. Then her father called, and the little one went slowly away, looking back pityingly. The train came presently, and the prisoner went quietly on board, and during the journey he gave the officers no trouble.

Upon their arrival at the prison his conduct was most excellent, and continued so to be. Inmates of that prison having terms of twenty years and over are allowed a light in the evenings, and it was observed that he spent the time in studying the Bible. At length someone asked how it came that he brought with him such a reputation for willfulness, since he had proved himself quiet, and well behaved.

"Well, sir," said he, "I'll tell you. It was when I was waiting in the depot, before. I came here. A little mite of a girl was there with her father. She wasn't much more than a baby, and she had such great blue eyes as you won't often see; somehow I couldn't help looking at her.

"By and by she let go her father's hand and came over to me and said,

`Man, I am sorry for you;' and you wouldn't believe it, but there were tears in her eyes! Something appeared to give way inside of me then, but I was proud, and wouldn't show it: I just scowled at her blacker than ever.

"The poor dear looked kind of scared like, and ran off to her father, but in a minute she was back again, and she came right up to me, and said,

`Man, Jesus Christ is sorry for you.' O sir, that clean broke my heart, nobody'd spoke to me like that since my good old mother died, years and years ago. I had hard work to keep the tears back, and all the way down here I was just thinking of mother, and a great many things she used to teach me, when I was no bigger than that blessed baby—for I had a good bringing up, though mores’ the shame to me. Well, the whole of it is, I made up my mind I would never rest till I found my mother's Savior; and O Sir," he exclaimed, while the tears ran down his face, "O sir, He's saved me—He's saved me!"

How true the words of that little tot. "Man, Jesus Christ is sorry for you."

He proved how deep was the pity and love of His heart for us poor, wretched sinners, by coming down from heavenly bliss to sorrow and shame here below. From the throne to the cross, and there upon that cross he suffered the wrath and judgment of God for us.

"Christ died for our sins." Sinner, as you read these words, can you say in simple faith, "Christ died for me"?

I Am so Glad That Jesus Loves Me

A young man was walking along the street one evening when his attention was arrested by a crowd that was congregated in front of a hall. A number of Christian workers were having an open-air meeting, and were engaged in singing the well-known Gospel Hymn,

"I am so glad that Jesus loves me."

The hearty singing had a striking effect upon the bystanders. This young man found himself joining in the song. The words,

"I am so glad! I am so glad!" stuck to him. He began to ask himself the question,

"Am I glad that Jesus loves me? I am not a bit glad," was the conclusion he came to. "I don't think anything about it, and am singing what is not true. I won't sing a lie," and he ceased singing,

"I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me"

At the close of the open-air meeting, along with others, he entered the hall, and heard an earnest Gospel address, but was not particularly impressed with the preaching. As he was leaving the building, the evangelist laid his hand on his shoulder, and said,

"Where will you spend eternity?" The question stuck to him like a leech. Where was he going to spend eternity?

"In Hell, if I continue going on as I am," he said to himself.

Have you ever seriously pondered the question, or have you been trying to forget it? Eternity must be spent somewhere—in weal or in woe; in joy or despair; in Heaven or in Hell. Where? Where? Where?

On reaching the street he imagined that the words were inscribed in letters of fire on the pavement. He returned to his room, and became terribly troubled about his state. Where will you spend eternity? rang in his ears, and vibrated through his inmost being. He did not know God. He had not as yet learned that the Lord Jesus had done everything that was needful to set him free. He was brought to the end of his tether. The thunders of Sinai appalled him. Before him was the day of reckoning, and beneath him the abode of despair. What was he to do to be saved?

Putting on his cap, he left the house and paced up and down the street, the longing desire of his heart finding expression in the words of the Philippian jailer,

"What must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30. No peace could he find to his troubled soul.

Returning to his room, he opened his Bible and began to search its sacred pages as for hidden treasures. When turning over the leaves his eye caught the precious words of 1 John 1:7:

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin."

In a moment the soul-saving truth that Christ by His blood-shedding had paid sin's penalty and borne sin's judgment was laid hold, of by him. Christ had done it all and paid it all, and by believing on Him he was saved from everlasting woe. Now he understood what was meant by being "washed in the blood of the Lamb."

Has the reader been washed in that sin-cleansing blood? Many are whitewashed with "religion" who have never been washed white in the crimson tide that flowed at Calvary's Cross. Whitewashed or washed white—which? Where will you spend eternity?

"Eternity! but Jesus died;

Yes, Jesus died on Calvary;
Behold Him, thorn-crowned, crucified,
The spotless One made sin for thee:
O, sinner, haste, for refuge flee;
He saves—and for eternity!
Eternity! Eternity!

Where wilt you spend eternity?"

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.

Ascertain whether you are in the first or second part of this passage. Consider your whereabouts in relation to Eternity, and if you have not closed in with God's offered mercy, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and His work of redemption on the cross, have not accepted His "Unspeakable Gift", do so now.

To Him That Worketh Not

"There's no use in your talking fanaticism," said a sailor to a Christian shipmate. "My creed," he added, "is plain and simple. I believe in God, but not in Christ, and think that if a man does the best he can, it will be all right with him at the last."

"And is this the only condition of salvation that you believe in?"

"Yes, this is plain and reasonable, and it is enough."

"How many times have you used profane language since you spoke to me?"

"Well, several times. I know it is wrong as well as you, but I mean to leave it off."

"Can you leave it off after indulging in it for many years?"

"O, certainly, if I would try."

"Is this the only sin you have ever committed?"

"O, no! I'm not one of that kind, that pretends to be perfect."

"Might you not have avoided many of those sins?"

"Yes."

"Do you expect to go to Heaven?"

"Yes, I believe everyone will get to Heaven who does the best he can."

"That may be true, but you have admitted that you have not done the best you could, and implied that no one else does. So you have cut yourself, and us, from Heaven, on the only condition you will allow. What are you now going to do?"

"I never thought of that." And Jack was silenced!

How foolish for men or women to talk of obtaining salvation through doing their best. If the reader thinks he has done his "best," may I ask him if he never did anything wrong? Have you never cherished unkind, foolish, or wrong thought?

"Many a time." What does God say about it?

"The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.

Have you loved God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind? And have you loved your neighbor as yourself?

"No one has done so," you reply. No one on earth has always been what he should have been, or done what he should have done; and Scripture declares that,

"Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10.

If salvation could be obtained only on the ground of our "doings," it would be a poor lookout for us, for God has declared that,

"There is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not." Eccl. 7:20. Scripture declares that salvation is not of works.

"By grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it (salvation) is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 9

"To him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace but of debt; but to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 4:4, 5

The best thing the unsaved reader can do is to cease all efforts to merit salvation.

Salvation is not obtained on the ground of our doings, but on the ground of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is not bestowed on those who imagine they have done the best they could.

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly," is God's way of justification. It is "ungodly" sinners, not "good" ones that God saves.

If the reader takes his place among the "ungodly," and believes on Christ Jesus the sinner's Savior and Friend, he will obtain the free and full forgiveness of all his sins.

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name, whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43.

Am I Prepared for Eternity?

Reader, your hands are busy at work, your eyes are looking, your mind is thinking, you are planning for the future; tomorrow all may be still, the folded arm, the closed eye remain, but you are gone—gone to Eternity.

Others were once busy as you are, healthy as you are, thoughtless as you are, they are gone to Eternity.

The merry voice, the painted clown, the talented artist whose presence made the theater, and the pantomime an attraction for you, are gone; they are removed far from the region of action, to that of reality—the reality of Eternity. The shrewd merchant whose voice was so familiar to you in the crowded exchange, is silent, he buys and sells no more—he has entered Eternity.

And reader, your own turn to enter Eternity will shortly come. Ask yourself honestly.

"Am I prepared for Eternity?"

Give your conscience time to answer. Listen! It speaks to you today, do not drown its voice lest it should speak to you no more. Let the Heaven and Hell of the future stand before you in all their realities; one of these must be your Eternal dwelling place, and today is the time to make your choice. Tomorrow may be too late—one day behind time.

For which are you living? To which are you traveling?

"These shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into Life Eternal." Matt. 25:46.

"I AM NOT ASHAMED
OF THE
GOSPEL OF CHRIST:
FOR IT IS THE POWER
OF GOD UNTO
SALVATION TO
EVERYONE THAT
BELIEVETH."
Rom. 1:16.

"THEREFORE
BEING JUSTIFIED
BY FAITH,
WE HAVE PEACE
WITH GOD
THROUGH OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST."
Rom. 5:1.

July

Conquered by Love

J—McF— M—, the subject of this narrative, was from his birth the child of many prayers, and was surrounded by the atmosphere of a loving, Christian home, and his mother was a woman of great faith, as well as prayer, and many a remarkable instance God vouchsafed to her of answers to her prayers.

The home was a happy one with everything that could contribute to its brightness, even naturally. Mrs. M—was a wise woman, she did not force "religion" on her children. She lived Christ before them, and waited on God by His Spirit to touch their hearts; they knew that the joy of the Lord was her strength, and His word her delight, yet in spite of all the love and the brightness of his home J—, as he reached the years of young manhood, grew restless. He wanted to see the world, to carve out a career for himself, therefore not long after his father's death he made up his mind to leave home. God was not in his thoughts; the god of this world had blinded his eyes, and self-will and self-pleasing had, for the time hardened his heart, so that in spite of his now widowed mother's sorrow and tears, he left his home and went to America.

Eventually he quickly found a good post, though still so young, as manager of a large coffee plantation, and for a time all seemed to go well with him, and he wrote to his mother regularly every mail, but there was never a sound in his letter to give her any hope that in that distant land some memory of his childhood's home and the Scriptures he had so often heard read, might have awakened some desire after God. His letters were loving to his mother, but no more, and no desire to return.

After a long time, however, the regular letters ceased entirely, and when she wrote anxiously begging for a reply, no reply came. She implored to have a card, a cable, any communication about him, if not from him —still no answer.

In his last letter he had said that he meant to throw up his post, and to travel for a time, and therefore he could give no address; he gave no reason for this course —nothing to still her anxiety. The only mention he had made of any place was that he might possibly "call at Montreal."

Now began her soul's agony. She felt she had lost her boy entirely; he had given her no clue as to where he might be found. She had prayed earnestly before, now she importuned the Lord to give her some comfort about him, some link with her son and above all to save his soul for eternity.

The days lengthened into weeks and the weeks into months, and her heart grew sick with longing and waiting. At last she had a vision. As early one morning she lay in her bed, thinking of and praying for her son, someone seemed to stand by her side, and a voice said to her,

"Write to the Young Men's Christian Association at Montreal."

Quite bewildered, she lay still for a little while, it was all so clear, and yet so unaccountable.

"Write to the Young Men's Christian Association at Montreal," sounded in her ears, and she felt it was a voice from heaven, and that she would not be "disobedient to the Heavenly vision."

So she arose, and dressed, then knelt down and asked God to direct her what to say in her letter. Presently she got up from her knees, and wrote her letter to the Y. M. C. A., telling them the full name of her son, and describing him, and giving all the circumstances of the case, and asking if, for the Lord's sake, they would call a special meeting for prayer—on a certain clay and at a certain hour, both of which she named and she would unite with them in spirit at that hour that her son might be found and that his soul might be saved.

She directed her letter, "To the Y. M. C. A., Montreal, Canada," and counted the days till she could receive an answer, for she felt that the voice she had heard calling her to write, was the voice of God to her, and that an answer must come.

"Before they call, I will answer, while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isa. 65:24.

Still her faith was tested, for though the letter arrived duly at its destination, the secretary was away, and no one would take the responsibility of opening it. When he returned, of course, the letter, with it s strange request was opened by him. He took the matter to his Lord, had a night of prayer concerning it, then felt compelled to answer it, and tell Mrs. M—that her desire should be carried out.

The day and the hour fixed arrived, and quite a number met in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, and very earnest prayer went up to the Lord that this unknown young man might be found and restored to his mother, and, above all, that he might be brought to know the Lord and confess Him as his Savior.

The hour passed and a short closing hymn was being sung, when a gentlemanly young man, a stranger, entered the hall, and took a seat next to the Secretary as though directed to do so. The latter, as the hymn ended, turned to the stranger, and said,

"I am sorry you are late for the meeting, that was our closing hymn."

"I do not know why I am here at all," was the answer. "I had not the slightest intention of coming here when I left the hotel this morning, but something impelled me to come in. I could not pass the door. I tried to pass it, but I could not; and I do not know why I am here."

A sudden thought flashed through the Secretary's mind, and he said, "Excuse me, but may I ask your name?"

"J—McF—M—," was the ready answer.

"Then I must tell you," said the Secretary, "that this prayer meeting was entirely about you, and your being compelled to come in is God's direct answer to one half of the petitions that have gone up to Him this morning," and then he told him of his mother's letter, and of all her agony about him, and in a tender pleading way, he put before him the still greater love, greater even than a mother's love, of the One who had turned his footsteps into that hall that morning against his will, and who was even then saying to him,

"Come unto Me, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

As the Secretary detailed all the words of his mother's letter, and her request for prayer on a certain day at a certain hour, that she, in a far-off land might unite in spirit with those praying in Montreal that he might be found, and be brought to know the Lord as his own personal Savior, the proud, restless heart was melted, and he burst into tears, as tremblingly he said, "I can't turn away from love like this."

"The Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

At the moment his new friend scarcely knew whether he meant his mother's love, or the "greater love," but ere long he had the joy of knowing that the second, and far more important part of their morning's petitions was fully answered too. As he knelt and owned his sin, his lost estate, he humbly cried,

"God be merciful to me a sinner," and then thankfully accepted the truth that all the time he had been running away from God. God had been seeking him, and with a full heart he praised Him.

It was a time of thanksgiving for all concerned in that morning's prayer meeting, and wonder, love and praise filled each heart.

"I shall wire to mother to tell her I am coming home with the best of news for her," J—said.

By the next boat he went home, and who can write the joy, the thanksgiving, the depth of feeling in that mother's heart, as she and her son met, and she recognized the great change in him.

"What has God wrought;" she said in her heart, "for this my son 'was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found.' "

They had sweet fellowship together now over the Word of God, and in prayer.

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

My Substitute

When I was a little boy at school, I saw a sight I can never forget—a man tied to a cart and dragged before the people's eyes through the streets of my native town, his back torn and bleeding from the lash. It was a shameful punishment. For many offences? No; for one offence. Did any of the men offer to divide the lashes with him? No; he who committed the offence bore the penalty alone. It was the penalty of a changing human law, for it was the last instance of it infliction.

When I was a student at the university I saw another sight I never can forget, a man brought out to die. His arms were pinioned, his face was already pale as death—thousands of eager eyes were upon him as he came up from the jail in sight. Did any man ask to die in his room? Did any friend come and loose the rope and say, "Put it round my neck; I die instead?" No; he underwent the sentence of the law. For many offences? No; for one offence. He had stolen a money parcel from a stagecoach. He broke the law at one point, and died for it. It was the penalty of a changing human law in this case also; it was the last instance of capital punishment for that offence.

I saw another sight—it matters not when—myself a sinner standing on the brink of ruin, deserving nothing but Hell. For one sin? No; for many sins committed against the unchanging law of God. But again I looked, and, by faith, saw Jesus, my Substitute, scourged in my stead and dying on the Cross for me. I looked, and believed, and was forgiven. And it seems to be my duty to tell you of that Savior, to see if you will not also look and live.

And how simple it all becomes when God opens the eye. A friend told me of a very careless old man, who had, during a severe illness, been led to feel that he was a sinner. He dared not die as he was. The minister whom he sent for got tired of visiting him, having told him all he knew of the way of salvation, but without result. But one Sunday afternoon the sick man's daughter waited in the vestry saying,

"You must come once more, sir; I cannot see my father again without you."

"I can tell him nothing new," said the preacher, "but I may take the sermon I have been preaching and read it to him."

The dying man lay, as before, in anguish, thinking of his sins and whither they must carry him.

"My friend, I have come to read you the sermon I have just preached. First, I shall tell you the text,

`He was wounded for our transgressions.' Now I shall read."

"Hold!" said the dying man, "I have it! Read no more; 'He was wounded for my transgressions.' " Soon after that he rejoiced in Christ's saving power.

By nature and practice we are all sinners —all "dead in trespasses and sins"—all rebels against God, and the doom for every sin of every sinner is eternal death—eternal separation and banishment from the holy presence of God. But in the infinitude of His love to our fallen race, God offers to each of us individually a free and full pardon, and life now and forever, if we only believe on Jesus Christ, His Son, whom He sent to suffer in our stead—to die that we might live.

Ever the Same

God's Word is like God, unchangeable. The progress of thought of the twentieth century may sound very great, but the everlasting truth of God, and the tide of human thought, are not to be confounded. Thought does not make truth. Man thinks out his own notions; the truth is, and ever is, the same. However, generally speaking, men are more concerned with the progress of human thought, than with the unchangeable reality of the truth of God.

All at One Sweep

An aged man not at full peace before God about his sins, was recounting God's goodness to him during his long life. He was 92 years of age, and said he,

"I can thank God for over 90 years of mercies!"

"My dear friend," I replied, "let us indeed thank God for a thankful spirit, and for all His mercies in this life. But you are old: you will soon leave this scene of mercies. Let me also ask you, What about your 90 years of sins? How would you answer for them should you be called to stand before God?"

For a moment he paused, then said, with a trembling voice,

"I should have to plead guilty."

"Well, but if someone should say, 'I will go and stand before God in your place, and will answer for all your sins, and settle them all!' "

His countenance brightened as he exclaimed,

"That would be a blessing."

"God has sent His Son, my friend, out Of heaven, and Jesus has been here on earth, and He has settled in His own person upon the cross the due of your sins. God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, and all sins are gone for those who believe on Jesus. You are one of the Lord's believing people, but you are not quite at rest in His presence, because you do not fully take God at His word that all is done and settled, and all the blessing is yours. Jesus has stood for your sins in the presence of God, and has answered for them all with His own blood."

I shall not soon forget the old man's surprise as, raising himself up, he exclaimed,

"You have brought me good news today. I never heard anything like it before. To think that the Lord Jesus should die for such a wretch as I am, and put away all my sins at one sweep: I would do anything in the world for Him that I had power."

After a few moments he whispered,

"Is not this too good to be true?" then, looking at me, said, "I suppose it is right, sir?"

"The Word of God says so," was my reply.

"His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree," and, again, "by Whose stripes ye were healed."

"Thank you: that is sufficient. I have nothing to do now but to wait here and thank Him that He has done everything for me."

Before this old man had heard what the Lord had done for him, he used to try to call to mind every sin done during his long life, and then he would confess it to God, and pray that that sin might be forgiven, and so he had continued for many years, but without any comfort whatever respecting eternity, though thankful to God for the mercies of this life.

Reader, how is it with you? Do you, too, believe on Jesus? Are you, like our aged friend, trying to confess your sins in order to find peace with God? O! believe what Jesus has done, and rejoice that all the sins of all who believe were put away, once and for ever, "at one sweep" on Calvary.

"Christ died for our sins." 1 Cor. 15:3.

Earnestness

Rowland Hill, in an address to the people said,

"Because I am in earnest, men call me an enthusiast. When I first came into this part of the country, I was walking on yonder hill, and I saw a gravel-pit fall in and bury three human beings alive. I lifted up my voice and called for help so loud that I was heard in the town at a distance of nearly a mile. Help came and two of the sufferers were rescued. No one called me an enthusiast then, and when I see eternal destruction ready to fall on poor sinners, and to sink their souls into an eternal hell, and call on them to escape, shall I be called an enthusiast now? Nor I am no enthusiast in doing so, `I call on you aloud to fly for refuge to Jesus Christ, the One set before you in the Gospel."

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12.

The Invitation Accepted

I heard the voice of Jesus say:
"Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
Thy head upon My Breast."
I came to Jesus as I was,
Weary, and worn, and sad,
I found in Him a resting-place,
And He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Behold, I freely give
The living water,—thirsty one,
Stoop down, and drink, and live."
I came to Jesus, and I drank
Of that life-giving stream,
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
And now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"I am the dark world's light,
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
And all thy day be bright."
I looked to Jesus, and I found,
In Him my Star, my Sun,
And in that light of life I'll walk,
Till traveling days are done.

"I SAW THE DEAD, SMALL AND GREAT, STAND BEFORE GOD; AND THE BOOKS WERE OPENED: AND ANOTHER BOOK WAS OPENED, WHICH IS THE BOOK OF LIFE: AND THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THOSE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS... AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE."

Rev. 20:12,15.

"BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION."

2 Cor. 6:2.

August

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

The sound of many voices coming from a wine hall in one of the narrow streets of the city with which our narrative is connected, is in great contrast to the quietness around. A few marine officers are together with their friends, drinking wine and discussing various subjects. Our readers would no doubt have been shocked to hear the conversation of these young men. In their presumption and semi-intoxication they went so far as to mock at God, His Christ and His Word. They cursed and blasphemed, and were not afraid to mock at the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The most arrogant of all these men was an officer of about 25 years of age. This young man had once professed to be a Christian, and had for a little time walked according to his profession. But gradually a change had come; he had left the narrow path, and had finally gone so far as to deny the Lord who had brought him. Now he was the one who, without the least sense' of shame and fear, denounced and blasphemed the blessed name of the Lord Jesus. His resurrection he called the greatest nonsense that had ever been made up.

He had just now risen from his chair, the filled glass in his right hand, to open his mouth once more in blasphemy and mockery. Not a word had as yet come from his lips, when suddenly he put the glass down, falling with a mad exclamation back into his chair.

"Who put out the light?" he angrily asked his comrades. "Who dares to do such a thing when I intend to speak?"

"What is the matter with you?" rang the voices together. "Are you going to commence your speech by a fairytale about the eternal darkness?"

"Light! Light !" cried the officer, "I am not joking. Is it not pitch-dark? Who is mocking me?"

All jumped now to their feet, staring at their comrade.

"Could he have lost his eye-sight?" they asked each other. But, no, that could not be possible. How could he become suddenly blind? Yet thinking it to be a joke, they sat down again, and, concluding to cure him of his joking, some held a lighted candle and matches before his eyes, near enough to burn the hair of his head.

Unfortunate man! The smell of burning hair told him his call for light was in vain. Instantly the awful fact became evident to him—Your eyesight is gone forever. You are blind, blind!—dead and buried to this world which you have loved so much. Henceforth there is no happiness—nothing for you to enjoy, for all is dark. There is nothing left for you of all the glory of this world but a sad recollection of it and a shattered life.

Like mighty peals of thunder, these thoughts stormed upon him, and settled with awful heaviness upon his soul. With an unearthly cry which penetrated the very bone and marrow of his friends, the one thus judged of the Lord, broke down, falling to the floor. His friends, no longer doubting that this was terrible reality and not a mocking joke, lifted him up and carried him to the hospital.

Here the poor man awoke, after some time, to new heart-rending exclamations of terror and remorse.

The physician had little hope of his recovery, explaining the incident with the fact of a severe hemorrhage of the blood vessels of the eyes.

"The only thing that perhaps might help, would be perfect quietness and rest, inwardly and outwardly," was the encouragement from that side.

This seemed to the stricken one equal to being doomed to life-long blindness, for how could he obtain inward rest, being in a state bordering on insanity. Again and again he sought to end his life, so that it became necessary to have him constantly watched.

Not many days after the sad occurrence, the mother of the unfortunate man arrived, having been notified. She lived in a distant town. The shock which the unexpected news gave her, and the painfulness of the meeting of mother and son need no comment.

"Mother, I am lost !" exclaimed the son in a tone of deepest remorse, when he heard the voice of his mother, who in the past had admonished him so often, and in her loving way had drawn his attention to his evil ways and to the end of such a course. She bore the misfortune of her son with great calmness and resignation, for she had learned to see God's hand in all things, and she hoped with all confidence, that God's only purpose was by this sore affliction to draw her straying child out of dreadful misery to Himself.

"No, no, my son," she exclaimed, "you may yet be saved." With these words she pressed, with tears of sympathy, the head of her comfortless and despairing child to her loving heart.

The following day she took the sufferer, on whom the mother's presence had a wonderful and calming influence, out of the hospital, going traveling for a while. She sought the advice of some of the best physicians, but all declared the case to be hopeless. When every chance for his recovery had vanished, she returned to her country home. Here she would care for her son, pray for him and read the Word of God to him. Perhaps God might give grace to the unhappy man to come to himself and see his condition before God as a lost and guilty sinner. He was as yet in a terrible state. Sometimes he would lament about his fate in mad helplessness, then again deep melancholy and dejection would take possession of him.

The mother did what only a loving mother-heart can devise. Untiringly she sought to comfort him in his affliction, and ever and again would she speak of the love of the Savior who is calling the laboring and the heavy laden to Himself to give them rest. At first the sufferer resisted strongly, but this was followed by a state of indifference. All this was nothing for him, it did not concern him at all. Again at times it seemed as though a beam of light was penetrating the darkness of the heart and mind, but they were only momentarily.

Yet the mother would not cease to read and pray, and the Word of God proved its wonderful power at last here too, as it has done so many thousand times.

One evening, while the mother of the blind man was occupied with the Word by herself, her son for the first time asked her to read a little to him. Gladly she consented, and opening at the book of Job, read the 19th chapter. When coming to the words.

"I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon thee earth :" he begged her to stop. Had he not mocked and blasphemed about the resurrection and everything pertaining to it so many times? How could there be a Redeemer for him! Sadly he shook his head. Job with all his afflictions could be happy and say:

"I know that my Redeemer liveth," but he! alas! with him all was dreary and dark.

"O, mother!" he cried, "how can I believe that my Redeemer lives! That Jesus is living, I know, for He has shown me His power, but how can I be delivered from my sins? Have not I for myself closed heaven's door, how can I ever enter?"

Deep and hopeless anguish came from the voice and words of the unhappy man. But the mother lost not her confidence in God; she knew He was a God rich in mercy and of great compassion. Again she spoke to her son about the infinite love of the Savior that receives the greatest sinner and washes him clean from all his sins. The blind man listened silently; he had heard it so often in the past. It now caused him to see more and more what a great sinner he was. O what a load of sins he had piled upon his soul in blaspheming and mocking such a Savior; but it was so different today. Although he saw, in that light which reveals the secrets of the hearts, and lays bare every thought, the great load of his sins in a deeper measure than ever before; yet he realized at the same time also, the infinite love of God as revealed in Christ, and this gave him boldness to go to Jesus just as he was ; and how strange—how beyond human comprehension—that very moment when his heart was yielding to that blessed One, a deep peace took possession of him and filled his whole inmost being. With rejoicing lips he exclaimed,

"I know that my Redeemer liveth."

The good Shepherd had found His sheep, and there was rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God.

Two years have elapsed since the young officer has suddenly been stricken blind. In spite of the severity of the affliction, mother and son had received many spiritual blessings—at least, during the latter part of the trial. Hope was budding now in the hearts of the two thus blest, for did it not seem as though the blind son had at times felt something like scales drop from his eyes ? Then it seemed to him as though he could penetrate the darkness and see his mother's dear face. But it had only been for a moment. Yet, with God all things are possible. He had caused His divine light to shine into the benighted soul of the poor man, should He not be able to restore to him the light of his eyes ? So they waited and hoped with patience upon the help of the Lord.

Mother and son had spent a day of much blessing together. Although just two years had passed by since the sad occurrence, yet the recollection of it only caused their hearts to give thanks and praise to God for His grace and goodness, to use it thus for their eternal blessing. A long time they had sat together, speaking of the darkness into which sin had plunged man, but also rejoicing over the light which God had caused to shine in the believers' hearts. Unitedly they had given thanks and praise to the Lord and then retired. The following day the mother led her son into a meadow near the house, where an abundance of sweet smelling violets were blooming. The blind man enjoyed the balmy air and with deep draughts he inhaled the rich aroma pervading the atmosphere. But although he knew God as Creator of a scene telling forth His power and goodness toward man, yet now he knew Him in a nearer relationship, and again his lips opened in thanks and praise in remembrance of His rich mercies toward such a one as he was. Lifting his hands heavenward, with face upward, he exclaimed,

"It is enough, Lord, I know that my Redeemer liveth."

At the same moment a strange sensation came over him. Brightly the sunlight entered his eyes. He was blind no more. He saw again ; saw the sweet face of his dear mother, and with unspeakable joy, he fell into her arms. Their hearts overflowing with praise and thanks, mother and son knelt down amidst the sweet spring flowers to give thanks again to God who is able to work such wonders by His grace.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9.

"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

Hunting for Heirs

A quaint preacher, was one day walking in the country when a carriage came along. The owner of it saw the old man walking, and invited him to get into the carriage. This he very promptly did, for he saw an opportunity of doing good.

The man who had invited him into the carriage was very curious to know who the old man was, so he asked him questions; and finally my friend said,

"I will tell you who I am, and I will tell you what my business is. I have a very strange business; I am hunting for heirs."

The other, in surprise, asked, "What?"

"I am hunting for heirs—heirs to a very great estate. I represent a very great estate, and I am hunting for heirs for it, and there are a good many round about this neighborhood."

"Do you mind telling me their names?"

"No, it a very large family; their names begin with 'S' "

"O, Smith, I suppose,"

"No," the old man replied, "a much larger family than the Smith family. They are the Sinner family. The estate I represent is the kingdom of God, the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and the heirs to it are the sinners who are willing to own the family name, and look to God for pardon."

"They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one."

"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:12, 23.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

"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.

"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God ; and if children, then heirs : heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:16, 17.

Is This World All That Is Worth Living for?

For many years I lived for this world, seeking happiness in it, trying hard to satisfy my cravings for pleasure with dancing parties, concerts, races, fairs, games and amusements of every description, but a voice within me would whisper,

"This is all very good if it would last forever"; but the thought of death, and of the judgment that comes after death, would trouble me. Thus I never got what I so much desired—real, undisturbed joy. With all my ungodliness, I had my place of worship and used to attend every Sunday, but my religion gave me as little satisfaction as my amusements.

This went on until a young friend, a companion of mine, was saved through that precious verse in God's Word,

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Two months after he was saved, as we talked together, he asked me,

"Is this world all that is worth living for?"

I was angry at his disturbing my mind with questions about eternal things and left him; but I could not get away from that question.

"Is this world all that is worth living for ?"

No, I knew it was not. I knew there was a heaven and a hell. I knew I was a sinner and had lived after the flesh these many years—years of rebellion against God and on the road to destruction. My peace was broken; I saw my lost condition and resolved to lead a different life.

I began by refraining from swearing; and even reproved some of my companions that did so. I tried to pray; I asked God to have mercy on me, but no peace could I find until one morning while walking down the street, the lines of a hymn came into my mind:

"One there is above all others,
O, how He loves!"

I asked myself, can it be possible that He loves me? In a moment the answer came from God in that verse,

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

"Why, that is just me; for I am without strength, and have been ungodly, and if Christ died for such, He died for me."

So there and then I trusted Him confessing my sins, and was filled with joy and peace in believing.

"Happy day when Jesus washed my sins away."
O young woman, young man, consider,
"Is this world all that is worth living for ?"

Listen to the good news—God loves you ; Jesus shed His precious blood in order that you might be saved from the wrath to come. But you say,

"I am young, and I want to be happy."

If so, come to Christ; for it is only in Him that true joy is found. What an awful thing if you should have to lament forever over your madness and folly in bartering your soul to the devil for a few years' gratification of your wicked heart! Will you turn to Christ and receive Him ? Confess Him as your very own Savior. His word to you is,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:47. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." John 3:36.

"Now, is the day of Salvation"

Flee to Christ

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." Ecc. 8:11.

"As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgment,"

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many." Heb. 9:27, 28.

Fragment

The cross of Christ is the solid ground of the forgiveness of sins. Justice has owned it ; the troubled conscience may rest in it; Satan must acknowledge it.

"THE LORD HIMSELF

SHALL DESCEND
FROM HEAVEN
WITH A SHOUT,
WITH THE VOICE
OF THE ARCHANGEL,
AND WITH THE TRUMP
OF GOD:
AND THE DEAD
IN CHRIST
SHALL RISE FIRST:
THEN WE WHICH ARE
ALIVE AND REMAIN
SHALL BE CAUGHT UP
TOGETHER WITH THEM
IN THE CLOUDS,
TO MEET THE LORD
IN THE AIR:
AND SO SHALL WE
EVER BE WITH
THE LORD."
1 Thess. 4:16, 17

September

The Repeated Question

In a stately old mansion, situated in one of the prettiest country villages there lived, not many years ago, a widowed lady and her only son. Her husband had been an officer of high rank in the army, distinguished alike for his bravery and his noble character; and their only son, Trevor, seemed to have inherited his father's disposition, causing his mother at times much anxiety as to his future career. She was a Christian, and had set her heart on her son becoming a clergyman; while he could think only of the glories of military service.

In reply to some spirited declaration of what he meant to do when an officer, she would sometimes say, gently,

"I want my boy to enlist in God's army, and be a true soldier of Jesus Christ." To which he would answer, with characteristic candor,

"I don't know the drill yet, mother."

An active Christian took a warm interest in the son of his old friend, and would often speak to him of God's love to him in Christ. But, though he warmly respected religion, he had not as yet realized his need of a Savior, and the words were quickly forgotten.

Time passed on, and, when he had finished school, he tried to persuade his mother to allow him to enter a military college, with a view to his being trained as an officer. Seeing that he was determined to enter the army, she at last gave a reluctant consent to what seemed to her the blighting of her long-cherished hopes. But God had heard the mother's prayers, and, seeing the end from the beginning, was about to answer them. Trevor had not been many days at the college, when, walking one morning in the grounds, he met an old man who had seen much active service, and who then held the position of drill-sergeant in the college. Looking very earnestly at young Trevor, he asked, quietly,

"Are you saved?"

Surprised, and somewhat indignant at the straight question, he answered, not too courteously,

"No; I'm not," and passed on, ruminating as to what the query meant. "Saved!" That presupposed a lost condition.

This made him feel rather uneasy, and he determined not to think of it at all, and to avoid the old man as much as possible. That, however, was not very easy; frequently he met him—sometimes two or three times a day, and then, perhaps not again for several days. But the greeting was invariably the quiet question,

"Are you saved?"

At last, his indignation was fully aroused, and he began to positively dislike the old man, who did not seem to mind the anger and abuse his interrogation called forth, and repeated it on every possible occasion, in spite of such answers as,

"Mind your own business"; "I'm not saved; and I hate the very sight of you," and so on.

But the Holy Spirit was working in young Trevor's heart, convicting him of sin, and showing him his need of salvation, until he became thoroughly miserable, and, at last, determined, to leave that college and remove to one at B—, where he thought he would see life, and forget all that was troubling him. Before he had quite decided on this course, he went to visit his sister, who had lately been married, and resided some little distance off. He spent a very pleasant day until towards evening, when they were sitting together in the garden, and she remarked,

"What do you think, Trevor? the clergyman here asked me the other day, was I saved." She was not prepared for the effect her words produced on her brother.

"Bosh!" he exclaimed angrily. "Is that rubbish to follow me everywhere?" rising, almost determined at once to depart. She saw the subject was not pleasant to him, and immediately changed it. Soon after, he had to take leave of them; but the subject haunted him in the train; and when he arrived at the college, he at once wrote to arrange for his transfer to B—. The day came on which he was to leave, and, going up to the old man, he said bitterly,

"Look here; it is all your fault that I am leaving here, and if I go to the bad at B—you will have to answer for it."

"My Master wants you on His side," was the quiet reply, "and I believe you soon will be."

"Not I, indeed," was the only answer Trevor vouchsafed, as he strode away more incensed than ever. In this mood he got into the train and tried to anticipate the fun he would have at B—, for he had made up his mind to drown his unwelcome conviction in every pleasure and amusement that came in his way.

It was a long journey, and his fellow-passengers changed and re-changed without his paying much attention to them, until at last he found himself alone with an elderly man, who seemed to be observing him attentively. He was particularly fine-looking, and his noble face and manly bearing attracted young Trevor, when he suddenly leaned over, and, looking him full in the face, said, in a tone of earnest inquiry,

"Young man, are you saved?"

Those hated words again. Was he never to escape from them? Surprise and vexation were clearly depicted in his face and tone as he curtly answered "No," and turned all his attention to the passing scenery. But his companion was not to be silenced thus, and, by a few questions, drew from him the circumstances of his journey, and his intentions to seek forgetfulness of it all in sin.

We need not record all their conversation; but the light shone into Trevor's heart, and he passed "from death unto life." He saw his need of a righteousness outside himself, and how the Lord Jesus Christ had met that need, had borne his sins, and had made an atonement for them. Taking his place as a sinner, and believing in the work of Christ for him, he left the train a forgiven and justified soul, henceforth to live, not unto himself, but "unto Him who died for him, and rose again."

A short time after, he was struck with Mark 8:19,

"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee."

It seemed a message to him. While waiting for guidance in the matter, he received a pressing invitation to visit some relatives who lived not far from his home, and, taking this as an answer to prayer, he accepted it. A goodly number of guests were present on the evening of his arrival, among them his mother; and, after dinner, she had the joy of hearing him tell them of God's dealings with him. God blessed this confession in a remarkable way: many were awakened, and ere the close of his visit, he had been the means of leading several to Jesus. He gave up his military ambitions, and is today an earnest and devoted servant of God, having been instrumental in the conversion of hundreds of souls.

Here let me ask you the old soldier's question,

"Are you saved?"

Have you seen yourself in the light of God's Word—a sinful, helpless creature; and, realizing the depth of your need, have you taken the Lord Jesus as your Savior? In Christ there is pardon, acceptance, and peace for you. Outside Christ there is no mercy, no salvation, no hope. O, do not delay; your time may be shorter than you think. Just now, take the sinner's place, and claim the sinner's Savior

"BEHOLD, now is the accepted time;
BEHOLD, now is the day of salvation."

2 Cor. 6:2.

The Attractions of Christ

When first I heard of Jesus' name,
I then for refuge only came;
I heard that He for sinners died
And from His Heart and wounded side
Had shed the water and the blood,
To wash and make me fit for God.

I've found Him meet my every need,
That He a Savior is indeed;
Each rising want has been supplied,
Whene'er to Him I have applied;
He is of grace the treasury
All fullness dwells in Him for me.

Since then, I have such glories viewed
In Him, who has my surety stood;
Such beauties, human and divine,
In all His words and actions shine;
That now I sing with rapturous heart,
"Thou altogether lovely art."

Yet all He is, He is for me,
So meek in all His majesty,
So tender in almightiness,
So sympathizing in distress;
So liberal—all He has He gave,
Yea, e'en Himself, my soul to save.

Only the Bible!

"Saved! I should not like to say that. How can anyone know for a certainty that he is saved?"

"But if God Himself told you, would you believe Him?"

"Yes, certainly, if God told me, I should believe Him."

"And God that told you that you may know that you are saved," I said.

The lady to whom I was speaking looked at me as if she expected some supernatural visitation, and I cannot depict her disappointed countenance, nor soon forget her dissatisfied murmuring,

"What, only the Bible!" as I opened the book by which God speaks to us.

"The Bible, dear friend, is the Word of the living God; it testifies to the finished work of His Son, and Jesus says to you in the Bible,

`Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.' John 5:24.

It is only the Bible which says to you,

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31, and which warns you,

"He that believeth not is condemned already."

It is `only the Bible' to which the trembling believer can look for the knowledge of peace with God. It is 'only the Bible' which will survive the wreck of this world's grandeur and greatness, for God says,

"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall not pass away." Matt. 24:25.

I pray you, take your stand upon the only rock that will never be moved. Receive the declaration of "forgiveness of sins" from the word of the living God.

"Through this man (Christ Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all that believe are justified from all things." Acts 13:38:

May you, dear friend, credit every word in the Bible, and, looking away from yourself, you shall be able, by the grace of God, to say,

"I know that I am saved; God has told me."

"The Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:25.

"Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven." Psa. 119:89.

"Only a Leaf."

"Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro?" Job 13:25.

I saw a tiny leaf torn from the branch on which it grew, blown over the fence, driven to and fro, until at last it found a sheltered corner and lay at rest.

I stood on a country railway station platform waiting for the train, when a sheriff came up leading a young man who was handcuffed. The young man had committed a crime, and was to pay the penalty for his folly. As we stood there, I noticed a tear start from under his eyelid and trickle down his sun burnt face. My heart went out in pity for him; and I thought perhaps he was not always homeless, unloved, unkempt. He was not always friendless, for his mother once caressed her little boy; and if she still lived, she still yearned over him.

A leaf driven to and fro. Job asks the question, "Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro?" Ah, the world would break it; the world will keep a man down when once he is down. Go to the public-houses or the corner of the streets in any city, and you will find numbers of young fellows driven to and fro—no resting place—at the mercy of the wind. Go to the police courts and the prison gates, see the leaves driven to and fro. And what will the world do? Only break them. But put the question to my precious Savior:

"Wilt Thou break a leaf driven to and fro?" Hear the answer:

"God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:17.

Are you driven to and fro? There is refuge in Jesus.

You have read how the Pharisees brought to Him a poor woman taken in adultery. She was a leaf driven to and fro, and they wanted to break her; they wanted to stone her; but Jesus, so full of love, rebukes them, and tells the poor trembling soul to go her way and sin no more. Praise Him!

There hung at the Savior's side on a cross at Calvary a dying thief—he had been a leaf driven to and fro—and now man would crush and break him. God had decreed that the soul that sins must die; and men in authority must execute that decree. With his latest breath he asked, as it were, "Wilt Thou break a leaf driven to and fro?" Because the Lord Jesus was Himself bearing the terrible judgment for sin, He could justly come out in mighty love, speak this comforting promise,

"Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise."

Reader, are you a leaf thus driven? Seek refuge from the coming storm in Jesus.

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

You who are the Lord's and seek to serve Him, step from the home of love and comfort to the edge of the forest of human life. See the tender leaves snatched from their branches and hurled by the whirlwind of folly out into the ocean. of sin and vice. Will you break them? Hear them call. Carry the gospel to them; they are crushed by the tempter; let us seek to bring them to Christ, who came into the world to save sinners.

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

The Sentinel's Answer

During the American War, Mr. George N. Stuart, an earnest missionary, had to pass through the camp between the lines one night. The sentinel challenged him to give the password. Mr. Stuart answered,

"Chicago."

"Wrong," said the sentinel. "Go back to headquarters and get the right word, it would be death to me to let you pass without it."

In a short time the missionary again approached the sentinel, and again the question was asked,

"What is your password?"

"Massachusetts" was the reply and instantly the sentinel lowered his rifle, and he was allowed to pass. Turning to the young soldier the missionary said,

"You were properly anxious about me having the right password before you would allow me to pass; may I ask now, have you the right password for heaven?"

"Thank God I have, sir," said the brave young soldier with a smile, "The Precious Blood of Christ."

Yes, indeed, and there is no other password will avail to open the pearly gate to you, reader.

"Religion" will be of no avail. "Morality" will not let you pass.

"Churchman" has no weight with heaven's sentinels, nor "Dissenter" either. Sinners who trust in these and such like, and hope by using them to gain a place in heaven, will be turned from its portals, into the outer darkness—the wailing of the lost. No name but Christ's is known in heaven; no password is owned except "The Precious Blood of Christ."

Is this your password, reader? Is it by this and this alone, that you expect to enter heaven? Do not make the fatal, yet alas, common mistake, of adding to the "Precious Blood of Christ" some work or merit of your own. Not "The Blood" and prayers, not a tear of penitence added. Let it be "The Precious Blood of Christ" alone. Can you say,

His precious "Name" my only boast,
His "Blood" my only plea;
My password to the realms of bliss,
That Jesus died for me.

"It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11.

"Choose," "Boast Not," "Seek"

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve." Josh. 24:15.

"How long halt ye between two opinions?" 1 Kings 18:21.

"Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:1.

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near." Isa. 55:6.

"HE WAS WOUNDED
FOR OUR
TRANSGRESSIONS,
HE WAS BRUISED
FOR OUR
INIQUITIES:
THE CHASTISEMENT
OF OUR PEACE
WAS UPON HIM:
AND WITH HIS STRIPES
WE ARE HEALED."
Isa. 53:5

October

The Backwoodsman and His Message

One summer's evening the writer was crossing Lake Ontario. In Toronto Bay were numbers of smart pleasure craft sailing to and fro in the breeze. As we watched, the scene lit up with splendor by the setting sun, there was a sudden cry. One of the brisk little vessels had capsized, and its white sail now lay extended on the surface of the lake. Three men with pallid faces were seen to be clinging to the boat for dear life. Our captain turned his ship in their direction, and gladly they allowed themselves to be saved from their danger by strong arms stretched out to their aid, not caring even to look again at their frail craft which soon would have dragged them to a watery grave.

Looking back over the years that have passed since this incident, he is reminded of the far greater risks, he, for a long time ran, of an infinitely worse fate. For many years he went on careless and indifferent to his danger, and of God's righteous claims. But there came a time when concern for these things began to arouse him; he began to attend religious services and to attempt reformation, hoping thus to atone in some measure for the sins of the past.

Becoming interested in Christian work, he identified himself with any effort put forth in the Name of Christ, and began to be satisfied with himself, feeling certain that God would see that he was seeking to serve Him and be propitiated, not knowing either the fact or the import of.

"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 4:10.

There came to him a great sorrow. Health broke down, and life became a burden as a result.' When weak and ill, serious thoughts about his soul's eternal welfare kept coming before him. In the hour of darkness and trial, when Eternity seemed near, he realized that in all his self-effort he was but clinging, like the capsized men, to a frail baroque that might drag him beyond hope.

He had come under the care of a Christian lady nurse, who, well knowing him to be religious, soon perceived his true condition, and that there was "one thing lacking." She persuaded him to take a trip to where a plain backwoodsman was preaching the Gospel to large crowds.

On a certain day he found himself in a crowded hall listening to the "old, old story" as he had never before heard it proclaimed. As the preacher fearlessly pleaded with sinful men, and exposed the sham and futility of any effort that could be made by man to obtain Salvation, the truth dawned upon him that only through what Christ had done could he obtain peace with God. The text was John 1:36,

"Behold the Lamb of God."

As the preacher explained that Christ Himself became the sin bearer as He hung on Calvary's tree.

"Who His own self bear our sins in His own body on the Tree." 1 Peter 1:24.

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down on the right hand of God." Heb. 10:12, and that through faith in His atoning work all might receive Eternal Life as God's "free gift,"

"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23, he was able to trust alone in the efficacy of "the Blood of the Lamb." All things became new, and like the great apostle of old, he now cried,

"Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"

The apathy and spiritual darkness prevailing, determined him to devote himself to the work of preaching the Gospel, his one desire to point sinners to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only refuge from the storm of wrath, so soon to burst upon this guilty world.

Flee to Christ, from the wrath to come.

Loving Savior, I Accept Thee

In one of the big public wards of a general hospital, amidst all the suffering and pain, a man lay dying.

He seemed at last to realize his condition, realize how very near he was to eternal judgment, and he was almost paralyzed with fear, his shrieks and groans frightening everyone in the ward. In vain the nurse tried to quiet him, soothing him with physical remedies and giving drugs to deaden the pain. He would lie quiet for a little while, and then, as if his soul could not rest, he would start again crying,

"Hell, hell, hell; do not let them take me, hold me fast, hold me fast; I do not want to die; they are coming—hell, hell, hell." He grew almost frantic. The nurse went over and took his hand.

"Hush," she whispered, "hush, remember Christ died to save sinners."

"Yes, but not me, not me; I am too bad."

"No, He died to save you. If your sins were scarlet as blood, yet shall they be white as snow."

"O," he said, "pray for me, pray for me." It was as if the truth was penetrating through the dulled fever-stricken brain, as if God in His wonderful mercy was giving this dying man a clear vision; and when the nurse slowly murmured over him,

"O Christ, save this man; O! help him, Lord Jesus," he lay still with his hands folded.

"Nurse," he cried suddenly, "are you quite sure that Christ died for me, quite sure there is hope?"

"Yes," she answered, firmly and slowly, "quite sure Christ died for you, and if you accept Him, your soul shall surely live." He lay quite still for a time, and then looking up he whispered gently,

"Christ, loving Savior, I accept Thee, I accept Thee."

Then remorse seemed suddenly to fill his soul.

"O that I could live for Him, that I could be more worthy. Is there no hope, can I not live for Him?" The nurse shook her head.

"You will go to Him instead," she whispered.

Some of the other patients had come to the bedside, and seeing them he cried,

"Young men, turn from your wicked ways while there is yet time, accept and live for Christ our Savior!"

The strength which had been for a moment vouchsafed, began to fail him, his eyelids closed, and he lay quite still with a quiet smile on his face, and hands clasped.

After a while the eyes again opened, and with a bright look he whispered,

"Now, I die happy, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; loving Savior, I commit my soul to Thee."

The weary eyelids closed again for the last time, and shortly after, very quietly, the newborn spirit left the wasted body to find its true Home, and see the precious Savior face to face.

Reader, have you accepted that loving Savior?

"Behold the Lamb! 'tis He
who bore My sins upon the tree;
And cleared by death the dreadful score,
The guilt that lay on me."

Fragment

The blood, that justified God in pardoning me, has shut my mouth from saying a word for myself, and opened it to say much for God, and the Lord Jesus.

He Is Our Peace

He is our peace—O burdened soul,
Look unto Christ and be made whole;
O weary one, thy strivings cease,
For Christ is our eternal peace.

For God so loved the world He gave
His only Son our souls to save;
By His own blood, wrought our release,
From every sin-He is our peace.

To God, He hath us reconciled,
On to His home He leads His child;
Soon every sin and sorrow cease,
We'll be at home—He is our peace.

And though the way be sometimes rough,
In Christ our Lord we have enough;
In God's own house there's sweet release,
For Jesus is our rest and peace.

I long to see my blessed Lord,
I love to read God's holy word.
In heaven our joys shall never cease.
We'll dwell with Christ-He is our peace.

O come, Lord Jesus, quickly come,
And take Thy waiting people home:
In heaven, all sin and sorrow cease,
And tears shall fade-He is our peace.

There, God shall wipe all tears away,
No night shall come, but endless day;
Our thanks we give for this release,
And praise to Christ—He is our peace.

What Do You Believe in?

I cannot forget the confusion into which I saw a conceited young fellow thrown once when he turned to an aged minister, and, as if challenging discussion, said,

"I am told that you believe in the inspiration of the whole Bible." The good man answered quietly,

"O yes, my friend. What do you believe in?" A little laugh covered the defeat; but he continued,

"But you certainly know what the great scholars say about it?" when again the same calm answer met him.

"Somewhat; but what did they say to you about your soul?" Now the inquirer grew restive.

"They say you are leading men along with a farthing taper in your lantern." To this the aged preacher only said,

"Do they say men would see any better if we would let them put the taper out?"

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes." Psa. 19:7, 8

Twice Enlisted

It has been given to few to start life under more favorable circumstances than the subject of this story. His father was a devoted preacher of the Gospel, and his mother a woman of choice spirit. From infancy right on through childhood and boyhood he was surrounded by the most helpful influences, and shielded from all the coarser side of life. No book was so familiar to him as the Bible; no stories were so fascinating as those he had learnt at his mother's knee. Up to his teens everything in his surroundings ministered to his happiness and well-being, and when he entered college, his future was bright with promise.

At first, notwithstanding parental warnings, he was greatly shocked as he was made acquainted with form of vice hitherto unknown to him. He became the sport of older fellows who delighted to play upon his sensitive nature. Others resented his aloofness, and called him "a cad" because he refused to fall into line with them. Others told him he wasn't playing the game, until, at last, his defenses gave way—he hated to be singular—and step by step he went down to their level!

He no longer read his Bible. He was laughed out of saying his prayers, and by degrees he shed all the old truths he had been taught, and when he left school and returned home he had no further use for religion. His father hoped he would follow him in service for the Lord, but this he flatly refused, and to the grief of his parents he disappeared!

Long months passed before they heard from him months of untold sorrow and anxiety, also months of unceasing prayer. How those prayers were answered remains to be told.

When the prodigal set out for the far country, it was with the determination to get away from religion, and thinking the army the most likely place, he enlisted! But the very first night in the barrack-room gave him the shock of his life. At the cot next to his a Christian soldier was kneeling in prayer! He could scarcely believe his eyes. A "Tommy" praying in a barrack-room.

Immediately his conscience smote him, and he knew that he, too, ought to be on his knees. The days that followed were days of conflict. Memory was haunting him with pictures of the old home. Texts from the Bible flashed before him. Conscience lashed him wherever he went. But he had enlisted to get rid of religion, so he fought his conscience, and tried to silence it. He would have his way!

Never once had his parents lost faith in prayer, and unceasingly they had cried to God on behalf of their erring boy. How their prayers were answered would, take a long time to tell, but the Christian soldier in the next cot was most used to win back the wanderer. By earnest pleading, by constant prayer, and by a consistent life, he had done his utmost to save his chum from disaster, and at last he had the joy of leading him to Christ. In the 'far country" of degrading sin, he had come to himself. Realizing the enormity of his sin, he cried to God for forgiveness—a cry God loves to hear; and through faith on the Lord Jesus Christ he passed from the bondage of Sin and Satan, into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

Great was the joy in the old home. What mattered that their son had enlisted as a common soldier, since he had now enlisted as a "good soldier of Jesus Christ?" (2 Tim. 2:3). "He was lost, but is found!"

"The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Five Whosoevers

"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

Here is God's "whosever" of love—here is a free and a full invitation to anyone who will receive it. Have you, dear reader, put your name in place of this "whosoever," and can you say,

"I believe I have eternal life, because God says it"?

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom. 10:13.

This "whosoever," like the last, is for all, if they will have it. However good, however bad men may be, "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

"Whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:15.

Here is the same word "whosoever" as before, but in those who are of the "whosoever’s" of the two verses already quoted, will not be found in the "whosoever’s" of the solemn passage. But woe to them that reject God's well-beloved Son, for, whosoever they may be, they will be here. Not to receive eternal life? No, but to be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death."

"Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." Rev. 22:15.

These are found outside, when those who have received Christ are within the city, having right to the tree of life.

Before God closes His book He sends out once more the loving invitation,

"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

This is as it were, God's last offer of mercy. It is for you, reader, if still unsaved. Will you not come and take the water of life, (salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ) which God offers "freely"? The time is short; the Lord is soon coming.

The Sun and the Window

The sinner's faith adds nothing to the Gospel, any more than the windows of our houses add to the light of the sun. The sun shines for everybody. My window lets the light into my room, so that I enjoy it and am warmed by it.

In like manner the sun of divine grace is shining for everyone. Faith is the window which lets the light and warmth of it into the soul of a sinner. If you appreciate that grace, and rejoice in it as the only thing that could possibly meet the need of your soul, you need have no question as to the nature of your faith.

"The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that believe." Rom. 3:22.

I Looked to Jesus

I looked to Jesus in my sin,
My woe and want confessing;
Undone, and lost, I came to Him,
I sought, and found a blessing.

I looked to Jesus on the Cross;
For me I saw Him dying;
God's Word believed—that all my sins
Were there upon Him lying.

I looked to Jesus there on high,
From death up-raised to glory;
I trusted in His power to save,
Believed the old, old story.

He looked on me—O, look of love!
My heart by it was broken;
And with that look of love He gave
The Holy Spirit's token.

Now one with Christ, I find my peace
In Him to be abiding;
And in His love for all my need,
In child-like faith confiding.

'THE LORD JESUS SHALL BE REVEALED FROM HEAVEN WITH HIS MIGHTY ANGELS; IN FLAMING FIRE TAKING VENGEANCE ON THEM 'AT KNOW NOT GOD AND THAT OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL OF. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." 2 Thess. 1:7, 8

November

A Rare Find

We hear of fortunate men who, now and then, make wonderful finds. It is a rich pocket or vein of gold, or some jewel of great value, or some invention worth millions, or some sudden and fabulous rise in the value of an estate. Men who love money are ever on the alert in the hope of such a find for themselves. They will stake much of present comforts and necessities, if it but offer them a ray of hope for such a find.

Strange to say, this strong desire after rare and valuable finds which is almost universal in men, seems to be but a counterpart of what is true of God Himself.

What, you say, God after rare finds? What does He care for gold, and silver, and jewels, and rich estates? He could sweep man off the earth in an instant of time and have it all to Himself alone!

True, very true. So that is not the sphere in which God looks for rare finds. He looks for sinners, and when He has found one, it is great delight to Him—more delight than to a money-lover who finds millions.

Sinners! Why, man, the world is full of them. It is good people you have to hunt for; not sinners. Sinners are at your elbow everywhere.

Well, I was traveling by rail recently, and I met a man who had been spending the previous night in drunkenness and carousal. I asked him if he thought such a life as that entitled him to a place in heaven.

"O, we are all sinners," he replied.

"Yes," I said, "but what about you, your own self? Other people being sinners will not help you at the bar of God. You will not be arraigned there for your neighbor's sins but for your own, and your own only. What will you, answer there for your ways of the past night?"

And what do you think he said? Did he own his sin and confess his wickedness in the sight of God? No! Here is what he said,

"I'm not so bad as some church members I know."

He was not a sinner yet in his own estimation. He was not ready yet to take his place among those lost people whom the Lord Jesus came to seek and save.

"This is a faithful saying," says one of these, "and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:15.

"They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:31, 32.

This man, though vile in character, was not yet "lost." He was not yet "sick." He needed not yet to be "saved." He was still more righteous than some church members he knew.

Reader, are you like that, or are you like the publican, smiting his breast and praying,

"God be merciful to me, a sinner?" Luke 18:13.

Or again like the woman at Sychar's well who found out what a guilty sinner she was and then what a Savior Jesus is? They were both among the rare finds the Son of God sought after when He was here, and is still seeking from the place of glory where He is now.

O, reader, do you not desire to be saved by the Savior of sinners?

"God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

My Life Is Lost!

Great indeed is the grace of God in saving those who through a long life have gone on without Him in the world.

Such it was in the case of an aged nobleman. He was eighty-five when he turned to God from his idols. Then his conversion was manifestly real and soon Christian friends were gathered around him.

At times they would refer to the mercy of his Maker who had borne so long with his sinful wandering from Him and saved him in the extremity of his age. But this always brought a sadness to cloud his face and he would answer,

"I am indeed a miracle of grace, but it almost breaks my heart to think that while my soul is saved, my life is lost.

"Saved so as by fire." Saved, but nothing to show for all the labor of the many years he had spent. All vanished from view. The gold, the glamour, the glory of the world, all gone.

O! come to Christ now. Yield your life to Christ now. Live for Christ now and your life will not be lost.

"I am crucified with Christ: never less I live: yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Gal. 2:20.

The Sergeant's Story

Dear Friends: I will tell you the story of the Lord's dealings with me, and how He brought me to Himself.

When I was quite a boy, I often thought about the things of God. My mother was a true Christian, and she took me with her when I was very young to hear the Gospel preached, but I am sorry to say that at the time I had little heart for such things.

When I was twelve or thirteen years of age I began to be really anxious about my soul. There was a great struggle went on for some time within me; the Spirit of God was striving with me; but I quickly stifled my convictions, and settled down into carelessness again. It was just then that several of my schoolmates died, and again I was aroused to think about my soul. Death and the judgment were before me also. I knew that I was unprepared to meet them, and my sleepless nights were spent in thinking of how I could meet God. O how long-suffering was the Lord! He might have cut me down as a cumberer of the ground, and if He had, my soul would have been lost forever.

Dear reader, do not trifle with the living God. He spared me, but hundreds have been cut down. Do not count upon His long-suffering, or continue in your rejection of His Son. A few years later, I left the home of my childhood, and soon after joined the army. The "way of transgressors is hard," and so I found it. Careless and Christ-less, my life sped on. The Bible my mother gave me on leaving home was neglected-never once opened.

A younger brother had become a Christian, and he, along with several others, were praying for my soul's salvation. I was at home on leave, and while I was living with this brother, a lady spoke to me about my soul. She said,

"It is mean of you to serve the devil, and then give the last few days of your life to God."

That struck me forcibly, and I could not shake off the thought. But then, what was I to do? My time was up, and I had to join my regiment. My anxiety deepened; I knew that I was lost, and Satan did his utmost to keep me so. Many a weary hour I spent pacing to and fro, and wondering what I could do to find rest.

Many from my regiment were leaving for the War. I volunteered to go, in hope that the excitement and the change would take away my thoughts of death and the judgment; but the Lord, whose eye was upon His wandering sheep, prevented my going.

By a simple accident my wrist was sprained, and the enforced relief from active duty gave me time to ponder over my past life. One Sunday evening I went to hear the Gospel. The preacher` came up at the close, and spoke to me of Jesus. Just then a verse I had heard years before came to my mind. It was this,

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our inequities." Isa. 53:5.

Could it be possible that the Son of God had died for me? Yes, so it said; and I believed on Him there and then. I saw that my salvation was in Christ alone, and I knew that everlasting life was mine, because the Word of Him who cannot lie had said it (John 3:36; 5:24).

I went to the barracks that night with a settled peace filling my soul. Jesus is mine, and He has kept me and sustained me from day to day, and

"Soon He will come,
And take me safe home,
And make me to sit
With Himself on His throne."

Dear young friends, remember your time on earth is short. Swiftly, though silently, you are being borne on to eternity. Have you ever quietly considered where you are to spend it? Pause and think. The Son of God has died that you might live. He shed His blood -for your salvation.

"The blood of Jesus Christ, (God's Son) cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

"It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." Lev. 17:11.

Sin

"Sin is lawlessness" 1 John 3:4. (N. T.).

"All unrighteousness is sin." 1 John 5:17.

"A high look, and a proud heart... is sin." Prov. 21:4.

"The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.

"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.

"To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

Perhaps. . . He Will Receive Me

The son of an African chief lay dying in his hut. Often had he listened as the missionaries had told the story of the love of God. As yet it seemed to have found no entrance, and now as he was about to pass into eternity he had no hope. He said he knew he was about to die, and that he was not ready to meet God.

Once more the message was given. Once more the finished work of the Son of God, and the cleansing power of His precious blood was presented. Once more the Savior's readiness to pardon was told, and then, as the light shone in, he said,

"I am so ill now, that have no strength to receive Jesus, but perhaps, if I allow Him, He will receive me."

Thank God, Christ receives all who come to Him. And even a look to Him is salvation. Still His message is,

"Look unto Me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth."

There is no "perhaps" about it. It is a divine certainty. The next day he said,

"I am going home to God."

May we not hope that Christ received him even at the last. He lived amidst the appalling corruption of heathenism, and his mind had long been darkened by sin and fetishism. His responsibility was far less than yours or mine. We have had training and opportunities which he never knew.

How have we answered to them? Have we taken all as a matter of course, and never really received Jesus Christ the Lord?

The Lord Jesus warned those who had had privileges less than we have, that "many would come from the east and from the west" and sit down at the feast of blessing, and that they, who thought themselves sure of being included, would be cast out.

O! think of it seriously now.

What will it be for you to be "cast out?"

"Cast out" from peace and joy everlasting.

"Cast out" from the light and love and glory of heaven.

"Cast out" with nothing but eternal night before you.

Come to the Savior now. He will welcome' you and will not cast you out.

"If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
Not till earth and not till heaven
Pass away."

Do you say, "But I am such a sinner?" Then you may claim Christ for yourself. It is written and written for you,

"This man receiveth sinners."

He is the Sinner's Savior. It was for sinners He suffered at Calvary. Did He not save Saul of Tarsus, "the chief" of sinners? Then He can and will save you, if you come to Him.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

Therefore He came to save you.

You Must Meet God

You must meet with God! Are you ready? You may try to avoid Him while you live, but you must meet Him when you die. You must meet Him as you emerge from "the dark valley" and the "swellings of Jordan!" You will meet by His appointment, for "it is appointed unto men to die." God knows, and has settled the very day and hour. He has not told you the time, and He may give no warning of its approach. Should not this move you to think of being prepared for it?

And mark, my friend, you will not meet Him as a mere unit in a crowd—you will not meet Him unnoticed in the multitude that throng the thoroughfare of death.

No! you must turn aside from all, and have a personal interview with God, the Judge of all.

We have seen many, as they departed from the land of the living unto the other world; but we were not permitted to look in after them, and ascertain the nature of that meeting; and as no one has returned to acquaint us with the solemnities of that interview, when we ourselves depart, the whole experience will be new to us.

Friend, soon your personal interview with the holy God will take place. Are you ready? Are you a new creature in Christ? Have you the wedding garment? A warning is sounding in your ears, listen to it. How deep is its voice, —"Prepare to meet thy God."

"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

Lasting Joy

A poor blind beggar hears that Jesus is passing, and cribs out to Him for mercy. All the suffering and agony and shame of the cross are at that time before the soul of Jesus. Will He listen to this cry of need? Ah, yes, His ear is ever open to such a desire! He delights to hear and answer.

Others may charge the poor blind man to "hold his peace," but not so the Lord Jesus. His word is,

"What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?" and that prayer then rises from the heart and lips of the blind man,

"Lord, that I might receive my sight."

It is a prayer which brings an immediate answer:

"Thy faith hath made thee whole."

It was faith in the power of Jesus to meet his need, and faith in the willingness of Jesus also; and it is faith like this, my reader, that will bring you the desired answer.

He can give you lasting joy. Do you believe it? He will give it you. Do you believe this also? Then turn to Him and thank Him for it, and then do as the once blind beggar—having received your sight, follow Jesus in the way.

"In Thy presence is fullness of joy, at Thy right hand are pleasures for ever more." Psa. 16:11.

An Unsaved Person, and a Saved One

An unsaved person is one who is in his sins; in Adam; in the world; out of Christ; on the road that leads to the Lake of Fire; ready for it, and deserving of it.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

A saved person is one who is not in his sins; out of Adam; out of the world; in Christ; on the road to Christ, and made fit for Him, though utterly undeserving of it.

Reader, in which condition are you?

"He that believeth on the Son, hath everlasting life." John 3:36.

Cheering Words

How sweet the cheering words,
"Whoever will" may come;
The door of mercy open stands,
As yet, there still is room.

'Tis the "accepted time."
The day of grace and love:
And God invites "whoever will"
His faithfulness to prove.

The Savior sits on high,
The proof that all is done;
And sinners, now, God can accept,
By virtue of His Son:

That Savior soon will rise,
And close the open door:
Then all who have refused to come,
Will hear of grace no more.

O God! to Thee we cry,
While Jesus still delays,
That Thou wouldst bring lost sinners nigh,
And save them by Thy grace.

"GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH ON HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE."

John 3:16.

December

Saved from Satan's Snare

In order to show the great blessing and influence for good which a consistent Christian may be, and how this may work for the glory of the name of Christ, I will relate what I know of a young man who now occupies an important position of trust in a large dry goods establishment.

"When I came from the country, to seek a situation, I was employed in a fashionable house of business, where a great many assistants were kept. I soon found out that the habits of the young men were frivolous and trifling. I had made up my mind in coming to the city to see a little more of the world than I had done, or could do, in my own little country town in the far north.

"Never having really felt my lost condition before God, nor my need of a Savior, and never having known His great love for me,

I was neither anxious nor troubled about my state. There was, however, one of the assistants in the store who often spoke to me about my soul's salvation. She was a very bright, consistent Christian, and her good influence was felt by many. She told me of the happiness and peace she had in following Jesus, and what a safeguard she had found it in business, surrounded as she was by many temptations, and by those who had no sympathy with her, and who made a mock at sin, calling it innocent amusement; and she warned me against the halls and theaters frequented by young men.

"One evening, which I believe was, in God's hands, the turning-point in my life's history, some of the young men told me they were going to a certain Hall after business, as something very attractive vas to be sung and performed there. Would I go with them, they asked? As yet I. had never been to such places, and had been laughed at for not going. I was much tempted to go and see for myself what it really was like; but the words of warning spoken to me against the places seemed to follow me. A struggle went on within me between conscience and inclination. Shall I go, or shall I not go?

When at last I was able, by God's grace, to say plainly and definitely,

“‘No, I shall never go to that Hall,' the temptation was gone, and I stood a free man and a victor. Thanks be to God!"

"Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!"

How true is the word of God,

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

"The next morning I told the Christian lady what a battle I had had, and how I had gained the victory over the temptation.

"O, I am glad," she said, "praise the Lord for answering my prayers. It was the Savior who helped you through; you did not know it." She was right. From that hour the Holy Spirit worked mightily in my heart, and humbled me in the dust before God; showing me that I was a great sinner, and that I could neither save myself from the power of sin, nor from its condemnation, but that I needed a Savior. I have found Him, or rather, I should say,

He has found me, and has put my feet in His way, and guides me onward.

"When I look back on the past, I ponder over what might have been, if I had gone that night to the Hall with companions in folly. I feel confident I should have plunged into a life of wickedness, for the drinking, gambling, and smoking in which they indulge, combined with the influence of the companions they meet there, all work together towards certain ruin.

“‘Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' Gal. 6:7.

"I can bear my most solemn testimony that 'Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.' " 1 Tim. 4:8.

Not for You!

"I am not a sinner," says one, "for I go to church, and pay my way, and do the best I can. You have no business to call me `unrighteous'; I'm the very opposite of that."

Scripture replies, in the words of the Lord Jesus,"

"I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matt. 9:13.

No Savior then for you!

"I am not so bad as my neighbors," says another. "I am more respectable, I am a teetotaler, and never use bad language as So-and-So does. Yes, thank God, I'm not as other men are!"

Scripture replies, "He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are! extortionists, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." Luke 18:9-14.

Yes, righteous, respectable, religious reader, no Justification for you!

"O," says a third, "it's true I am not what I ought to be, but I am going to turn over a new leaf, and serve God better, and keep His commandments. If I do my best, God will doubtless be satisfied."

Scripture replies: "By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight." Rom. 3:20.

No Justification then for you!

"Of course I am a sinner," says a fourth, "we are all sinners. But God is merciful, and so I hope all will come right in the end."

Scripture replies: "Without shedding of blood is no remission." Heb. 9:22.

Yes, you who are trusting to God's mercy, apart from the atoning blood of Christ, no remission for you!

Says a fifth: "Indeed I am a sinner, and a great one, too. I've tried again and again to mend my ways, but I haven’t succeeded; I have got no strength left. If I got what I deserved I should be in hell this moment."

Ah, what does Scripture reply to such an one? Blessed news!

"Deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom." Job 33:24. Yes, there is salvation for you.

Do you say you are a sinner? "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

You are strength-less? "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

Hell-deserving? God has found a Ransom for all, therefore for such as you.

O, my reader, if you want to be saved, you must abandon your vaunted righteousness and respectability, and take your place among the wretched and hell-deserving ones. In their company the blessed Savior, while on earth, was to be found avoiding the self-righteous and self-satisfied. He rejoiced to be among publicans and sinners, in order to bless them. (Matt. 9:10; Luke 15:1,2; Luke 19:7).

"Not by works of righteousness which we have dole, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:5.

Only a Tract

It is only a tract—you may tear it
And crumble it in your hand;
The wind as it passes, may bear it
And scatter it over the land.

It is only a tract—you may spurn it
And deem it unworthy a thought;
May ridicule, trample and burn it,
Despise it and set it at naught.

It is only a tract, but it telleth
Of happiness, holiness, heaven,
Where God in eternity dwelleth
With sinners His love has forgiven.

It speaks of a future in heaven:
Of present enjoyment and bliss:
And will you neglect such a story
So loving, so joyous as this?

It whispers, no matter how hardened,
No matter how vile you have been,
You may at this moment be pardoned
And saved from the bondage of sin.

It points to the Substitute dying,
The Sinless for sinners like you.
O! soul, on His merits relying,
Come, prove that its message is true.

It is but a tract, yet its warning
Is whispered like Jesus' own voice:
And now at thy acceptance or scorning,
Either heaven or hell will rejoice.

No Time to Be Lost

"He has had time for everything." Such were the few but serious words of a Christian at the funeral of one who had died suddenly.

He had reached the full limit of human life, and consequently had had more than one opportunity to settle the most important of all questions affecting humanity.

He had had plenty of time to eat and drink, to buy and sell, to amuse himself and to live in the midst of abundance; yes, for all that and much more. He had had time to look into the future, and to ask himself how he stood as to eternity. He had had time to repent, to believe, to be pardoned, to become a child of God, and to live for His glory. But had he done all these things?

Reader, I am sure that you also have had the time for these questions, have you not? I do not know your age, but it is not necessary to be advanced in years to need salvation. No, it is a question which should be settled immediately. Every moment that passes, makes it more serious and more pressing. Look the future in the face. If you are not saved, all is dark and full of uncertainty. You know that you have sinned, and do you not fear meeting God in your sins?

Many have the thought that they will be converted before they die. They speak, to quiet their consciences, of the Master calling laborers for His vineyard at the eleventh hour—they would fain amuse themselves during the ten preceding hours and they fancy that the few last moments will suffice to be occupied with their eternal salvation —What a terrible snare of the devil! What irrational reasoning!

There are two prime reasons which overturn this pretext for delaying conversion. The first is that in no place in Scripture is mention made of the eleventh hour for salvation. It proclaims loudly a present salvation, and each of its proclamations imply that it must be now or never, and Scripture cannot contradict itself.

In the passage to which reference is made, it is workmen employed in the vineyard that is in view, and not sinners in their sins. It is a householder seeking workmen, and not a Savior seeking sinners (Matt. 20); and a sinful man, as such, cannot be a servant of God. The difference is of all importance.

In the second place, supposing that it is salvation that is in question, who can say that it is not now the eleventh hour of his life?

Besides, the fact is that no one had engaged these laborers—they had been all the day doing nothing—and note too that they accept the first offer. They do not hesitate a moment, who can say that they had time and time again refused the offer of salvation? Reader, is it not your case?

God presses souls to decide immediately; and frequently warns them of the consequence of delay.

"Son remember that thou in thy life time receivest thy good things * * * but now thou art tormented." Luke 16:25.

Reader, I beseech you, do not despise these appeals: these exhortations; these warnings; these proofs even; are intended to urge you to repentance. Will it soon be said to your soul in response to all that you can advance;

"Remember?"

What remorse will pierce the soul before such remembrances!

"I have had plenty of time, yes, plenty of time," the agonized soul will say; well then make use of this time now. The moment which follows may be "too late." It does not belong to you. Are you a sinner? Come to Christ. Are you a great sinner?

Come to Christ. Are your sins like crimson and red like scarlet? Come to Christ; He is fully sufficient for all. But come now, yes now.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3.

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isa. 1:18.

Safe, Then Happy

"O, sir, I think I understand the Gospel now, and believe it, yet I am not as happy as I expected."

"Why, friend, remember, it is not written, `He that believeth, and is happy, shall be saved,' but, 'Whosoever believeth shall be saved,' whether happy or not. The great thing is to be saved; and when we know that we are safe in Jesus, we are sure to be happy.

Suppose, now, that you were in debt, and in fear about it, not being able to pay it, and suppose I should say, I am sorry to see you in this state, let us try to cheer you up by singing some cheerful hymn. Would you not reply,

"That will not do; you might make me happy for a little, but that would not pay my debt."

What is wanted is to know that the debt is paid, when that is done, you are safe, and are sure to be happy.

Has not Jesus paid the debt; answered for you sins; met all claims against you? Is not God glorified by the work of Christ?

And what has glorified Him, ought to satisfy you.

"O, trust in Christ; reckon yourself free from guilt and wrath, through what He did and suffered."

"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18.

Judgment

You may mock at the sound of that word judgment; you may laugh at the bare mention of eternity, and smile scornfully at those who would urge upon you the fearful reality of the lake of fire; but remember that that blessed Savior who now offers you a present and eternal salvation through faith in His finished work, also warns you of "the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Mark 9:44.

A bold infidel, who had professed to not believe in the eternal punishment of the wicked, lay on his dying bed. He was about to take a fearful leap in the dark. He shuddered as he stood on the threshold of the unseen world. He had tried to reason himself into the thought that there was no future, but his infidelity could not carry him further than the grave; and now, as he stood with one foot in that grave, with the cold sweat of death upon his brow, the dark thought kept haunting his troubled mind that it might be true after all.

"Ah," thought he, "if hell is a reality after all, what a fool have I been all my life long in rejecting salvation through the blood of Christ."

Just as he was about to expire, he exclaimed,

"I would gladly give $50,000, yes, all I possess, if I could have it proved to my satisfaction that there is no such place as hell."

With these words on his lips, he passed into eternity.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked." He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness. And tell me now, dear reader, if you were to be judged according to your works, would you not be condemned?

"That is just what troubles me," I hear you say; "I am a sinner, and a great one, too; I am guilty before God—what is to be done?''

"Nothing that you can do, will put away your sins, for your very best works are as filthy rags in God's sight. Your prayers, your works have no efficacy in them. But listen,

"GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US." Rom. 5:8.

Yes, wondrous, blessed truth, God loves you notwithstanding your sins. He does not love your sins, He loves you; but great as His love to you,. He could not have you in His holy presence with one spot of sin upon you, and therefore,

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

This is enough. Christ has died. He has borne those scarlet sins in His own body on the tree, so that God can now righteously proclaim to you the present and eternal forgiveness of all your sins through the finished work of Christ, for "by Him, Jesus, all that believe are justified from all things." (Acts 13:39).

"VERILY, VERILY
I SAY UNTO YOU,
HE THAT HEARETH
MY WORD,
AND BELIEVETH
ON HIM THAT SENT ME,
HATH EVERLASTING
LIFE,
AND SHALL NOT COME
INTO CONDEMNATION;
BUT IS PASSED FROM
DEATH UNTO LIFE."

John 5:24

Echoes of Grace: 1945

Table of Contents

January

A Gambler's Conversion

H., the Cobbler

A Good Time Coming

Confidence in the Scriptures

All That I Was; All That I Am

Today

February

The Amended Will

There Was No Man There

The Heavenly Neighbor

All Gifts Are From Above

What Is the Ground of Your Confidence?

He Saved a Poor Sinner like Me

Old Betty’s Mission

March

Three Generations; or Same Jesus for All

The Solemn Warning

Listening for a Sound

O, How He Loves Me

Another Military Funeral

The Savior

April

The Refuge from Wrath to Come

Footprints in the Sand

The Warning

That Message Did It

The Dying Soldier

Your End - What Will It Be?

May

God Loves You

Jesus Waits

I Know It All

Extract

He Saved Me

Extract

June

My Word Shall Not Return Unto Me Void

Ever the Same

Out of the Mouth of Babes

I Am so Glad That Jesus Loves Me

To Him That Worketh Not

Am I Prepared for Eternity?

July

Conquered by Love

My Substitute

Ever the Same

All at One Sweep

Earnestness

The Invitation Accepted

August

"I Know That My Redeemer Liveth"

Hunting for Heirs

Is This World All That Is Worth Living for?

Flee to Christ

Fragment

September

The Repeated Question

The Attractions of Christ

Only the Bible!

"Only a Leaf."

The Sentinel's Answer

"Choose," "Boast Not," "Seek"

October

The Backwoodsman and His Message

Loving Savior, I Accept Thee

Fragment

He Is Our Peace

What Do You Believe in?

Twice Enlisted

Five Whosoevers

The Sun and the Window

I Looked to Jesus

November

A Rare Find

My Life Is Lost!

The Sergeant's Story

Sin