Echoes of Grace: 1953

Some years ago I had been preaching Christ as God's remedy for man's ruined condition to the hardy population of a beautiful mining town in the mountains. One night I noticed in the meeting hall a young woman whose sin-marked face, weary look, and careless demeanor could not fail to attract attention.

Stepping over to her at the close of the meeting I asked: "What about your soul? Have you ever thought of preparing for eternity?"

"My soul?—I ain't got none," was the flippant reply, accompanied by a foolish laugh. Further conversation seemed to make no impression, for, after solemnly warning her of coming judgment, she exclaimed: "You ain't going to scare me into religion. Wouldn't I look nice joining you folks? I'm in for a good time—."

"But when you've had your day, when your so-called good time is over forever, when death, judgment, and eternity have to be faced, when God has to be met, what then?"

"Oh, well, of course, I don't intend to live like this right along. I'll get religion when I grow old. I ain't got time for it now."

"Yes; so the devil has deceived thousands! You may never live to grow old. You may not have time to prepare for eternity. But you must find time to die."

Another laugh greeted this warning, and she was gone. It seemed almost impossible that so young a person could be so hardened. I was told she had abandoned herself to a grossly wicked life, though little more than a child. Already she was an outcast from respectable society. Oh, how sin degrades, hardens, and blinds its poor victims!

Several weeks after the conversation, an undertaker came to the house where I was visiting. He said that he had a funeral to conduct that was a source of much embarrassment to him. The person to be buried was a young woman of so notorious a character that he was finding difficulty in persuading any to act as pallbearers. Mentioning her name, he asked if we knew of anyone who might do her this last service. We promptly offered ourselves. That would do. Some former companions of her folly had already promised to be the others.

It was the girl I had so recently spoken to, cut down in a moment-"suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy." Two days earlier, after a public holiday spent in a revolting manner, she was borne home drunk and put into a bed, from which she never arose. In a few hours she had passed into eternity, having died in a great agony from the baneful effects of her long debauch. The wine cup and its accompaniments had claimed another victim.

Awful was the sight of her pale, swollen face. A minister had been called in, but what could he say? What comfort could he give? Of deathbed repentance even he could not speak. No hope could he hold out that she might after all be saved. She had been asked by her mother if she wanted someone to come in and pray with her. "No," she said, "no one." "Couldn't she remember a prayer, then, to say herself—the Lord's prayer, or any other?" "No. I can't." Instead of prayer there were oaths and groans of anguish.

"She has lived her life," the minister said. "She is now in the hands of the One who knows all about her. Her destiny is settled forever. You who are here are still in the land of opportunity. Eternal life or eternal damnation you may yet choose. I speak to YOU." And he faithfully urged them to flee to Christ alone for refuge.

As I helped them lower the casket into the grave, my heart was sad indeed. As I turned away I heard someone exclaim, under his breath: "Just think of it! Only seventeen years old, and gone to—!" The last word was lost in the noise about me, or perhaps never uttered.

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Prov. 29:1.

My All

Savior, to Thee, a sinner lost and vile,
I gladly come;
Give me to know the sunshine of Thy smile,
And lead me home,
That so my heart and lips may loud extol
Thy name and love, while endless ages roll.

Thy cross, blest Lord, has closed my sinful past
And set me free;
And now on high, 'mid scenes of light and rest,
Thyself I see.
Jesus, triumphant, vanquished death for me:
The Father's house my portion now shall be.

My Sins and Myself

A man who was deeply exercised about his soul was conversing with a friend on the subject. The friend bade him come at once to Jesus. Said he: "He will take away all the load of sins from off your back."

"Yes, I am aware of that," said the other, "but what about my back) I find I have not only sins to take away, but there is myself! What's to be done with that? And there's not only my back, but there are my hands and feet, my head and my heart. Yea, I am such a lump of sin, such a mass of iniquity, that it's myself I must get rid of before I can get peace."

Ah, beloved sinner, that is a plain and searching way to put the matter; that is going not only to the stream, but to the spring from which the stream arises. You may take away the fruit of a bad tree but until the root is reached the fruit will appear again—and the same sort of fruit, too!

It is that miserable "I" which gives so much trouble—that "old man" which keeps souls in bondage. Concerning it the Word says: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.... Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:6-11.

When John Bunyan looked up at the cross, the bundle fell from his back; but he did not seem to learn that God had dealt with the back itself. So it is with many, and hence the bitter bondage.

Oh, to know more of the truth that makes us free from Satan, free from the "beggarly elements" which bring us into bondage; free from ourselves, the enemy which gives us so much trouble altogether free for Him who has bought us with His own blood!

"Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57.

The Sands of Time

The glass has turned, and hark! the measured chime
Proclaims another hour of passing time;
Untold its value, as it swiftly flies;
The newborn hour appears, runs out—and dies!

Now is salvation nearer than the day
When we to God from idols turned away.
Scant is the measure, quickly runs the sand,
Christ on the threshold—on the latch, His hand!

Darker the shades around of evening lower;
"Watch," He has said, "for no man knows the hour."
The minutes, rushing onward, swiftly pass—
Wake, sleeper, wake, as turns the warning glass!

Soon in the Father's presence we shall stand:
"Forever!" measured nor by wheel nor sand.
Teach us eternal worth, while moments flee,
Whether we live or die, O Lord, for Thee!

"The world by wisdom knew not God." 1 Cor. 1:21.

Eternity! Eternity!

A preacher of the gospel sat one day in his room resting a little after a long journey. He had just begun to relax, however, when there came a knock at the door. At his "Come in," Mr. Greene, a well-known acquaintance but a determined infidel, entered.

There soon arose between them a lively conversation upon the things of God. Eternity formed the principal subject of their discourse. Suddenly Mr. Greene said: "You know, my friend, that I have often heard you preach, and that I have examined everything that I can find upon the subject. Still, all that I can say is, you are a Christian; I am an atheist, and neither believe in a God, nor a heaven, nor a hell."

"Very well," rejoined the preacher. "I also have heard your arguments, and have weighed carefully all you say. Now let me ask one thing of you: Will you do it?"

"Certainly, if it is in my power."

"Then promise me that on three consecutive nights, after you are in bed with the light extinguished, you will say:—`Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where? God I will not accept; in heaven I do not believe; hell I deny. WHERE am I going?' "

Mr. Greene promised and left. That night he put out his light, got into bed, and repeated loudly: "Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where? God I will not accept; in heaven I do not believe; hell I deny. Where am I going?"

The next night Mr. Greene felt—he didn't himself know why—that he must leave the light burning while he repeated the words. The third night it was worse. An extraordinary feeling came over him. Strange thoughts rushed into his mind. A choking sensation seemed to seize his throat. Taking courage at last, however, he began in a low voice: "Eternity! Eternity! I must meet it! Where?"... he faltered; he found it impossible to say, "God I will not accept." He sensed the presence of a holy, righteous God who in wondrous grace and love had caused a light to spring up in his darkened soul. After a long pause he stuttered out, "Where am I going?" His guilty conscience answered: "You are going into hell." He knew the scripture: "The wicked shall be turned into hell." Psalm 9:17.

The solemn words resounded in his inmost soul. Restless and troubled, he passed a sleepless night and longed earnestly for the day. But the morning light did not bring peace. On the contrary, his anxiety increased every hour. Gladly would he have gone to his friend to seek relief, but his pride held him back.

The next night his soul-anxiety was so great that he could not be content in bed. He wandered aimlessly to and fro in his room, and as soon as day broke, he hastened off to his friend's house. Briefly he told what had occurred, and then asked anxiously: "What shall I do? Or rather, what can you do for me?"

"Nothing," said the preacher, looking steadfastly at the floor. "Nothing."

"What must I do, then?"

"Nothing," was the answer, "nothing at all."

"What! Do nothing, when I am so distressed?"

"No, nothing," said the preacher in a gentle but firm voice as he stood inflexible before his friend. In his heart he thanked God, but outwardly he showed no sign of concern. He wanted the poor man to perceive and understand his utter helplessness so that God might work in his soul. He knew that God is the best teacher.

Astonished and dismayed, Mr. Greene gazed at him for a moment, and then burst out: "Can you, in the presence of my terrible anxiety, stand quietly before me and say that you can do nothing for me? You, a Christian,—and I, an immortal soul on the road to hell! Can you say nothing else than 'I can do nothing for you?' "

"Yes," quietly answered the preacher, "I can do nothing for you; I am only a poor, weak, helpless creature like yourself. You can do nothing and I can do nothing. But"—he pointed upwards—"I can tell you of One who can do something, and that One is God. He can do everything—yea, He has done everything! He has sent His only Son into this world to die for such miserable, sinful creatures as you and me. He has judged Him on Calvary's cross in our stead, and now the joyful news for you and for every sinner is, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' "

The Scope of God’s Eye

"Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee." Psalm 139:7-12.

Wise unto Salvation

In some parts of the wild, desolate Northwest may be found a class of people—agricultural laborers or petty farmers—who are, many of them, far removed from any knowledge of the things of God. Indeed, "there is no fear of God before their eyes." Romans 3:18.

It was in such a region as this that I was traveling, seeking as a medical missionary to bring help to afflicted bodies and to sin-sick souls. There was much to try the soul of one not accustomed to the rugged trails, and the unresponsive hearts of the widely scattered natives caused frequent discouragement. So it was that, engrossed in thoughts of my own weariness and the futility of my labor, I once lost my way. Coming to a lonely cottage, I knocked at the door to enquire. A feeble voice bade me enter, and I found a man sitting by the fire in a dreadful state of suffering. He let me examine him, and I found it was a surgical case. There was no chance of his recovery unless he submitted to a very painful and hazardous operation. When I suggested this, he firmly refused, saying he would rather die as he was.

"My friend," said I, "it is an awful thing to die in your sins."

To my astonishment he replied: "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."

I asked him how he, so far removed from all the ordinary means of grace, had been enabled to acquire such precious knowledge. He seemed delighted to meet one who knew the Lord, and said he had never before talked with a Christian. In his isolation the Lord Himself had opened his heart to receive Him, but no one of his family was interested in the Source of his comfort. When he told his wife and children what he had learned of God, they ridiculed him and called him crazy. He was until recently like most of those in this rough country, working on farms until illness overtook him. Then time began to hang heavily on his hands. A weekly newspaper came, the only link with the outside world. When that was read through, he was again at a loss. Then he thought of the old family Bible, covered with dust and cobwebs and out of his reach on a high shelf. It was used only to record births and deaths and had not been taken down for fully twenty years. With the thought that his death would be the next entry, he asked for the old Book.

The Bible opened at the Gospel of John and he began to read. When he came to the third chapter he found these words: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3. He began to think that there was more to "religion" than just being honest and hardworking, and he longed for someone who could explain this mystery.

Then, turning the pages aimlessly, he read: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." James 1:5. He did ask, and he obtained from God that teaching of His Holy Spirit which led him to Jesus as his Savior, and taught him to rejoice amid all his sufferings in the happy prospect of eternal bliss.

When at last I had to leave, he grasped my hand, and with tears in his eyes said: "Farewell then, sir, till we meet again in heaven."

Encouraged and refreshed by this encounter with a dear child of God, I went on my way rejoicing in the sovereign grace that had known and met the need of this hungry heart.

Dear one out of Christ, you who have been blessed with Christian homes and Christian teaching, how have you valued your inestimable privileges? Surely many, like this lonely recipient of God's grace, will rise in judgment against those who hear the "Good News" preached and go on their way without a saving faith in the name of Jesus. I pray you, receive Him before it is too late.

Not Deserving, but Desiring

GIBBETED! and only a few short hours to live. Well nigh had he run his course, and it had been a wicked one. He was no martyr, and he knew it. He richly deserved all he was getting. Well nigh had he filled his cup of iniquity. One act more, and he fills it to the brim. To the wickedness that made his presence unbearably obnoxious in man's kingdom, he adds the guilt of reviling God's King at the very moment that man was casting Him out of His kingdom. Iniquity could hardly go farther.

But listen! A change takes place; a veritable moral revolution is brought about; the hardened rebel is suddenly turned into a submissive subject. The criminal who has spent a lifetime in sin suddenly becomes a righteous judge, and the first person he judges is himself! Whatever could have wrought such a change? What could so quickly have moved the heart of such a hardened criminal to act and speak thus?

There is little doubt that it was the words that fell from the Savior's own lips that awakened the dying robber to the dawn of a new day. "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Can you not imagine him exclaiming to himself, "What does He say? 'Forgive them!"Father, forgive them!' Whom can He mean but those who are doing their utmost to get rid of Him, and cruelly taunting Him while they do it? Why, then, I must myself be included! I have joined with the mockers! Is it possible that there can be grace enough in Him to desire God's forgiveness for a wretch like me, and to use His dying breath in pleading for it? Yet it must be so, for He cries, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' Marvelous! Marvelous! Oh, how grace wins my confidence and draws my heart to Him! Never, never can I expect to deserve His favor, but here on the spot I cannot help desiring it";—and with the desire a hope springs up that He may grant it. "Such a sinner as I am can claim no merit, but even such a sinner as I am may venture to seek the mercy of such a Savior as He is, and I am resolved to do it."

We well know the kind of reception he got. If a dying malefactor, condemning himself, owned Jesus as Lord, that same blessed Lord over all will prove how rich He is to all that call upon Him. "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." Luke 23:43.

One word, my reader. Is not this same blessed Person worthy of the confidence of your heart? Does not His position at Calvary plainly declare that He desires your forgiveness also? Besides this, He has authorized His servants to proclaim repentance and remission of sins in His name among all nations. You do not, you cannot deserve His forgiveness, but do you not desire it? G. C.

“There is no darkness,
nor shadow of death,
where the
workers of iniquity
may hide themselves."

Job 34:22.

"A Man
(the Lord Jesus Christ)
shall be ...
a hiding place."

Isa. 32:2.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."

Psalm 34:8.

February

Outside the Door

(A Parable)

As I passed through the little village in early spring I saw before me a beautiful house. The farmer had just brought into the yard his load of lime; his horses were well fed, and all about the place spoke of plenty of this world's goods. He went in and sat down to his dinner, and as I came near I saw a man who stood knocking at the door. There was a friendly look on his face that made me say as I passed on: "The master's at home; they will not keep you waiting long."

Before long I was again on that road; and as soon as I came in sight of the beautiful house, I saw the same man standing knocking. At this I wondered; and as I came near I saw that he stood as one who had knocked long, and as he knocked he listened. Said I: "The farmer is busy making up his books, or counting his money, or eating and drinking. Knock louder, sir, and he will hear you. But," said I, "you have great patience, sir; for you have been knocking a long time. If I were you I would leave him tonight and come back tomorrow."

‘He is in danger, and I must warn him," replied he; and he knocked louder than ever.

Some time afterwards I went that way again, and there stood the man—knocking, knocking, knocking. "Well, sir," said I, "Your perseverance is the most remarkable I ever saw. How long do you mean to stay?"

"Till I can make him hear," was his answer, and he knocked again.

Said I: "He wants for no good thing. He has a fine farm, and flocks, and herds, and barns."

"Yes," he replied, "for the Lord is good even to the unthankful and the evil." Then he knocked again, and I went on my way, wondering at the goodness and patience of this man.

Again I was in those parts. It was very cold weather. There was an east wind blowing and a sleety rain fell. It was getting dark, too; and the pleasantest place as you all know, at such a time is the home fireside. As I came by the farmhouse I saw the light shining through the windows and the smoke of a good fire coming out of the chimney. But there was still the man outside—knocking, knocking. And as I looked at him I saw that his hands and feet had been wounded, and his face was that of one marred with sorrow. My heart was very sad for him, and I said, "Sir, you had better not stand any longer at that hard man's door. Let me advise you to go across the way to the home of the poor widow. She has many children, and she works hard for her daily bread; but she will make you most welcome."

"I know her well," he said. "Her door is ever open to me, for the Lord is the judge of the widow and the father of the fatherless. But she and her children are in bed."

"Then go," I urged, "to the blacksmith's yonder. I see the cheery blaze of his smithy; he works early and late. His wife is a kind-hearted woman. They will treat you like a prince."

He answered solemnly: "I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

At that moment the door opened and the farmer came out, cursing and swearing. With a cudgel in his hand he smote the man and then angrily shut the door in his face.

This excited a fierce anger in me. I was full of indignation that anyone should treat a stranger in that fashion. I was ready to burst into the house and strike him in his turn. But the patient stranger laid his hand upon my arm and said: "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth."

"Sir," I exclaimed, "your patience and your long-suffering are wonderful! They are beyond my comprehension."

"The Lord is long-suffering, full of compassion, slow to anger, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." And again he knocked as he answered me.

It was dark and cold. The smithy was closed. They were shutting up the inn; and I made haste to find shelter for the night, wondering more and more at the patience and pity of the man. In the public-house I learned from the landlord the character of the farmer; and late as it was I went back to the patient stranger and said: "Sir, come away! He is not worth all this trouble. He is a hard, cruel, wicked man. He has robbed the fatherless, he has defamed his friend, he has built his house in iniquity. Come away, sir. Make yourself comfortable with us by the warm fireside. This man is not worth saving."

With that he spread his wounded palms before me; he showed me his wounded feet, and his side which they had pierced. I beheld that it was the Lord Jesus!

"Smite him, Lord," I cried in my indignation; "Then perhaps he will open to Thee."

"Of a truth he shall hear Me. In the Day of Judgment he shall hear Me when I say, Depart from Me, thou worker of iniquity, into everlasting darkness, prepared for the devil and his angels."

After these words I saw Him no more. The wind blew; the sleety rain fell; and I went back to the inn.

In the night there was a knocking at my chamber door. "Get up, get up," cried my landlord. "You are wanted with a neighbor who is at the point of death."

Away I hurried along the street, to the end of the village, to the very farmhouse where the Stranger had knocked so long. But before I reached the house I heard the farmer's voice in agony: "Oh, Lord Jesus, save me! Oh, God, have mercy upon me! Just a day—just an hour—to get ready! Oh, save me!"

His wife was wringing her hands, his children were frightened out of their senses. "Pray, pray for me!" he cried. "Oh, man, pray for me. He will hear you; me He will not hear."

I knelt to pray; but it was too late. He was gone!

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Proverbs 29:1.

"The Day of the Lord Will Come"

2 Peter 3:10

With the coming of the Lord the silvery notes of the gospel trumpet will forever cease. All will be changed. Grace and mercy will abdicate the throne of God, and justice and retributive judgment take their place and wield the sword of inflexible righteousness. That will be an awful day for unsaved sinners.

How Jack Went

"Jack, the Captain wants you!"

Jack was at work in the blacksmith's shop making shoes for some of the horses of the regiment.

His comrade who had called him to go to the officer looked clean and smart, fresh from parade.

Jack looked at his own dirty clothes and grimy hands, thinking for a moment that he could not go to the Captain thus. But his mate cut his deliberations short with "Jack, the Captain wants you NOW!"

The hammer was thrown down at once and the soldier —untidy though he was—started off to meet his officer, who was a Christian.

"I'm glad you can obey orders, Jack!" said the Captain kindly, when he saw him. "You came as you were," adding, "And that is just how you must come to Christ, Jack—just as you are."

Have you had the thought that you must make yourself fit before coming to the Savior? As a needy sinner you are fit. You need not tarry. Food is provided for the hungry. Water is provided for the thirsty. Medicine is provided for the diseased. The Savior is provided for sinners. He Himself said, "I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:32.

Christ calls you NOW. Say to Him:

"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidst me come to Thee,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come."

The Schoolmaster's Text

The circus building had fallen into the hands of Christian workers. It was late Saturday afternoon when they obtained possession; and as a service was announced for the next day, much had to be done to cover up evidence of the circus occupancy—things hardly conducive to spiritual devotion—putting up scripture texts, and arranging seats. The ladders were just being put away and the friends leaving for their homes when the old schoolmaster hurried up with a large text in his hand.

"Too late," said some. But he pleaded so hard that he won his point.

"Do put it up somewhere. I have worked at it many days, praying over every letter. I am sure that it will be blessed."

Over the door was a vacant space, and there the text was placed—white letters on a red background—"The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The schoolmaster was satisfied, and in the darkness of that night sent up many a petition that the Word of the Lord might be owned.

Lord's Day came, and a large congregation gathered at the circus building. Among the visitors were a man and his wife who stepped in to see the wonderful change in the old building. Their eyes roamed hither and thither, until at length the schoolmaster's text was noticed.

"What's that over the door?" said the man. His wife read out the words: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." The singing, the sermon, the service made little impression; but the schoolmaster's text lodged.

"SIN?" thought the man. "I have the experience of that in my heart and life. I have defiled myself and all around me. 'Cleansing?' That is what I need, to have all this filth removed, and my heart made pure. Is such a thing possible?" He repeated the text: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." Could he be included in that little word "US"?

He pondered seriously his lost, ruined condition. Sin after sin came up before his mind, but over all stretched the blessed text: "The Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

Blood represented punishment—and punishment cleared from guilt. If Christ had received the punishment for his guilt, that punishment which had brought forth His precious blood had cleansed all the sin that deserved punishment! He believed, and his conscience had peace, for THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON CLEANSETH US FROM ALL SIN.

Take Heed Unto Thyself

Be mercilessly true to yourself, and have everything out with God. None will ever treat you so tenderly as He. Tell Him everything as if He knew nothing about it.

God Hates Pride

"The proud He knoweth afar off." Psalm 138:6. Whatever humbles me, helps me. Not a particle of pride will enter glory. True humility is of God. The flesh hates humility.

You Have Reached a Junction

"You're a signalman?" So asked a preacher of a man whom he found deeply troubled about his soul. The man had been pointed out to him after the preaching, amongst a number of other anxious persons. He had been told his occupation, and was requested to speak with him. After lifting up his heart for a moment in silent prayer, the preacher sat down beside him.

"You're a signalman?"

"Yes, sir."

"You know what a junction is?"

"Yes."

"Well, you've reached a junction tonight in your life-line, and it is very possible, if you pass this one, THERE MAY NOT BE ANOTHER."

The signalman seized his meaning, turned there and then to God, repented, and believed the gospel.

Now, my reader, if you are not converted I want to say to you, "You have reached a junction."

Another year has just closed. You stand at the opening of a new one. Up to this point you have traveled on the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13). I raise the caution signal in front of you. There may not be another junction on the track down which you are being rushed as fast as time can take you.

You are in darkness. "He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth," Jesus said. John 12:35. May the light of this message OPEN YOUR EYES, You are blinded, too. "The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,... should shine unto them." 2 Cor. 4:4. May its glorious light open your eyes; it will show you your awful danger. At the same time it will show you that there is a Savior for you, in the glory of God, who once died for the ungodly.

That very light once shone on the chief of sinners, Saul of Tarsus, in the height of his dire enmity to Jesus. At one stroke it laid him prostrate at the mercy of his Victor, and revealed Jesus to him in that glory as the One whom he was persecuting in the person of His people. Saul had reached the junction of his life. Which road should he now take? What should he do? Do? He was helpless. He could no longer resist the pricks of an accusing conscience. Can you?

DARE YOU?

Saul could do nothing but make an unconditional surrender to his Conqueror, own Him his Lord, and place himself completely at His disposal, His willing slave from that moment. Now, as Paul, he found "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant," as he himself afterward wrote, and testified that "this is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, [of yours, dear reader!], that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Tim. 1:14, 15. You are in danger, I wave the danger signal before you.

"TURN YE, TURN YE!

for why will ye die?" You are fast hurrying toward the brink of a precipice at the foot of which is the lake of fire! That precipice may lie before you this very year you have now entered. Decide, therefore, now.

"A point of time, a moment's space,
May land you in your heavenly place
Or shut you up in hell."

He Fills All Need

A scoffer once met a plain countryman who was on his way to meet with some Christians. He asked him where he was going, and got a true and simple answer to his question.

"What to do there?"

"To worship God."

"Pray, is your God a great or a little God?"

"He is both, sir."

"How can He be both?"

"He is so great, sir, that the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, and so little that He can dwell in my heart."

The scoffer declared afterwards that this simple answer from the countryman had more effect upon his mind than all the volumes which the learned doctors of divinity had written.

"I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." Matt. 11:25.

A Sailor's Conversion

In 1940 I entered the Royal Navy and was drafted to the H.M.S. Exeter. I soon found that there was a "religious" man on board, and he offered me a little booklet called "The Way of Salvation." This I took, promising to read it. One day when I had nothing to do, I read the booklet containing several verses from the Word of God. One verse in particular impressed me. It was 1 John 1:7.

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." But I soon forgot it.

Before long we were hit by the enemy and began to sink. Three and a half hours later I was taken aboard an enemy-destroyer, and my "religious" shipmate was one of those taken prisoner with me.

Soon we were taken to a prison camp. One night I was afraid to go to sleep—I was troubled about my past sins and afraid to meet God. Tired and weak, I went to my Christian friend and told him all about it. He took me out of the noise and chatter of our little bamboo and grass hut, and under the open tropical sky lit with moon and stars, spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He said, "Believe God and what He says in His Word. The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' “I went down on my knees and claimed the forgiveness God promised to repentant sinners, and received the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. The joy that followed was inexpressible. His presence made that prison camp seem like heaven to me.

And you, dear reader, have you too the joy and peace that comes with believing God? The pleasures that this world offers are very fleeting, and cannot be compared to what the believer in Christ has. There are two things necessary for the salvation of your soul: the work of Christ on the cross, and your acceptance of His work. If you have not yet told the Lord Jesus that you receive Him as your Savior, do so at once while it is still the day of His grace.

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

The Way of the World

Laugh! and the world laughs with you;
Weep! and you weep alone;
For this sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
It has trouble enough of its own.

Sing! and the hills will echo it;
Sigh! and it's lost on the air;
For they want full measure of all your pleasure,
But nobody wants your care.

Feast! and your halls are crowded;
Fast! and they'll pass you by;
Succeed! and give! and they'll let you live;
Fail! and they'll let you die.

E. W. W.

The Way of Heaven

Joy! and your Lord joys with you;
Weep! and He sees your tears;
You may drink of His love all measure above,
Not a cry of distress but He hears.

Sing! and the heavens echo it;
Sigh! 'tis caught quick by His ear;
For you are His treasure wherein He finds pleasure,
So cast on Him all your care.

Feast! for you may live by Him;
Fast! He can fill up the void;
Ten thousand times lovely, His glory's above me;
His banner is Love—unalloyed.

“If thou shalt confess with

thy mouth the Lord Jesus,

and shalt believe in thine

heart that God hath

raised Him from the

dead, thou shalt

be saved." Rom. 10:9

"Whosoever believeth

on Him shall not be

ashamed." Rom. 10:11

March

Savior, Teach Me

Oh, teach me what it meaneth:—
That cross uplifted high,
With One, the Man of Sorrows,
Condemned to bleed and die.
Oh, teach me what it cost Thee
To make a sinner whole;
And teach me, Savior, teach me
The value of a soul.

Oh, teach me what it meaneth:—
That sacred crimson tide—
The blood and water flowing
From Thine own wounded side.
Teach me that if none other
Had sinned, but I alone,
Yet still Thy blood, O Jesus,
Thine only, must atone.

Oh, teach me what it meaneth:—
Thy love beyond compare—
The love that reacheth deeper
Than depths of self-despair.
Yes, teach me, till there gloweth
In this cold heart of mine
Some feeble, pale reflection
Of that pure love of Thine!

Whither Shall I Flee?

Late one night two men, muffled up to the eyes to prevent recognition by the police, were to be seen knocking at the door of a schoolmaster who lived in rented rooms in an unsavory part of a large, city.

"Will you come with us, sir, to see a dying man? He gave us no rest till we came for you."

It was a request to be thought over. To go at night with these men through such a district needed a heart filled with the love of Christ and deep desire for the souls of the perishing. However, after a little conversation and silent prayer, the Christian man announced his readiness to accompany his callers.

Before long he knew not where he was, but had to trust to his rough-looking guides. By and by they came to the miserable house in which lay the dying man.

Through a thieves' kitchen went the three. Up the rickety stairs they climbed until they reached the top. When the visitor's eyes became accustomed to the dinginess of the room, he saw a man lying in the corner on a heap of straw.

Evidently the sufferer had led a hard life. Sin had left its mark on his features. He was far gone in disease, and even a novice could discern that his time was short.

"Tell me, oh, tell me what it means: 'Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?' " These were the eager, earnest words which fell upon the ears of the servant of Christ. Little did he expect such a question; and he quickly enquired of the dying man how he came to send for him so urgently, and why he asked the question.

His story was that some months previously, on a Sunday night, the man had been discovered in a robbery attempt by the police. They gave chase, but he outran them. As he neared the mission hall with which the schoolmaster was connected, quick as lightning the thought came, "If I can slip in there unseen by the police, they will never suspect me of such a dodge." The thought led to action. The police followed hard on his track, only suddenly to find that their man had mysteriously disappeared.

He sat down in the mission hall. The opening hymns and prayer were over. The preacher had just announced his text, and his audience was waiting expectantly for his opening remarks. He began by repeating his text, and these words—so divinely fitted for the occasion and to the listener—broke upon the ears of the startled runaway thief: "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence?" Psa. 139:7.

Not a word of the sermon did he remember, but this verse of God's Word worked its way into his conscience. He could not forget it. Months of sin and wickedness could not obliterate the impression made. He might elude the vigilance of the police, but not the omniscient eye of God. He might escape an earthly tribunal, but not the great white throne and the Judge of all the earth.

And now he was dying. Soon he must meet God. His wasted life lay behind him, eternity was before him. Can you wonder, then, at the urgent message sent to the Christian schoolmaster to come and see him? With a prayer in his heart the servant of the Lord turned to God's Word and read in the ears of the dying man:

What beautiful words, yet how inexpressibly solemn to a sinner with the shades of an endless night gathering round him—unprepared to pass from time into eternity, from the company of his wicked fellows into the presence of a holy God.

The reading of these scriptures which had been engraved on the tablets of his memory deepened afresh the work of the Spirit of God in the dying man's conscience. Eagerly he drank in the message, so new and yet so old. With him it was—

"Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child;
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.

Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in—
That wonderful redemption—
God's remedy for sin."

And as simply as a little child, this poor, dying wretch received the blessed story of God's love to lost sinners: believed it, received the Savior into his heart, was cleansed from his sin, and entered into rest.

But what of you, dear reader? When a few more years shall have passed, both writer and reader will be in eternity—it may be only weeks. Let me ask you solemnly and earnestly, as we stand in thought by the deathbed of this poor, branded thief, and as we see our own boundless eternity looming in the near future, WHERE WILL YOU SPEND IT?

Only Two

TWO WAYS:

One broad, the other narrow; the one leads to destruction, the other to life eternal. Many go by the one, few by the other.

Which is your way?

TWO CLASSES:

The righteous and the wicked; the saved and the lost.

In which are you?

TWO DESTINIES:

Heaven or hell; in heaven, the Father's house and eternal glory; in hell, the blackness of darkness and everlasting torment.

Whither goest thou?

TWO RESURRECTIONS:

"Caught up" at the sound of the shout—"and so shall we ever be with the Lord"; or condemned at the great white throne of God (Rev. 20:11-15) and "cast into the lake of fire."

Which is your portion: everlasting joy or eternal loss?

ETERNITY IS A LONG, LONG TIME.

Saved or Lost

Your fairest pretensions must wholly be waived,
Your best resolutions be crossed;
Nor can you expect to know yourself SAVED
Till you own yourself utterly lost.

Which of the Three?

Have you read the first Psalm? It describes two different men—a blessed or happy man in the first three verses, and an ungodly man in the latter three.

It is well to be quite sure as to which part of the Psalm describes any one of us.

Let me tell you of an incident which brought this truth to a man's soul for his eternal blessing.

A city missionary who spent his time visiting taverns, and there seeking to win souls for Christ, was one day reading aloud in the bar of an inn. Suddenly he was rudely assailed by one of the persons present with the remark that he thought too much of himself, and that others could read as well as he.

"No doubt," he said.

"I can read as well as you can. I'm quite ready for a reading match!"

"Very well," said the missionary as he opened his Bible. "The landlord shall be the judge, and those present the jury."

"Now," he said, "will you read first, or shall I?"

"Oh, you read first," said the man.

Whereupon the missionary read the first three verses of the first Psalm, and then, handing the book to his rival, asked him to complete the portion.

This he did, and the landlord was appealed to as to which was the winner.

He declared that they were both very good readers, but that the first man was the better, as he "was more accustomed to it."

"Well, now," said the missionary to his opponent, "can you tell me which of the verses we have read describes you? Are you one of the blessed men of the first three, or one of the ungodly men of the last part? Which?"

In result, God blessed the conversation, and the second reader became a happy man.

And may I ask you, my reader, is it the first or the last part of the Psalm which classifies you?

Are you happy, separate from sinners and an evergreen, or ungodly, exposed to judgment, and about to perish? Which?

What makes the difference?

WHAT YOU THINK OF CHRIST!

If you have received Him as your "all in all" you have passed from the latter verses into the former.

If not, however moral or religious, your place is amongst the ungodly.

If such is the case, may God give you to look to it without delay.

GET RIGHT WITH GOD.

The light of God began to shine into the poor, dark heart of the God-despiser. He remembered the faithful words of the gospel, and beheld for the first time in his life the Christ of the cross as a Savior for him. As the light of God's Word dispelled the darkness, a flood of joy entered his soul, sweeping it clean of infidel doubts and reasonings. With sincere humility he grasped his friend's hand, saying: "Oh, I do believe! May God forgive mine unbelief!"

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Cor. 4:6.

My reader, where will you spend eternity?

The Power of the Blood

A servant of God much used to the conversion of souls was dying. For many years of a long life he had pointed sinners to Christ as the One who had died to save them, and God had given him many souls as the fruit of his devoted service. But now his work was over and he was dying.

Strange though it seemed, the one whose labors had been so largely blessed to others was now troubled and not at rest in his own spirit; his soul was not stayed on the Word of God, which testifies of the eternal security of the weakest believer in Christ. It may be that he was learning in a deeper way than hitherto the depravity of his own heart; and as the shield of faith slipped from his grasp Satan was busy plying his fiery darts. In his deep agitation and distress he remained silent until the words he could no longer restrain burst from his lips, "I'm lost! I'm lost!"

A messenger was hastily dispatched for two of his old friends who lived near at hand. The one who first arrived immediately spoke to him in encouraging tones, bringing before him all his past labors, and seeking to show how unlikely it was that one who had been the means of the salvation of others should himself be lost. But the remembrance of his own labors gave the dying man no comfort; he only reiterated, "I'm lost! I tell you, I am lose His friend then recalled his godly, devoted life, but this only seemed to increase his agony, and as the other friend entered the room his words still were, "I'm lost! I'm lost!"

"Lost!" exclaimed the newcomer. "THEN HAS THE BLOOD OF CHRIST LOST ITS POWER?"

The look of despair passed from the face of the dying man, giving place to one of perfect calm and peace. His mind, which had been dwelling on self, and had found no relief in the remembrance of his own godly life and his service for Christ, again turned to Christ alone and His atoning blood, and there he found perfect rest.

Peace and Rest

Is there anything in this world like knowing that, without a single moment's notice, one is ready for the presence of God—redeemed by the precious blood of Christ?

The Holiness of God

God never mistakes the guilty for innocent: He discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart. He may forgive sin, and receive the cleansed sinner. That is His joy. But He cannot act as if sin did not exist when it does, nor be indifferent to it while He remains Himself, a holy God. He may chastise for good, and deal governmentally; or He may have sins entirely put away and blotted out, according to the exigencies of His own nature—and this is salvation for us. But He cannot overlook sin anywhere as not existing, nor view it with indifference.

God could not pass the sinner by,
His sin demands that he must die;
But in the Cross of Christ I see
How God can save, yet righteous be.

Extract: God vs. Sin

Faith makes me see that God is greater than my sin,—not that my sin is greater than God.

The Centenarian

A Word to the Aged.

It is comparatively rare to meet with any whose years exceed the allotted span of threescore and ten. Even when fourscore has been attained, "their pride is labor and vanity." These rare exceptions to early mortality only prove how death reigns, and that the days of the creature are "few and evil."

When sojourning one summer in the country we heard of a very old man, said to have seen more than a century in this scene. Our host made casual mention of him while helping to carry our baggage into his farmhouse. I at once asked: "Is he safe on the Rock?"

The farmer, however, could not answer for that, neither had he an answer as to his own security from the storms of God's wrath soon to be poured out on this Christ-rejecting world. So, as "ambassadors for Christ" we felt a responsibility towards him as well as a great desire to see and question his aged neighbor.

Our opportunity came in a few days. On a clear summer afternoon we set out to find the old man. His home was on a humble farm; and as we neared the dwelling we saw a bent form standing at the house-end, leaning Jacob-like upon a staff. "That," said my friend, "must be the object of our search." As we approached he saluted us in answer to my call, and we could not but feel deep respect as we looked upon him.

"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man." Lev. 19:32.

What an object for pity! Trembling limbs, bent shoulders, toothless gums, dim eyes—the epitome of the old man of Ecclesiastes 12:3. He had lived here all his life, and was reputed to be one hundred and two years old. In time past he had been a strong, active man; and until the previous winter he could walk to the nearby town and back, a distance of eight miles. But he had fallen on the ice and broken his leg— his only experience of being confined to bed, for he had never known sickness.

The old man's days on earth now were evidently few, and my comrade urged me to put an all-important question to him. With my hands cupped to form a megaphone, I shouted, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

"Aye, aye!" was the response.

"Do you know Him as your Savior?"

The dull ears caught the glad sound. Never can we forget the answer as, with the tears welling from the almost sightless eyes, he cried: "Blessed Jesus, what would I do without Him?"

The tears filled our eyes too as my friend exclaimed: "There's no doubt about him. He is 'on the Rock.’”

After shouting some scriptures into his ears to cheer the aged pilgrim on his way, we received from him a hearty "Thank you, thank you for these words; nobody speaks to me about Him here." We bade him farewell till the day we shall meet him in the presence of the Lord Jesus at His coming.

You who are growing old, how is it with your souls? The wise King Solomon wrote that "the hoary head is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness." What a crown of shame when found in the way of sin and death! Sorrow only for you, my reader, if hoary in the service of the devil, and white in the pursuit of the baubles which the god of this world has been setting as lures before you.

Oh, hasten then to Jesus, while yet your lamp of life holds on to burn. Soon must "the silver cord be loosed, the golden bowl be broken, the pitcher be broken at the fountain, the wheel broken at the cistern. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit"—your never-dying spirit—must give an account to God. (Eccl. 12:6, 7.)

"TODAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS." Heb. 3:7, 8.

The Lamb of God

On my way to a meeting-room where the gospel has often been preached and many precious souls have been saved, I met an old countryman one afternoon this summer. He was leading a pet lamb by a string. At the side of the road there was a wide strip of grass on which the lamb was feeding.

An irresistible desire to speak to the old man led me to ask if he had beheld the Lamb of God.

"I have," replied the dear old man as tears filled the faded blue eyes.

"Have you looked upon Jesus dying on Calvary's cross as God's sacrifice for your sins? Is He your Savior?"

"Yes," he replied; "I believe, and He has borne my sins all away."

And now, dear reader, if you were asked if you had beheld the Lamb of God, what would you say? Could you answer as simply as the old man? The Scripture says:

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Behold Him, game upon Him, worship and adore Him! "He is altogether lovely."

Climbing Down to the Blessing

Passing an open-air meeting not long ago, I heard a preacher say, "Perhaps some one of you may have lost a little one, and it may be that this loss was intended to take your thoughts upwards to God, and to heaven, that eternal home."

I had myself, not long before this, lost a dear little boy after a very short illness, and I did begin to think. But this thinking brought a long catalogue of "the hidden things of darkness" to my view. Call it conscience, if you will; but that man seemed to bring to mind "all that ever I did." From that hour I went about saying, like the Philippian jailer, "What must I do to be saved?"

God in His kind providence led me to a room where the gospel was preached, and though the preacher did not know me, he certainly said what just suited me. He said that if any poor sinners were there that wanted to be saved, they were to confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in their heart that God had raised Him from the dead, and that was all (Rom. 10:9). Then I found that the same Lord over all "is rich unto all that call upon Him." But I made another discovery—I found, like Zacchæus when Jesus passed through Jericho, that instead of climbing to the top of the tree to get what I wanted, I must climb down. And the Bible told me how. "The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance." Rom. 2:4.

He that covereth his sins

shall not prosper: but

whoso confesseth and

forsaketh them shall

have mercy."

Prov. 28:13.

April

It Is Finished

Oh, for sin what bitter anguish
Jesus bore upon the tree;
See Him left by God to languish
In atoning agony!
It is finished! Hallelujah!
Jesus died for you, for me.

At the cross is now thy station;
Lo, without thy grief or prayer,
'Tis a full, a free salvation
God has waiting for thee there.
It is finished! Hallelujah!
Jesus bore thy sin, thy care.

Now begin thy Hallelujah;
God Himself delights to hear
Praises to His Son, now risen,—
Sweetest song that greets His ear.
It is finished! Hallelujah!
Perfect love hath cast out fear.

If - What Then?

Jim, a strong young blacksmith, had been respectably and religiously trained. But he had begun drinking, and squandered all he had earned. He was fast becoming a drunkard, when he awoke one morning with severe palpitation of the heart. Alarmed by his feelings he hastened to a doctor, who told him to go home, rest quietly, and take the medicine prescribed by him.

"If I've got to die I may as well be at my work as lying idle on my bed," Jim thought; and so, despite the doctor's orders, to his forge he went.

There amid the sounds of the roaring fire and the ringing anvil he sought to forget his danger. But still the question pressed itself upon him, "If you should die, what then?"

Working all the harder, he tried to drown the solemn query; but all in vain. "If you should die, what then?" His conscience challenged him again and again. Work was impossible. Burdened with his sin, the fear of death and judgment, he became increasingly miserable.

Regaining strength, for twelve months he sought peace in various ways, but found none. There was no satisfaction in drink nor his usual pursuits. At length he was asked by a friend to go with him to hear the glad tidings proclaimed. Gladly he accepted the invitation.

The sweet message of God's free and full salvation for sinners through our Lord Jesus Christ was simply told.

Poor Jim saw that he was guilty before God, lost and ruined. Owning his condition, he was enabled to cast himself just as he was upon Christ, and to trust in His precious blood, which cleanseth from all sin. Joy and gladness at once took the place of his fears and misery, and Jim patiently bore witness to the saving grace of God.

Unsaved friend, let me ask you, "If you should die, what then?"

You may say, "I am young and strong and not at all likely to die." That, possibly, is the case. But face the question fairly now, "If you should die, what then?"

What Did You Do?

Many a man boasts of his morality—that he is not a drunkard, nor a cheat, nor a liar. These negative virtues make one quite acceptable to mankind, but they will not suffice for admission to the presence of God. Something more is required for an entrance into glory.

After a gospel meeting not long ago a young man stopped to talk with me. He was attracted by the gospel message, hoped to go to heaven, but told me he thought he was all right because he lived a clean life, went to meetings, and even partook of the Lord's Supper. "Did the Lord Jesus die for you?" "Yes," was the ready answer. He was rather startled when I asked him. "Of what dreadful crimes have you been guilty that required the Son of God to die for you?

"If I were to take you to a neighboring cemetery and showed you a grave there, and told you that in it lay the body of a dear friend who, to satisfy the claims of the law, had died in my stead, I think I can see you start in horror and surprise from my side. You would ask in frightened tones, Why, what awful crime have you committed?

"O friend, there is an empty sepulcher in Judea where the body of my Savior lay. He died to save my soul from hell. He died to satisfy the claims of the law. He died to cleanse me from all sin. He died to bring me to God. I can tell you with humble gratitude that I am right with God now, but not apart from the atoning death of my Savior and Lord.

"Nay, further, I can point you to a filled throne, the complement of the empty sepulcher, the proof that God is satisfied with the work done by His beloved Son, and the assurance that my sins are forgiven for 'His name's sake.'

"Again I ask: Of what have you been guilty that Jesus must die for you? Do you not know that, as children of Adam, we were born with fallen, sinful natures? The Psalmist tells us we were shapers in iniquity, and born in sin (Psa. 51:5), and Paul says in Romans 7:14 that we are sold under sin. The first man Adam sold out to Satan. But thanks be to God, the Second Man, the Lord from heaven, bought us back—redeemed us with His own precious blood."

Dear soul, have you acknowledged your sinful state before God and been forgiven by trusting in the perfect work of that wonderful Savior? Get right with God! Claim His promises, for He is LONG-SUFFERING, "NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE." 2 Peter 3:9.

Extract: God's View of Sin vs. Ours

A single sin is more horrible to God than a thousand sins—nay, than all the sins in the world—are to us.

Personal Conversion

(A Letter)

"From my earliest years I was taught the doctrines of Scripture, and was brought up to reverence the Bible. When I reached the age of eighteen I 'joined the church,' and for twenty-three years I was a 'member' in full standing.

"During all these years I had frequent conversations with the minister and was in close friendship with several `officers' of the church. Yet I do not remember ever hearing the subject of personal conversion spoken of. Certainly I never was asked by anyone if I myself was a child of God, born of the Spirit.

"Church progress and religious work, the quality and delivery of sermons, choir singing and finance, all in turn were discussed; but 'the root of the matter,' the soul's relation to God, to Christ, to eternity, was never spoken of. It would almost seem as if many preachers have forgotten what they are there for, and give their time and energies to the mere framework of Christianity, neglecting the spiritual condition of their congregations.

"One day I had lunch with a commercial traveler with whose firm I had done business for years. In our conversation we drifted into 'church' matters. I remarked that 'great progress has been made since my early years in church psalmody and in the attractiveness of church services.'

“‘Perhaps,' said he; 'but I question if the gospel of salvation is so plainly preached and the need of personal conversion insisted on as in years gone by.'

"That statement astonished me, and gave me much concern. 'Personal conversion' had certainly not been spoken of, nor was it known by me.

"When he came again three months later, I was in sore trouble. I had been reading the lives of some of the early Christians, and had found that they all were `personally' converted. I asked the salesman the plain question, 'Are you a converted man, my friend?' And he at once replied, `Thank God, I am. I have rejoiced in the knowledge of God's salvation for more than twenty years.'

"Then he told me how he was awakened to see his need of being born again, and how he learned that salvation was not of works, but in virtue of the finished work of Christ alone.

"This was all new to me, so I determined to go and hear a preacher who had the reputation of being 'plain spoken,' and had been known to ask some of his congregation if they were saved.

"I shall never forget the upheaval in my own mind on hearing that servant of Christ proclaim: 'Salvation is of the Lord!'—all of grace, without price, and present to all who believe.

"A week later while I was reading John 3, verses 14 and 15, the Spirit of God made it good to my soul and I received God's salvation. I praise Him for showing me my need of 'personal conversion,' and the way in which it was brought about."

Reader, may I ask, "Have you been 'personally converted'? Are you born again? ARE YOU SAVED?"

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

A Black Cross

It is not an uncommon thing for travelers among the Alps to see a black cross painted on a dangerous rock, or near the brink of a roaring torrent. This sign marks the spot where some too venturesome tourist lost his life; it also serves as a caution to those who come after, that they may go more carefully on their ways.

There they stand, these silent yet eloquent black crosses, telling that destruction and death lurk even amid the exquisite beauties of the Alpine heights, and warning others, who, by the charm of the scenery, might be lured to similar dangers and similar ends.

And has not the hand of God set marks upon the rocks by the side of the pathway of life, that we, who now pass along that common highway, may be warned by the fates of those who trod there before us? Over the names of Pharaoh, Jeroboam, and Belshazzar the fatal mark appears. They were among the royal ones of the earth, and lived in royal palaces, climbing the heights of pride and ambition until their terrible fall. And how great was their fall, even to destruction!

And even unto those slippery eminences does Satan lure many a soul today; for it is not necessary to be a "crowned" head to have a contemptuous heart.

Over the names of Judas, Herod, and Pilate stands the solemn mark; for, suddenly cut down by the stroke of God, they are warnings to others. Oh, let the remembrance of their awful ends scare any tempted one away from the brink of those sparkling torrents—the love of gold and the love of power—which, with their roar ever sounding in our ears, sweep precious souls into eternal ruin!

Down the long pages of the world's history, and also on the short leaflets of our own, we can recall names of celebrities, of school friends, of acquaintances, who have perished in the midst of their pleasures and pursuits. Should not the recollection be as an Alpine cross?

Now let us point the reader to a most sure Refuge and a never failing Guide. The Lord Jesus Christ hears the faintest cry for help, and receives everyone who turns to Him. And His Word—the Word of God—shows the way of escape from every danger and temptation; and that way is to look simply to Him.

Even in human matters it is easy to trust those who prove their love to us. How much more readily, then, should we yield ourselves in obedience to God, when we see so great and wonderful a proof of His love to us, in the death of His Son on Calvary!

A cross is truly the mark of a curse; but the cross of Calvary, upon which the Lord died, remains as an everlasting memorial of divine faith, and obedience, and love. He stooped to lift the curse of sin from off the creation of God, leaving, for Him, a luster of glory in its stead. And for us, He left the peace of a perfect salvation.

It is good to belong to Him. Safe in Him, you will not want the glittering gilded toys of earth, for your eyes will be delighted with the pure gold of God's treasures. You will not care to be great here where Christ was cast out, for you will long to see Him exalted in God's kingdom.

You will be glad to wait patiently until the time of His coming, and to say, in the words of Michael Angelo, the Italian sculptor and poet, "My one sole refuge is that love divine Which from the cross stretched out its arms to save."

The Only Plea

Jesus has died for me!
Upon this truth I rest;
Jesus has died for me;
Because of this I'm blest.
And when earth's life is past,
And heaven's gate I see,
My only plea to enter there:
Jesus died for me!

Your Lack

However deeply you may have dishonored God, remember one thing:—God is satisfied with Christ. And apart from Christ, He will never be satisfied with you.

Found Out

The old shopkeeper bounced the coin on the counter. It had not the right ring. He weighed it in his hand. It seemed light. He looked at it carefully. It was not quite the correct color. It had passed muster as a good coin for a long time, but at last it was Found Out.

Now it would be nailed down on his counter as a warning that there were counterfeits about.

ARE YOU REAL OR COUNTERFEIT?

Some years ago a friend of mine was visiting a town where he was a stranger. He asked a young lady in a shop if there were any Christians in the town. Her reply was, "Oh, we are all Christians here!"

"All Christians?"

She meant that all bore that name. And perhaps she thought that this was all that being a Christian meant. But being a Christian means far more than having a Christian name.

In Revelation 3:1 we read of those who have a name to live, but are dead. They are mere shams. They are counterfeits. They are not genuine. As a bad coin is a worthless imitation of a real one, so those who are only Christian in name are of no value as Christians. The bad coin will sooner or later be found out, and probably broken in pieces, so that it will not deceive any longer. The mere professor of religion will be found out too. He will be judged and banished from God's holy presence for eternity.

What, then, is a true Christian?

He is cleansed: by the precious blood of Christ. Having come as a sinner to the Savior, he is made by Him whiter than snow in God's holy sight.

He is healed: Christ was wounded for him, bruised for him, stricken for him, and with His stripes he is healed.

He is redeemed: "Christ has redeemed us." He has bought us back from our slavery to sin and brought us to God.

He is illuminated: he was in darkness. He did not know what he was as a sinner. He did not know what Christ was as a Savior. Now he has light and can see clearly.

He is sanctified: set apart from all his former associations. He no longer belongs to the world. He belongs to Christ, and is called to walk so as to glorify Him.

He is trustful: he confides in Christ, and depends upon Him day by day for needed grace, strength, and wisdom for every step of his pilgrimage here.

He is instructed: sitting at Christ's feet he learns of Him, as Mary of Bethany did when she chose the good part and listened to His teaching.

He is accepted: God has put him in Christ's place, before His face. God's thoughts of the Christian are measured by God's thoughts of Christ.

He is new-made: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature." He has been born again—born of God. Now he has new tastes and thoughts from those he had when unconverted.

So a true Christian is:

CLEANSED,

HEALED,

REDEEMED,

ILLUMINATED,

SANCTIFIED,

TRUSTFUL,

INSTRUCTED,

ACCEPTED,

NEW-MADE.

Are you a Christian?

Do not be content with having had a Christian name and a Christian training given to you! You must be born again. You need to come to Christ for salvation. He will receive and bless you if you come to Him now. Then you will have the joy and peace which belong to the true Christian. Your fears of being found out will all be removed. You will know that when He comes you will be caught up to meet Him in the air, and be forever with Him in His glory.

If you are only a sham—a professor, not a possessor—the day is coming when the fraud will be FOUND OUT.

And Jesus Said

What power there is in the written Word of God! I remember a case where a Testament had been torn up and the leaves thrown to the four winds. A poor man who found several pieces of the leaves picked them up and read:

"And Jesus said,"

"And Jesus answered and said,"

"And Jesus said."

"What? Has the blessed Lord said so many things, and I did not know them?"

Struck by these simple but solemn words, "Jesus said," he went to a nearby town and bought a Testament. Reading it to find what "Jesus said," he was converted. He believed what "Jesus said," and was happy in knowing the Savior.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psa. 119:105.

In Christ

"Safe in Christ, the weakest child
Stands in all God's favor;
All in Christ are reconciled
Through that only Savior."

If "in Christ," I am out of self. God views me "in Christ" (or through Him) as having died, having gone under judgment. "In Christ" my resurrection is made sure, but not of my sins or of my evil nature. Even now my standing, in God's sight, is "in Christ": in Him I am "a new creature."

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17.

A Christian is an infidel about self:—everything is founded on what Christ is. If my standing is "in Christ," bright days do not make Christ brighter; dull days do not make Him darker. I am in a place of unalterable value. No panic of my heart can cause any fall in the value of Christ. Satan may charge me, my own heart may charge me, but it will not alter the value of Christ. "In Christ" I have a peace that nothing in the present—nothing in the future—nothing in the world—nothing in hell—can ever alter.

Christ is everything to the Christian. He stands in the simple excellency—oh, who could add to it! —of Christ. The Christian up there is according to the value of Christ; down here he is a weak, failing creature, with nothing good in him but what is of Christ. When a Christian looks at other Christians he can see what is of Christ in them. When he looks at self he sees only evil. Thus the divine precept is fulfilled:—"Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Phil. 2:3.

My reader, take heed: are you safe "in Christ"? Soon He is going to call His own out of this scene. Have you His life—the only kind of life which can answer His shout? He longs to have you with Him in the glory. Be sure you are in Him now.

“Enter ye in at the strait

gate: for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to

destruction, and

many there be

that go in

thereat:

“Strait is the gate, and narrow
is the way, which leadeth
unto life, and few there
be that find it.”

Matthew 7:13, 14

May

The Latter End

The following lines were found among the papers of a man once in the world's highest esteem. He had devoted his life to the quest for honor and fame, a course which would no doubt be highly commended by the children of the world. The lines speak for themselves with a seriousness and intensity which cannot be overstated. They stand as a solemn warning to all who would walk ambition's glittering pathway.

"Why labor for honor? Why seek after fame?
Why toil to establish a popular name?
Fame! aye, what is fame? a bubble—a word,
A sound that's worth nothing, a hope that's deferred;
A heart-sickening hope that's too often denied
Or withheld from the worthy, to pander to pride.

Then out upon fame! let her guerdon be riven,
Nay—hold—let me strive as I always have striven.
Out, out upon fame! too late will she come;
Her wreath mocks my brow; will it hang on my tomb?
Too much have I labored, too willingly gave
My thoughts to the world, AND HAVE EARNED BUT A GRAVE."

Such lines need no comment and we would turn from them to an extract from the last writings of one who had renounced the most ambitious career in order to take up the cross and to follow the Lord Jesus into the place of rejection. At the end of a life of trial and suffering such as few are called upon to undergo, he was cast into a Roman dungeon. Almost all his earthly friends had forsaken him, he had appeared once before that cruel tyrant Nero; and before him lay the lions or perhaps some other fiendish torture. Truly it was "a latter end" to be naturally greatly dreaded. But what had HE earned? No thoughts of the grave filled his soul when he wrote to his young friend Timothy as follows:—

"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:6-8.

Again no comment is needed. The language of Paul the Apostle is too sublime to require human praise. Now we would earnestly ask every reader of these lines to ponder well the striking contrast, remembering always that he cannot serve two masters. It must be Christ or self.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve," God or the world. He wants you to be wise, to rightly value things that are excellent, and to consider the latter end of all things.

Yourself, or the Savior

Two young officers stood talking earnestly together one day. Both their wives had been desperately ill, and they were congratulating each other on the satisfactory progress toward the complete recovery of their loved ones. One of them, Major Hanson, said with much feeling, "If Mrs. Hanson had died I really think I should have gone mad!"

They had not stood there long when a servant from Major Hanson's house came running down the street looking for him. When she reached him he saw by her face that something serious was the matter. With trembling lips she said, "Will you please, sir, come home at once?"

Instantly he guessed the worst. "Is she dead?"

"Yes, sir, she is." And the crushing blow had fallen.

Frantically he rushed home and found it was all too true: she who was all his heart so suddenly snatched away! A few minutes before he had promised not to be long from her side. Nor was he; but he returned too late to hear her voice again on earth.

Where had she gone?

Ah, that was the question!

Oh, to heaven, of course! At least, such was his thought. But at this time he was himself only a godless, worldly man, and had no idea of what true fitness for heaven consisted in.

"My only chance of seeing her again is to go to heaven myself," he thought; and accordingly he set himself to work at once to secure an entrance there. He had previously been the very life of gay, fashionable circles, but he would give up all this kind of thing now and prepare himself for heaven. His own sister, herself converted afterwards, remarked that she thought the way he so thoroughly "cut them" all was "quite cruel of him."

After a time he began to think that he was making pretty satisfactory progress in the right direction, and he decided to speak to others about what he now regarded as the all-important matter. But what could he say? And that settled, with whom could he have a bit of religious talk?

There was a young soldier in the barracks, his own groom, who was, he thought, leading a good life. With him, therefore, he might venture to talk about going to heaven.

His servant listened for some time to what he had to say, and then very quietly and respectfully said something like this, "I am going to heaven, sir, but we are not both going the same way."

"What do you mean?"

"The only way I know of getting to heaven is through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, and you seem to be trying to get there through your own."

The officer lost his self-possession and said angrily, "You mind your horses and let me mind my soul."

He walked away, but, thank God, not to rest. He could not rest! He thought, "What did the fellow mean by talking to him in that way? If he was not on the right track, who was?"

It occurred to him to go to some clergyman and tell him of the audacity of his servant in speaking to him as he had. In the mercy of God he chose one who was himself taught of God, and had found refuge in Christ. This godly man thoughtfully listened to all he had to say, and then remarked, "It seems to me, Major Hanson, that the young soldier is right and you are wrong. God has only one way of taking us to heaven, and that is through the precious blood of Christ."

In despair he cried, "What must I do then?"

"You must come to Christ: He will receive you. He has promised, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' "

This was enough. He hurried home and, casting himself before God, rested all his hope of blessing on the merits of Christ. How truly he could say:

"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."

Major Hanson had discovered what every one of Adam's race must one day discover: that sincerity, however fired with religious zeal, is not of itself sufficient to secure a title to the glory. He discovered it in time to correct his mistake. But many will wake up in hell to discover that all their religious zeal and energy has been of the devil.

Now there may be as little question about my reader's earnestness as there was of this officer's. But mark well: SINCERITY IS NOT ENOUGH. Sincerity for the future can no more atone for the sins of the past than the calm weather of today can repair the effects of the storm of yesterday. Nor could a whole lifetime of sincerity and good behavior by any possibility atone for one single sin of the past.

"Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
Nought for sin could ere atone
But Thy blood and Thine alone."

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

"Redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Pet. 1:18, 19.

Do You Know God?

Of course you know there is a Supreme Being, the Creator and Upholder of all things. But do you know God, the holy and righteous God with whom you must have to do? Do you know that He cannot look upon sin, or allow the sinner to go unpunished? (Hab. 1:13.)

This is not the popular God; but this is the God of the Bible, the God of Revelation, the God before whose judgment throne you will one day stand. Can you look forward to meeting that God, calmly and without fear? No unpardoned, unconverted sinner can.

Men may talk loud and long about the "universal Fatherhood of God." They may speak of His mercy in a general way, as if He had ceased to mark iniquity or punish sin; but when it comes to meeting God, or going into the presence of the Searcher of hearts, they shrink and shudder. WHY? They "know not God."

God has revealed Himself to men in the Person of His Son. Christ's mission to earth was to declare the heart of God, to make known His hatred of sin and His love for sinners. God so loved the world that He gave the dearest object of His heart, His own Son! He so hated sin that He forsook Him when He became our sin-bearer and our surety on Calvary's cross. There our blessed Savior vindicated God's majesty, satisfied His justice, declared His righteousness, and manifested His love. In virtue of that cross and the work accomplished thereon. God is now shown to be "just and the justifier" of the ungodly when they put their trust in His Son Jesus. (Rom. 3:23-26.) Do you know God thus?

"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." John 17:3. To know God through Jesus Christ is to have eternal life and salvation.

"They that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee." Psalm 9:10. And all who know Him say: "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid." Isaiah 12:2.

Do you know God? Or do you say as some of former time, "Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways." Job 21:14. When judgment strikes, it will fall with awful force first upon "them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thess. 1:8.

Are you sure that this does not include you? DO YOU KNOW GOD? Oh, dear lost one, before it is too late, "acquaint now thyself with Him [God], and be at peace." Job 22:21.

God Is Love

Mr. S. was once riding in the country. On a barn he saw a weather vane and on its arrow were inscribed these words: "God is love." He turned in at the gate and asked the fanner, "What do you mean by that? Do you think God's love is changeable? Does it veer about as the arrow turns in the wind?"

"Oh, no!" cried the farmer. "I mean that whichever way the wind blows, God still is love."

"Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. 31:3.

Paul's Gospel in Twenty-Five Words:

"CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS...
AND THAT HE WAS BURIED...
AND THAT HE ROSE AGAIN...
AFTER THAT HE WAS SEEN
WAS SEEN OF ME ALSO."

1 Cor. 15:3-8.

Waiting to Enter

Several years ago I visited a fisherman friend and found him in great distress about his soul. "Oh, I am lost, hopelessly lost," he wailed. "There is no grace for me. I did not open my heart when the Savior stood before its door, knocking. Now it is too late—He is gone away!"

The poor man had neglected to decide fully for Christ when others were accepting Him as their own Savior; and since then he had been in fear and sorrow, constantly saying, "I did not open unto Him when He knocked, and now He has gone away."

"What you are saying is not so," I responded, "for if you would but open unto Him now you would find Him still standing there waiting, for it is still the day of salvation."

With these words I left him, bidding him goodbye. He looked at me fixedly, but said nothing.

The next day the man came up to me, his face beaming with joy. "Oh, sir, you were right," he cried. "When I opened unto Him, I found Jesus standing there, still waiting. Now I have received Him and He is my Savior and Lord, and I am happy and at rest."

He is still a happy Christian, walking with the other believers of the village in the narrow path of life that leads to eternal glory.

Behold the Savior at the door!
He gently knocks, has knocked before;
Has waited long—is waiting still;
You use no other friend so ill.

Admit Him ere His anger burn,
Lest He depart and ne'er return;
Admit Him, or the hour's at hand
When at His door denied you stand.

Admit Him, for the human breast
Ne'er entertained so kind a guest;
No mortal tongue their joys can tell
With whom He condescends to dwell.

Open the door! He'll enter in
And sup with you and you with Him.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3:20.

"I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9.

Mighty to Deliver

Mr. C. I. Scofield, known to many through what is called the "Scofield Bible," was in early life a man of superior ability as a lawyer in his own community. Though he possessed great mental power, he became "a little child" in the simplicity of his faith in God after he had accepted "His Son," Jesus Christ, as his Savior and his Lord.

He has described himself, before his conversion, as "a drunkard, a wretch, a ruined and hopeless man who, despite all his struggles, was fast bound in chains of his own forging." This is the man who accepted Christ as Savior, and whom the Savior delivered and set free. This is the man who became one of God's servants for the propagation of His living and life-giving Word. The story is invaluable as a witness to the power of Christ to deliver from sin.

One day Mr. Scofield was alone in his St. Louis law office when Mr. Thomas S. McPheeters entered. The two men were about the same age and had been friends for many years. After a few minutes of general conversation, Mr. McPheeters prepared to leave. With his hand upon the doorknob, he turned and faced Mr. Scofield, saying: "For a long time I have been wanting to ask you a question. I have been afraid before, but I am going to ask it now."

"I never thought of you as afraid of anyone," said Mr. Scofield in hearty friendship. "What is your question?"

The reply was unexpected. "I want to ask you why you are not a Christian."

After a moment's deep thought the lawyer answered, "Does not the Bible say something about drunkards having no place in heaven? I am a hard drinker, McPheeters." "You haven't answered my question, Scofield," the other man replied. "Why are you not a Christian?"

"I have always been a nominal church member, you know," said Scofield, "but I do not recall ever having been shown just how to be a Christian. I DON'T KNOW HOW!"

Now McPheeters had his answer. He drew up a chair and took a Testament out of his pocket. From it he read passage after passage from the precious Word, plainly showing his friend how to be saved.

"Will you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior?" he asked.

"I'm going to think about it," said Scofield.

"No, you're not," answered McPheeters. "You've been thinking about it all your life. Will you settle it now? Will you believe in Christ now, and be saved?"

The logical-minded, clear-thinking lawyer liked clear-cut statements and unequivocal questions and answers. After a moment's thought he looked his friend full in the face and said quietly, "I will."

The two men dropped down on their knees together. Scofield told the Lord Jesus that he believed on Him and received Him as his own personal Savior. There on his knees he was saved! He was a new creation in Christ Jesus. Old things had passed away and all things had become new. (2 Cor. 5:17). Thomas S. McPheeters had been used of God to lead C. I. Scofield to Christ.

To emphasize the power of Christ to deliver and to set the captive of sin free from the fetters that enthrall, we give the following facts from a letter written by Mr. Scofield:

"Great opportunities had indeed been given me, and for years I had made them my own. But slowly, insidiously, the all but universal habit of drink in society and among the men of my time overmastered me."

Scofield was not a victor in the battle of life—though victories had come to him—but a ruined, hopeless man who, despite all his struggles, was fast bound in chains of his own forging. He had no thought of Christ other than a vague respect—the survival of family influence.

There was no hope that in a church, sometime he might hear and believe the gospel, for he never went to church.

And then the Lord Jesus Christ took up his case, for "man's extremity is God's opportunity." Men had turned from him, but the Lord of glory sought him. Through Thomas McPheeters, a joyous, trusting Christian, Jesus Christ offered Himself to that wreck. Wrote Mr. Scofield:

"It was a Bible conversion. From a worn pocket Testament McPheeters read to me the great gospel passages, the great deliverance passages, John 3:16; 6:47; 10:28; Acts 13:38, 39, and the like. When I asked, like the Philippian jailer of old, 'What must I do to be saved?' he just read them again. When we knelt for prayer, I received Jesus Christ as my Savior.

"Instantly the chains were broken, never to be forged again. The passion for drink was taken away through dependence on Jesus Christ, my Lord. Divine power did it, wholly of grace. To Christ be all the glory.

"Yours in His love,

"C. I. S."

Verily it is a wonderful story! He is a wonderful Savior. "His name shall be called Wonderful." Isa. 9:6.

Blessed fact, the story of C. I. Scofield is just such as may be repeated, in the experience of any soul so bound "in the chains of their own forging" as C. I. Scofield was. "Jesus only" is the hope for every soul fettered by the force of evil habit.

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

"This is My blood of
the new testament,
which is shed for many
for the remission
of sins."

Matt. 26:28.

“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."

Lev. 17:11.

June

Why Speak Ye Not of Jesus?

Ye're speaking of the sunshine,
Ye're speaking of the rain,
Of your flocks and pleasant pastures,
And of the golden grain;
Why speak ye not of Jesus?

Ye're speaking of your children,
Of kindly hearth and home,
Of loving and beloved ones
Who far away must roam;
Why speak ye not of Jesus?

He hath kingly robe and scepter,
He hath a royal sway,
A priceless wreath of victory
That fadeth not away;
Why speak ye not of Jesus?

His love is ever abiding,
Which never can decay:
Though home and heart be lonely,
He will not turn away;
Then speak to me of Jesus!

Now listen, O my brothers!
And listen, sisters mine,
Go on and scatter freely
Each seed of fruit divine;
And ever speak of Jesus.

But go, remembering daily
To live for Him is strife;
You'll speak of Him most surely,
By likeness to His life;
Thus truly speak of Jesus.

The Woodsman's Last Message

Two lumbermen were felling trees in the forest: one was a Christian, the other was a scoffer. The name of Christ was often on the scorner's tongue, but it was in blasphemy. His wicked language sorely grieved his fellow workman. The saved man often warned his companion of coming wrath, and told him of God's love and grace for sinners.

The days passed on, and the scoffer continued his scorning. One day the tidings reached them that a neighboring woodsman had been killed by a falling tree. Instead of its producing a solemn impression on the scorner's mind, he turned it to ridicule, singing in ribald jest: "Who'll be the next?"

The Christian workman, pointing to a marked tree at the root of which lay his companion's axe, said seriously, "David, YOU may be the next tree marked to be cut down."

That night while the scoffer was riding home his horse was startled by a passing train. It jumped to one side, throwing the rider to the ground with great force. He was fatally injured; and after two days of agony and pain, he died.

God will not be mocked. He is long-suffering and slow to wrath; but let it be remembered, my reader, that He will not always bear with sin and sinners. The day of His wrath will come.

Are YOU rejecting the gospel of God, and with open eyes choosing eternal damnation rather than everlasting life?

"Tonight may be thy latest breath,
Thy little moment here be done;
Eternal woe—the second death—
Awaits the Christ-rejecting one.
Thine awful destiny foresee:—
Time ends, and then ETERNITY!"

"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

Proverbs 29:1.

The Accepted Time

One Lord's Day evening a young man visited a preacher of the gospel. His first words were: "I have come in answer to the invitation you generally give to your listeners at the close of your addresses:... to visit you, if anyone wishes to know more about such matters."

"I am very pleased that you came," was the friendly answer. "Please be seated."

"I really don't know," continued the young man, "what to say to you. The one thought on my mind that has driven me to you is that I have neglected religion long enough. I have therefore decided to put it off no longer."

"A good resolution," said the preacher, "for God's Word says: 'Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' "

"I don't think that text is suitable for me, because..." "It is just suitable to your case."

"I wanted to say," interrupted the young man, "that I am not yet advanced enough to have this text applied to me."

"But you told me that you had decided not to put it off any longer. That is why I answered, 'Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' "

"Certainly; but I must not set about this in too great haste."

"You just must hasten, my friend! The angels of the Lord commanded Lot to hasten, and as quickly as possible to flee from Sodom. As judgment once broke loose over Sodom, so will God's judgment fall on this world some day. It may be SOON. Therefore 'God... now commandeth all men every where to repent.' “Acts 17:30.

"But I don't think I am in a proper condition to become a Christian."

"You think then," continued the preacher, "that disobeying God's Word will bring you into a better condition?"

"Well, not exactly; but I am not deeply enough convinced of my sins. I know that I am a sinner, and that I ought to be otherwise; and I really am quite decided to turn to God."

"Now then, do it! 'Behold, now is the accepted time.'" "But my heart is still so hard and indifferent. I feel even a dislike to God, such as I have never felt before." "Repent then, and confess to God the indifference and enmity of your heart. And do it today!"

The youth looked thoughtfully before him for a moment, and then said, "I would willingly go to God, but I am not yet prepared for it."

"Are you then more prepared today than you were last Lord's Day?"

"No, I am not an inch further. I even think that I am much less prepared than I was at the moment I decided to become a Christian."

"In any case you have not come nearer to God," replied the preacher; "and the reason is this: you do not believe that now is the accepted time."

"I do believe it, for the Bible says it; but I do not feel my sins deeply enough," answered the youth with a sigh. "Then is it not yet the accepted time?"

"I have not faith enough."

"Then is it not yet the day of salvation?"

"But I—I—I am not yet enough prepared."

"Then God has made a mistake, for He said: 'NOW is the accepted time.' "

The young man jumped up and cried out anxiously, "What must I do then?"

"Acknowledge your sins to God, and believe on the Savior that He has sent to save such as you an enemy, a hateful and careless sinner and don't wait any longer. Come to Him today! Today is the day of salvation; today is God's time, not tomorrow. You told me that you had decided not to put it off any longer, and you doubtless believed that you were in earnest. However, your whole conduct proves that you will not come to Jesus today, but have made up your mind to wait `for a more convenient season.' But let me warn you, my friend! A more convenient season never comes. NOW is the accepted time."

"It is cruel of you to drive me into a corner like this."

"If you were lying on a sick-bed," replied the preacher, "and if you knew that you were near death, you would not speak so. On the contrary, you would hear with joy that God's Word says: 'Behold now is the accepted time.' If God demanded a time of preparation say—a week, or a month—you would have reason to be alarmed. It is grace, undeserved grace, when He says to you: 'Behold, now is the day of salvation.' For you know not if you will be alive tomorrow."

For a long time the young man stared straight before him. At last he said with a troubled voice, "Will you pray with me?"

The preacher granted this request with joy; and when the young man was leaving, he repeated to him very earnestly, " 'Behold, now is the accepted time.' "

A week passed. Lord's day evening the young man knocked again at the preacher's door and entered. But his face wore quite a different expression! With a joyous smile he took the preacher's hand and said, "NOW I am happy. I have given my heart to Christ as my Savior and am reconciled to God.

"Last Sunday I was dissatisfied with you. I thought you were cruel to keep hammering me with the same text. But what a good thing that you did! Through God's grace it has been the means of saving my soul.

"I could not forget that text. It went everywhere with me. 'Wherever I was, I heard in my ears, 'NOW is the accepted time!' It went on so for three days. I tried to forget the words and to think of something else; but it was impossible.

"Finally I got a Bible; but wherever I read, that wonderful text seemed to cover the rest in large letters. I didn't know what to do.

"Then I asked myself why these words troubled me so. And what was my conclusion? I discovered that I was unwilling to be saved by the Lord Jesus. I had thought that my decision not to put it off any longer was real; but God showed me otherwise. I wanted, just as you said, to wait for a 'more convenient season.' I wanted the world a little longer. I did not want to separate from my worldly friends.

"On the other hand, I wanted to merit salvation. I wanted to do something for God, to pray more, to read more in His Word, to 'become religious.' But I did not want to go to the Lord Jesus as a lost sinner.

"God be praised that He did not abandon me! Through His Word I began to see myself as He saw me— a lost, guilty, Christ-rejecting sinner—and I took my place with those who 'have sinned and come short of the glory of God.' What a burden was mine! I saw myself indifferent to the claims of an outraged God, an enemy to His Son given in grace to die for my sins, and totally unworthy of the least of His good gifts. I could only cry, `God be merciful to me a sinner.'

"Praise His Name! The light of His love entered my soul. I came to Jesus as I was and—I found rest and peace. I had not wanted grace; but oh, how glad I was when I found that God's grace to me, the rebel sinner, had done everything! To Him be praise and thanksgiving for ever and ever!"

My reader, how is it with you? Do you wish you were saved? Then come to Jesus NOW. Prove the reality of your desire by believing Him, for He says:

"Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

Tomorrow or Today?

Man's time is tomorrow, yet man knows not from moment to moment the end of his life. God's time is today, and God is from everlasting to everlasting.

Christ the Sin Offering

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,"

All that was due to us as ruined sinners was laid upon Him in order that all that was due to Him as the accomplisher of redemption might be ours.

There was everything against Him when He hung upon the cursed tree in order that there might be nothing against us. He was treated according to our deserts, that we might be treated according to His.

"He [God] hath made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.

He took our position with all its consequences in order that we might get His position with all its consequences.

He was cast out of God's presence because He had sin on Him, by imputation, that we might be received into God's house and into His bosom, because we have a perfect righteousness by imputation. He had to pass through three hours' darkness, that we might bask in the light of that countenance. He was forsaken of God for a time that we might enjoy His presence forever. —C. H. M.

"For me, Lord Jesus, Thou hast died,
And I have died in Thee;
Thou'rt risen: my bands are all untied;
And now Thou liv'st in me.
The Father's face of radiant grace
Shines now in light on me."

Faith

"Leaning Wholly: That Is Faith!"

When Dr. John G. Paton first preached the gospel in the New Hebrides, he had some difficulty in finding a word in the native tongue for "FAITH." The natives were unable to give him such a word: they had none in their language. "To hear" was the nearest; but that was insufficient, as it is possible to hear the gospel without having faith in it. Dr. Paton looked earnestly to the Lord for means to make this important word clear to his hearers, and the Lord answered his prayer.

One day while Dr. Paton was sitting on a chair talking to a group of natives, he was inspired to use a simple illustration to evoke the idea of trusting, which is the real meaning of "faith."

"What am I doing just now?" he asked a native.

"Koe kae and, Missi" (you are sitting down, Sir), was the answer.

Then Dr. Paton drew up his feet from the floor altogether and placed them on a bar of the chair, thus resting his whole weight on the piece of furniture. "What am I doing now?" he asked.

"Fakaron grongo, Missi" (you have lifted yourself from every other support, Sir), was the native's answer.

"That's it," shouted Dr. Paton; "that's faith. To lean on Jesus only, to rest on Jesus wholly, for all the things of eternal life—that is living faith."

Beautifully simple, yet divinely true! Faith rests upon Jesus, it reposes on Him alone. It leans wholly and solely upon Him, and neither expects nor looks for any good in self. Faith confides in God, takes Him at His word, and asks for neither frames nor feelings to give assurance that what God says is true.

"What Jesus is and that alone
Is Faith's delightful plea;
It never trusts in sinful
Self Nor righteous Self in me."

Upon All

All this richness, fullness, blessedness of God's salvation still flows out freely—"without money and without price"—unto all the wide, wide world. Its scope is limitless, its merit eternal.

Then, you say, all the world will be saved. Ah, no! Though salvation is offered freely and fully UNTO ALL, its measureless benefits are poured out only UPON ALL them that believe. Your merit or desert is entirely out of the question, dear lost one, for "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight." Rom. 3:20.

Nor is your sinful state a barrier to His free-acting grace, for "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15. I pray you, take your place with that vast throng of whom the Apostle says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. This is the world whom "God so loved" in John 3:16. "Unto all" this ruined race He offers salvation full and free in order that "upon all them that believe" (the whosoever of John 3:16) He may pour out the riches of His grace.

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

A Form of Godliness

Some years ago a lady was suddenly taken ill, and when the doctor saw her, she was told she had not many weeks to live. You may guess how frightened she must have been when I tell you she did not know Jesus. She had been, as she said, a good churchwoman, and had passed for a good Christian because she was regular in her attendance at church, took the sacrament often, gave much money for religious and charitable purposes, and was well acquainted with what people call "the plan of salvation."

"But," she said, "I have never cared to know a living Savior, nor to know from Himself that my sins are forgiven."

This was what she told a Christian lady who went to see her on her death-bed; and then she added, in hopeless anguish, "It is too late to seek Him now. I have had the form of godliness without the power of it. I am lost; lost forever!"

Think, dear young reader, how dreadful this must have been to her—a foretaste of the judgment to come! Would you wish to escape such fearful distress? Come to Jesus now, at once, and you shall never feel what she felt when she cried, "I am lost, lost forever!"

It was in vain that the dear Christian who had come to see her told her "God is love," and tried to set before her the all-sufficiency of Christ to save her as she was. She kept on saying, "The gospel is not for me; it is for others. For me it is too late."

In the meantime her disease was running on rapidly to the end, and the death she so dreaded drew nearer and nearer. Still her friend went to see her, and day and night ceased not to pray for her that the Lord would give her power to believe. At last one day, when she was very near the end, she said, "Sometimes I think I could almost believe the message, 'God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.' But then for me it has sounded in vain through a long lifetime. And now I can justify Him in saying, 'You have never cared for Me. You have been satisfied with 'Christianity' without Christ; and now, because you are dying, you come at the last moment in cowardice to My feet. Depart from Me, I never knew you.' "

Her friend, in great distress, called silently on God to open her eyes to see Jesus as He is; and then she pointed out to her how sinful it was to speak against the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I have not said anything against His character," she replied earnestly; "I have told you I could wholly justify Him in condemning me."

"You did not intend it, I am sure," replied her friend, "yet you have described Him as a miserable trifler. He has said, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest'; and 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' Now because you are weary and heavy laden, and are a dying creature, is He to say to you, as you stand trembling on the brink of eternity, 'I cast you away from your last hope... My promise fails toward you'? I entreat you never to say it of Him again, for I cannot bear it."

"Neither can I," said she, as the light flashed into her soul, and she saw the wickedness of her unbelief. "I never understood before what an injustice I am doing Him!" Then clasping her hands, she cried, "Lord Jesus, I am so grieved; I am so ashamed I have distrusted Thy goodness, Thy marvelous enduring love, Thy truth, Thy faithfulness. My unbelief in Thee is my greatest sin of all. Lord, I now believe; help Thou mine unbelief."

Faint with conflicting feelings and the exertion she had made she turned to her friend and said, "Perhaps now I had better thank Him for having kept His promise; for I know He has forgiven me. You speak the words, and I will join in."

I need not tell you how gladly and thankfully her friend did as she requested, and thus together their praises ascended to Him who "turneth the shadow of death into the morning."

On parting from her, her friend repeated to her this old verse:

"The soul that to Jesus has fled for repose,
He will not, He cannot, give up to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
He'll never, no, never, NO, NEVER forsake."

Dear reader, will you imitate her long neglect and unbelief; or the faith that took Him at His word, and found forgiveness of sins by His blood, and eternal rest at last in His unchanging love?

Extract

Grace has no limits, no bounds. Be we what we may (and we cannot be worse than we are), in spite of that, God towards us is LOVE.

"The Lord Jesus shall be
revealed from heaven
with His mighty angels,
in flaming fire taking
vengeance on them
that know not God,
and that obey not
the gospel of
our Lord Jesus Christ."

2 These. 1:7, 8

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

2 Cor. 6:2

July

The Voice of God

"He doth send out His voice and that a mighty voice." Psalm 68:33.

God spoke in POWER:... "Let there be light,"
And light directly shone!
The voice of God resistless is;
He speaks—and it is done.

God spoke in JUDGMENT:... "Thou shalt die."
Man sinned, and death came in!
A blighted world attests the fact
Of human guilt and sin.

God spoke in MERCY:... "Look to Christ,
Believe in Him and live!"
Thousands receive the precious word:—
'Tis God's delight to give.

And still in perfect LOVE He speaks,
His accents all divine!
O wandering one, the call obey,
And glory shall be thine.

The Organ Grinder

I was lonely and sad. Everything about me seemed dark and desolate, and my soul was cast down. I had forgotten the admonition: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee." Psalm 55:22.

Suddenly, out of the deep silence and aloneness of that sad evening came the sounds of sweetest melody. It was a street organ played by a young boy. I went out to give him a little money.

What an intelligent face was his, and at the same time those large dark eyes which he turned upon me, what a story of need and sorrow they told!

He is hungry, I said to myself. Placing bread and meat on a plate, I added a booklet which was lying on the table. I handed it all to him without any courage to say a word. Yet he deeply interested me, and as I watched him eating from behind the window where I sat, repeatedly my heart went up to God in prayer that the booklet might be used for his salvation. After eating, which was quickly done, he took up the booklet, read its title, "How to become a Christian," and put it carefully away in his pocket.

Several years later the terrible war had broken out with its sorrows and distresses, so my little organ grinder had passed out of my mind.

One day I went to visit a hospital where the wounded were cared for. The surgeon was making his rounds. Silent and sad he stood by one of the wounded, holding his wrist and counting his pulse which was growing weaker. I stopped to look at the patient. He was a very young man; his eyes were closed and the seal of death was on his face. At the same moment the chaplain came and leaned over the dying man, anxious to know if he still breathed. All at once the young man opened his eyes and asked, "Am I going to die?" The chaplain made no answer. "Oh, don't be afraid to tell me. I am ready."

"I cannot say, my young friend," said the chaplain, "but do you know the Savior of sinners? Do you love the Lord Jesus?" "Yes, sir; He is mine and I am His."

"Can I do anything for you? Have you a mother?"

"Yes, sir; but she is not here. I am going to be with her soon; she is in heaven. But I have a sister. Poor girl, she will be all alone now. But I have committed her to the Lord, and He will not forsake her. I would like to send her a few things." He made a great effort and drew from under his pillow a purse with a few gold pieces, then a Bible, a photograph, and a booklet quite worn, its cover soiled with blood.

"This booklet," he said, "brought salvation to me and also to my mother. Long ago, I was only a poor organ grinder. I tried to care for my sick mother and little sister. We were very miserable then. But a good lady gave me this little book. What joy it brought to us! And how glad my mother was when I read it to her! No one had ever given us anything to show us the way of salvation. No one had ever talked to us about that precious Savior who died upon the cross for our sins. The dear lady, we prayed for her every day. How I do long to see her again"

I drew nearer to catch every word from the lips of the dying man, for I had recognized in him the organ grinder who had once cheered my sorrowing spirit. Now I could no longer restrain myself. I sobbed aloud. It roused the dying man, and looking at me, he recognized me. Astonished, but unable to move, he said slowly, "I thank Thee, Lord; I know Thou hearest prayer."

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psalm 126:6.

Wisdom Cries

"Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets." Prov. 1:20.

"Wisdom cries," but what is Wisdom?
Mercy, love, and truth combined,
Fear of God, and dread of evil,—
Happy they who Wisdom find!

"Wisdom cries," but where is Wisdom?
Where the love of God is known;
Where the heart, by Christ attracted,
Is the loving Savior's throne.

"Wisdom cries," but who is Wisdom?
Christ Himself, and none but He;
God's delight, and man's Redeemer,
He whose death has set us free.

"Wisdom cries," but what its promise?
Happiness, and peace, and love;
Here below God's help and blessing,
And eternal joy above!

"Those That Seek Me Early"

Prov. 8:17

It is told of the great Hannibal that when he could have taken Rome he would not, and when he would have taken it, he could not.

Is not this the case with many souls? When their hearts are tender and the Lord Jesus is easily found, they harden their hearts against Him. Then when they near the end and should be resting in His love, He "has no beauty that they should desire Him." When they may have mercy, they do not prize it; and when they cry for mercy, like the rich man "tormented in this flame" in Luke 16:24, they cannot obtain it. He that in his youth reckons it too early to be converted may at last find that he has scorned the only way to be saved. "After death, the judgment"

"Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." Job 36:18. "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3.

The Worst of Both Worlds

A young man at a beach was determined to go out in a little boat when the sea was much too rough for safety. The boatman strongly urged him not to attempt it; but the young man would not be dissuaded. He even offered the boatman double the ordinary charge if he would go with him.

Tempted against his better judgment, the boatman consented, and together they put out to sea. They had reached a point just beyond the pier when their boat encountered heavy seas. A violent wave engulfed them; the little boat capsized, and both of them were drowned.

Poor boatman! He thought to get two fares instead of one. He lost them both and his own life as well. Dear reader, beware of "trying to make the best of both worlds," lest in grasping for a shadow you lose hold of the substance.

There was another man who had a Friend who was always kind and gentle towards him. That man was Judas Iscariot, and he was the "familiar friend" of Jesus the Savior. Others who hated Jesus and thirsted for His blood bargained with Judas to sell Him to them for money. He covenanted with them to sell Him for thirty pieces of silver—the price of a slave. He thought to get the money, and perhaps thought that Jesus would deliver Himself. Judas got the money, but Jesus did not save Himself. When Judas realized it, "he repented himself," cast the silver at the feet of those wicked bargainers, and went and hanged himself. He had lost the Savior, the silver, and his own soul, too.

Dear reader, do you think to have the world now, with all its vanity and all its sin, and then the Savior when you can have no more of it? BEWARE! The "double fare" may cost you dearly. The only safe, satisfying, and unfailing portion is the Lord Jesus Christ—"the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." His precious blood cleanses from all sin; His love fills and satisfies the longing heart.

Before Judas left the world, he had forfeited the silver for which he had sold the Savior, and he had lost his own precious soul. Dear one, be wise in time. Eternity is near.

Facts, Not Feelings

The gospel of God is a statement of facts. When a sinner receives it as God's message to his soul, then God's Word says he has become a possessor of everlasting life. He "hath" everlasting life (John 3:36).

Yet strange to say, many refuse to believe it until they feel within themselves some evidence that it is so. This is not faith. Faith believes God apart from feelings.

Reader, if you are occupied with your feelings instead of God's facts, will you read again the record that God has given concerning His Son, and concerning the present salvation of all who believe on Him? Then, by faith lay hold on the facts as God has given them. Give no heed to feelings, good or bad. We trust no feeling, no frame, but only what God saith: looking away from self to Christ. This is saving faith.

"By grace are ye saved through faith." Eph. 2:8. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1.

Saved in a Post Office

One morning a young dressmaker hurried along towards the post office where she expected to find a letter awaiting her. It was not a business letter, nor was it an epistle on urgent family matters. It was a letter in which she expected to find something that would give rest to her troubled soul.

The poor girl looked pale and haggard as she walked briskly on. She had spent many sleepless nights lately.

Her mind was troubled about thoughts of eternity and of her sure destiny to appear before a righteous God.

A cousin living at a distance had once spoken to her about her soul. She had especially warned her against a profession of religion without a possession of Christ, and had told her that if ever she became troubled about her state before God to write and let her know, as she would be praying for her.

Laughing at the idea, the young dressmaker had replied, "It's not likely you'll get a letter from me for a while, if it has to be about that. I'm quite pleased with myself as I am."

But God has His own way of speaking to sinners and making them think of eternal things. During the past week the seamstress was shocked by the sudden death of a young and beautiful girl for whom she was making a wedding gown. God used this incident to arouse her to a sense of her own lack of preparation for eternity.

Her soul became troubled. Her sins, though not of the kind that friends and neighbors could see, became quite glaring to her and a burden upon her conscience. Hell, her just punishment, was real to her now, as it is to every awakened soul.

Now she remembered her cousin. She wrote to her, telling her the state she was in, and asking her what to do to get peace. She was sure an answer would come, so hurried along to get the letter that morning. When it was handed to her at the post office window, so eager was she to get to its contents that, bursting open the envelope, she read her cousin's letter while standing at the office counter. Afterwards she confessed when telling the story of her conversion: "I was saved right there in the post office by simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ."

That letter was full of gospel grace. It told how Christ had finished the work of redemption on Calvary; that there was nothing to do but simply and only to believe on Him, to trust in Him, and to rest on His Word for assurance of salvation. The letter ended with a little poem:

"Nothing, either great or small,
Nothing, sinner, no;
Jesus did it, did it all
Long, long ago.

“‘It is finished!' Yes, indeed,
Finished every jot;
Sinner, this is all you need;
Tell me, is it not?"

"That's all; that is all. Yes, yes, I see it. I know it now," said the dressmaker half aloud. The astonished postmistress wondered what it was all about. Oblivious to glances, the young seamstress was seeing herself as she was in God's view. She let go all in which she boasted, all she was naturally proud of, all her own righteousness, and came as a lost and guilty sinner to Christ. She cast herself on Him and, true to His Word, He saved her. For He says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

And thus, only thus, will He save you, my reader. There is no other Savior—there is no other way.

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

"Time Is Winging Us Away"

A few years ago my wife stenciled in bronze on the door of our clock, just below the dial, the first line of that sublime old hymn, "Time is Winging Us Away." Then, on a card, she printed part of a solemn verse in Eccl. 3:15, "God requireth that which is past," and appended it to the clock shelf.

In vivid clearness those two pointed fragments of truth, one human, the other divine, appealed to the gaze of all who entered the room.

A young woman who lived in the vicinity used to visit my wife quite frequently. During her calls her eyes often fell on those striking epigrams. She would look with rapt attention for moments at a time, and on returning home often wept bitterly.

What caused her to weep, do you ask? It was because she knew that ruthless time was wafting her on toward the judgment where she would have to answer for the un-forgiven sins of the past. Reader, have you ever wept over your sins? It is better to weep and be saved now, than to laugh now and to wail and be lost forever.

Although this young woman was a professing Christian, amiable and moral, yet there was between her soul and God the unsettled question of her sins. This distressing condition of soul continued for a number of weeks, until one day she went to the city to have some dental work done. While the dentist was operating, quite abruptly but kindly he asked her the vital question, "Are you saved?"

This proved to be the Lord's way of leading her into liberty and blessing; for, though the Spirit of God had been striving with her so long, creating in her a desire to be saved, yet she had not found peace. On the afternoon of this day, however, while driving home, she said within herself, "I do want to be saved. God wants to save me. Christ has died to save me. The work is all done. Why, then, am I not saved?"

Blessed be His name, immediately the light of the glorious gospel of Christ flooded her soul. She believed; she was saved; she became a child of God, a joint heir with Christ. Then she could add the second line of the hymn to the first:

"Time is winging me away
To my eternal home."

A hale while ago it was, "Time is winging me away to judgment"; now, "To my eternal home." What a change!

At her earliest opportunity she came to tell us the joyful news. The clock, the texts, the conviction of sin preceding conversion—all was told. The past was all cared for, and with great joy she could now look on to an eternal future of bliss in the Father's house.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus." Rom. 8:1.

"No Profit" - "Great Gain."

Which are you going in for, "No Profit" or "Great Gain"? Which is to be yours as the result of all your toil and labor in life? Are you wisely directing your efforts? Are you employing your energies in the right direction to get the best as the reward of their expenditure?

Solomon labored and strove for satisfaction. He put out all his strength. He engaged all his wisdom. He employed all his wealth in the pursuit of true happiness. But he found it not. After the vain search—a lifetime long—he wrote his experience. We have it in the book of Ecclesiastes. His verdict upon his prolonged efforts is: "In all my labor which I have taken under the sun," there is no profit.

The Apostle Paul, after his conversion, spent his whole endeavor for the glory of Christ who had saved him, and for the blessing of others. He had little of this world's goods. He was poor and yet he made many rich. He had nothing and yet he possessed all things. He could say towards the end of his career, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

He had secured success where Solomon had failed. He had learned in whatsoever state he was to be perfectly satisfied. He had Christ as Savior and as Satisfier. The Holy Spirit within him gave him joys and delights which filled him to the full with satisfaction. In the service of God he found great gain.

It was Augustine of old who cried, "O God, Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are weary till we rest in Thee."

It is ever so. Earth's cisterns all are broken: they can hold no water. Seek not rest or contentment in aught below. "No profit" is written on it all.

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

"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.

Too Good to Hear Alone

A missionary was visiting some small villages in Ceylon.

He stopped at one house where there was a lone woman. They sat down and he began telling her about the love of God and of Jesus, the Savior.

Suddenly the woman sprang up, saying: "This is too good for me to hear alone; I must find some other women!"

In a short time she returned with five women, some old, some young. To this little group the missionary unfolded the wonderful news of salvation through faith in the shed blood of Christ. With the simplicity of childlike confidence every one of them "gladly received the word" to the saving of their souls.

"Too good, this Word, to hear alone!" Thus thought
Samaria's daughter, standing by the well;
And hastening villageward she quickly brought
Others to hear what Jesus had to tell:
"Too good to hear alone! And I must share
With other folks the gladness of this Word."

So spoke a daughter of Ceylon, who ne'er
Before the Gospel of God's grace had heard;
And we—who know the power of Jesus Name,
And countless precious Gospel-blessings own—
Can we account ourselves as free from blame
Whilst myriad souls in heathen bondage groan?
Oh, may these women make us feel some shame,
And deem that Word "too good to hear alone."

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation." Isa. 52:7.

“This is a faithful saying,
and worthy of all acceptation,
that Christ Jesus came
into the world to
save sinners.”

1 Timothy 1:15

August

Perfect Realization

We know we shall hear Him, yonder-
When His shout sounds in the air,
When His voice shall fill the heavens
With His "joy exceeding" there.
But 'tis now that, afar from turmoil,
Our hearts and souls can rise
And list to the Voice that telleth
Of the things beyond the skies.

We know we shall see Him, yonder—
When we meet Him in the air,
Ah, what shall our gaze enrapture
Save that once-marred Face so fair!
But 'tis now, from the midst of darkness
Updrawn by His love divine,
Faith looks at the radiant glories
That from His Person shine.

We know we shall praise Him, yonder—
Where all extol His Name,
Where universal voices
Repeat His glorious fame;
But 'tis here where He's scorned and hated,
It is now, midst trial and loss,
We may tell His worth and sufferings-
The virtues of His cross.

And we shall be like Him, yonder—
When we see Him as He is
In that Home of unclouded glory,
In His realm of perfect bliss.
But 'tis now, amidst scenes unlovely,
Where are conflicts, griefs, and foes,
That the light may be known by its shining,
And the love by the grace it shows.

A Joyful Surprise

An old man, Robert Jones, lived in a little village. He was poor in earthly goods, but rich in faith. He had known the Savior for many years, and sought to live well-pleasing to Him. The poor, far and wide, knew the kindly old man. He had always a word in season ready, and gladly would share his last piece of bread with the needy. He was faithful and earnest in visiting the sick, and even the danger of infectious disease could not keep him away. Where others drew back for fear, there was Robert Jones, consoling dying believers, or pointing the unconverted to their lost condition, and to the crucified Savior of sinners.

One day he came home very tired. He had been going from house to house for hours, and was glad now to rest his weary limbs. Scarcely had he sat down when someone called for him to visit a dying man in the next village. Our friend at first felt little inclined to go. His weary body seemed to say: "I can really walk no more." An inner voice whispered, "Try it; the Lord will give strength! It is for a dying man." At length he got up, saying "I shall go. It is written: 'Let us not be weary in well-doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.' " Gal. 6:9.

Arriving at the village, he soon found the house to which he had been directed. It was a poor little cottage surrounded by a garden. At his knock, the door was opened by a neatly dressed woman who said: "Come in! my patient will be real glad to see you. He has asked for you repeatedly. The doctor has just been here and thinks he will not live over the night."

Robert entered and found the sick man very weak indeed. After a few questions about his bodily condition, he said: "My friend, it is a very solemn thing to lie there with the consciousness of having to appear soon before a holy God to give account for every word, thought and deed."

"Yes, Mr. Jones, it is a very solemn matter," replied the sick man. "But the Lord is shepherding me, and when I appear before God I shall be unafraid."

Robert was greatly surprised, for such an answer he seldom met. Indeed he was not quite convinced, for he knew that many rest on false hopes. He put a few more questions, therefore, to the sick man; but the answers proved beyond a doubt that he had come to Jesus with his sins and had found forgiveness and salvation through His blood.

"How long is it since you received the Lord?" asked Robert, overjoyed.

"About twenty years ago. Yes, my conversion was quite a wonderful one. It happened through an extraordinary miracle."

"A miracle?" said Robert. "Every true conversion is an extraordinary miracle. Is it not the greatest miracle that a man who is dead in trespasses and sins, becomes a 'born again' soul through the Holy Spirit?"

"Yes, indeed, that is true," said the sick man. "But my conversion was an extraordinary miracle like those in Scripture."

"Impossible, my friend," was Robert's answer. He feared that the sick man was putting his trust in the remarkable manner of his conversion rather than in the work of Christ.

"You may think so," replied the sick man; "but you will judge differently when you have heard about it. Till about twenty years ago, I had led a godless life. I drank, I swore; and I made Sunday especially a day of sin. One day I was sent into a field to mow hay. Before that I had promised some comrades to spend the evening in a saloon, drinking.

"I went to the field, taking my dinner with me, for my house was too far away to go back for it. It was only bread and cheese, for I was too poor to buy better food. Arriving in the field, I sought a place to hide my lunch. I tied it in my handkerchief and put it in a hole in the hedge. There was nobody besides myself in the field.

"When midday came, I went there to eat my scanty meal. My little package still lay in the same spot where I had left it. Carelessly I unwrapped it; but what was my astonishment, when out dropped a tract! At the first glance I could scarcely believe my eyes; but it was actually so.

"I opened the tract and read it; and then I began to tremble. No one had been in this field but me. If so, I would have seen him. God Himself, I thought, has sent me this tract by an angel. I read it, and read it again. The tract spoke of my sinful and lost condition, and warned me to flee from the wrath of God. I fell on my knees; and for the first time in my life I cried from the depths of my heart: 'God be merciful to me a sinner.'

"I resolved firmly, since God Himself had sent me this tract, to begin a new life from that hour and to live only for the Lord. You can easily understand that I did not go to the saloon that night. I was miserable and felt all broken down.

"I knew the greatness of my sins, and it was a long time before I found peace and the knowledge of forgiveness. The Lord had mercy on me, and granted me the grace to accept the Lord Jesus through faith in His atoning death. Then my heart was filled with peace, joy and thankfulness. I was a new creation, as it is said in 2 Cor. 5.

"I have had much persecution and experienced much weakness; but He is faithful, and has sustained me. Now I rejoice that I shall soon go to be with my Lord to praise Him throughout eternity for His unspeakable grace. Tell me, can I not say truthfully that my conversion was brought about through an extraordinary miracle?"

The dying man looked at his visitor questioningly. Robert, however, seemed deeply moved with the account and remained silent for a time. Finally he asked: "How long did you say it was since this happened?"

"It will be twenty years next month," replied the sick man.

"Was the place where the field lay not called Ponder's Bush, and the owner's name Jones?" questioned Robert in an agitated voice. And when the sick man answered in the affirmative, he continued: "Praise the Lord! I can explain the miracle. On that morning, I was taking a walk near the field. Through the hedge, I noticed a man hiding something. I was curious as to what it was, thinking it might be stolen goods. When the man departed, I went and examined the little bundle, and found it contained only bread and cheese. I was about to go away, when I remembered some tracts in my pocket and thought it might do no harm to place one inside. I did it, thought as I went on my way: 'Who knows whether the Lord will not bless the reading of this tract to the heart of that man!' "

It was now the turn of the sick man to be astonished. Indeed, it was a happy moment. Old Robert was moved because he had found the fruit of seed he had planted twenty years before. The sick man rejoiced because God had made known to him before his death the man who had been the means of his conversion.

Soon he fell asleep in quiet peace; and old Robert went again with renewed courage to his work of making souls acquainted with salvation through Christ.

Reader, have you too been going on in a course of evil and disregard for God? Or has your conscience heard the warning to "flee from the wrath to come"?

Do not delay to seek peace and forgiveness, for the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners, says:

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

My Savior

Who kindly to my rescue ran?
Who laid redemption's wondrous plan
Ere earth was formed, or time began?
My Savior.

Then, who should claim my every thought,
And every act of service wrought—
Who thus my precious soul hath bought?
My Savior.

The Welcome

"I would give anything, or suffer anything, if I could only be as happy a Christian as I once was," were the words of a woman of about thirty-five years who was lying sick in a hospital ward.

A neglected cold and much want and privation had led to tuberculosis, and now that she had been brought into the infirmary it was clear that she had not many weeks to live.

Years before, an evangelist came to the town where this woman, then a girl, had lived. She with many others was converted. Her heart had been filled with joy. But as time passed she had wandered away from the Lord and had lost the joy of her salvation. Now she had to say: "I did once rejoice in the Lord—but not now."

However, the Good Shepherd had followed His wandering sheep, and was even then about to bring her back. He had spoken to her in various ways, and at last on a sickbed she listened and longed to return. She was assured of the welcome that awaited her if she would but come, and was urged to do so. "And him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out," said the blessed Lord.

"If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father." He begins His work when we sin, not when we repent or return to God. It is His work in us that leads us to repentance. It was not long before the sick woman was to prove the truth of it for herself.

A week later we read her the latter part of Luke 15, the story of the prodigal and his loving father. We told her: "That is just the welcome that awaits every one that returns to the Father." With tears of joy she turned to Him again, as she saw in Jesus her Savior the One who had all the rights to her love.

How she longed now to be used for Him! She had let precious time slip by; and yet God in His grace gave her an opportunity of testimony for Him in that ward at the very end of her life. The nurses as well as the other sufferers saw her patience and her trust, and were impressed by it.

One evening she had great difficulty in breathing, and she said to the ward nurse who was standing near: "Is this the end?"

"I am afraid it is," was the answer.

"Oh, I am glad; I am glad! I shall soon see Jesus." With these words she quietly passed away to be with Christ.

Dear one who refuses to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, this is written with the hope that it may encourage you to turn again to Him who has redeemed you with His own precious blood. Return unto the Lord without delay. You will find the same "welcome" from His loving heart that awaits every truly repentant wanderer from God.

And let us each one remember that now is the time to be used for Christ. Soon the opportunity will be past, and it will be too late.

"The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live, should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him who died for them, and rose again." 2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

The Clock without Hands

"I wonder what time it is," I thought, as I was hurrying along the street near my home; and I glanced up at the large clock over the watchmaker's shop to seek an answer to my question.

The clock was there certainly, but it was of no use in telling me the time, for the hands were gone! There were the figures marked clearly enough, and there may have been works inside; the springs may have been rightly placed, and the wheels may have been going round; but, if so, it was no good to me. But, though it did not tell me the time, it gave me a subject for thought during the remainder of my journey homewards.

There are three kinds of clocks. The right kind must have good mechanism properly working inside, and hands to point the hours outside on the face.

Secondly, there are clocks with hands rightly enough, but with no proper machinery within. This is a very bad kind, for they profess to show the time, but are, in reality, deceiving those who look upon them.

Thirdly, there are clocks like the one I saw, with no hands.

Was the machinery good? I cannot tell. Only its owner knew about that; he could see the interior, and knew whether or not the works were sound. To him it may have been a very valuable clock. To others it was worthless. Among those who are called Christians there are three classes corresponding to these three kinds of clocks.

First, there are real Christians who know that they are washed in the blood of Christ. These can say that God is their Father. They seek (though perhaps in small measure) to bear a faithful testimony to the world around, pointing as the hours and days go by to the "Lamb of God," warning others that the time is short, and that "He that shall come will come, and will not tarry." It is not that the rightly pointed hands make the machinery good, but because the machinery is good the hands point aright.

Again, there are those who make a great profession and say they are followers of Christ; but there is no life in their souls. They have never known the grace and love of God nor the power and efficacy of the work of Christ. They are like clocks with hands, but with no machinery inside. In a day that is coming such people will say, "We have eaten and drunk in Thy presence, and Thou hast taught in our streets." And the Lord will reply to them in those terrible words, "I never knew you."

There is yet a third class of people who have trusted Christ as their Savior, and who have tasted the grace and love of God. They have believed in the heart, but have never confessed with their lips. They bear no testimony to those around of what the Lord has done for them. They are like true clocks without hands. These cannot be distinguished from the "false clocks" by any but the Master Himself. He can read the hearts and knows when there is real faith in Himself; and to Him they even are precious.

My Christian friend, do not be like handless clocks. You can look up and say, "I have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Then what testimony do you bear to those around? Can they, by looking at your life, say, "What great things God has wrought!" Remember, 22 ECHOES OF GRACE that "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:10.

God My Savior

Three short simple words, but full of thought; words that teach us what God is, what we are, and what God would have us to be; words that humble man's pride, for they own that he cannot save himself; words that strengthen man's hope, for they speak of One able to save; words that reveal the faith of her who uttered them, and encourage us to believe and to rejoice in the Savior in whom Mary rejoiced!

These words could not have been uttered by a proud Pharisee, for such a one knows not that he needs a Savior. Still less could they have been uttered by a careless Sadducee, for to him there is no spiritual world to hope for, or to fear. They are the words of a lowly heart, uttered in a lowly, but a most blessed place, even at the footstool of mercy. There the sinner, who feels his sin to be both a crime and a stain, cries, "God be merciful to me a sinner," and at the same time looks to Jesus on the cross, and cries, "My soul hath rejoiced in God my Savior"; and the more the believing soul looks at that Savior, the more does it rejoice.

When Mary uttered these words, she rejoiced in a day which she saw by faith; He whom she looked for-the long promised One-was now at hand. She had a special subject of joy; personal to herself, but if she had not believed, she would not have so rejoiced.

It was not only the honor to which she had been called; not only the thought that all generations should call her blessed, that so filled and elevated her mind; it was rather that thought, in which the whole Church of Christ's redeemed ones may share with her, the wonderful thought, "God my Savior"! (Luke 1:47.)

"God" Himself, not man, performing the work.

"My Savior,"-not for others only, but for me, even me, partaking in the benefits of that work. It tells of such helpless, helpless need; such utter depths of human misery; a whole world that cannot save itself. Savior, this is the name by which JESUS speaks to the hearts that need Him.

"God my Savior" reveals the mind of God in Christ towards man, the love of God, the plan and purpose of God, the glory of God.

"A Savior, which is Christ the Lord!" Say, is He this to thee!
And doth thine heart acknowledge Him, Thine all in all to be?
"A Savior." Hast thou seen the sin On Him, the sinless, laid?
Trusted thy soul, thyself, to Him, Who all the ransom paid?
"Christ," the Anointed, Chosen One, Hast thou in heart embraced?
And wouldst thou all things else forego, His grace, His love to taste?
"The Lord." Oh, doth thine heart approve The wondrous, blessed word?
Be every wish, and every power Surrendered to thy Lord!

One Text - Enough

I stood by the deathbed of a woman known for her great natural benevolence. Her good works which she vainly recounted brought her no peace. She writhed in agony of soul, and believed that it arose from her unworthiness in partaking of the sacrament (1 Cor. 11:2729).

It was a terrible sight as she tossed to and fro in physical and mental anguish with none to point her to the Savior. When I visited her my only word was: "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin."

I was forbidden by her family and doctor to see her again. One text, only one—and little prospect of hearing if it had been received in faith. I had gone to see her, encouraged by a word from a Christian doctor. "Remember, God's resources are infinite in bringing souls to Himself."

Again, in spite of man's prohibition, I stood by the dying woman. A strange servant had admitted me. The poor, weary sufferer was in peace. When I inquired from whence sprang her hope, she repeated: " 'The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.' All night you seemed to stand by my side repeating it. I asked the nurse to read in the Bible, but there was no Bible here. She repeated to me some of Wesley's hymns; but when she was silent I heard again, 'The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.' "

The thief on the cross had but one sentence of the Word of God-and those blessed words of consolation lighted him through the valley of the shadow of death. It was enough. Better are "five words" "fitly spoken" of the Word of Life, than a multitude of "thine own words."

September

Her Name in the Will

An orphan girl was beginning to earn her living at a hat factory. She took much care and interest in her work, and before long she was placed in charge of an important branch of the business.

During this time she received a letter from a lawyer. He wrote her that through the death of an aunt whom she had never known she had inherited some property and a large sum of money. The girl thought at first that there had been some mistake, and that this inheritance could not be meant for her. She spoke to her employer about it, and he advised her to go and see the lawyer. She finally agreed to do so, and presented herself at the solicitor's office armed with many excuses in case she had made a mistake.

"There is no possible mistake," said the lawyer, "for your name is plainly written in the will, and no one but you corresponds with the name and description given."

He then showed her her name written plainly by her aunt. Emilie Brown had only to put her signature to a document, and immediately she entered into an inheritance that she had never hoped for, for which she had not worked, but which was the free gift of another.

The years went by. Emilie no longer worked at the hat factory. She lived in a peaceful little village with an old lady as her companion. Emilie was well known for her kindness to the poor and needy of that district, for she gave generously of her time and money for their good.

Many loved her for her gentle ways and thoughtful deeds.

But in spite of her many fine qualities, Emilie was not a Christian. She had never seen herself as a sinner before God and needing a Savior. She did not belong to the heavenly family who are "born of God."

While on a visit some distance from her home, she came into contact with some faithful preachers of the gospel. Listening to them she was awakened to her state as a sinner, and realized her need of a Savior. For several days she was in great distress and finally decided to go to see the preacher who had been the means of arousing her to a knowledge of her lost condition. She could not believe that so great salvation, the free gift of God, was really for her.

The preacher, who knew nothing of Emilie's history, tried to make it clear that the "good news" was for her. He said: "Suppose some rich person should leave you an inheritance. How could you be sure it was for you and for no one else?"

Emilie smiled, and suddenly grew red in the face. She well remembered the doubt that had assailed her on receiving the lawyer's letter.

"Would it not be," continued the man of God, "in seeing your name written in the will, and in proving that you are the one who fits the description given? Thus it is with Christ and the salvation which He offers. The Scripture says: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save SINNERS'! Now are you a sinner?"

"Oh, yes," said Emilie. "I know that I am a sinner, and a greater one than I even thought I was. That is why I fear that salvation is not for me."

"But the Word of God which I have quoted says the contrary. Which will you believe: your feelings or God's Word?" Emilie was silent.

"The entrance of Thy words giveth light." The glorious beams began to penetrate the darkness of her soul, but she hesitated to confess it. On her way home the grand fact that for sinners, for the lost, Jesus came, and not for the righteous, seemed to shine in all its simplicity.

"Oh, now I understand," said she happily as she walked along. "It is for sinners like me; therefore it is for me! My name is in the will. The inheritance is for me, and I claim it." And she did; and thenceforth all her benevolences were done as unto Him who freely gave Himself that poor sinners might be saved.

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:7.

Without God

"Strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." Eph. 2:12.

I was in a large town where gospel meetings were being held, and I went to them. The speaker was a fearless man, faithful to his Lord, and to his hearers. I thought he was just suited for his audience and was enjoying his plain words, when one evening he made use of what I regarded as a strange and unwarrantable expression. I remember the words well, even to this day—now over twenty years gone by—though no doubt the servant of God who uttered them has long since lost their remembrance, if indeed he has not gone home. The words are these: "The most amiable lady in this town, out of Christ, is as near hell as the greatest drunkard in it."

What dreadful words to use! How dare he say such a thing as this! I went home highly indignant with the preacher, and of course gave him the cold shoulder. I prated to my wife about such manner of preaching as his; but at the same time I was restless. Can it be true, thought I, that a religious man as I am—one who has never drunk a glass of intoxicating drink in his life, and who has lived most morally—can such a one be as near hell as a poor drunkard? No, no; the idea is too shocking. But what does God say? I searched His Word and found: "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23.

I read these words over and over again, and then read many others. By the Spirit I was led to bow to the Word of God. I owned that I was all wrong, and became anxious to be made all right.

Bless God, He soon revealed His Son to me as the only Savior. I believed Him, received the Lord Jesus as my own personal Savior, and then could sing in truth:

"Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away."

Dear lost one, your very nature is sin against a holy God. Believe Him when He says: "There is NONE righteous, no, not one." Accept His salvation accomplished by His dear Son Jesus on Calvary's cross, and eternal life shall be yours.

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

In Him

I am not now what once I was,
Nor am I what I long to be;
But what I am, I am by grace,
And when I see Him face to face
I shall be like Him perfectly.

I once was dead and thought I lived:
But now I live, yet dead I am!
I live in Him with whom I died;
I, to the world, am crucified....
My life, my song, is Calvary's Lamb.

"The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

Gal. 2:20.

The Doctor's Discovery

Alfred was the son of Christian parents. During his early childhood he had been taught the Word of God and brought up in the fear of the Lord. In his college days he became acquainted with a student who professed himself to be an agnostic, and much to the grief of his friends, Alfred soon became an avowed unbeliever.

After his graduation our young friend took up the study of medicine, and in due time he became a skilled and popular physician. But his heart was cold toward things eternal.

Twenty years Alfred spent in this condition. However, he experienced many a misgiving. This was especially true when he remembered the godly lives of his parents, or heard the dying testimony of some of his patients as they entered the world beyond in peace, confessing their faith in Christ and their certainty of being in heaven.

Late one afternoon the talented doctor was called to see a patient, a humble working man, but saved by grace and bound for glory.

"Tell me my true condition, Doctor; do not hide it from me. I have no fear of death, no dread of the future—all is bright ahead. Forty years ago I came as a sinner to Jesus; He saved me and has kept me happy in His love ever since. It will be the grandest day of my life when He sends for me to dwell with Him."

The doctor was touched by his patient's statement. It was not the wanderings of a lunatic. It was not the day-dream of a visionary. It was the calm, sober statement of a man of faith waiting on the border-land for the appointed hour that would usher him into the presence of his God.

The doctor examined his patient, and, contrary to his usual habit, he told the whole truth: "You may live a day, or you may go within an hour."

"Bless the Lord," was the calm reply. "Open up the blinds; bring in the boys; tell the men in the factory to come in. I want to spend my last breath in telling them of Jesus."

The doctor hastened away. He could stand it no longer. He hurried along, and in fifteen minutes was in his office alone with God.

"There is a reality in being saved after all," he said to himself. "My mother used to tell me so. That dying man knows it, and has the power of it in him. Of that there need be no doubt."

A terrible struggle followed. Pride asserted its rule. The devil put forth his claim. For weeks the doctor was not "at home." Another filled his appointments. And when he returned to his practice he was a different man—a man saved by God's almighty grace: calm in spirit, gentle as a child. In the days of his absence he had met with God, met Him at the Cross, where as a sinner he cast himself on His sovereign mercy, claiming forgiveness and salvation through the merits of Jesus alone. He fearlessly confessed his Lord, and for many a year testified by his life and lip to His saving power. He took his place before men as a follower of the rejected Christ, owning Him as his Savior and Lord.

His townsmen, who had so well known his agnostic principles, stood in wonder. His conversion became the talk of the town. All this was trying to bear, but it served the divine purpose for which it had been allowed in weaning him from the world, and showing him his place as a stranger here, rejected by the world as was his Lord. Grace triumphed, and for many years the doctor witnessed a good confession, and guided many a sick and dying sinner to the Lamb of God.

There is a reality in being saved! Do you know it? If not, you may! Just receive the Lord Jesus as your own Savior NOW.

"Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

"This Man receiveth sinners." Luke 15:2.

The Righteousness of God

The gospel reveals God Himself coming down in perfect grace and putting away sin by the sacrifice of the cross; putting it away in the most absolute manner on the ground of eternal righteousness, inasmuch as Christ suffered for it, having been made sin for us.

A Sacred Trust - the Gospel

"Preach the Word."

"It is an unhealthy symptom," says a renowned servant of God, "when the simple gospel is not enjoyed. It shows that the mind is at work, rather than the conscience exercised before God or the affections engaged with Christ. The Spirit, who leads into all truth, connects everything in His teaching with those great primary truths—the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Sad to say, not a few in our own day are affected with this unhealthy symptom. "It is only the GOSPEL," say some. These usually assume a high tone of spirituality and speak slightingly of earnest gospel workers. But whatever may be our individual thoughts of the gospel, we are bound to think of it according to the Word of the Lord, and for the sake of the unsaved.

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

Here the blessed Lord assures all His servants that one human soul is of more value than the whole material world. And can it be a light thing in His sight for any of His own to be indifferent to the means of the eternal well-being of that which is so precious to Him? Did He not commend in the highest way the zeal of the "four" men who, in spite of every difficulty, brought the palsied man and laid him at His feet?

"When Jesus saw their faith" (not his) "He said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven." Mark 2.

We need such zeal now in connection with all our meeting rooms; we need earnest hearts that would bring, in faith, poor palsied souls to the place where the Spirit of God is working. Such zeal is sure to meet a bright reward. In no other way can a preacher be so helped and encouraged. He who honored the faith of the "four" then, is unchanged, and honors such faith now.

A great responsibility thus rests with all who know the gospel, the glad tidings of salvation to the lost. To hold back this truth, or in any way to hinder its full and free proclamation, is to rob the sinner of his only hope of heaven, and Christ of His special glory as the Savior.

"It is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.

What dignity and glory this gives to the gospel! It is nothing less than the power of God,... "the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe; according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places." Eph. 1:19, 20.

Such are the marvelous results of the blessed mission of the gospel of the grace of God, that it raises all who receive it from the depths of their guilt and misery and sets them in the presence of God, pardoned, and "accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

This is the gospel which the Lord has committed to His own. May He in His mercy grant that both reader and writer may be found faithful to this sacred trust.

God's Way

God puts the best robe on the prodigal and makes the whole house rejoice. He does not say, "My prodigal has come back!" He says, "This My son."

Would You Be Happy in Heaven?

"Although my children are very good to me," said an aged Christian widow, "there is a distance felt between us. They are not happy, as I am, to have the things of God often before them—the things in which I find all my joy, comfort and satisfaction.

"They assert that they are Christians and hope to go to Heaven; but I wonder why they want to go there. They are not happy to have the close companionship of Christians on earth. How can they think they would ever be happy in the company of the Lord and of Christians for all eternity?"

Yes, that Christian mother was right: her children would not be happy in heaven. In spite of their claims in profession, their actions and their lives deny their possession of God's life which would respond to Him even here. If not "born of God," they are still in their sins; they are not saved!

No unsaved person would ever be happy in heaven. He would be there in his sins, exposed by the light and glory of that place. He could not stand the searching light of the presence of a holy God, but would flee from it.

People who know not Jesus as their Savior will say that they "want to go to heaven." Sober reflection would tell them that they are wrong. They dread the thought of meeting that holy God. They are not even happy in the presence and company of a Christian who is walking a consistent, godly, and separated pathway down here. They much prefer the company of those who, like themselves, enjoy the pleasures and vanities of this poor world.

There will be none of the pleasures of this fallen world in heaven—not one. The constant and unending joy and occupation of heaven will be the Lord Jesus Christ. Every heart and tongue there will sound the praises of Him who loved them and died for them. There will indeed be perfect joy, unmarred by anything.

"Yes, in that light unstained
Our stainless souls shall live;
Our heart's deep longings more than gained
When God His rest shall give.

"His presence there, my soul,
Its rest, its joy untold,
Shall find when endless ages roll,
And time shall ne'er grow old.

"Like Jesus in that place
Of light and love supreme;
Once Man of Sorrows full of grace,
Heaven's blest and endless theme."

Friend, how is it with you? Have you received the Lord Jesus as your own Savior? Have your sins been borne away by Him in His atoning death? If your answer is "Yes," you are fully fitted for heaven and will be one of that happy company' there. If you must say "No" to those questions, then you cannot enter heaven, for Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." You are lost, and your destiny is the blackness of darkness for ever (Jude 13).

But it is not too late! It is still the day of God's grace; and He pleads with you to change your solemn doom as a lost sinner to the happy portion of a true child of God. Hear His Word!

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 3:15.

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

"Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

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

"I Shall Be There"

Is there no joy in your heart to think that the One who came down from the glory to save poor lost souls of men—the One who had nothing here but a borrowed cradle, a cross built for a robber, and another man's tomb—I say, is there no joy that God is going to give Him all His rights and establish Him in them soon? I gladly confess that it is a great joy to me; and I love to think that when He comes back, I shall be with Him!

Those who have received Jesus as Savior shall be sharers of His glory and joy. Their hearts will be glad to the full, because it is the day of the exaltation of Him who is "the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

Will You Be There?

"We know there's a bright and a glorious home
Away in the heavens high,
Where all the redeemed shall with Jesus dwell:
But will you be there-and I?

"If you know the loving Savior now
Who for sinners once did die,
When He shall return to receive His own,
Then you'll be there-and I!"

"Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men."

2 Cor. 5:11

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

Acts 16:31

October

What Then?

After the joys of earth,
After its songs of mirth,
After its hours of light,
After its dreams so bright—
What then?

Only an empty name,
Only a weary frame,
Only a conscious smart,
Only an aching heart.

After this empty name,
After this weary frame,
After this conscious smart,
After this aching heart—
What then?

Only a sad farewell
To a world loved too well,
Only a silent bed
With the forgotten dead.

After this sad farewell
To a world loved too well,
After this silent bed
With the forgotten dead—
What then?

Oh, then—the judgment throne!
Oh, then—the last hope—gone!
THEN, all the woes that dwell
In an eternal HELL!

A Turcoman Dies for His Son

Towards the close of the 18th century Persia was governed by a Turcoman king, Kurreen Khan, who was perhaps one of the best kings the Persians ever had.

One day he heard that twelve men had been robbed, and murdered under the very walls of Shirar. The criminals for a long time could not be discovered; but the king gave strict orders to the officers of justice not to give up the search.

At last it transpired that the crime had been committed by some of Kurreen Khan's own tribe who at that, time had been encamped near Shirar. Their guilt was clearly proved, and all those who were actually engaged in the murder were sentenced to be put to death.

The king would not listen to any intercession for their pardon; for he had vowed that the guilty must all die. That they were of his own tribe made him the more severe.

When the criminals were brought out to receive sentence, there was among them a youth about twenty years old whose appearance much interested the spectators. How sad that one so young and well favored should die! Their anxiety was increased to pain when they saw the father of the young man rush forward and demand to speak with the king. He was allowed to do so, and said: "Kurreen Khan, you have sworn that these guilty men should die. It is just. But I, who am not guilty, come here to demand a boon of my chief. My son is young. He has hardly tasted the sweets of life. He is just betrothed in marriage. He has been deluded and led into crime; his life is forfeit: I come to die in his stead. Oh, be merciful!

Let me, an old worn-out man, perish, and spare this youth that may long be useful to his tribe! Let him live to drink the waters and till the ground of his ancestors."

The king was deeply moved at the old man's appeal, but could he pardon such an offence? No. The crime was Murder; and to check that crime in the country over which he ruled it was requisite that a terrible example should be made. One must die! With feelings very different from ours of justice, he granted the father's prayer, and the old man went rejoicing and thankful to his doom. The old man died that his son might live.

If parental love led the old man to give his life for the sake of his son, divine love led God, the offended God, to give up His dear Son. And love led that Son to come down to die for sinners, to lay down His precious life for His very enemies. The Lord Jesus "once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18.) Oh, reader, remember that the way to God is by the death of His Son!

Looking for Jesus

Going into a book store one day, I met a young man who "sought to see Jesus." He was sitting alone, and looked distressed and restless. I learned that he had been awakened at a Gospel preaching some time previously to a true sense of his lost condition. Now he was in deep anxiety about his soul, and earnestly desiring to find peace with God.

Going to him, I spoke of the Savior and His finished work, for other remedy there is none for a soul in such a state. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

His quivering lip told the depth of his feeling, as he answered, "I am looking for Jesus, and I cannot find Him."

Here was reality, and a soul in earnest. He was looking for Jesus. The sinner was seeking the Savior, and expressing, like one of old, "Oh that I knew where I might find Him!"

"But where are you looking?" I asked.

The question seemed new to him. After some moments' thought, he said vaguely, "I don't know."

"Where is the one you are seeking? Where is Jesus?" It was some time before he spoke. With an inquiring look, he slowly said, "In heaven?"

"Yes! Jesus is in heaven. He is the living Savior in heaven. He has gained the victory over sin, and borne its judgment. Raise your thoughts to Him where He is. He is speaking peace to you, and telling you that your sins were all put away when He bore the judgment of them on the cross and died in your stead.

"Now He is in heaven without them, and they can never rise against you again. They are gone in His atoning death, and God sees them no more. Christ bore them in His own body on the tree. He died there for our sins, and rose from the dead without them. They are gone—put away from before God forever."

He was listening eagerly. These few words seemed to lift the load from off him, and with a look of relief, he exclaimed—"I never thought of that before! Jesus is in heaven—and the sins He bore on the cross are gone—and God sees them no more!"

"Yes! God sees them no more. Fix your eyes on Jesus in heaven, for no one could look up into the face of Jesus Christ upon the throne of God, and have a doubt. Could you? Impossible! No sins could be on Him there."

We spoke further as to the finished work of Christ; and though I never saw him again, I believe these words brought light to him. By faith his eye now rested on Jesus in the glory,—Jesus, whom he wished to find and had been earnestly seeking. By God's Word he knew his sins were forever discharged by Christ on the cross.

When a soul is in earnest, and need is felt, faith appropriates the message from. God,—takes God at His word, and goes on its way rejoicing.

"There is no other name than Thine,
Jehovah Jesus! name divine!
On which to rest for sins forgiven,
For peace with God, for hope of heaven.

"Name above every name, Thy praise
Shall fill you courts through endless days!
Jehovah Jesus! name divine!
Rock of salvation, Thou art mine."

Unto All

The gospel is to the world, the wide, wide world. The theme is salvation, as full as the heart of God, as permanent as the throne of God, as free as the air—free to all without any exception, limitation, or condition whatsoever.

The basis of the work is the atoning death of Christ which has removed all barriers out of the way. The sacrifice of His "only begotten Son" has opened up the floodgates of God's mercy to ruined man. And now the mighty tide of divine love may roll forth in all its richness, fullness and blessedness to a lost and guilty world.

"I Say Unto You, Fear Him"

Nearly two thousand years ago the Lord Jesus spoke a parable which should be all the more heeded at this time. He told of a rich man (Luke 12), whose fields brought forth with such abundance that he had no room to house his harvest. Then said he, "This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater." He meant to live many years longer, for no man begins to build without desiring to finish and enjoy. He said, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry."

"But God said." Ah! he had not thought of Him, the Potter who has power over the clay He molds. "God said, Thou fool! this night thy soul shall be required of thee." Have we heeded this parable, recorded for us by the pen of inspiration so long ago?

In November 1893, one man forgot it. Great numbers were gathered together in the now world-famed city of Chicago. Not an "innumerable multitude of people," as on the hill-sides of Galilee, when the foregoing parable was spoken, but a worldly, thoughtless company celebrating the glories of the World's Fair. They had all that day been exalting the Mayor of the city that the world wondered after. He addressed the assembly.—Listen to his words:—

"I believe that I will live to see the day when Chicago will be the biggest city in America. I don't count the past. I have taken a new lease of life, and I intend to live more than half a century longer. At the end of that half-century London will be trembling lest Chicago should surpass her!" Himself and his city are exalted—yea, his own, life he would prolong. He has taken into his own hands the keeping together of body, soul, and spirit. To half a century ahead, in his daring presumption, he looks forward.

But God still sits in heaven; "and among the inhabitants of the earth... none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Dan. 4:35.) Within nine hours the speaker of those impious words met a violent death, and his spirit returned to God who gave it. "If He cut off... then who can hinder Him?" (Job 11:10.) He was like Herod who sat on his throne in all the pomp of regal display. He spoke, presumably he boasted, and the people applauded, saying, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he... gave up the ghost." (Acts 12.) "Vain man would be wise," but he likes to be so without God.

Great Babylon of the future will do the same. She will glorify herself as she has ever done. She, the empty shell of Christendom, the personification of religion without Christ, will say, "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Wherefore, to her in whom is found the blood of all the saints, "shall come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her" (Rev. 18).

Reader, "God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few" (Eccles. 5:2). It is a solemn thing to leave Him out of our lives! He only can do "whatsoever pleaseth Him" (Eccles. 8:3). Thankfully may we add that "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor. 1:21). He "sent His Son a propitiation for our sins," and death has no terrors for the lowly, contrite heart that believes the record that God has given of His Son.

"And this is the record, that God has given to us (that is, to believers) 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" (1 John 5:11, 12).

Glad Tidings

The gospel is good news—glad tidings—God's own best news to fallen man. Never forget that it is glad news from God Himself to poor, lost, ruined man.

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy" (Luke 2:10), said the angel when the Savior was born.

The early believers "gladly received the word," and "did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God." Acts 2:41, 46.

When Philip preached Christ in Samaria, "there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:5, 8.

God's people are called to be a rejoicing people, boasting even in tribulation, more than conquerors in every affliction and over every foe. The weary, heart-sick world, with its anxieties, uncertainties, perplexities, needs comfort and joy. And where are these more to be found than in Christ? His great love shone forth in His perfect work on the cross in order that they might know Him as Savior.

What a privilege belongs to every believer! Only grace could accord to each in his measure the blessedness of telling out "the good tidings of great joy." And marvelous result! "Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:7.

The Comfort of the Blood

"The blood was my first comfort, and I believe it will be my last comfort. I feel as though the Lord were leading me from earth to heaven, by the steps of the twenty-third Psalm.

“The Lord is my shepherd,... and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' "

The words came slowly from the lips of a dying man—a doctor—passing away from this scene and leaving a loving wife and children. He was in the prime of life, with a rest and joy in the Lord I have never seen surpassed. A few days later he passed away, with "Bless the Lord" on his lips.

Many physicians are infidels. Why, I cannot say. I would that all such could have seen this dear friend patiently pass through months of weakness, always rejoicing in Christ, and then at the last bear witness to the comfort of the despised blood of Jesus.

Ah, there is no real foundation for the soul apart from the blood of Christ. That blood cleanseth from all sin, removes every stain, purges the conscience, purifies the soul, relieves the distressed and sin-burdened heart, and sets the one who trusts it perfectly free in the presence of God. Death is robbed of its sting, the grave of its victory, and "judgment to come" has no meaning for the one who rests only on that which the Holy Ghost calls "the precious blood of Christ."

What folly can exceed that which despises God's only way of salvation-faith in Jesus' blood? No solid comfort is found apart from Christ and His blood.

What a portion is the Christian's! He has a title without a flaw, and a prospect without a cloud.

Infidel, what comfort will you have on your deathbed?

Thank God for the "Hath"!

A tent meeting was being held in a town about two and a half miles from my home. I had been there several times, and often I would have given myself to Jesus had not pride kept me back. I was afraid of what people might say! Yes, through pride I yielded to Satan, who whispered, "There is plenty of time. You are young. Besides you are a great deal better than many other girls, for you go to church regularly, and read your Bible, and say your prayers morning and evening; and what else could be expected of you?"

But my heart was not satisfied. I often thought of that verse: "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Dan. 5:27. I did not know what I lacked, for surely I was good enough! The more I thought of what the evangelist said in the tent the more miserable I felt. So I determined not to go again, for he made all my righteousnesses seem as filthy rags after hearing his preaching. My sister, who had been a Christian for some years, knew a little of what was passing in my mind, and she persuaded me to accompany her once more. On our way she spoke of the joy of salvation, and I fully made up my mind that, come what might, I would give myself to Christ.

At the close of the service the evangelist offered some gospel books, as he had done several times before, to any who were anxious to be saved. How my heart beat! Should I, or should I not accept one? I thought of all I would have to give up if I became a Christian. Then I thought: "This may be my last opportunity for accepting Christ. Many times He has called me, and I have refused." Ah! no one but myself and God knows what a battle was fought in those few moments. God, who is always ready to help those who ask Him, helped me then; and the verse, "My grace is sufficient for thee," flashed across my mind. With an effort, I got up in front of all the people—I knew nearly all there—and went over to the evangelist and took a book. How I trembled!

When the people were going out, I went to the evangelist and asked him if I might talk to him. He said, "I am so glad to see you; you have taken a step tonight in the right path, and I thank God for it." Then he showed me, as clearly as possible, God's way of salvation. But it seemed too simple, for I was laboring under the mistake that I had something to do to merit salvation, instead of having only to trust the Savior. And is not this a mistake which many anxious ones make? If there were some great thing to do before people could be saved how cheerfully they would do it; but what can we do to save ourselves? Absolutely nothing!

I went home and read the little book that had been given me. The next night at the tent as someone prayed he stressed these words, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36. God graciously applied them to my soul. I thanked Him for His word "HATH."

Afterwards the evangelist said to me, "You must look to God and not to yourself." He took a key out of his pocket, and said, "Now suppose you were to ask me for that key, and I offered it to you. Would you keep on asking for it when you could take it any minute? Is not that what you have been doing with God? He is offering you forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ. You have but to accept."

Thank God, I did so; and, although very often I have been assailed with doubts and fears, yet I know "I am His, and He is mine." May I never be ashamed to own Him as my Savior and my Lord.

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven." Matt. 10:32, 33.

"For 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.

Peace Made

The moment a poor sinner looks to Jesus by faith as his divine Sin-bearer, his sins are all gone—they are put out of God's sight forever.

Christ is in heaven. Could He take sins there? No! His being in heaven proves they are all left behind.

The poor sinner who trusts in Jesus gets the fruit of all that He has done and all that He is:—he is pardoned through His shed blood; brought nigh to God Himself. Peace has been made through the blood of His cross.

Now the glorified Man, Christ Jesus, is in heaven. There He appears in the presence of God for us:— of His Father and our Father, of His God and our God.

Once

He appeared once in the end of the age to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. That work is finished. It can never be added to, nor taken away from. Its value does not change. But the Spirit of God works in us to show us our need of it: makes us see that we are sinners, that we are lost in ourselves; leads us (perhaps by deep and painful convictions) to the sense that there is no good in us, that when even to will is present with us, how to perform that which is good we find not.

We find not only that we have sinned, but that there is a law of sin in our members, warring against the law of our mind, and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin in our members. But when—really humbled about this, and convicted in our hearts, removing all pretensions of righteousness in ourselves—we turn to Christ, we find that He has died for this very condition. He has been a sacrifice for sin, as well as for the sins that burdened us. He has been made sin for us, and has put it away for us by the sacrifice of Himself.

Thus we get peace and liberty of heart before God, because the sin is put away between us and Him. Christ has made full expiation. Sin does not exist as between God and us.

When He looks on the blood of Christ He cannot see sin in the believer, because when Christ shed that blood He put away our sin. Thus we get liberty and power too; because submitting thus to the righteousness of God, having Christ for our righteousness, we are sealed with the Spirit, which gives us power and shows us Christ. In believing in Him we get peace, strength and joy, and are able to glorify Him.

“Seek ye the LORD while He

may be found, call ye

upon him while He

is near.”

Isa 55:6

November

Will You Be There?

Beyond this life of hopes and fears,
Beyond this world of grief and tears,
There is a region fair.
It knows no change and no decay,
No night, but one unending day:
Oh, say! Will you be there?

Its glorious gates are closed to sin;
Naught that defiles can enter in
To mar its beauty rare.
Upon that bright eternal shore
Earth's bitter curse is known no more:
But say! Will you be there?

No drooping form, no tearful eye,
No hoary head, no weary sigh,
No pain, no grief, no care;
But joys which here we cannot know
Like a calm river ever flow:
Oh, say! Will you be there?

Peace for a Priest

I sat in the front part of a large room and watched a young Roman priest slowly pacing to and fro at the other end of it. I knew him to be the son of a high-ranking army officer, and his mother was noted for her piety and benevolence. From her he had received instruction which wrought deep concern about' his soul's salvation.

"What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36.

This scripture text had followed him through all his early years, his college life, and his later travels. Tormented by it, he at length entered "the Church,"—not to satisfy ambition, but, if possible, to find peace of soul.

His lank form—his sad face, pale and thin—his entire being—indicated suffering. Without knowing exactly why, I felt drawn to him. I remembered as if it were but yesterday the agony of my own heart before knowing eternal redemption. Thinking that perhaps he suffered from the same cause, I finally asked him: "Have you peace with God, my friend?"

"Peace with God!" he exclaimed. "What do you mean by 'peace with God?' "

"It is the effect on the sinner of the knowledge of sins forgiven, when he has by faith rested in the finished work of Christ on the cross. It is like the relief and joy that would envelop the agonized spirit of a criminal condemned to death to whom comes suddenly this message from the Governor: 'You are pardoned, fully and freely. Go forth in peace!"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."'

"Then," said he, "I have not peace with God, for I have never received such a message from Him. For nearly three years I have stayed within four walls, exercising the greatest severities against myself. I have prayed; I have fasted; I have ill-treated my body until I am reduced to what you see. But I have not yet received this message from God."

"You are a sincere man," I remarked. "You are not one of those religionists who affect a godly air and within have nothing but lust and wickedness."

"How could I be other than sincere, sir, when I know that it is with God Himself I have to do? Appearance, you know, is only for this world. Reality is for eternity. A thousand times a fool is he who sees no farther than this world. For my part, it is eternity that occupies me."

"Blessed be God! Blessed be God, my dear friend! You have been trying to fulfill in yourself God's holy law, and He has shown you the curse of the law of God against every breach of that law. According to Galatians 3:10, `Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.' You are not a hypocrite, and you know well that you are violating this law constantly, even in spite of yourself. So you apply the curse to yourself, well knowing in your conscience that you merit it."

"That is it exactly! You have just laid bare my heart. That is my state precisely. I see the just wrath of God against me, and I must appease or escape it."

I took out my Bible and pointed to Galatians 3:13. He read: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."

Suddenly his languid eyes lighted up. The message of peace had come to him through the WORD!

"It is clear, quite clear," he cried. "If Christ has been made a curse for me in order to redeem me from the curse of the law, it follows that He Himself sustained that curse. He thus becomes a substitute for me."

"Exactly! A substitute—one who takes the place of another. You cannot find a better word. 'He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.' 2 Cor. 5:21."

The heart of the young priest was quite overcome. A pardon so sudden, a salvation so sure and so free, almost frightened him. He feared lest he awake to find that his anguish had been calmed only by a cruel dream—cruel because of its very sweetness.

It was not a dream. It was the truth, and it had set him at liberty, according to John 8:32: "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." After this he gave much time to reading the Scriptures and found in them the peace and rest his soul had longed for.

My reader, are you unmoved by these things? If so, what a terrible awakening will come to you some day! Rouse yourself now while grace abounds. Accept Him who stood in your stead before a holy, righteous God and bore the judgment which was justly yours. Know the joy of sins forgiven, and enter into the enjoyment of "the peace that passeth understanding."

Only a Touch

(Mark 5;25-34)

It was a sad case; to all appearances there was no help for her. Hopeless, and penniless, with no one to turn to in her last extremity,

SHE HEARD of Jesus, the Great Physician, the Healer of sin-sick souls. Mixing faith with what she heard,

SHE CAME to Jesus. Her desperate need brought her to Him, and putting faith into action,

SHE TOUCHED His garment. Happy moment for the poor woman, in the personal company of Jesus, the only One who could possibly heal her body and meet the deep need of her soul. In a moment of time a change had taken place;

SHE FELT ... she was healed, she knew and realized what was done in her.

"She came in fear and trembling before Him,—
She knew her Lord had come;
She felt from Him virtue had healed her,—
The mighty deed was done.

Oh! touch the hem of His garment,
And thou too shalt be free;
His saving power this very hour,
Shall give new life to thee."

Dear reader, this is the way that the blessed Savior can meet the need of your precious soul. Not by any merits of your own can you obtain the salvation of God; it must be your sense of need that brings you to Himself, there to find, not an accuser, but One who in very truth is MIGHTY TO SAVE.

Come then, dear soul, to this Jesus of whom you have heard; by faith touch Him, and your burden of sins will roll away; and you can then sing, with the writer of these few lines:—

O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found,
And found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy, I sought so long,
The bliss till now unknown.

Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me!
There's love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee.

What Amazing Grace!

The Son of God came down from heaven in GRACE; He is gone up in RIGHTEOUSNESS; He is coming in GLORY.

The Father sent the Son; the Son gave Himself for us; and it was by the eternal Spirit that He offered Himself. Now God is for us, Christ in us, and the Spirit's seal upon us. We are children of God, members of the body of Christ, and temples of the Holy Ghost.

We have righteousness, and we wait for its hope. We have the earnest, and wait for the possession of the inheritance. We have redemption as to our souls, and wait for the redemption of our bodies.

We have the salvation of our souls, and look to the Savior to change our vile bodies. We have received the Holy Ghost, and wait for the Bridegroom.

What amazing grace that could thus set us in such blessing!

Reality

A lady once came to Charles Wesley bewailing the fact that she was the chief of sinners, the worst of transgressors, utterly lost and helpless. Mr. Wesley answered her: "I have no doubt, madam, that you are bad enough." The lady instantly flew into a rage, declaring that she was no worse than others; and she roundly scolded the preacher as a slanderer!

What a sham confession she had made! When Mr. Wesley took her at her word, the utter hollowness of her profession was at once laid bare. There was no reality in her! While it was perfectly true that she was a sinner, a transgressor, and utterly lost and helpless, she did not really see herself so. When Mr. Wesley agreed with her spoken estimate of herself, her innate self-righteousness defended itself and her unregenerate pride rebelled.

When the Psalmist David was confessing his terrible sin to God, he said: "Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts." Psa. 51:6. God wants reality. Self-righteous sinners are not one whit better in God's sight than drunkards and murderers. God has said: "There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:22, 23. He does not acknowledge degrees of sin. In His sight all "sin is lawlessness." 1 John 3:4, N. Trans. And before God one poor, lost sinner is as helpless, ruined and undone as any other poor, lost sinner.

What God wants is that each poor, lost sinner see himself in reality to be "sold under sin"-helpless to remedy his condition, having no hope, and without God in the world. Then to such a one how sweet the gospel message!

"Come to Jesus!"

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Cor. 5:21.

A Letter to an Infidel

A little girl who was in the secret of those words, "I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me" (Prov. 8:17), was very anxious to form a class of boys and girls who did not go to any Sunday school, and to have an earnest Christian lady to teach them about Jesus and His love.

The first house she called at, a man answered her knock. In answer to her question, "Are there any children here who do not go to any Sunday school?" he angrily replied, "Yes, there are, and I do not intend that they should go to any. Do you know who I am? I am an infidel."

The frightened child ran back to her teacher and told her all about it. She ended her story with the inquiry: "What is an infidel?" This is the simple but solemnly true answer: "AN INFIDEL IS ONE WHO DOES NOT LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST."

Infidelity has nothing to comfort or cheer the heart in life or in death. To bear this out, here is a letter recently placed in my hands. It was written by a dying young man to a well known infidel.

"Dear Sir,—Some time ago you sent me a tract entitled `Who is Jesus?' I have not the strength, either physical or mental, to reply to the objections brought forward in that tract against faith in Jesus, or even to answer the question as to 'who He was'; but I thought I would just like to tell you what Jesus is to me now, as I lie on my sick-bed.

"I find Him able to sustain and comfort me, uphold and keep me in the midst of suffering and agony that without Him would be unbearable. Through nights of sleeplessness and days of pain He is ever with me, my loving, present Savior—`the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.' He is so near, so precious, that in that which would otherwise be darkness—not knowing what is the end of this sickness— I can trust Him and rejoice. I know that He who has died for me will do all things well. Whether in life or in death He will never leave or forsake me. His presence, His love, Himself, are no myths to me now, but living realities. I have found Him to be what He says He is in days of health and activity, and now in sickness and helplessness I am proving more than ever His reality.

"May I ask you one question in reply to yours? Have you ever been in my condition with but a breath between you and eternity? If so, did you find in your infidelity that comfort, that joy, and that rest which I am finding now in Jesus? If you were lying here in my place, would you glory in your system, as I can in my Savior?

"You want me to give up Him who is my life, the light of my darkness, the joy of my sorrow. What do you propose to give me instead? Could you honestly recommend me to change my faith for your unbelief, to give up my positive assurance for your doubt and uncertainty? I cannot tell you even what I find Jesus to be to me. Words cannot express it, and none can understand it except those who know Him as their own personal Friend.

Only I find that my faith—which is Jesus—can bear the test of pain, sorrow, and disappointment, and that even the near approach of death only serves to intensify both its reality and its preciousness. Can you say as much for yours?

"Your sincere well-wisher."

And now I would ask each reader of the above remarkable letter, IS JESUS A LIVING REALITY TO YOU? If not, I put to you the question:."WHY DON'T YOU LOVE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST? Are you aware that it says in the Word of God: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maran-atha" (accursed)? 1 Cor. 16:22.

If you were now called into eternity and God were to ask you the question, "Why did you not love my Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of sinners?" what answer would you give? Ah, you know right well, poor guilty sinner, that you would be speechless.

Dear one without Christ, I beg you to think of the love of God. Think of the death, resurrection, ascension, and coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. Think of the strivings of the Holy Spirit with you, until your hard heart melts, and you are able to look up and say, "The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me"; and, "Now I do love Him, because He first loved me."

Let the Savior into your heart. Then you can say, "CHRIST IS A LIVING REALITY TO ME." And when you can, by the grace of God, say this, then remember that Christ "bare our sins in His own body on the tree, THAT WE, BEING DEAD TO SINS, SHOULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24.)

"In the Night Season"

At the conclusion of a gospel hour at a convalescent home near a large city, I greeted some of my audience individually, and asked if they knew the Lord Jesus Christ as their own and only Savior. After receiving vague answers from many, I at last spoke to a quiet, elderly man. At my question a bright, happy smile passed over his face and he replied quite decidedly, "I do, sir; and what a change that makes in everything in this world!"

The conversation that ensued convinced me that he was a truly converted man. A few days after this we met at a Bible-reading, and on our way homewards he expressed surprise that the chapter chosen for the reading was the very one he had had at home that morning and from which he was seeking instruction—Romans eight.

"Have you long been converted?" I asked.

"Oh, no, sir; only about five weeks," he replied. Then he told me how it came about.

He had been a religious and moral man all his life, gone regularly to meetings, occasionally to hear the gospel, read, his Bible frequently, and had a respect for divine things. He had always enjoyed excellent health until a few weeks before we met, when he was suddenly seized with an attack of congestion of the lungs and removed to the hospital. His case was a most serious one, and he was told that it might end fatally and quickly.

As he lay awake that night in the hospital he reflected on his alarming condition, made more disturbing by the fact that he might very soon have to meet God. The verse in Hebrews 9 came before him: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

"How can I stand before God?" he asked himself. And then in rapid succession his religion, his morality, his fancied good works passed before his mind; but, brought into God's very presence, they were as quickly dismissed as totally unfit for His holy, all-discerning eye. And in that solemn moment, seeing as God sees, his sins were not more intolerable to him than his fancied good works. There was no presumption about the former, but there was about the latter. His "righteousnesses" were indeed then seen by him to be but "filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6.)

Thus he found that he had absolutely nothing to rest his poor stricken soul upon in God's presence. And thus he was brought to that most blessed crisis when the poor sinner finds out for the first time that there is nothing good in "self," that there is naught that "self" can do to merit life eternal.

He thought to himself, "I must get a Bible." In an agony of mind, expecting momentarily to die and be forever lost, he got out of bed, only to be forced back and carefully restrained by the attendants. He lay there throughout the rest of the night in deep distress until, towards morning, like a ray of light from heaven, that most precious verse in John three stole into his recollection: "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Ah, it was the Spirit of God in those lonely hours presenting the Word to the poor, fainting soul. As a drowning man clutches the rope cast to him by a friendly hand, this conscience-stricken man asked himself the question: "Why should I not make that verse my own? It says whosoever. I therefore have a right to it. It is the word of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself; He would never deceive me. I will take it," he said; "that 'whosoever' means me. I do believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the One whom God gave as a ransom for me—His only begotten Son! And, blessed be God, I have everlasting life."

"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.

Which? Where?

An unsaved person is one who is in his sins, in Adam, in the world, out of Christ, on the road to the lake of fire, ready for it, and deserving it.

A saved person is one who is out of his sins, out of Adam, not of the world, in Christ, on the road to glory, and ready for it, though utterly undeserving of it.

Friend, which are you?

The saved are destined to spend an eternity with Jesus, the saints of God, and the angels, in the peerless realms of ever-unfolding glory.

The unsaved are destined to spend an eternity with the devil, the demons, and all the damned, in the fathomless depths of the lake of fire—there to be the everlasting food of the undying worm, and inextinguishable fuel for the quenchless flames of that awful abode.

Friend, where will you spend ETERNITY?

"Forasmuch as ye know that

ye were not redeemed with

corruptible things, as silver and gold, ...

but with the precious

blood of

CHRIST."

1 Peter 1:18, 19

December

Under the Load

James was a young mechanic, intelligent, upright and well-behaved. He was what the world calls a respectable young man; but he knew nothing of the truth as it is in Jesus.

His wife was a true believer in the Lord Jesus, and she earnestly desired the salvation of her husband. On one occasion she tried by every means in her power to induce him to accompany her to some gospel meetings which were being held in their village; but her entreaties were of no avail.

She invited the evangelists to come to the house when James was due to be at home, so that they might get an opportunity of speaking to him. But James, determined not to come in contact with them, found business elsewhere and left. But, though he could get away from man, he could not escape from God. There was no fleeing from His presence, and the fact often appalled him that he must have to do with Christ now as his Savior, or by-and-by as Judge. Still he tried to put off all such thoughts, and to occupy himself only with present things.

James kept persistently away from the village meetings and laughed at his wife when she begged him "just for once" to accompany her. In fact, he began to get angry and threatened not to allow her to go, and made fun of her "religion," as he termed it.

The last night of the meetings had come. The evangelists were to leave on the morrow. Scoffingly James said he would go and see what the magnet was that induced so many people to spend their time at such a place:—but he would go alone! At the hall he took up a hymn book. He opened it and read one hymn after another until he came to these most touching words:

“O Christ, what burdens bowed Thy head!
Our load was laid on Thee;
Thou stoodest in the sinner's stead,
To bear all ill for me.
A victim led, Thy blood was shed:
Now there's no load for me."

He read and re-read the hymn from beginning to end, and the truth dawned upon him that he was a guilty sinner. He tried to dismiss the thought from his mind. But no; it was seed planted by the Holy Ghost. As he trod that dusty, homeward road, the solemn thought possessed his soul, the solemn words of the hymn kept ringing in his ears, till he neither heard nor saw anything around him. He walked on, he knew not whither, until he found himself at home! Lifting the latch, he heard a voice, and paused at the threshold. It was the voice of his wife, pleading with the Lord for him. He entered softly, and, kneeling down beside her he cried aloud: "God, be merciful to me!"

The Lord never turns a deaf ear to that cry when it comes from the depths of a truly contrite heart. As James knelt there he heard the gracious words of love, "Thy sins are forgiven thee: go in peace," spoken even for him. He had seen his own utterly lost condition and he accepted Christ as his Savior. That night there was joy in the presence of the angels of God over one more sinner brought to repentance.

Reader, does your load of guilt rest upon you? Or can you say in faith, "The Lord hath laid on Him"—the blessed Son of God who came to do His will—that terrible burden?

"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.

Sin, Love, Faith

What is SIN? 'Tis bold defiance
Of the God who gave us breath:
Daring heart and hand-alliance
With His foe in deeds of death;
'Tis the heart in alienation
With its streams of hate and gall.
BUT REJECTING GOD'S SALVATION
IS THE CROWNING SIN OF ALL.

(1 John 3:8.)

What is LOVE? See love's expression
In the Son, "sent One" of God,—
For our guilt and deep transgression
Shedding His atoning blood;
To redeem from condemnation
Those whose lot was death and hell,
And to GIVE, with full salvation,
ENDLESS LIFE WITH HIM TO DWELL.

(1 John 4:10.)

What's believing? 'Tis submission
To the God of love and grace;
'Tis to own our true condition,
And TO TAKE THE SINNER'S PLACE!
'Tis to bow the soul before Him,
And to look to Christ, God's Son;
'Tis to worship and adore Him,
OWNING THUS WHAT GRACE HATH DONE.

(Rom. 10:8-17.)

A Parable

There was once a poor old man who became poorer and poorer; and one day looking into his purse he found only pennies. He knew that he could not live long on so little. What was he to do? He was too old to work, and he would not beg.

Suddenly he remembered his father's friend, a very rich friend, who had said that he would be glad to help him any time he was in need. As the poor man remembered what his rich friend had promised, his face brightened and he hurried off to go to him. He told his sad tale, and soon his purse was well filled. He returned home a happy and contented man, satisfied and hopeful, as his friend had promised more for the future.

"Well," he said to himself, "I have indeed a true friend, my father's friend, and one I can rely on for the future." His thoughts were now centered on his friend and his goodness in meeting his case, and his riches and ability to do so.

Thus the Lord meets us in OUR deep need. We find that we are wretched and undone—lost, poor, blind, without hope and without God,—and our future one of endless misery. Then, in our helplessness we are brought to hear and believe the good news of salvation—that God has made every provision for our need and if we go to Him we shall be more than satisfied for time and eternity. God's blessed Son became poor so that "we through His poverty might be made rich." We have been redeemed by His precious blood and made "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ." Rom. 8:17.

Have you believed this wonderful truth, dear sinner, and are you feasting on the love of God? It is for YOU, a blest eternal portion. Believe Him, receive Him, and become a partaker of "the inheritance of the saints in light." Col. 1.

Treasures

Treasures are various, and their value is according to individual estimation. We speak of treasures in the sea, treasures hid in the sand, treasures in the heart of the earth, treasures of science, and so on.

Or one may speak of a vast accumulation of money in the bank, and call this his treasure. A mother folds her babe in her arms, and calls it her treasure. A little child directs your attention to his toys and books, and calls them his treasure. All are valued in their way; but, sad to say, none of them is lasting! Earthquakes, floods, and failures remove the banks; death takes the child; destruction follows the books. And where are the treasures?

Dear reader, have you suffered the loss of treasures? Then is your heart open to receive a lasting one?

"There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise." Prov. 21:20. The Treasure is Christ; the dwelling of the wise is His home.

A few weeks ago I was walking down the road near the sea shore, when I was accosted by the following words from a fisherman whom I had never met before: "Mister, I have something to tell you. There is a poor old man down this road who has lost his treasure. He had managed to lay by from his hard earnings a few hundred dollars. He hid his money in two wheat-stacks.

Last night lightning struck the wheat-stacks, and they were burned down. All his savings were lost in the fire."

"Poor man!" I exclaimed. "And what did he do?"

"Why, he is weeping and wailing, and refuses to be comforted."

"Well, my good man," I said, "I must tell you of my great treasure."

"Have you got one, too?"

"Yes, I've got a treasure that cannot be destroyed:—no fire can burn, no flood drown, no circumstance shake; even death can have no dominion over my treasure."

"You must mean the Lord God Almighty, sir."

"My friend, my Treasure is Christ—God's beloved Son—who is now seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He has been upon this earth and suffered a shameful death upon the cross. It was there that He bore the punishment for my sins, and for all those who believe on Him.

"Do you wonder at my calling the Lord Jesus Christ my Treasure? You would not, if you knew Him. The better one knows Him, the more one is amazed at the exceeding beauty and riches and glory that are in Him! Listen to His words: 'Riches and honor are with Me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and My revenue than choice silver.' Prov. 8:18, 19. Is not Christ worth having?"

"Yes, He is; and I am doing my best to obtain Him."

"What is your best?"

"I bow my knees several times every day and say my prayers."

"And you think to earn salvation in that way?"

"Well, I know that God is merciful. I'm no scholar;

I'm just a poor old man; and when my time comes to die, I just hope He will accept the best I have to offer."

"My friend, you will never get God's great Gift—His own Treasure—by any of your doings. God gave His dear Son to die for you and for me-poor, guilty, lost sinners. Would you, then, do despite to God's grace by trying to earn or to buy its benefits? Forsake all your poor efforts. Come to Christ, the Savior. Tell Him you have nothing but your sins to bring Him. Tell Him that your treasures of wickedness profit you nothing, but that it is written: `The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' Believe it in your heart, and you will receive the greatest of all treasures—LIFE ETERNAL. Then as His own you will become a part of His treasure."

Tears were streaming down the poor man's cheeks—tears of "joy and sorrow mingled"—as he said with trembling lips: "What a Treasure—What a Treasure is Jesus, my Lord!"

Dear reader, will you not give Him first place in your heart? He alone is worthy!

Two Shalls

"Whosoever SHALL call upon the Name of the Lord SHALL be saved." Rom. 10:13. One shall belongs to the sinner—"WHOSOEVER"; the other shall belongs to the Savior—"the LORD."

The Power of Death

The power of death is a wonderful weapon in God's hand to soften a poor sinner's heart; and grace is a sweet sound to woo it for God and His Christ.

Never Forgotten

When a child is born into a family it becomes at once the object of care and love. Its wants are always heeded, and its very weakness is thus its strength.

And is it otherwise in God's family? When a soul is born of God, it becomes the care of the Father—never left, never forgotten, but always, in every state, the object of the unwearied, unvarying love of God.

"He careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7. "Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." Matt. 6:32.

Saved Through a Hymn

In an upper room are three young men. Two of them are brothers whose mother, a pious woman, had departed to be with Christ some years previously. Since then they have been living together in an apartment. They are both strangers to grace and to God. The third young man—their friend since childhood—is a Christian. He has just come in to spend the night, and will leave by an early train in the morning.

This young Christian had visited his friends before, but through lack of courage, he had failed to speak to them of Christ. He had confessed his failure to his Lord, and once more was given the opportunity. It was getting late, but he had not yet spoken to his companions of their need of salvation, although earnestly desiring to do so. He was distressed lest the opportunity be again lost. As he silently asked help of the Lord to speak, a hymn presented itself to his mind. Almost surprising himself at the peculiarity of his action, he sang aloud these verses:

"We've no abiding city here:
This may distress the worldling's mind,
But should not cost the saint a tear,
Who hopes a better rest to find.

"We've no abiding city here:
Sad truth were this to be our home!
But let the thought our spirits cheer—
We seek a city yet to come.

"We've no abiding city here:
We seek a city out of sight;
Zion its name—the Lord is there;
It shines with everlasting light.

"O sweet abode of peace and love,
Where pilgrims freed from toil are blest!
Had I the pinions of a dove
I'd fly to thee, and be at rest.

"But hush, my soul, nor dare repine:
The time my God appoints is best;
While here to do His will be mine,
And His to fix my time of rest."

Some time later the three friends met again. The younger of the brothers reminded their friend of the hymn, saying he could not forget how happy he appeared to be while singing it. "And," said he, "I too am now happy in Jesus, for I am the fruit of it, and am rejoicing in Christ my Savior." He recognized in his conversion the answer to his mother's petitions for her boys, long ago presented at the throne of grace. They had not been forgotten by the Hearer of prayer!

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing, precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." Psa. 126:6.

A Friend of Sinners

"A friend of sinners!" What a word, what a title to give anyone! What man of the world would not count it a reproach, a shame, to be called "a friend of sinners"? And yet this is what they called Jesus when He was here upon earth. And notice too, in Luke 7:34, it is the Lord Jesus Himself who says they called Him, "A friend of sinners." Who was it who gave Him this title? Not those who were openly known as sinners, but those who thought themselves better than others,—those who put on, and kept up, an outward appearance of religiousness. They, speaking of the Lord Jesus, said, "He receiveth sinners, and eateth with them."

Although this is the title they gave Him,—they, the outwardly respectable, religious people of that day, and they did it only to express their scorn and hatred of Him,—how true it was then! And how true it is to this very day! They little thought what a reality His friendship for sinners was,—they knew nothing of their own individual need of His friendship and His help. They hated Him because His words and His presence proved them, to themselves, to be sinners indeed, and that their covering or cloak of religiousness was a greater sin than all else, for it tried to cover up what could not be hidden from God's all-seeing eye.

Reader, do you own yourself to be a sinner? If so, here is a Friend for you, and the story of His love and His friendship will not be wearisome to you. His own blessed words best tell the tale:

"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.

The Coming Year

It has pleased God to allow this paper to come to your notice. In His great and righteous Name, I beg a word with you about the coming New Year. It lies before us unsullied by a single crime; a solemn quiet rests upon it. Printers are putting into type the date of the New Year; authors are busy about it; but, as yet, it has not issued from THE ETERNITY OF GOD.

The first hour of its time has not struck: it is still "the future"; and whether we shall breathe the breath of this Life through an hour, a day, a week, a month of it, is unknown, except to God. Its changes, joys, and sorrows are known alone to Him. "To them that look for Him," this coming year may bring the blessed One, the Lord of Glory.

Sinner, you need God; but you do not know God. You have been TRYING TO FORGET GOD.

Perhaps you incline to think that what is wrong about you is somehow His fault—not so much yours. However, you would like to propitiate Him; but that is hopeless. Melancholy work, too, like a preparation for death; for to you He is "the unknown God,"—a mysterious, exacting power, because Satan has misrepresented God to you. Is it not, then, of immense importance that you should awake to what He is, and to your real present position in His eyes?

Suppose the case of a man fully committed for murder, sentenced to death, but under a strange delusion that his conduct in the interval will soften the Judge's heart, and avert the execution of his sentence. How vain his efforts, his tears, his prayers! Long ago the judge did his part—he passed sentence on him, and the prisoner awaits the executioner. Justice must have its course.

The case is your own. Ignorant of the nature of your position, you think (when you do think) that you can amend your ways, lead a new life, read your Bible, repent, pray, and thus make peace with God. You are mistaken; your sentence is contained in these words: "THE SOUL THAT SINNETH, IT SHALL DIE." You have sinned; and it is not possible by reformation to evade the consequences of sin.

We read of a great white throne, and of "Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them"; but you, if you perish, must stand before, see, and hear Him, whom you have avoided and disregarded.

Listen for a moment longer:

God does not enter into the question of the extent of your sin. Nor have you, for your part, to determine the merits or defects of your position; but, simply, how its inevitable consequences are to be escaped. Here, God approaches you. So long as you seek to amend your condition, He is "a God afar off." Own yourself lost, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the distance between you and God is annihilated. Your sin need not ruin you; your self-confidence, if maintained, would infallibly prove your destruction.

You have heard of "the precious blood of Christ." It was shed for sin. True. Is it enough to satisfy God with regard to your sin? Surely, you reply. Then, if God is satisfied, why may you not be?

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:27, 28.

“Look unto ME, and be ye
saved, all the ends of the
earth: for I am GOD,
and there is none else."

Isaiah 45:22.