Echoes of Grace: 1960

There is only one way by which sinners are saved,
And that's by the way of the cross;
No works of our own, be they ever so great;
With God they are nothing but dross.

There's only one Savior who's able to save,
That Savior is Jesus the Lord,
The One who is human, and also divine,
Whose title we read is "The Word.”

There is only one path, it is narrow and strait,
That will lead to the glory of God;
Its pleasures are lasting, they fade not away,
'Tis the path that the Nazarene trod.

There is only one Book that can guide you aright,
The Bible, God's treasure so true;
Its precepts are binding, its teachings are pure,
This Book God has given to you.

Then take this sure way by which sinners are saved,
This Savior so loving and true,
And walk in the path that will lead you to God,
And remember this Book is for you.

Let Him in?

I dreaded somewhat the call I had to make on my friend Bill. Although it was strictly for business purposes, the very recent death of his brother Tom must, through courtesy, be mentioned.

"Why," you question, "should one shrink from such a usual obligation? To offer sympathy to one who has suffered such a loss is all in the day's work." Yes, perhaps so, unless one is aware of a sad history preceding the death and is uncertain of any cause for hope for that soul's eternal welfare. "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

But the visit must be made. As quickly as possible we conducted our affairs and I prepared to leave. Walking to the door I looked to the Lord for right words. Then I said: "Bill, before I go, I want you to know you have my sympathy in the death of your brother Tom. But, Bill, God has left you here for a purpose. Has it occurred to you that it may be to give you time and opportunity to receive His Son, Jesus, as your Savior?”

Almost too quickly he answered: "Say, I'd like to tell you about my brother's death. You knew Tom; and I must admit he was a pretty bad actor. He seemed to have forgotten all his early training and sense of decency.

"As you know, Tom spent much of his life behind bars for drunkenness and wife-beating. His wife, equally as bad, was imprisoned not long ago for attempting to kill him in one of her drunken rages. You know, one can't live a life of debauchery and get by unscathed, for old Mother Nature will collect.”

As Bill made that comment, the scriptural answer flashed through my mind: "For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Gal. 6:7.

"And Nature collected in full from Tom," Bill continued. "As the result of his degraded habits of life, he became very ill—incurably so, the doctor said. He suffered terribly at times, but as the end approached he sank into a state of coma.

"Thinking he could not last much longer, all the family, including Tom's wife, Mary, gathered around his bed. But this was not to be the end. After a while Tom's eyes came open and a startled look came over his face. Seeing us all there, a beautiful smile seemed to light up his features. With some difficulty he began to speak.

“‘I had a vision,' he said, 'a most wonderful vision. I thought I was in the most magnificent garden, a place beyond all description. As I was surveying the beauty of the place, One approached me in a shining white robe. His face shone like the sun and I started toward Him. Then I looked at myself and remembered what a wretch I had been! But oh, that shining One! He held out his arms and said: 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor.' In my vision I fell on my knees and said: 'Lord, I come.' Now I know that I am going to heaven very soon.'

"Tom then took his wife's hand and asked her forgiveness for all his unkindness and cruelty, and begged her to believe in the Savior. Turning to the rest of us, he said: 'You remember that Mother used to tell us that we needed to trust in Jesus.

I hope you will all meet me there!'

"This scene," said Bill, "was the beginning of a short extension of life for poor Tom, a time in which, instead of complaining and grouching, he was most appreciative of the smallest kindnesses.”

While Bill told me this story, his eyes kept filling with tears. As he finished he said: "Was this not wonderful?" I agreed with him, but asked: "Now, Bill, how about yourself? What decision have you come to?”

Tears again came to his eyes and flowed down his cheeks. Without answering, he let me go; and as I would have turned back, he shut the door in my face.

My reader, is there a closed door between your heart and the Savior? I beg you, in His Name, open it while it is yet the day of grace. Let Him in!

There's a Stranger at the door;
Let Him in!
He has been there oft before;
Let Him in!
Let Him in ere He is gone
Let Him in, the Holy One;
Jesus Christ, The Father's Son—
Let Him in!

Open now to Him your heart;
Let Him in!
If you wait He may depart;
Let Him in!
He your soul will e'er defend;
He will keep you till the end;
Jesus Christ, the sinner's Friend:
Let Him in!

"Taken"

In a village which lay at the outskirts of a large Canadian city, an old Christian woman was nearing the end. I was asked to visit her, and gladly consented to make the call. When I reached the house, I inquired of a middle-aged woman in the garden if Mrs. Morris lived there.

"Yes, my mother is here, but she is very ill," was the reply.

I asked, "May I go in to see her?" At the answering nod, I followed the daughter into a little bedroom where the sick woman lay. Her face was toward the wall; and she herself was either sleeping, or else sweetly anticipating the bright future before her.

Her daughter touched her gently on the shoulder. "Mother," she said, "a gentleman is here and wants to see you." Then she took her place at the foot of the bed.

"I do not know you, sir," said the old woman, peering intently into my face.

"No," said I; "but I heard you were a Christian, and thought perhaps you would like me to read or speak to you about the Savior, and so I came.”

She made me welcome, and we enjoyed together some happy thoughts of a dying Savior's love, and of His present all-sustaining grace. I found that she had, long ago, been converted to God; and not a touch of fear darkened her soul at the thought of her being soon with the Lord.

After about half an hour's conversation, I said, "Would you like me to pray beside you? Have you any special request that I may lay before the Lord?”

"Oh, thank you," said she. "Yes! There is one thing," she abruptly said, "a heavy burden on my heart. I have four children, all grown; but only one of them is converted. My daughter there, at the foot of my bed is one of the three still out of Christ. Now," said the dear old heavy-hearted mother, "will you pray God to save my unsaved children?”

I turned to the daughter, and said, "Is it true that you are unsaved?”

"Yes, sir.”

"Not ready for death?”

"No, sir.”

"Would you go to be with Jesus and to meet your dear mother, if you died as you are?”

There was a silence like death, and then the tears came. "Oh, I would not," came the sad answer.

"Through grace your mother is going to heaven; and you, my poor woman, are at present on your way to hell! You know you will never see her again if you continue to reject Christ.”

With all earnestness I explained to the weeping daughter the way of salvation, through faith in the death and resurrection of Christ. With her heart so touched, I believed that this might be the moment of her blessing.

I said, "Let me give you two texts: first, 'I will give to him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.' And second, 'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'

"In the first, Jesus says, 'I will give'; in the second, 'Whosoever will, let him take.' See how the two truths dovetail? 'I will give'; 'Let him take! "Come," said I, "the Lord Jesus 'gives,' but it is up to you to 'take.' The giving is complete. Now will you take?”

A silence, then in a whisper, "I will take.”

"A little louder, please.”

"I will take," said she.

"Louder still, please.”

"I WILL TAKE," clear and distinct, fell from her lips, to the unbounded joy of her dying mother.

What a moment of gladness and praise! The mother just dying; the daughter just beginning to live. Then a moment of prayer and farewell.

Some while later, another Christian corroborated the good news to me. The daughter had, through grace, taken the water of life. Dear, reader, have you?

Joy in Heaven”

Luke 15:7, 10

Joy in heaven! What produces it? It is the repentance of one sinner. It is marvelous that heaven should be so stirred by what produces so little commotion on earth—that there should be joy in heaven over what produces little else but contempt in the world!

An heir is born to some powerful sovereign, or such an one is married, or ascends the throne. In that country there is great rejoicing and merrymaking. When some mighty conqueror returns at the head of his victorious armies, there is great rejoicing in his land, but such matters receive little notice in heaven.

Some poor, broken-down, miserable wreck of a man or woman on a heap of filthy rags or straw, in some tumble-down garret or hovel, turns the face toward heaven, and cries, "Father, I have sinned," or "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Then all heaven rings again with joy.

And where is the source and spring of this joy? In the heart of the blessed (that is, happy) God. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Who is in their presence, and in whose presence are they? In that of God. That is where the joy is from which all heaven catches the tone.

And have you thought, that it is not the faultless self-righteous Pharisee that produces this joy? No, it is the repentance of a sinner that does so. Of a sinner? Yes, there is joy in heaven over ONE sinner that repenteth. Will you, my unconverted reader, give heaven this joy? Your repentance would do so.

You ask: "What is repentance?" It is that change which godly sorrow works. It is not the sorrow of the world that worketh death, as in the case of Judas. You must have a change of mind as to God. Whereas you have thought Him to be hard and exacting, you now own Him to be just, and merciful, and gracious. Whereas you have considered yourself to be righteous, maybe even religious, you now own yourself to be a sinner, utterly without claim upon Him for anything you are or have done, and cast yourself unreservedly upon His mercy.

May the Lord lead you to do so, dear unrepentant reader, for His Name's sake—for His joy.

I Don't Want to Be a Christian”

"I don't want to be a Christian," I said. "Why, I'd be obliged to give up everything that makes life pleasant. I'd have to go about with a long face all the rest of my days! No, thank you! I am very happy as I am.”

I turned away from the very pleading face of my sister, and banished the disagreeable thought from my mind. But oh, how little I then knew, how little I realized what an awful sin I was committing in deliberately refusing to listen to God's message of salvation!

I was determined to go on as I was. Why should I give up the world at nineteen? I had all that any girl could desire—a happy home, plenty of friends, and dances and parties without number. If I became a Christian, I should have to relinquish these pleasures, so of course it was absurd to think of it!

Just about this time some gospel meetings were being held at the Assembly Rooms, where crowds attended each day. I heard of one or two "conversions" among the young girls of my crowd; but when I was told of the wonderful change that had come over these gay worldlings, I laughed at the idea, prophesying that "it would soon wear off!”

"Won't you come and hear for yourself?" entreated my sister. "It can do you no harm to go for once.”

I steadily refused, and plunged deeper than ever into a whirl of gaiety. One day, however, my mother asked me to take a note to the house of a friend who lived close by. "I think you may have to wait for an answer," she said, as she sealed and handed it to me.

At first I rebelled. I knew the lady to whom the letter was addressed was one of those religious ones whom I dreaded to encounter. At length I consented to go, determining in my own mind, to let her see that I had no intention of being spoken to about my soul, should she attempt to broach the subject. So, feeling very grand and superior, I set off.

"Yes," said the maid, "Mrs. C—is at home. Will you please walk upstairs?" I followed the girl, inwardly resolving to "hold my own," whatever happened.

To my horror, when we reached the drawing room, I found myself in the midst of one of the dreaded "meetings" I had heard so much about. As I entered, there was a look of surprise on the faces of all the occupants of that room. This brought the hot blood with a rush to my cheeks. My mother's friend rose to greet me, and in her gentle way motioned me to a seat near the door. As I sat down the meeting continued as before.

I shall never forget my feelings as I sat there! Fear and indignation strove for the mastery. I saw it all! I had fallen unsuspectingly into the trap that had been laid for me by my mother and her friend. Now there was no escape.

Gradually the words that were being spoken forced themselves on my attention. Curiously, and critically, I listened, wondering what there could be in that dry and uninteresting book to light up the faces of one and all. Then, somewhat bored with listening to what was so much Greek to me, I set to planning how best I could slip out of the door and run downstairs without being noticed.

Prayers followed, and several of those present pleaded with God for "the one outside the fold." They entreated the Lord not to let me leave the room without a blessing.

Oh, how wonderfully He answered that prayer! Deeper and deeper those words sank into my wretched, sinful heart. I felt as I knelt there that a holy God was searching me, through and through. All my sins like a great wave came sweeping over me, burying me in the depths. What had my heedless heart been doing? How had I dared to turn away from God who was at this moment reading my very soul?

Terrified, I rose from my knees. I stood watching as all the others except my mother's friend quietly left the room. She came across to me, and asked me that question I had always dreaded: "Are you saved?”

"No," I answered abruptly and bluntly.

"Do you want to be?”

For a moment I hesitated. Then, "I am too wicked," I cried falteringly. "Oh, you don't know what I am, and all the dreadful things I have done." Now I was battling with the great choking sobs that would come, in spite of my efforts to keep them back.

"Never mind what you have been, or what you have done, child," was the quiet rejoinder. "If you know yourself to be a sinner, just listen to what God says to you.”

Opening her Bible she read: "When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:6.

"But," I said doubtfully, "how can I know that was meant for me? How can I know God wants me?”

My companion did not answer, but turned again to her Bible. From the last chapter of Revelation she read this verse: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

"Now," she said, "do you suppose God has left you out in that 'whosoever'?”

"No," I answered slowly, while the wonderful truth began to dawn across my mind.

"Then if you believe it was for you as well as for the rest of the world that Christ died, you are saved. 'Verily, verily I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.'" John 5:24.

I needed no more! I saw it all so clearly, and a joy I had never known before, even when I had imagined my happiness complete, flooded my whole being. Oh, the wonderful grace of God to a wretched sinner like me!

I had entered that room, proud, rebellious, stiff-necked; I left it humbled and broken down by the glimpse I had had of the love of Christ which led Him to lay down His life for me. From that moment I believe the current of my life was changed.

"Old things passed away, and all things became new." With a sort of repulsion I turned from all I had once imagined was "happiness." Nothing but the grace of God could have made me do this. Good resolutions, and "turning over new leaves" would have been worse than futile. There was no question of "giving up" this thing or the other. Christ entered my heart and all else sank into utter insignificance. Gladly I rested in that great love, the length, breadth, depth and height of which no mortal can fathom.

Quick and Powerful

A young Christian woman who loved her Bible, and knew it well, was employed as the maid in a family. A young man who used to visit there laughed at her because of what he called her "religion," for he was an infidel. He would mockingly ask for her Bible, saying he could open it anywhere and prove it was not true.

At first she indignantly refused to allow him to touch it; but one day, after his assurances that he would treat it very reverently, she handed the Book to him. He proposed to read aloud and refute the first verse that his eye lighted upon. He opened the sacred Word and read: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psa. 14:1.

Needless to say, he gave the Bible back to her without a word, and never mentioned the subject again.

"The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Heb. 4:12.

Jesus saith... "I am the Way, the
Truth, and the Life: no man
cometh unto the Father,
but by Me.”

John 14:6.

February

Jesus of Nazareth Passes by

What means this eager, anxious throng,
Which moves with busy haste along—
These wondrous gatherings day by day?
What means this strange commotion, pray?
In accents hushed the throng reply:
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”

Jesus! 'Tis He who once below
Man's pathway trod, 'mid pain and woe;
And burdened ones, where'er He came,
Brought out their sick, and deaf, and lame.
The blind rejoiced to hear the cry:
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”

He! All ye heavy laden, come!
Here's pardon, comfort, rest, and home.
Ye wanderers from a Father's face,
Return! Accept His proffered grace.
Ye tempted ones, there's refuge nigh:
"Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.”

But if you still His call refuse,
And all His wondrous love abuse,
Soon will He sadly from you turn,
Your bitter prayer for pardon spurn;
"Too late, too late," will be the cry:—
"Jesus of Nazareth HAS PASSED BY.”

The Boomerang

It was New Year's Eve. A group of the young "men about town," most of whom were loafers and drinkers, had gathered in the barroom of the Park Hotel. Liquor was flowing freely and everybody was feeling rough and noisy. Samuel Roberts, the minister's wayward son, had drunk considerably, but was not yet really drunk. It always took a great deal to intoxicate him.

A pause came in the conversation as Joe Allen came in. He loved his liquor and hated all kinds of religions.

"They're having a watch-meeting over in the church," he announced. He stamped the snow from his boots and reached for a drink. "Why can't we have one here? We can all do something to make our meeting a success. Brother Eldridge, will you please lead in prayer?”

Eldridge was a glib-tongued fellow, a barber. He had just come into town and was anxious to gain friends. He dropped to one knee and gave a mock prayer.

"We will now sing a hymn," said Joe. His voice so exactly imitated a certain young preacher in the town that it brought roars of laughter from the crowd. And he "lined out" one of the hymns of the day with profane variations, and others joined in uproariously.

"Brother Samuel Roberts will now preach the sermon," announced Joe, "and we trust it will be for the spiritual good of all.”

It was a terrible, disagreeable suggestion to young Samuel, and he tried in every way he could to evade it. He even attempted to rush to the door, but they caught him and stood him up at one end of the room behind a table.

"Preach now, or treat all around!" they shouted. Poor Samuel! He had not the money for "treats all around" and it was a painfully reluctant lad who consented to "say a few words." Then he complained that he had no text.

"Try, 'The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak,'" shouted the irrepressible Joe.

Sam commenced, hesitating and mumbling, telling them that the spirit seemed very strong that night, and that as a result they would find that the flesh would grow weaker. He warned that they were all on the broad road to death, with a New Year about to begin, a time to make a break with the old sinful things, and start a new chapter in their lives.

"Why, I believe the fool's in earnest," said Joe in his usual sneering tone.

If Samuel, the minister's wayward son, was not already in earnest, something in Joe's words and tone went far toward making him so. Now he began to say what had been really in his heart for many years, but had been covered by his wicked, careless life. Statements he had heard from his father, fragments of remembered prayers from godly brethren, passages that he had learned from the Bible while a little boy at Sunday school—all came to him now with new force and meaning—faster than he could speak them. The crowd looked at first resentful, then surprised, then interested. Even the most drunken seemed suddenly sobered, and all soon began to listen in intense silence.

As Samuel went on, strange to say, he began to notice the effect his words were having upon his own heart. He knew that they were true. Then he began to ask himself: "If they are true, why don't you get down on your knees and beg an offended but merciful God for forgiveness?”

That is what he finally did, right in the midst of his sermon in the barroom. The effect was astounding. Of the company present two were converted to Christ before they left the room. They went away sober and serious. Though Joe Allen did not make a public confession, he was never again heard to say anything against religion, nor suggest another sermon.

That night young Samuel Roberts was snatched as a brand from the burning, and was for many years a living testimony to the saving grace of God.

How true is the Scripture that says, "He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." Job 5:12,13, Those young men meant to mock Christianity and God, but He turned their folly into blessing as the power of His Spirit wrought conviction of sin and conversion of heart. How wonderful are His ways of grace and mercy!

Dear reader, have you ever bowed your knee in sincerity to Christ? Have you owned yourself a sinner and received Him as your Lord and Savior? He died on the cruel cross for your sins and shed His blood to cleanse you from all iniquity. He now knocks at your heart's door as you begin a New Year. Do you not hear Him? Will you let Him in?

"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.

Stick to That, Sandy”

In a little fishing village Sandy was a well-known character. He was so wicked that he earned for himself the nickname of "Satan.”

One day while walking along the shore, a Christian worker saw Sandy mending his nets. He entered into conversation with him and asked if he had been attending any of the gospel meetings. To this Sandy replied: "No! and I don't intend to.”

"Preaching does no good," he continued. "Depend upon it, it won't last, for when the preachers leave, the `converts' will again be as much servants of Satan as I am.”

The worker replied: "God is able to save you. We will pray for you." And he passed on.

Sandy began to think of what he had heard. "`God is able to save you; we will pray for you.' Why are they going to pray for me? If they are going to pray for me it is time I should be praying for myself.”

He began to review his past. Memory pointed him to his life of sin and shame. His sins rose up before him like mountains; and so wretched did he become, that he laid his nets aside and went home. His wife greeted him with, "Sandy, I am going to the meeting tonight.”

"Why, what are you going to do there?”

"Oh, I am going to hear those preachers. My mother has been converted. She says she knows that her sins are forgiven. And our Mary, you would scarcely know her! She is so happy now.”

Sandy was astonished at this news, but his pride and Satan's promptings would not allow him to accompany his wife. She went alone to the preaching leaving Sandy much perturbed.

After she was gone and her husband was left alone in the house, the awful nature and magnitude of his sins were in some measure realized by him. He saw himself lost, ruined, a hell-deserving sinner; and now his conscience began to trouble him for refusing to attend the meeting.

"Shall I or shall I not go?" This was the question uppermost in his mind. After a good deal of deliberation he resolved that he would go at all costs. Putting on his cap, he slipped out of the house and hurried off in the direction of the place where the meetings were being held.

His courage, however, failed him at the door. He did not like to be seen inside the building, and so he walked to the opposite end. Standing under the window, he listened attentively to the proclamation of the "old, old story" of Jesus and His love. Amazed, he heard that the worst sinner may be saved by simply believing on Him who suffered and died for all his sins.

He was intensely interested in what he heard. Could it be that eternal salvation was to be had as a "gift"? This was truly "news" to him.

Toward the close of the meeting, fearing that he might be seen by his wife, Sandy hastened home and undressed. Jumping into bed, he pretended to be asleep. His wife, however, was longer in coming than he anticipated; and as he lay in bed he trembled at the thought of his life of obstinate rebellion. God's way of salvation was still a mystery to him, but he longed for more light.

While meditating on these things, his wife arrived. She entered the room, and coming to the bed, she shook him vigorously.

"Sandy! Sandy!" she cried. "I have it now—I am converted.”

Suddenly forgetting that he was asleep, he opened his eyes wide and asked earnestly: "And how do you feel, Jeanie?”

"Feelings have nothing to do with it at all, Sandy. It is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. All you do is believe on Him!”

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

Sandy could control himself no longer. His wife's mother and sister, and now his own wife, had been converted. In an agony of soul he besought his wife to help him get converted too—to pray that God would give to him His great salvation. She prayed and spoke to him, and pointed to those passages of Scripture that had shed light into her soul. In her own simple way, Sandy's wife tried to explain to him that salvation was not to be gained by prayer or works, but that it came wholly by faith in what Christ had done on Calvary's cross. Earnestly she told him that the moment he believed on the One who had died for him, and had borne his punishment on Calvary, that very moment he would be saved and have everlasting life.

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

Sandy pondered the precious words he had been hearing. Suddenly he exclaimed: "I see it now, Jeanie! I see! There is Jesus hanging on the cross, and all my sins are on Him.”

With an exclamation of joy his wife cried: "Stick to that, Sandy, my man! Stick to that.”

Peace and joy now filled his heart, because he believed that Jesus had died for him.

"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.

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

"Salvation Is of the Lord.”

The will of God: Heb. 10:7; also 2 Peter 3:9.

The work of Christ: Heb. 10:10; Rom. 5:8; 1 Cor. 15:3.

The witness of the Holy Ghost: Heb. 10:15, 17.

How simple is the gospel of God's love and grace! God wants us to be saved. Christ died to save us. The Holy Ghost comes and tells us we are saved. The whole thing is of God. Man's only part is to believe and receive and enjoy this wondrous outflow of divine love.

Prayer is not conquering God's reluctance, but taking hold of God's willingness.

Man, I Am Sorry for You?

It was not quite train time. Among the waiting passengers on the station platform a gentleman walked to and fro, holding his little daughter's hand. A commotion near the door attracted their attention, and as they stopped to watch, several officers appeared with a hand-cuffed prisoner. It soon became known that this was a notorious criminal recently sentenced to state prison for twenty years.

The little child looked at this man with wonder and then with horror. Then, as she saw the settled, sullen gloom on his countenance, a look of pity grew on her sweet face. Dropping her father's hand, she went close to the prisoner. Fearlessly she lifted her eyes to his face and spoke a few low words.

The prisoner glared upon her like a fiend, and she ran back, half afraid, to her father's hand. But a moment later she was at his side again, nearer than before in her self-forgetful earnestness. This time the prisoner dropped his defiant eyes as he listened, and then a slight tremor passed over his hard face. Then her father called, and the little girl returned slowly to him, looking back pityingly at the manacled prisoner. The train came soon and the prisoner went quietly on board.

During the journey he was no longer belligerent, and he gave the officers no trouble. After his commitment to prison, the conduct of this formerly incorrigible criminal was most excellent, and he continued to be subdued and tractable.

Inmates of that prison sentenced to terms of twenty years or more are allowed a reading light in the evenings. It was observed that this prisoner spent much time in study of the Bible, and his guards became curious as to its effect on him. At length someone asked how it happened that he had brought with him such a reputation for willfulness, but had since proved himself quiet and well-behaved.

"Well, sir," said he, "I'll tell you. It was when I was waiting at the station, before I came here. A little mite of a girl, not much more than a baby, was there with her father. She had long, shiny hair falling over her shoulders, and such innocent blue eyes as you won't often see. Somehow I couldn't help looking at her.

"By and by she let go her father's hand and came over to me. Says she: 'Man, I am sorry for you.'

"You wouldn't believe it, but there were tears in her eyes! Something seemed to give way inside of me then; but I was proud, and wouldn't show it. I just scowled at her blacker than ever.

"The poor little thing looked kind of scared and ran back to her father. But pretty soon she was back again. This time she came right up to me, and she says: 'Man, Jesus Christ is sorry for you.'

"Oh, but that clean broke my heart. Nobody'd spoke to me like that since my old mother died, years and years ago. I'd hard work to keep the tears back. All the way down here I was just thinking of Mother and of the many things she used to teach me when I was little. I'd a good bringing up, though more's the shame to me now.

"Well, the up shot of it was, sir, I made up my mind I would never rest till I found my mother's God; and oh, sir," he exclaimed, while the tears ran down his face, "I found HIM, and He's saved me—He's saved me!”

How true are the words of that little tot!

"Man, Jesus Christ is sorry for you.”

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

"Christ died for our sins.”

Friend, as you read these words, can you say in simple faith, "Christ died for me"?

Death is our due as sinners, for we read in Rom. 6:23: "The wages of sin is death.”

But the Savior, in love and wondrous grace, met the judgment due us and drank death's bitter cup. Now nothing but the sweetness of His love is left for the one who trusts Him. Oh, what a Savior He is to have died for us, His bitter enemies!

"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

"The carnal mind is enmity against God." Rom. 8:7. "When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." Rom. 5:10.

Does your heart yield and break before such love? Will you not take this Savior as your Savior now? What joy and peace will then be yours!

I Am the Door

As the sun was setting in the western sky, it filled the neighboring rugged valley with a golden radiance. A well-known man stood near the summit of one of his native hills watching a shepherd placing some sheep in a fold. Sorrow had entered his life and darkened his prospects for present and future. His learning had failed to bring him the comfort needed for the hour of trial. He was truly "without God and without hope.”

At his side stood his eldest daughter. A few years before this she had come under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit and by faith had accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord. She longed to see her father really happy.

As they stood together, a wayward sheep, after a good deal of coaxing and vain efforts to escape, at last walked through the door into the fold. The scene had brought to the young woman's mind the familiar picture of John 10:9. "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

Turning to her father she laid her hand on his shoulder and said, "That's all you need to do, Father! Only enter in.”

The Spirit of God used the simple message. There on that hillside the father saw that the work of salvation was complete in Christ Jesus. Entering in by faith, he was saved.

What his learning and efforts had failed to secure for him he received the moment he, a lost sheep, entered through the door, Christ Jesus. Joy unspeakable was brought to his sin-sick soul.

"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." John 10:11.

The Coming of the Lord Draweth Nigh”

There is a growing conviction on the part of earnest Christians all the world over that the second advent of our Lord Jesus Christ is near at hand. Moreover, there is a general feeling in the world apart from Christianity altogether, that the world's affairs are in the melting pot and that extraordinary events lie before us. How graphically true are the words of Scripture: "Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." Luke 21:26.

The fact is, this world must go from bad to worse just in proportion as the world gives up God. And the only way to get right with God is through the Lord Jesus Christ. He must be known first as Savior.

"Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:18. There is no other way to God save through Christ.

Reader, if the Lord were to come right now, would you welcome Him? Intensely solemn are the words of Scripture: "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha." 1 Cor. 16:22.

Are you ready for that coming? He will come quickly. He may come today.

"For none can gain admission there,
To that bright world above,
But they who in the Lord believe,
And know a Savior's love.”

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

Titus 3:5.

March

Excused!

The feast has been prepared for all;
The Master of the house has sent
His servants out to call them in;
But they begin with one consent
To say, "Well, now, I hardly know;
I rather guess I cannot come";
"I've bought a farm,"—"I've bought a team,"—
"I'm married,"—and they stay at home.
"I beg of thee, have me excused,"—
"I've bought a farm,"—"I've bought a team,"—
"I'm married and I cannot come,"—
How trifling these excuses seem!
Yet men are round us every day
Who make excuses just as lame
For losing their immortal souls,
And half-way think they're not to blame;
For if 'twere not for certain things,
They really think that they would try;
But there are molehills in their way
That to their eyes seem mountain high.
But, Soul! Whate'er be your excuse,
Look forward to the final day
When you must meet the Lord as Judge;
How will you like to hear Him say—
"I know you not; I asked you once
For your acquaintance, but you know
You said you'd rather be excused,
And I excused you,—long ago!”
"I came to earth and suffered death
That your salvation might be wrought;
But you paid no regard to that,
So now depart,—I know you not.
You are excused from heaven's bliss,—
Excused to hell's eternal woe;—
You know it was your own request,
And I excused you. You may go!”

Almost Sold

A warm discussion was in progress in the hotel barroom. Several guests were voicing their opinions. One, however, listened in silence, although he evidently was deeply interested.

The subject of discussion was: Are the merits of Christianity greater than other religions? Two dissenters said that, while Christianity had its own excellencies, it was merely one religion among many; its value was due to the greater number of people who had accepted it as their faith.

After listening for some time, the silent man arose, and approached the disputants. His flushed face and glassy eyes, his very motions as he staggered forward showed that he was under the influence of liquor. Yet he seemed perfectly calm, and spoke with seriousness.

"Gentlemen," said he, "I daresay I know more about Jesus Christ than any of you, yet I am willing to sell my claim to Him for five dollars.”

This strange offer startled the company. They realized the man's condition, and some sneered and ridiculed him. But one man said: "Do you really mean it? Would you sell out for five dollars?”

"Yes," was the reply. "For five dollars cash,—and that's cheap, mighty cheap.”

"Are you ready to sell me, here and now, for five dollars, all your right and claim to Jesus Christ?" "Yes, that's exactly what I said.”

"Very well, I'll buy.”

"Where's your money? Hand over the five dollars and you may take my rights. I renounce in your favor all claims to Christ Jesus forever.”

"Here's your money," said the buyer, showing a five dollar bill; "but you must sign a written agreement.”

"Draw up the agreement and I'll sign.”

An agreement was written and handed to the would-be seller. He carefully read it.

"For the sum of five dollars, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I, John Jones, now and forever sell my right and claim to Jesus Christ as my Savior. I further agree not to trust in Him at any time, nor pray to Him, nor even ask anything of Him through others; neither will I accept anything He may offer me; neither will I, in any way whatsoever, own Him as my Friend. This agreement is for eternity.”

Taking the pen from the writer of the agreement, the other seated himself at the table to sign his name.

As he again read the document, his hand was stayed. Then he read it again and raised his hand from the paper. After the third reading, he laid the pen aside. Then with trembling hand he took up the agreement and read it aloud.

Next he laid down the paper, leaned back in his chair, folded his hands and fixed his eyes on the document.

"Why don't you sign?" asked an impatient spectator.

"Sign that? Sign that paper? Did you hear it? Sign such an agreement as that? No, sir, never! Would you have a man—yes, or even a savage—I might sign my death warrant, but not that agreement! This is for eternity. That would settle my doom without a possibility of hope, much less escape." Then turning to the buyer, he said: "I do not want your money. I will not take it. If there is a forfeit, I will pay it; but never will I sign that paper.”

The bystanders saw that the man was now cold sober and deeply serious as well, and they listened in silence as he told his story.

"Gentlemen, I had a Christian mother. She taught me in my childhood to pray to God, and to look to the time when I would receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. Before she died, she begged me to prepare to meet her in heaven. Never, until a few moments ago, when in the debauchery of drink I offered to sell all my hopes of future bliss, have I lost the prospect of meeting my mother there. To sign that agreement means that I break all the promises I made to her. It means that I make useless and vain all that I know Jesus has done for me, and render void forever all the prayers that have gone up for me.

"But I came near doing it! One more glass of liquor and my soul would now be doomed for eternity. Just one more, gentlemen! Who says that one glass will do no harm? A single glass more would have doomed my soul for eternity. If liquor will lead a man to sign away his Savior and the hope of his soul, then I am forever done with drink. I have swallowed my last drop. Good-by, gentlemen. I will not sign that paper! I dare not drink again! I cannot remain here. My soul, my eternal future, an eternity of bliss with the Lord Jesus Christ are too precious for me to risk losing them again.”

Without another word the now thoroughly sobered man hurried away. He never returned to that hotel, and from that day he refused liquor. Best of all, it was not long till he became a true Christian.

After he left the barroom that night, the guests of the hotel stood silent. Their faces showed that they had witnessed the great transaction from a farce to what was almost a tragedy. Without a laugh, without a sneer, each man quietly sought his room. The bartender wondered what change had happened to his guests, for no one who had listened to the reading of that agreement drank again that night.

Beloved reader, how easy it is to sell out to Satan! The "pleasures of sin for a season" are deceitful gain—the devil's own snare to your soul. Beware lest he entice you into "the way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death." Prov. 14:12.

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

“Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." James 1:14, 15.

A Full Confession”

A smiling young face beamed with joy as she greeted me and expressed her happiness.

"Tell me," I said, "what is it that makes you so happy now? You say you are quite happy, and have been so since last night.”

"Yes," she replied, "I am quite happy." Evidently her heart was filled with joy.

"But do you think you could tell me briefly what it is that gives you such new joy?”

After a moment's pause the following reply was given: but such a reply for fullness and simplicity! "I see the love of Jesus to me, a sinner.”

"Bless the Lord," I said; "that is something to see! May you never lose sight of it. But, in what way do you see His love to you, personally, now?”

"I now see that He died for me on the cross, and put all my sins away there!”

"Amen," my heart replied. "Surely you are taught of God! And now, once more, tell me how do you feel toward Jesus Himself, after seeing and believing all this?”

Her reply was natural and beautiful. She said: "I feel it is so easy now to give my heart to Him.”

There was nothing more to ask of the young believer, and I turned away quickly, but with a praising heart. These three answers were engraved on my memory so as never to be forgotten.

"I see the love of Jesus to me, a sinner—I now see that He died for me on the cross, and put all my sins away there—I feel it is so easy now to give my heart to Him.”

I have heard many confessions from many lips, but I have never heard one more simple, more concise, more complete, or more satisfactory. May it be a divine help and a divine test to the readers of "Echoes of Grace." This is our deep, earnest, and fervent prayer.

The Essence of Christianity

The great truth and essence of Christianity is that it takes the heart out of this world and fixes it on Christ. It makes one live by Christ, on Christ, and to Christ.

The Only Way

"Are you saved? If not, you can be!”

So stated the little card displayed in a Florida juice bar. It brought a chain of questions to one's mind. "Do you want to be saved?" If you do, you have simply to believe in a finished redemption—to take God at His word—to believe His record—to accept His salvation-to rest in His love. He has declared Himself satisfied in the perfect work of His own beloved Son. The question is, Are you satisfied with it?

Do you need something more than Christ to satisfy you? If so, you will not find peace. You must find your all in a crucified and risen Savior. You must look to the Man who was nailed to the tree, and is now crowned on the throne. In Him alone is the way of peace.

Do you know of God's full salvation through Jesus crucified, dead, buried, and risen? Thousands are in agony of soul simply because they will not accept the simplicity of the gospel. They are willing to be tossed about by the conflicting dogmas of theology and human intellect; but they will not drink of the streams of life and salvation that flow from the very heart of God through the pierced side of a crucified Savior.

Jesus said, "Ye will not come unto Me, that ye might have life." John 5:40.

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

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

Tom's Coming.

Tom was a manly lad about seventeen years old. Arriving home one night, he sat down to the evening meal tired and hungry. He was glad that the day's work was over. During the conversation that ensued, he learned with some surprise that his younger sister had that day received the Lord Jesus as her Savior. Just as he asked where she was, the door opened and in she came.

"Hello, Kiddie," he called. "What's it like to be saved?”

Surprised by the unexpected question she made no reply, only blushing deeply.

As yet, Tom himself had shown no interest in, nor seemed to care for, the things of God. He was in the hey-day of youth and gave little time to serious thoughts of the future and of his need of salvation. He dearly loved his sister; and perhaps her confession of having come to Christ started a work in his soul, and aroused a desire for a similar experience. We know not.

We do know that there is a period in the life of nearly every boy when the call of the unknown, the thirst for adventure, the longing for excitement runs strongly in his veins. It was so with Tom. As he entered into young manhood, the wander-lust called him, and he determined to see the world. He joined the Navy; and on many expeditions with his ship he was privileged to satisfy his desire. And so the years sped on.

But tropical heat, the continually rough life, and exposure sapped Tom's vitality, and he finally became quite ill. He was invalided home, prematurely aged and weakened.

Sickness is one of God's ways of speaking to men, in His goodness. So we read in Job 33:19-24: "He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain... his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter... to show unto man his uprightness. Then He is gracious unto him and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom." God acts in mercy toward us and overrules that which may seem most contrary, in time, for our everlasting blessing.

Tom now was keenly aware of his deep need, and asked to see his old Sunday school teacher. The old man was speedily by his bedside, talking to his former pupil about the Savior of sinners and of His welcome to all who come to Him and own their need. When his old friend was gone, Tom said to his sister: "Kiddie, sing me a hymn.”

She felt she could not, and told him so. "Well, say one then," he exclaimed.

"Which one?" she asked.

"Jesus Lover"—

The hymn book was found and the words read:

"Jesus, Lover of my soul,
Let me to Thy bosom fly;
While the nearer waters roll,
While the tempest still is high.
Hide me! Oh, my Savior hide,
Till the storm of life be past;
Safe into the haven guide,
Oh, receive my soul at last.”

Eagerly Tom listened to the words. Then the second verse was begun.

"Other refuge have I none,
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee.”

"Ah," exclaimed Tom. "Again, again, read that again!”

And so the lines were repeated slowly.

"Other—refuge—have—I—none.
Hangs—my—helpless—soul—on Thee.”

One look to Christ from the depths of sin and contrition spells salvation.

"Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." Isa. 45:22.

And now Tom could rejoice with "Kiddie" in having found Christ as his Savior. Better far would it have been had he turned to the Lord when "Kiddie" did, and spent the years to the glory of God. At last he did come to Him who in no wise casts out any who seek His face.

Have you come to Him, friend? You need not fear-however far you may have gone in the ways of sin, however hard those ways may have proved to be; and they are always hard. Christ is the Savior of sinners, and He is for everyone who believes. "Every one" is comprehensive indeed.

His own words of grace from heaven are: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

Scripture Portions

"Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth." Rom. 14:22. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Rom. 14:23.

The Shedding of Blood

Many different religions are in the world, but they can easily be divided into two kinds only. One kind has for its very foundation the shedding of the blood of Jesus. The other hates the mention of His sacrificial death and what they call "a bloody religion." You can easily test the claims of false religions by this one question: Does it reject the blood of Jesus as the only means of salvation?

Turn to the Bible. There we find, everywhere, faith in the blood of Christ presented as the sole means of salvation. Until Christ shed His blood on the cross, God had ordained that the blood of beasts be shed as a type of Him who was to be God's Lamb.

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

Just as soon as sin and the curse came into the world, there came also the shedding of blood. The garments wherewith God clothed Adam and Eve were obtained by slaying an animal, by shedding its blood.

Abel's worship was acceptable to God because he came to Him through a bloody sacrifice. Man's approach to God is, throughout Scripture, shown to be possible only by means of shed blood.

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

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

Do you ask why this is so? It is because sin—lawlessness—is against God. It is rebellion against Him. It is the breaking of His commands, and is contrary to Him. David had to say: "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done evil in Thy sight.”

It is plain then, that sin being against God, salvation from the curse it has brought upon man must be from God, and in God's own appointed way. God has only one way) of salvation, and that is by the shedding of blood. His justice and His holiness demand it.

No matter how pleasing to you any other way may appear, you will not find in it any salvation which, in the Day of Judgment, will enable you to stand before God in peace. Every religion which has ignored the blood of Christ will in that day be proved to be false. Their adherents will find themselves still in their sins, and therefore under condemnation.

To save the sinner, Christ had to take the sinner's place and bear the guilt of his sin. He did this. He bore fully God's wrath against sin. He shed His blood as God's Lamb and man's Substitute on Calvary. He suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.

Thank God, this is all done, all finished, and there is remission. Forgiveness is offered to every repentant sinner. God is ready to forgive. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. Blessed, glorious message to a lost, guilty world of sinners!

Reader, have you bowed at the feet of Jesus in heartfelt repentance for your life of sin? Have you gazed adoringly upon Him as, upon the cross, He was shedding His precious blood for your salvation?

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

He is rich or poor according to what he is—not according to what he has.

The least of Christ is better than the greatest abundance of the earth.

Called”

In the courts of law, if a man be "called" as a witness, no sooner is his name sounded, though he may be at the back end of the crowded court-room, than he begins to force his way up to the witness stand.

Nobody says: "Why is this man pushing in here?" Or, if they should say, "Who are you?" it would be sufficient to answer, "My name was called.”

"But you are not rich; you wear no gold nor jewels." "No! But that is not my right of entrance; I was called.”

"Sir! You are not a man of renown or rank." "That matters not! I was called. Make way.”

So make way, ye doubts and fears! Christ calls the sinner: "Sinner, come!”

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

You may have naught to recommend you, yet it is written: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

Happiness

Where then is it to be found?

Jesus said: "I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22.

Where can happiness be found? Dear soul, IN CHRIST ALONE.

"None other Name for me,
There's love and light, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus found in Thee.”

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

Rom. 5:6.

April

The Gipsy Boy's Thanks

One day I was passing near an encampment of Gypsies, and decided to visit them. After buying some of the metal skewers they were making, I was told that a young lad among them was ill. I begged to be allowed to see him. The father asked me: "Do you want to talk about religion to him?”

"No," I said.

"What, then?”

"About Christ.”

"Oh, then you may go in; only if you talk religion, I'll set the dog on to you!”

In the caravan, a sort of covered wagon, I found the lad alone and in bed. He was evidently in the last stage of tuberculosis. His sunken eyes were closed, and he looked like one already dead. I bent over him, and very slowly in his ear I repeated the scripture: "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.

I repeated this precious verse five times without any apparent response. The poor boy seemed deaf to all earthly sounds and not able to hear even with the outward ear. As I finished repeating it for the sixth time, he opened his eyes and smiled. To my delight he whispered: "He did that for me? And I never thanked Him! But nobody ever told me! I 'turn Him my thanks. Only a poor Gipsy chap like me! I thank Him kindly!”

He closed his eyes with an expression of complete satisfaction. As I knelt by him, I thanked God. His lips moved again, and I caught the whispered, "That's it!" There were other words from the barely moving lips, but I could not decipher them.

I went again the next day, and found that the dear lad had died (or rather, had fallen asleep in Christ) eleven hours after I left. His father said he had been very "peaceable," and had died a "tidy death." There was no Bible or Testament in the encampment. I left one of each. The poor man wished me "good luck," and gave me a little bundle of skewers the "boy Jemmy" had made.

It was apparently the first time this Gipsy boy had ever heard of God's salvation. With unquestioning faith he took God at His word, and with his dying lips he thanked Him who so loved the world as to give His Son for him, "a poor Gipsy chap." God is satisfied with the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This poor lad was also satisfied; and this mutual satisfaction meant instant and everlasting salvation for him. In eleven short hours, through his new-found faith in Christ, he exchanged that forlorn, rickety caravan for the paradise of God. There he has found that God's Word is true.

Friend, if you have not with your heart said "Amen" to God's way of saving lost sinners, you are on the extreme verge of that great abyss which God calls "eternal." He alone has the keys of death and of hell. But the "grace of God that bringeth salvation" is brought before you this day. Will you refuse it and pass on into eternity without the Savior? The judgment lies ahead of you; and there, without Christ, you will find your portion in the fire that "never can be quenched." Will you now accept God's salvation, and 'turn Him many thanks"?

Fellow believer, may God forbid that anyone within your reach or mine should ever have occasion to say, with regard to these everlasting realities, the awful words: "Nobody ever told me.”

What Will You Say Then?

A young Sandwich Islander was spending an evening in a religious group who were greatly amused at his attempts to speak English. A modernist lawyer present also tried to puzzle him with difficult questions.

At length the native said: "I am just a poor heathen boy, sir. Maybe my blunders in your language do amuse you, although I have tried to answer honestly all you have asked of me. But soon there will be a larger meeting than this, and at that meeting there will be only one question. It is: 'Do you love the Lord Jesus Christ?' Now, sir, I can say, Yes. What will you say, sir?”

He stopped. All present were silent until the modernist suggested that as the evening was far gone, they had better disperse. He proposed that the native should conclude it with prayer. He did so; and as he poured out his heart to God, the modernist was deeply touched. He could not conceal his feelings. Tears started from his eyes, and he sobbed aloud. All present wept too; and when they separated, the words, "What will you say, sir?" followed the modernist home. That searching question probed deep and it did not leave him until it brought him to the Savior.

"If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maranatha." (Let him be accursed; the Lord cometh.) 1 Cor. 16:22.

"We love Him, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.

How Many Were Crucified?

A young girl who was anxious about her soul's salvation was, I believe, brought to accept Christ as her Savior by considering the scene on Calvary. May it be just the right portion for some who read this paper.

She was asked: "How many people were crucified on Calvary?”

"Three!" she replied; "two thieves, and Jesus between.”

"Were both the thieves equally bad?”

"Yes, they both suffered justly.”

"Did both die alike?”

"No.”

"What made the difference?”

"One believed on Jesus; the other did not.”

"Now, what about sin with regard to these three?

The one thief that did not look to Christ, had he sin in him?”

"Yes.”

"Had he sin on him?”

"Yes.”

"And Christ, had He sin in Him?”

She thought a little but she answered rightly: "No.

He was holy, harmless, undefiled." (Heb. 7:26.)

"Had He sin on Him?”

"Yes.”

"His own?”

"No. He had our sins laid on Him." (Isa. 53:6.)

"The thief that looked to Christ, had he sin in him after he looked?”

"Yes.”

"Had he sin on him?”

"No.”

This middle cross, the cross on which the Lord of glory died, still divides the world. We are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), as were both the thieves. On one side of the cross are saved sinners; on the other, unsaved sinners. On the one side are those who believe God, that Christ is for them; on the other are those who do not. On the one side are those who have sin in them, but no sin on them, because God laid it on the spotless Sin-bearer; on the other side are those who have sin both in theme and on them, because they disdain the blessed Substitute.

And all people in the world die, as those two thieves did. None ever died, or ever will die, without sin in them. The name of every man when he dies will be sinner. The name of each of those two men was thief to the very last breath; but one died a saved thief; the other died an unsaved thief.

Friend, are you, through faith in Christ, a saved sinner?

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

That Poor Cabman

Captain Brown was in command of one of the finest yachts in the world. He was a splendid man all round: a rare seaman, a well-read man, and physically of unusually fine build and commanding stature.

During the winter his yacht was "laid up," and his time was his own to spend as he pleased. Now the captain was, above everything else, a Christian; and he devoted all the evenings of this period of leisure to evangelistic work.

One stormy winter's night, after having preached the gospel at the City Mission, he came out to find the rain falling in torrents, and his home was five miles away. He called a cab, and was soon rattling along, cozy and warm, while the storm beat upon the closed windows.

After the fatigue of having walked the five miles to the Mission, and of holding a long service followed by an after-meeting, the quiet rest in the cab was very pleasant. Suddenly, however, a fierce blast of wind and rain shook the vehicle, and he said, half aloud: "That poor cabman! What a drenching he will get!”

All the man in the captain rose in pity for the bodily discomfort of his driver. Then a thought occurred to him, with sudden and startling force.

"I wonder if his soul is saved!" All the Christian in him was aroused for the poor man's soul. Acting promptly on his leadings, the captain opened the door, and called him in.

"Cabbie, I want you a moment. It is an awful night for your body, exposed as it is; but I cannot be at rest as I think about your soul. Is it saved? Are you ready for death? Are you serving God?”

The cab was drawn close to the roadside now, and at the captain's invitation the cabman sat down opposite to him, so they might have a few minutes' conversation. It transpired that for some time the man had been troubled about his soul, and he welcomed the opportunity to learn those things now being presented to him.

"Where is your difficulty, friend?" asked the captain.

"Well, sir, you see, I've known all about these things ever since I was a little boy at Sunday school; but what I want now is to know how to get the benefit of Jesus Christ's death for me. I've done any amount of repentin' and prayin', and such like, of late; but I don't seem to get much farther. Tonight at supper my little girl was singin'—

“‘It is not your tears of repentance, nor prayers, But the blood that atones for the soul.'

"So now I'm at a loss and don't know what to do.”

Very simply, but very faithfully, Captain Brown showed the poor man that he had been looking within himself for some sort of comfortable feeling, instead of looking at Christ's work upon the cross for him.

"We are 'saved by grace' (free gift) 'through faith,'" he said. "We believe and receive; our joy comes from the knowledge and acceptance of the facts that 'the Lord hath laid on Him' (Jesus) 'the iniquity'—the sin—`of us all,' and that He does accept Him as our Substitute.”

That cabman went home with his heart at peace through believing God's statement as to the Lord Jesus Christ.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isa. 53:6.

God's Sheep

A few years ago a Christian gentleman was traveling in England and shared a compartment with a clergyman, two ladies, and a man who proved to be an infidel. A little later a cattle drover entered the coach and joined the group.

When the train moved on again, the clergyman distributed gospel tracts to each. The infidel alone refused them, saying that he never read such trash, and that he would not even allow his two daughters at home to read the Bible. For fully ten minutes he then assailed God's Word, professing to disprove it.

The clergyman finally interrupted to say: "Pardon me, sir; but you say this Book is not fit for your daughters to read. Yet for the last ten minutes you have been quoting extracts from it before these two ladies. If, as you say, the Scriptures are unfit for your children, you are most inconsistent.”

The clergyman quoted verses to refute the infidel's argument, but all was rejected by him.

At last the drover said: "I am just a cattle drover. Sometimes I drive sheep, and sometimes I drive pigs. My master went to market one day and bought some sheep, and I had to drive them home. Near our farm there is a lane, with nice green grass all along and a pond at the far end. You should have seen those sheep go for the grass when I got them in the lane. How they nibbled at it, bleating, as though cheering one another on; and when they put their noses in the pond, they seemed as fresh as if they had not been on a journey!

"My master says to me: 'Jim, those sheep look fresh.'

“‘Of course they do, Master,' said I. 'They have been filling their bellies as they came along.'

"Well, the next week my master sent me to drive some pigs home from market. I was vexed when I got them into that lane to see how they began rooting up the juicy green grass to get at the worms and dirt, and I drove them on as fast as I could. When they got to the pond, in they went, stirring up all the mud. They got home filthier than when they started.

"Now, sir," said the drover, "you are like those pigs. Thousands of people find comfort and food in God's Word, but you do not. It doesn't suit your stomach, so you try to spoil it for those who live on it. And as God made worms to do His work in nature, so He has been pleased to write down in His Word—the Bible—things that you call unfit for reading. As far as I can see, He has faithfully written down these dark sins in the lives of men (things that we would leave out if we had to write their lives) to show that it is vile sinners His grace can save.

"Yes, sir, He shows them up just as He sees them. Yet He says, I can save the vilest, for the 'blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth from all sin.'

"Take my advice, sir-give up finding fault with God's blessed Word! But believe its message, when it says, 'All have sinned and come short of the glory of God' and accept His offer of salvation. It can be had only through faith in Christ Jesus. If you will not do that, at any rate stop spoiling the grass for God's sheep.”

The infidel sat silent and listened, nor did he open his mouth again. May God open his heart to the truth.

"Not many wise,... not many noble." 1 Cor. 1:26.

One Word

Corinne loved gay company and the pleasures of this world. After spending an evening at a card party with an unusually hilarious group, she returned home to find her maid absorbed in reading. Corinne stealthily looked over the maid's shoulder, and seeing that the book was a Bible, exclaimed: "Poor, melancholy soul! What pleasure can you find in poring so long over that book?”

Not waiting for an answer, she was soon in bed. But that night she did not rest. What was it that disturbed her so, and drove sleep from her eyes? Was it the "good time" which she had just enjoyed, or the excitement of the evening's game, or was it the weariness that followed naturally in its train? No; it was none of these. It was merely a word.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Prov. 25:11.

One word had pierced that pleasure-loving lady's heart! Its first effect was to give deep anguish of spirit. Corinne found no rest. All night she lay under the hand of God, sighing and weeping with the sting of one word. Again and again her maid begged to know why she was so deeply distressed.

At length the poor girl could control herself no longer. Bursting into a flood of tears, she exclaimed: "Oh, that one word which I saw in your book! It troubles me! There I saw the word 'Eternity.' Oh, how happy I would be if I were ready for Eternity" (Isa. 57:15).

ETERNITY. Think of it, friend. God has for so long spared you in His mercy, from fast approaching judgment. Would not you be happy, with a happiness you have never tasted, were you prepared for eternity? Face to face with that one word, with all its tremendous significance, what could the frivolous amusements of this wretched world do for the guilty soul of this poor girl? As seen in the light of eternal loss, she could only loathe them from the bottom of her heart.

With gentle earnestness, the Christian maid pointed her mistress to the one way of escape from a lost eternity. God had mercy upon her soul, as He ever has upon all who truly turn to Him. Soon her heart rested by faith upon the precious blood of Christ, God's only way to cleanse a poor sinner from his sins and give a troubled conscience peace.

Dear one, may it be thus with you. "Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids," until by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ you too can say that, through grace, Eternity, with all its solemn issues of eternal damnation, eternal judgment and eternal fire, cannot disturb your rest, because for you Eternity means eternal blessedness, eternal redemption, eternal salvation, and eternal glory.

A Secret Worth Knowing

The great secret of Christian life is that our intercourse with God should make nothing of ourselves. Crosses are ladders that lead up to heaven.

Thirty Pieces of Silver

Thirty pieces of silver
For the Lord of life they gave;
Thirty pieces of silver—
Only the price of a slave!
But this was the priestly value
Of the Holy One of God;
And they weighed it out in the temple—
The price of the Savior's blood.

Thirty pieces of silver
Laid in Iscariot's hand;
Thirty pieces of silver
And the aid of an armed band,
Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
Brought the humble Son of God
At midnight, from the garden
Where His sweat had been like blood.

"Thirty pieces of silver”
Burns on the traitor's brain;
"Thirty pieces of silver!
Oh! it is hellish gain!”
"I have sinned and betrayed the guiltless!”
He cried with a fevered breath,
As he threw them down in the temple,
And rushed to a madman's death.

Thirty pieces of silver
Lay in the house of God;
Thirty pieces of silver;
But oh, 'twas the price of blood!
And so for a place to bury
The stranger in, they gave
The price of their own Messiah,
Who lay in a borrowed grave.

It may not be for silver,
It may not be for gold,
But still, by tens of thousands,
The Prince of life is sold;
Sold for a godless friendship,
Sold for a selfish aim,
Sold for a fleeting trifle,
Sold for an empty name!

Sold in the mart of science,
Sold in the seat of power,
Sold in the shrine of fortune,
Sold in pleasure's bower.
Sold where the awful bargain
None but God's eye can see!
Ponder, my soul, the question:
Shall He be sold by thee?

Sold! O God, what a moment!
Stifled is conscience' voice—
Sold! And a wond'ring angel
Records the fatal choice!
Sold! But the price accepted
To a living coal shall turn,
With the pangs of a late repentance
Deep in the soul to burn.

W. B.

"GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE
TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE
WE WERE YET SINNERS,
CHRIST DIED FOR US.”

Rom. 5:8.

"Behold, the eye of the Lord
is upon them that fear Him,
upon them that hope in His
mercy; to deliver their soul
from death.”

Psa. 33:18, 19.

"There is none other
name under heaven
given among men,
whereby we must be
SAVED.”

Acts 4:12.

May

Two Bullets and Their Message

The Civil War was raging. Men in gray and men in blue, Confederates and Federals, or "Rebels" and "Yanks," as the Southerners and Northerners respectively were called, were engaged in deadly strife. Fellow-countryman against fellow-countryman, sometimes even brother against brother, or son against father were pitted against each other.

Among the combatants was a young man called George. He was the son of a Christian mother; but he himself led a godless life, and did not trouble about his soul and its eternal destiny.

When George left home to go to the front, his mother gave him a Bible. She besought her son to read and profit by its precious precepts. His love for his mother was not great enough to induce him to carry out her earnest request, but it was too great to allow him to disdain her gift; so he always carried it in his breast pocket.

One day, after a battle out of which George had come unhurt, he discovered that the breast of his tunic had been pierced by a bullet. On further search he found that the bullet had entered his Bible. However, it had not completely penetrated it. His long-neglected Bible had thus been the means of saving his physical life. Could it do more?

Eagerly George turned over the leaves of his Bible to see where the bullet had stopped; and these were the words he read there: "Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:9.

This messenger of life from God went straight home to the young soldier's conscience. He had, indeed, been walking in the ways of his own heart, and in the light of his own eyes. Now he turned to the Lord Jesus Christ, trusted in Him as his Savior, and passed from death unto life eternal.

But what about you, dear friend? Have you accepted these blessed gifts from the hand of the God who loves you?

But here is another true story of a bullet—a messenger of death. This event occurred during the first World War.

Among the German soldiers fighting in one of the battles which cost such a toll of precious lives, was one who was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. To him, therefore, to be "absent from the body" meant that he would "be present with the Lord." But even a Christian with eternal bliss before him still has a nature that shrinks from death. The nerve-wracking roar of the cannon, the scream of death-dealing shells, and the whizzing of bullets past one's ears are an awful ordeal for poor human nature to pass through. One need not be a coward to feel something of their terrors. So this young Christian soldier lifted up his heart to God, and asked that his life might be preserved.

As if in mockery of his prayer, a bullet soon came whizzing along and struck him full in the chest! Instead of falling to the ground sorely wounded or killed, the soldier remained upright and absolutely unhurt! What was the meaning of this?

There was a hole in his tunic just over his heart. He unfastened the tunic, and the mystery was solved. The bullet had pierced the little Bible which was his constant companion. He opened the precious Book to see how far the bullet hole went. It had stopped at these words: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Psa. 34:7.

Again God had used a bullet as His messenger; but this time it was not for awakening a careless soul, but for comforting and strengthening one of His own children. God who knoweth the heart, sends the right message to the right man.

Dear reader, which of the two messages comes from God to your heart today? Are you, like the first soldier, needing the warning voice which tells of judgment to come? Or are you, like the second soldier of whom I have written, sheltered beneath the precious blood of Christ, and safe under the shadow of His wings?

"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.

Hell's Heritage

A bad conscience, but a good memory—these will be the possession of every lost soul in hell. What a terrible prospect! All the details of this life fresh in the memory, every opportunity remembered; but never, no never, a good conscience before God.

A Russian Arrested

Yes! He was stopped in his awful course by an unpretentious little note. This is the story told by a Christian who had contact with one of Russia's chief inquisitors.

It was during the time when a supreme effort was being made to dethrone God, and to obliterate every trace of Christianity from that vast land. Our Christian friend says: "Knowing that many use and understand `Esperanto,' I wrote him a short note and enclosed a Gospel of John in that language. Shortly afterward I received a very sarcastic response, saying that they `burned that sort of stuff here.'

"About two weeks later, I was surprised to receive another letter from him, breathing altogether a different tone. He said he had stuck the little booklet in his pocket, waiting until he could find opportunity to burn it; and then he forgot all about it!

"Several days later, he was making a trip where he had a `layover' for several hours. He looked around for something to read to pass the time away, but could find nothing. Searching in his pockets, he there found the little book he had treated with such contempt. He drew it out and began to read it. What was his great surprise at the beautiful language used! He had read it, he said, from the standpoint of good literature, and asked if I had anything else of a similar character. I at once sent him a copy of `The Gospel of Mark.'

"Again he wrote; and this time it was a fine letter asking if there were not four gospels. He stated that, if I could send the other two, he would have them all bound together into a book and placed in his library. In reply I told him that this was already done and was available with additional material, called `The New Testament.'

"This I gladly and prayerfully sent him, counting on God to make it good to his soul.”

The final result we do not know, but we are assured that, "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple." Psa. 119:130.

"So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isa. 55:11.

A Stupid Mistake?

A young woman was earnestly endeavoring "to make her peace with God." She faithfully "attended to her religious duties." She went to church regularly and did everything she could to secure God's favor. Still, in spite of her efforts, she failed to find the rest of soul and peace of conscience she was longing for.

A preacher of the gospel visited her one day. After some conversation, he seemed to understand her problem. He asked to be allowed to use her well-thumbed Bible. She willingly handed it to him, and he turned to Col. 1:20. Aloud he read: "And having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

He read the words again and said: "You see, you have set yourself a hopeless task. You are seeking to do what Christ has already done.”

The lady was astonished. Taking the Book in her own hands, she said: "Let me read that for myself.”

Slowly she read the words: "And having made peace through the blood of His cross." Joyfully she exclaimed: "Oh, it's strange that I never saw that before! And it was there all the time. I've been trying to do what Christ had done long ago. What a stupid mistake! I might as well have tried to accomplish my own redemption. But blessed be His name, I see He made peace for me. I'll just be satisfied with His work, and rest my soul upon it.”

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

Will you not, dear reader, rest your soul on Christ and His finished work on the cross? Receive Him now as your Savior and Lord.

“Who His own self 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.

A Well Filled Heart

Sir James Young Simpson, Bart., M. D., is a name that shines brilliantly in the annals of Scotland and is a star of the first magnitude among her numerous medical men.

The son of a poor baker in Bathgate, who had much ado to keep his head above water, he rose to receive the honor of a baronetcy from Queen Victoria in recognition of his professional merits. He was especially mentioned for the introduction there of the use of chloroform in surgery.

Has public life was always marked by outward consistency and by an observance of the externals of religion. He numbered among his friends some of the leading preachers of Edinburgh, where he lived and practiced medicine.

But he was unacquainted with the power of true Christianity until 1861. The person who was most instrumental in bringing about a marked change in his life was one of his patients, an invalid lady. Her quiet words spoken to him and her letters of grateful Christian interest written to him, took hold of his heart by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In one of her letters, having first expressed her kind thoughts concerning him and his household, she wrote: "What is to fill my heart through all eternity? When benevolence shall have run its course, when there shall be no sick to heal, no disease to cure; when all I have, all I have been engaged with here comes to a dead stop, what is to fill this heart, and thought, and these powers of mind? Only the God-Man! If then, why not now?”

In this way he was led to know Christ as his Savior, and soon began to undertake active Christian work. In giving a public address to medical students, he spoke of himself as "one of the oldest sinners and one of the youngest believers in the room." He earnestly entreated them to open the door of their hearts and receive the Savior, ere they began careers of service to mankind. "For," said Sir James, the most eminent doctor in Scotland at that time: "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, (divine love) it profiteth me nothing." 1 Cor. 13:3.

An Infidel's Conversion

In St. Louis many years ago there lived an infidel lawyer. During a great religious revival there, which he ridiculed, he was on his way to a drug store one day to procure some medicine for his sick child. It was a bright Lord's Day afternoon, and a street preacher was earnestly proclaiming the gospel of God's grace to an immense crowd. His curiosity aroused, the infidel stopped on the edge of the vast throng to see what attracted them.

Not a word the preacher uttered could he hear; but on the outskirts of the crowd and quite near the infidel stood a man mounted on a wagon. He was pouring forth a volume of blasphemy and obscenity and hate, cursing the Bible and Christ and Christianity.

The infidel observed that quite a group of sympathizers had gathered around him, laughing at his course jests, and loudly applauding his sentiments. But he also noticed that this group was evidently from the very dregs of society. Derelicts, dope addicts, drunkards—men, women and half-grown lads upon whom the police kept a watchful eye—constituted the admiring audience of the wretched man who was flooding them with his tide of filth.

After a while the lawyer bowed his head in utter shame, as he realized he was thoroughly identified in thought and practice with these despisers of God. True he was an unbeliever on far higher grounds mentally and socially. His skepticism rested upon intellectual and scientific objections to the Bible! But he reflected that, as the arguments and witticisms of his class of thinkers dribbled down through the various strata of the community, they became more offensive at each successive descent, until they reappeared at the bottom in the disgusting shape that faced him from the wagon of the infidel orator.

He walked away mortified and condemned. Without attending any of the revival meetings, without hearing a single sermon, he renounced infidelity, became a Christian, and devoted the remainder of his days in defense of the cause he had sought to destroy.

"God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.”

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:7.

Havelock's Saints?

It was a strange sight. In this garish heathen pagoda, with cross-legged images of Buddha all around, idolatry in its grossest form had reigned for centuries. In such surroundings stood General Henry Havelock, Bible in hand, leading the song of praise to heaven's eternal God and King. Around him stood a band of brave, stalwart Highland soldiers with bared heads. Right heartily they joined in the song first learned among their native heather:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host!
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”

"Havelock's Saints" was the name given this company. It was well enough known that their honored leader was as true a saint as he was a brave soldier, and many of his men had by means of his godly influence been led to know the Savior.

One young officer, who had lived a most ungodly life, had been converted through contact with the general, and at once took his place in the circle of "Havelock's Saints." The officers of his mess ridiculed him and sought by every means to draw him back to a life of sin. In this they completely failed, for the power of Christ was on the side of His young servant. Such was the effect of his changed life and godly testimony, moreover, that several of them were soon after converted to God.

One night a sudden and unexpected attack was made on a British outpost. Some of the soldiers, thinking no danger threatened, had been drinking heavily and were quite unfit for duty. "Call out Have-lock's Saints," was the order given by Sir Archibald Allison, the commanding officer. "They are never drunk, but always ready." Promptly the brave Ross-shire Buffs followed their beloved leader with shouldered muskets; and with a ringing cheer they drove the invaders back in utter confusion.

"Let us thank God, comrades, all around. It is He who has brought us back safely. Under the shadow of His wing we have been hid," said a godly sergeant. And around that kneeling circle, from each in succession, the voice of prayer and thanksgiving was heard to ascend to heaven. At last it was the turn of a fine young Highlander to pray.

"Dinna wait for me te pray, lads. I canna pray; I dinna ken God!”

That honest confession rang out from one who was reckoned among "Havelock's Saints." What a surprise! But how true it is that too often not all who profess outwardly to be "saints" are born of God! This soldier in all honesty would not keep up a profession of what he did not possess. Condemned by the atmosphere of that prayer meeting, and the earnest heart-breathings of his converted comrades, he owned his condition as a lost sinner, and was soon after brought to put his trust in and to confess the Lord Jesus as his Savior.

"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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:9,10.

The Old, Old Story

A Prime Minister of England once said, "If I am asked what is the remedy for the deeper sorrows of the human heart, what a man should look to in going through life as the power that will sustain him under trials and enable him manfully to confront his afflictions, I must point him to what in a well-known hymn is called The old, old story,' told in an old, old Book, and taught with an old, old faith. It is the grandest and best gift ever given to mankind—Jesus and His love.”

For what can we tell to the weary of heart,
If we preach not salvation from sin?
And how can we comfort the souls that depart,
If we tell not that Christ rose again?

What Hast Thou Done for Me!

O blessed Savior, Jesus, Lord!
What hast Thou done for me!
Were the broad sky one outspread page,
My pen the smallest tree—
Were rivers, oceans, lakes and seas
Ink gathered into one—
And I to write, and write, and write
Until this world were done—
Lord Jesus! well I know, full well,
That I could not the one half tell.

If to my tongue were given a power
Omnipotent, to speak,
So that each word thus spoken would
More than a thousand make:
If all the weeks, and months, and years
Were days rolled into one,
And I could talk, and talk, and talk,
Until all time were run
Lord Jesus, oh I know full well
That I could not the one half tell!

Were my heart larger than the world,
No earthly thing within—
Were it completely emptied out,
Entirely free from sin—
A mighty heart, and time to fill,
Until expired the sun—
Ah, me! It would be bursting full,
While time were but begun!
Lord Jesus! all Thy love untold
It never could the one half hold!

Lord Jesus, O Thou blessed One!
All Thou hast done for me!
A thousand tongues can never tell
The fullness that's in Thee!
A thousand hearts can never hold
What Thou to me hast given;
A thousand worlds cannot contain
The glory there in heaven.
Lord Jesus! Well I know, full well,
That nothing human e'er can tell!

Question and Answer

Question:
What is the foulest thing on earth?
Bethink me now and tell!
Answer:
It is the soul by sin defiled;
'Tis only fit for hell!
Question:
What is the purest thing on earth?
Come—tell me—if thou know.
Answer:
'Tis that same soul, through Jesus' blood
Washed whiter far than snow.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for He will abundantly pardon.”

Isa. 55:7.

June

All-Sufficient Love

Thou hidden source of calm repose!
Thou all-sufficient Love divine;
My help and refuge from my foes,
Secure I am, for I am Thine;
Thou art my fortress, strength and tower—
My trust and portion evermore.

Thy mighty Name salvation is;
It keeps my happy soul above;
Comfort it brings, and power, and peace,
And joy, and everlasting love;
To me, with Thy dear Name, are given,
Pardon, and holiness, and heaven.

Jesus! my All-in-all Thou art;
My rest in toil, my ease in pain;
The healer of my broken heart;
'Mid storms my peace; in loss my gain;
My fortress 'neath the tyrant's frown—
In shame, my glory, and my crown.

In want, my plentiful supply;
In weakness, my almighty power;
In bonds, my perfect liberty;
My refuge in temptation's hour;
My comfort 'midst all grief and thrall;
My life in death—my All-in-all.

The Queen's Promise

On the 4th of February, 1900, the mortal remains of Her late Majesty, Queen Victoria, were laid to rest in the tomb at Frogmore. Her long and illustrious reign over a great earthly empire had come to an end. Now the question was asked:—

"What was her relation to Christ while in life? Where is her soul now, while her body lies at Frogmore?”

No place in all the fair domain around the late Queen's Berkshire home was so dear or more familiar to Her Majesty than the gardens of Frogmore. The Mausoleum she there had built to receive the body of her beloved consort, and for the reception eventually of her own mortal remains, showed little of the usual gloom of a sepulcher. It consisted of a central chamber with four transepts which formed a cross. The green dome was visible from the Long Walk; but only upon a close approach could one view the stately and ornate character of the structure. Over the entrance this loving and tender dedication was inscribed:"His mourning widow Victoria, the Queen, directed that all that is mortal of Prince Albert be placed in this sepulcher. A.D. 1862. Farewell, well beloved! Here at last I will rest with thee, and with thee in Christ I shall rise again.”

What faith and hope do these last eight words express! They are not the language of cold formalism but of divinely given belief: "With thee in Christ I shall rise again." Precious testimony to her faith in Jesus!

Another incident in the life of Queen Victoria reveals the basis of that saving faith which could speak so confidently.

Her Majesty, as was her wont, often visited the humble and the poor. On one occasion she had been to see a lowly cottager who was a happy believer in the Lord Jesus. Before leaving, the Queen inquired if she could do anything for the old lady.

"I have all I want, thank your Majesty," said the aged woman.

"But can't I do anything for you?" asked the Queen. "I'd like to do something for you.”

Again came the response: "I have all I need, thank your Majesty; but if your Majesty would promise me one thing, I would be very happy.”

"I will do that if I can," replied her Sovereign.

"What can I do for you?”

"Oh, your Majesty, if you would just promise to meet me in heaven.”

Softly but firmly came the reply: "I will do that, in virtue of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ." The petitioner was satisfied, and well she might be.

The soul that rests upon that precious blood, whether sovereign or subject, is safe indeed. Its virtues are unlimited; and as surely as the beloved Queen of England knew it in life, she knows, thank God, much more of it now. She has exchanged an earthly crown and a temporal throne for the everlasting joy of the presence of her Lord.

Happy indeed are they who can sing, "Unto Him that loves us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." Rev. 1:5, 6.

Reader, may I ask how you stand in relation to Christ? If in simple faith you look away from self to Christ, and trust Him only, you can promise, as happily and as confidently as Queen Victoria, "I will meet you in heaven in virtue of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Great Day”

Traveling on a country road on a hot summer day, I came upon a blacksmith shop by the wayside. Being thirsty, I asked for a drink of water, and it was readily given. Before resuming my journey I handed the blacksmith and each of his men a gospel booklet. As I did so I remarked: "As that glass of cool spring water is to a thirsty traveler, so the water of life is to a thirsty soul." I added: "Twenty years ago when I was a boy living in this village I drank from that life-giving spring, and I have enjoyed the possession of eternal life, the free gift of God, ever since.”

Shaking his head the blacksmith said in a serious tone, "None of us can say that till the great day.”

His workmen and several farm servants concurred in this. The only one who said nothing was the apprentice blacksmith lad. He listened to the conversation, as I thought with uncommon interest. His face brightened as I gave my testimony to the present joy of possessing salvation.

"Are you waiting for 'the great day' too, my boy?" I asked, as I was passing him.

"No, sir," was the quick reply; "'the great day' is already past for me. I was converted six months ago in the village over there.”

"Praise God," I said as I grasped his hand. "We are brothers in Christ.”

God has His saved ones, His own, all along the way. Are you one of them?

Mike's Bible

The "Church" in the little village needed money. This, in itself, was nothing new; but how to get it from the people was the problem. Many schemes had been tried to accomplish this in the past and had been fairly successful. Now it was suggested that something new (for those parts, at least) be tried. Why should they not have a raffle? The possibility of winning something thereby might induce some to contribute who otherwise would give nothing. Thus the "good cause" would be helped along.

The question was, what shall we raffle? "A Bible; a large, illustrated family Bible," suggested someone. That was surely "something new," and the suggestion was acted upon. A large copy of the Douay Bible was to be the prize.

Now, Mike McCay, who was a farmer, was a "good son of the Church." He was not slow to do his share toward making a success of the lottery in aid of such a good cause. Much to his amazement, however, his was the "lucky ticket." The prize was handed to him and he carried it home. It was a "white elephant," little more, unless it be considered an additional item to decorate the parlor table. The pictures were interesting to look at; but once seen they lost their attraction.

Years passed by. Mike had found no use for his Bible until one day the news was spread abroad through the neighborhood that "gospel meetings" would be held in a little chapel secured for that purpose in the village. This again was something new! Mike, his wife, and his neighbors turned out to hear the stranger who had come from a distant city to preach.

His message was simple. Practically, it was composed of two parts—man's ruin on account of sin, and God's remedy through the gospel. He showed from the Bible that man, ever since the fall of Adam, was reckoned by God to be a sinner, and said to be lost (2 Cor. 4:3), guilty (Rom. 3:19), without strength (Rom. 5:6), and ungodly. Thus was he utterly a ruin.

God's remedy for this was the gospel. And the gospel was not in telling poor ruined man what he should do for himself. The good news in the gospel was what God in Christ had done for him. Every lost, ruined sinner was called to rest on this.

As for Mike and his wife, the preaching they had heard made them wretched on account of their sins, but brought them no rest! A knowledge of one's self is needful, but not enough. It is Christ who saves, and to know Him is to have life eternal.

A few months later God sent along another of His servants to preach the Word and again blessed it to some poor, lost sinners. This time Mike's wife was among the happy number who passed from death unto life through faith in the Lord Jesus.

Now Mike's trouble began in earnest. At last he found a use for his Bible, and its pages were diligently read. Somewhat to his amazement he found his version agreed substantially with the Bible used by the evangelists to whom he had been listening. Both told practically the same story, and witnessed to him that "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God," (Psa. 9:17); and that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16; and now, "as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12.

Through days and weeks of anxiety, in the late hours of the night and the early hours of the morning Mike pored over his Bible. He sought for rest from his wretchedness, salvation from his lost and ruined state.

At last, when he was hopeless as to himself, God opened his eyes to see that God had loved him as he was, Christ had died for him as he was, and was now in the glory at God's right hand, living forevermore that He might give sinners, who were dead in sins, life eternal.

This was good news indeed, and with joy Mike received it. And was he rejected? By no means. Mike's sins were now forgiven, not by some poor sinful man like himself. It was God Himself who said by the Spirit: "Be it known unto you... that through this Man (Jesus) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses." Acts 13:38, 39.

Mike was saved too, for God has said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Here we beg to ask a question of the reader. "How is it with you?" You have heard God's "good news." Have you believed it? Are you saved or lost? Justified or condemned? Destined for heaven or bound for hell?

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

The Best Armchair

A dear old Christian lady had been laid aside with illness for some time. One day, when she was getting better, a visitor, a. young lady, called to cheer her in the name of Christ.

"You see, my dear, I am a little better," said the old woman. "The doctor said when he was here, that I might get up a while and sit in the armchair. I told him: 'Sir,' said I, 'I ain't got no armchair!'. He looked round; and, said he: 'No more you have;'".

"But you do have an armchair," suggested the visitor, brightly. The old lady looked doubtful. "Does the Bible not say, 'Underneath are the Everlasting Arms'? (Deut. 33:27.) The Lord is your resting place.”

"Well now, and so He be." And the aged one laughed happily at the thought. Indeed she was so pleased that she told the doctor when he next came round.

"You need not fear breaking this armchair," added the young lady. "It is strong and immovable, and will bear your full and entire weight.”

Where does this Chair stand? Not in the tabernacle of works. There was no resting place there. The work was never finished; but when Christ had purged our sins, "He sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Heb. 1:3.) There He now "sitteth" (Col. 3:1), and we who are His are made "to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:6.) Thus the weary, worn, and sad can sing: "I find in Him a resting place.”

Resting in Christ brings Him honor. When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, the sitting of his servants was as wonderful as the attendance of his ministers (1 Kings 10:5.); and it is equally true in the court of the greater-than-Solomon. The quiet, calm, and peace of a Christian is a marvel to the world.

There is one resting place—only one. Yet all may make it their own. That resting place is Christ Himself:— not His disciples, His teaching, or His wonders; but Himself. Not feelings, not experience, not friends; just Himself! Many small chairs perhaps, but only one great, restful Armchair. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." Psa. 37:7.

"Oh, 'tis precious, very precious,
To lean on Jesus' breast;
For when the pilgrim heart is weary
'Tis the only place of rest!”

Our invalid was weak, and therefore the doctor recommended the armchair. How good of the Lord to make provision for His weak ones by providing rest for them! Chariots for warriors; but an armchair for the feeble, and the much-afraid. If you cannot sing, "Stand up, stand up for Jesus," then sing, "Sweetly I'm resting in Jesus"!

He is not only our Leader and Commander, but also the Giver of rest.

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

Peace”

When the misery, desolation and bloodshed of war have wasted the fields and families of a nation—when its armies have been again and again defeated, its garrisons capitulated, and its resources exhausted—when the enemy is in possession of the fairest provinces and the finest cities, and all hope of waging successful warfare is over, then "Peace! Peace!" is the cry. Terms of peace are desired of the victorious foe. When these are arranged between the heads of the nations—when the treaty is signed, and the indemnity paid, far and wide the message is dispatched that carries the welcome tidings. In cities and towns, through villages and hamlets, over hill and dale, the good news is told, bringing joy and gladness to many a heart and home.

Peace has been made, but at what a cost! A large tract of land must be yielded to the conquerors and a vast sum of money paid. The cost, however, is now but lightly esteemed, for once more rest and comfort may cheer the homestead and brighten the hearth.

Peace has been made—peace has been proclaimed; and now, as the message is believed, peace is enjoyed. Thus it is as to peace with God.

I was an enemy in my mind by wicked works—an enemy warring a vain and foolish warfare against a God of love. My sins had turned my heart from Him, and I longed to be out of His presence, away from His sight. Then, by His grace, I was given to see my ruined estate—my need. My eyes were opened to behold what the end of my mad course must be, and to see in some little way the rich grace of God. I was brought to my own defeat, and to long for peace. Then, wonder of wonders, marvel of marvels, I found that PEACE HAD BEEN MADE by the blood of the cross.

I learned that the Lord Jesus in infinite love had left the heights of glory and had gone down to death, "even the death of the cross." He bore there all the righteous judgment of God due to me; He paid there all my indebtedness; He endured suffering there, yes, suffering—SUFFERING—and who shall tell the depth of that suffering?—for sins, the Just for the unjust, to bring me to God. Then, the Mighty Worker, He had cried: "IT IS FINISHED," and had laid down His life.

Risen from the dead on the third day, He appeared among His loved ones, and proclaimed the peace He had made, saying, "PEACE UNTO YOU.”

He showed them His hands and His side, which told of the cost at which He had won this peace for them—for me.

Now in the glory, HE IS MY PEACE. He is seated there at God's right hand, where judgment never more can reach Him; and I, by grace, am given a place "IN HIM," where "there is no condemnation.”

PEACE IS ENJOYED; calm, quiet, undisturbed "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

"He was delivered for our offenses, and raised again for our justification; therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Rom. 4:25; 5:1.

My reader, can you say the same?

Come Clean Out

"In my land a Christian comes clean out." Thus said a Chinese Christian.

What a serious word this is in those favored lands where the light of the gospel has shone for so long!

The persecution and possible martyrdom for the truth of Christ which is known in parts of China is unknown by us. The world here is tolerant at present, though there are signs that this may not always continue. This leads to laxity on the part of those who take the blessed name of Christian. The true Christian and the non-Christian are scarcely distinguishable. The danger of dropping down to the world level is great indeed. As one has said: "The world is so churchy and the church is so worldly it is hard to tell them apart.”

"Come clean out," is the call to the believer. "Come out from among them and be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing.”

This is a serious word to the child of God.

We owe it to Christ to be faithful to Him in the hour of His rejection.

We owe it to the world to give a clear witness to its impending doom.

We owe it to our fellow-Christians to be an example of believers.

We owe it to ourselves; for only as we are separate from the world shall we really be "enlarged" in spirit and enter into the abounding joys of our new relationship with God our Father.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers... What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

Come clean out.

Naked Truth”

The late Dr. Chalmers lay dying. Knowing that his end was approaching, he said to a friend standing near him: "Now just give me a little bit of naked truth to die upon.”

Dr. Chalmers had often preached the gospel with all the charm of his own natural eloquence. He knew it well; but now he wanted to hear it in all the majestic sweetness of the naked Word of God without any human embellishments. How well he knew that this was the only safe ground upon which the soul may drop its anchor for full assurance of eternal salvation! "The gospel of Christ... is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." Rom. 1:16.

In such moments as these the false hope of a Christ-less religion is shattered, and infidel theories collapse before the rising tide. When the death wave rolls up to you, unsaved reader, then you will want, and want badly too, what the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has got. Listen to him singing:

"We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love.”

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

1 Tim. 1:15.

July

Eternity

A preacher was resting in his room one evening after the gospel meeting, when there came a rap at his door. The visitor ushered in was Mr. Hayes, an acquaintance of his. After a little conversation about eternal and invisible things Mr. Hayes said: "You know, Dobbs, that I have often heard you preach on this subject and I know all that you can tell me. It is all right for you who are a Christian; but what is it to me who believes neither in God, in heaven, nor in hell?”

"Well," replied Dobbs, "I also have heard all that you have had to say as to these things. Now allow me to ask you to do something for me.”

"I will do it with pleasure, my friend.”

"Very well. Go home, and for three consecutive nights, after putting out your light and before lying down on your bed, at the time that others would be addressing God in prayer, say these words: `ETERNITY! ETERNITY! ETERNITY! I shall have to meet you; where? I do not want God; I do not believe in heaven; I deny that there is a hell; WHERE AM I GOING?”

Hayes agreed. That night he put out his light with a resolute air, and standing erect, he pronounced without hesitation the words which his friend had asked him to say.

The second night, he would have liked, although not ready to acknowledge it even to himself, that the light had not been extinguished before he said the words.

The third night he felt that he should let the light burn! It was then that God, in His marvelous grace and love, began to respond to the prayers of his friend and to make the light shine into his soul.

He began: 'ETERNITY! ETERNITY! ETERNITY! I have to meet thee! Where? I do not believe in heaven." He stopped short. He could not say, "I do not want God," for he realized deeply the presence of a holy and a righteous God. "WHERE AM I GOING?" he continued, in a tone of agony and despair; and the reply resounded from the depths of his soul: "To hell, to hell! That is where I am going!”

Pursued by this thought which gave him no rest, in trouble which no words can express, he came back to Dobbs after several days, and told him what he had been passing through. Humbly he added: "What can I do, what can you do for me?”

"Nothing," replied Dobbs calmly, looking down. "NOTHING.”

"What then ought I to do?”

"Nothing," was again the answer, "nothing.”

"What? Do nothing when I am in a state of inexpressible misery!”

"No, nothing," Dobbs again repeated, looking first at his friend then again fixing his gaze upon the ground. He was full of thanksgiving to God at seeing his friend feel so really his misery and his helplessness; because he felt that God was about to interpose.

"How is it," cried Hayes, "that you can remain so calm at seeing me in this fearful perplexity? How is it that you can say so coldly that you can do nothing? You, a Christian! To me, an immortal soul going to hell, can you say you can do nothing? It is you who have led me into this state of despair!”

"No," again Dobbs replied. "I can do nothing for you. I am, like yourself, only a weak and powerless creature. You can do nothing; and as to myself, I can do no more than you—absolutely nothing. But," he continued, raising his eyes and pointing to heaven, "God and He alone can do anything for you, and He has done all that is necessary.”

Divine light shone into this poor man's soul, revealing Him who came to save the sinner, bringing to light life and incorruptibility by the Gospel, the good news of His grace; and to open to this dear soul, who now believed, the door of a joyful eternity in the presence of God. Thenceforth the question, "Where am I going?" could receive the joyful response; "To heaven, to be with Him 'Who loved me and gave Himself for me.'" Gal. 2:20.

Reader, can you say as much?

The Simple Gospel

An old servant of God was conscious of the near approach of the journey's end for him, but sought to "occupy," even in his last feeble days, for his Father's glory.

One day, returning home from the city by train, he was near exhaustion. A gentleman observed his weakness, and kindly offered the old saint his seat. He accepted the courtesy with gratitude and sat down. When somewhat recovered from his weakness, he said to the gentleman: "That is just what Christ has done for me! He took my place, and now has given me His.”

What a simple gospel message! Yet how grand! My place Christ took. He bore all the judgment that my sins should have brought upon guilty me. He, who knew no sin, was made sin for us. He was forsaken of God that we might never be forsaken. And so now it is said of those who believe: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.”

A Nurse's Story

I had been longing and praying for something to do, or some special message to carry for Jesus, when I was ordered to duty in a strange ward. The sister in charge there would be away for several hours. I felt very pleased to take this new duty, especially in her absence, for this would give me a freedom which I could not have while she was there. Even in the wards there is often a jealousy about speaking to each other's patients.

Passing along the bedsides I observed a poor girl who had, along with other ailments, a bad case of dropsy. She was reading a book; but seeing a new nurse approaching, she laid it down upon the bed. I picked it up and read: "Food for the Children of God." I expressed pleasure to see her reading such a book, and she said it was indeed very good.

"And are you one of God's children?" I asked.

"Oh, no!" she replied. "I am not able to say that; I wish I were.”

I had time for only a few words, but I tried to encourage her to seek first to come to Christ as her Savior, for then she could fully enjoy the "food" as her own.

Later on I had to give her her medicine. When she had taken it I said: "If you could take Christ as easily as you have taken this medicine, would you not do it?”

"Oh, yes," she said, "I wish I could.”

"You can," I said. "The gift of God is eternal life.' He will give it to you; He longs to bless and save you.”

I had no opportunity to visit that ward again until many days later. My dropsical friend was much weaker. I slipped in and approached her bed. She at once recognized me; and putting her arms around my neck as I bent over her she said: "Oh, Nurse, I've got it! I am not afraid to die now!”

"What have you got?" I asked.

"Eternal life! And I shall never perish. No one can pluck me out of His hands." Then she added: "Nurse, I have you to thank.”

I stopped her by saying: "Both you and I have to thank God, for it was He who loved us and gave His only begotten and well-beloved Son that we might have eternal life through Him.”

"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.

Be Strong in the Lord

Come, brothers, let us onward,
Night comes without delay,
And in this howling desert
It is not good to stay.
We are hasting on to heaven:
Take courage and be strong,
Strength for warfare will be given,
And glory won ere long.

God Says It!?

An infidel blasphemer had attended Sunday school and other meetings in his early days where he was "exposed" to the truth of God. However, as he grew into manhood, all that was thrown aside, and he became an avowed infidel.

This unbeliever had joined himself to a traveling show, and one day he heard that a man in the town where they were stopping was preaching the "devil's doctrine." His curiosity was aroused, and he decided to go to hear what he had to say.

When he arrived he found a number of people gathered together. They were reading the Word of God. This was not what he had expected, but he sat and listened. The subject was, "The Name of Jesus." That Name had no charm for him, but stirred up the hatred in his heart.

"There is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." So said one of the company; and they sang reverently:

"Precious, peerless Name of Jesus,
None can tell its worth; Sweetest
Name there is in heaven,
Or on earth.”

When the brief reading was over, the preacher rose and gave a short message. He took for his subject those blessed words: "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10.

When he had finished his discourse, he went over to the infidel to speak to him about his soul. The poor wretch immediately began to air his infidel ideas, and blasphemed more vilely than he had ever. done before. The outraged preacher left him standing, tense with hatred to God and His Christ. Another man came up and shouted in the infidel's ear: "God says you are lost!”

The infidel seethed with anger at being so insulted, as he thought. He went outside to waylay the speaker when he should come out to go home. He had determined to knock him down. While he waited others came out also, and all seemed to have something to say to him. At last he could stand it no longer, and started homeward.

The arrow shot at a venture had entered beneath the joints of the harness, and the words kept ringing in his ears: "God says you are lost.”

Forget these words he could not. Sleep fled from him. Those words haunted him throughout the stillness of the night; and all the next day he was so miserable and unsettled that he could do nothing. Then he remembered God's love to "that which was lost." Could He, would He, pardon him, a vile blasphemer?

At the end of three days, hope had well nigh fled, and despair had taken its place. Then the words used by the preacher came in freshness and power to his mind and were applied by God's Spirit to his tormented soul: "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Light shone in. He was "that which was lost." The Son of man came to seek and to save him. Joy and praise now filled his heart to overflowing, and he found his greatest happiness in telling others what God had done for him.

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

Too Wretched or Too Full

It was in the "horse and buggy days," and I often used a Christian cabby to drive me on my professional calls. One day he hailed me with: "Will you say a few words, Doctor, to a man in distress about his soul?”

My cabby friend was a devoted servant of Christ, and spent all his spare moments in preaching the gospel. Since his cab was his own, he had on it what he called "The heavenly coat-of-arms." On the panel of one door was painted "God is love," and on the other "God is light." Anyone entering his cab was at once confronted by a large printed card. On it were the words: "Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.”

At night when his gray horse was comfortably stalled, he might be often seen at a street corner. With a bull's-eye lamp fastened to his belt, he would read the Word of God, and then preach the good news to the passers-by. On this particular day he had been driving me on my rounds, and I had just come down a long stairway from seeing a patient. I had stepped into the cab when he thus addressed me.

It was a stormy day of rain, and drivers and horses were drenched. Standing by my cabby's side was another man with whom he had been conversing. He too was a cabman, and my driver had been talking with him while their respective fares were engaged indoors.

Turning to the anxious man, I soon learned that he was a really awakened soul. The deluge of rain made it hard to carry on a conversation at that moment, so I asked him if he could not come and see me in the evening.

"I shall not be off the route till eleven o'clock," said he.

"That's all right," I replied. "You come to my house at eleven o'clock, and I will be waiting for you.”

That evening, a few minutes past eleven, the bell rang, and the poor drenched cabman came in. Before saying a word to him about his soul, I made him sit down to eat a little hot supper, which I felt quite certain he needed. He sat down and took one mouthful. Then, pushing the plate from him, he said: "Beg pardon, sir, but I'm that wretched I cannot eat any more. Oh, what am I to do to be saved?”

A long conversation followed. The sweet story of the love of Christ was unfolded, the value of His blood declared, and the estimate which God had of His work asserted. The truth entered his soul; faith grasped the simple gospel of the grace of God; his soul passed into peace, joy, and liberty, and he exclaimed—"Thank God, I see it all. I believe Jesus; I see that He died for me, a poor lost sinner; I trust Him; I know His blood has washed all my sins away. I see it clearly." And tears of joy rolled down his cheeks.

I then suggested that we thank God for this grace to his soul, to which he gladly assented. We got on our knees, and I thanked the Lord for His mercy in saving this anxious soul.

No sooner had I finished than he broke out in a stream of praise and thanksgiving such as I have rarely heard from a new-born soul. Immediately afterward he cried to God for the salvation of his wife—a sure sign of new birth. When we have learned the goodness of God for ourselves, we always desire that others should share it.

When we had risen from our knees, I begged him to sit down and finish his supper. Again he seated himself and took one mouthful. Then again pushing the plate from him, he said—"Beg pardon, sir; but I am that full I cannot eat another mouthful. I'll hurry home and tell the wife what God has done for my soul." And rejoicing in Christ, he departed.

Reader, do you know anything about this fullness of joy, this satisfaction in Christ? Have you learned the blessedness of God's forgiveness? Or, are you still wretched—lost in sin?

Turn to Jesus now. Come to Him as you are. Believe His love. Trust His precious blood. He will not cast you out. None are too bad, too vile, too far off for Jesus to save. You need not stay "wretched." You can be "full.”

"In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psa. 16:11.

How Long?

How long did Rahab the harlot wait before she tied the scarlet line in the window, when the spies told her that the house which was marked by the scarlet line would be spared when destruction fell upon the guilty city? And how long did Cornelius wait before he sent his servants to fetch the Apostle Peter when the angel told him to do so?

Oh, you say, you would like to be saved! Why are you still deaf to the appeals of God's Word? Will you not take courage and take warning? Will you still continue to ignore God's Word when He says, "TODAY, if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart"? Do you think that God does not mean what He says when He lets those blessed words fall upon your ears, "NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation"? Does the God who sent His Son to die for you not care about your salvation? Oh, dear reader, the hindrance is not upon His side. It is on yours.

But you take refuge under Satan's lie that Rahab and Cornelius belonged to a favored class perhaps, and that your lot is not like theirs. Dare you think so? But let me ask, have you done as they did? Have you gone to Jesus when you heard His Word? Remember, going to Jesus means telling Him all your heart and keeping nothing back. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.

Rahab bound the line in the window immediately after she had let down the spies. Nothing would do for her but to be right at once, and her house from that moment was marked for salvation. Did Cornelius delay one hour after he heard the angel's message? No, he felt there was no time to be lost. He sent at once for the messenger of salvation. Soul, is your eternal good of less importance to you? Hasten, then; decide now.

Deadly Indecision

"How long halt ye between two opinions?" So cried Elijah, and his question is still good for every soul. Each one should make sure with regard to eternity. To err in that matter is fatal indeed—an error which can never be remedied. Your soul is at stake. Take care lest you miss salvation.

A dying youth cried out: "I have sold my soul for a straw." Oh, how many do this! The world attracts.

Friends—false friends—laugh. Satan—the deceiver of the whole world—deludes. Thus, step by step, a soul goes on down the road of "By-and-Bye" until the town of "Never" is reached. Then that soul is lost eternally.

Do not you go on another day without God's salvation. Remember that His invitation is NOW and not TOMORROW. "Come NOW and let us reason together, saith the Lord.”

He has made the way in which He can bless and save you. He has given His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has died upon Calvary's cross so that blessing might be yours. The sinner who takes his true place as lost before God and who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ IS SAVED. Take your place then, as a lost, helpless sinner and claim the lost sinner's Savior. But do it now.

The door of salvation stands open wide today, but it may be closed for you at any moment. We read, "When once the Master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door," many will stand without and knock at the door, saying: "Lord, Lord, open to us!" But the knock then will be in vain.

The one who now believes on the Lord Jesus Christ can look back and say: "But He was wounded for my transgressions, He was bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon Him, and with His stripes I am healed." Isa. 53:5.

The Lord Jesus who once died for us, now lives for us in the glory of God. His work on the cross is done. He Himself said, "IT IS FINISHED." His resurrection shows that what He has done has been accepted for us by God. Yes! All has been done and God has glorified the Savior who did it by seating Him at His own right hand. The message is sent in the gospel today: "Whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." Any sinner, anywhere, at any time during this day of grace who receives the Lord Jesus Christ is forgiven. There is forgiveness for all—forgiveness for you. Believe on Christ and receive it now.

"Pass It On”

When the Lord has given blessing by a tract or little book, Do not leave it idly lying in some soon forgotten nook! There are others to be watered and hungry souls to feed; So seek to spread the blessing that has reached you in your need.

With its freshness yet upon you, ere the first glad glow has gone, Let your heart look up for guidance, that your hand may PASS IT ON.

And the one from you receiving, blessing gaining, just like you Can keep that blessing flowing, and "pass it on" anew.

And when "the day declares it" and you hear the words "Well done,”

How sweet to know the Lord was pleased!

You have read this? PASS IT ON.

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

Rom. 5:6.

August

Tomorrow - or Today

"Tomorrow," he promised his conscience; "Tomorrow
I mean to believe;
Tomorrow I'll think as I ought to; tomorrow
my Savior receive;
Tomorrow I'll conquer the habits that hold me
from heaven away.”
But ever his conscience repeated one word,
and one only: "Today.”

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow—thus day after day it went on;
Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow—till youth like
a vision was gone;
Till age and his passions had written the message of
fate on his brow;
And forth from the shadows came Death, with the
pitiless syllable "NOW!”

"What will you do with Jesus?
The call comes low and clear;
The solemn words are sounding
Now in your listening ear.
Immortal life's in the question,
And joy through eternity.
Then what will you do with Jesus?
Oh, what will your answer be?”

I'm Going by the Book?

Two men, a foreman and one of his carpenters, were standing on the deck of a steamship then being built in a shipyard.

"Well," said the foreman, "I have been anxious to talk with you. I'm told you are one of those people who say they know for certain that they are saved. Is that true?”

"Yes," said Scott, "quite true. Thank God, I know I'm saved! In fact there is nothing I am more sure of than that I'm saved. And I am certain I will be in heaven.”

"Well, now," said the foreman, "that is something I cannot see. How can any man say that he is saved as long as he is in this world? I think it is rather presumptuous for anyone to say so.”

"Well," said Scott, "Whatever you may say about presumption, there is reality in being saved, in being a child of God, and in knowing it. What is the breadth of this waterway?”

The foreman, astonished at the apparently irrelevant and sudden change in the conversation, said, "Why, fourteen inches all round, to be sure. What makes you ask that when you know?”

"But are you quite sure that it is fourteen inches?" said Scott.

"Certainly.”

"But what makes you so sure?" asked Scott.

"Why, I'm going by the book," said the foreman as he pulled a book out of his pocket. In it were marked the sizes and positions of the various things on the deck. "I'm sure it is fourteen inches, for it is here in the book, and I got the book from headquarters.”

"Oh, I see," said Scott. "Now look here; that is exactly how I know I'm saved. I'm just going by the book. It came from headquarters—it is God's own Word. In it I found that I was a lost, condemned sinner, worthy of nothing but the lake of fire; but I also found that '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.

"I took God at His Word, and I'm saved!”

"You too, may be saved, friend, for all eternity.

As a lost, condemned sinner, accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior. Then you can say without presumption, 'I know I'm saved, for I'm going by the Book.”

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

True Gain

William was a carpenter, and a very able and successful one at that. When he was a boy in Sunday school he had thought somewhat of his soul's need for eternity; but as he grew older the cares of his growing business drove these thoughts from him. He settled down to the cares of daily life as if he would live forever.

But God had His eye on him, and one day while doing work too hard for even two men, he lifted a great piece of timber. William's strength failed him, and he fell under the heavy weight. Now he was forced to exchange the stress of business for the quiet retirement of an invalid's bed.

As he lay there day after day, lessons from his childhood came back to him. In his over-anxiety for the bread that perisheth he had forgotten his need of the Bread of Life. Now the cry of his soul was: "What must I do to be saved?”

"Ah, sir," said he to me; "it goes hard with a lost soul when he comes to lie on a bed of sickness.”

"Yes," I replied; "and it would go hard with us all if God dealt with us after our deservings! But He has made the way plain for our salvation. The precious blood of Christ cleanses the blackest heart from every sin.”

When I saw William again, he had found and was clinging to these words of Jesus: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." The Holy Spirit had given him a sight of himself, lost and helpless, and a sight of the Savior, able and willing to save. William believed! The burden of his sin rolled away: his sorrows and earthly cares were gone, and his increasing pain and weakness only tested and proved his reality of faith.

During William's invalidism, his soul was strengthened and his love to Christ increased. His eagerness for earthly gain gave place now to heavenly desires. During one visit he said to me, "I could wish to die so that I might go to see my precious Savior. Oh, what love it was in Him to seek me out! I would never have come to Him if He had not brought me. What would I do without Him? He forgives! He casts none out. Not—even—me!”

Dear ones who read these words, have you found in Christ the all-sufficient One for time and for eternity? Believe Him now, for soon it will be too late.

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

A Song in the Night

I thank Thee, O Lord, for the gift of affliction,
For wounding my spirit, for breaking my rest;
I bless Thee, O Lord, for Thy sweet benediction;
In love Thou hast done it-Thy way is the best.

I thank Thee, O Lord, for conflict, temptation,
For the harass of Satan, for weariness, pain;
In all, Thou hast granted me strong consolation;
In all, Thou hast shown me Thy love and my gain.

I thank Thee, O Lord, for my tears and my sorrow,
Thy frequent chastising, uncertainty's care;
Thy wisdom forbids me to boast of the morrow—
Thy goodness protects me from every snare.

I pray Thee, O Lord, that Thou still wilt sustain
me;
Thou knowest my weakness; Thou pond'rest my way;
Oh, comfort and keep me, midst all that may pain me,
Lest I should grow weary, or wander astray.

I thank Thee, O Lord, for the rest of Thy presence;
Strong refuge! Sweet calm of my tempest-tossed
night!
Of heaven's own gladness and brightness the essence!
The glory I wait for till dawns the true light.

I thank Thee, O Lord, for the gift of affliction,
For wounding my spirit, for breaking my rest;
I bless Thee, O Lord, for Thy love's benediction;
In love Thou hast wounded; Thy way is the best.

Nothing Doubting

When the clouds around thee gather,
Doubt Him not; Always hath the daylight broken,
Always hath the Comfort spoken,
Better hath He been for years,
Than thy fears.

Bare Facts

A young wife brought up in a truly Christian home had been professedly religious. The test came when she suddenly developed a most serious illness. Doctor after doctor was consulted, and none seemed to understand her case.

At last one doctor diagnosed her malady, and urged immediate surgery. Yet this operation, imperative if her life was to be spared, was of such a nature that ninety-nine out of every hundred died under it. The risk must be taken and she might be the hundredth who would come through.

Upon this slender chance, humanly speaking, she decided to hang her hopes. The operation was arranged for, and the next day it was performed.

The rest of the story she shall tell herself. "As I lay upon my bed, waiting to be taken to the operating room, for the first time in my life I seriously took my bearings. What will it mean for me to wake up in eternity? Where shall I spend it? How can I meet God?

"These were questions that demanded an answer, and promptly too. All I had rested upon in the way of religious profession was giving way under me. I realized that the question of my sins was unsettled. I was going into the presence of God possibly, and my sins unforgiven! What stern realities these!

"Oh, how I longed for some little bit of the bare Word of God upon which I could rest for peace and assured salvation; but who could give it at that moment?

"God Himself gave it; for as quick as a lightning flash an old and familiar text shot into my mind: `The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.' 1 John 1:7.

"I gripped it with `all the eagerness that a drowning man would grip a life buoy that had been thrown to him, knowing well that there was no time to lose. I said to myself, 'I will meet God with that!' As I hung by simple faith upon God's testimony to the virtues of that precious blood, a sudden peace filled my troubled soul, such peace as I had never known before. I presently left my bed to go to the operating table with perfect confidence and calmness, trusting in that precious blood.

"I was, through God's mercy, the hundredth case, for I was brought safely through. Now I have come back from the very gates of death, able to say that trusting in the precious blood of Jesus, the vilest sinner can meet God without a quiver of the conscience or a doubt in the heart.”

Soul out of Christ, you too, are dying; you are under short notice. This night thy soul may be required of thee! Lose no time about this matter. There may be but a moment between you and a lost eternity. Is this not true?

Listen how this suits your case: "Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2.

"Come, NOW, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18.

Dying sinner, nothing can meet your need but the precious blood of Christ. Despise it, and you despise that which alone can cleanse a sinner in the sight of God. Trust it, and you trust that which satisfies God, silences Satan, and saves the sinner.

"Precious, precious blood of Jesus,
Let it make thee whole;
Let it flow in mighty cleansing
O'er thy soul.”

The Right Message

An old man who lived in the Adirondack Mountains lay dying. Knowing that he was not ready to meet God, he asked one of his old companions to go for the minister. It was a few miles to the minister's house, and the messenger found that the minister was away from home, and would not be back for a few days. Hardly knowing what to do, he told the minister's wife that his old friend was dying.

"Well," she said, "is there anything I can do?" "He wants to know how to be saved.”

"Tell him this: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,' and if he comes to Christ as a sinner, He will never cast him out.”

"Ma'am," he said, "will you say that again? I want to get it straight.”

"'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,' and if he will come to Him just as he is, he will not be turned away.”

The old man went away, and as he was going up the hill toward home he said to himself, "I don't like that word 'sinners.' I don't think old Jack is such a bad man. He used to chop wood for the neighbors and he'd go for the doctor when anyone was sick. He's done a lot of good. When I get home I'm not going to tell him just like that.”

Arriving at the mountain home, he said, "Jack, the minister wasn't home; but I saw his wife and she gave me the directions. She told me that Christ Jesus came into the world to save folks.”

"Didn't she say 'sinners'"?

"Well, I guess that is what she did say; but I didn't want to call you a sinner; I thought 'folks' would be better—I stuck up for you!”

"Abe, don't talk to me like that. Since you have been gone, my memory has been at work and carried me back to the time when I used to work with old Joe Bitterman. I remember he used to sing:

“‘Just as I am, without one plea
But that Thy blood was shed for me;
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come!”

"I'm going to come to Him just like that, and if that is the message, I can die happy.”

There, as he neared the end of life's journey, he remembered the message he heard as a boy. He had to come just as he was! Will you come to Him like that now? Christ Jesus, the eternal Son of God-was born in a manger, and went all the way to the cross of Calvary. There He died, the Just for the unjust, to bring us to God. If you only come to Him as a sinner, you can say, "He died for me.”

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

Right Names

Call sinners by their real names or they will never be called Christians in truth.

All, All Wrong?

Returning home by train from preaching the gospel in a neighboring town a few nights recently, two young men were the only other occupants of the coach I was in. To each of them I gave a different little booklet, "The Two Alexanders," and "The Young Doctor." Both of these narrated God's grace to a young man sick in the hospital.

They each read their respective books carefully, but at the first stopping place one young man had to leave. However, he requested that he might keep the little book, as he would like to read it again. This request I was only too glad to comply with.

Left alone with my other fellow traveler who had been reading "The Young Doctor," I said: "Well, could you die like the young doctor?”

"No; indeed I couldn't! I wish I could though." "God's grace it was that saved him. It can save you also.”

"I'm sure I don't know. I wish it could. I know I'm not saved; and though I think about it sometimes, I can never see through it. I can't get to the bottom somehow.”

"Then evidently you have sometimes thought seriously about your soul and eternity. You know that you must meet God some day?”

"Yes; and I have had some solemn warnings too," "What were they?”

"I work a steam crane, and twice I have fallen off a great height and been badly hurt. And during last summer the rocks where, we were working were struck by lightning. The smell of brimstone was awful, I'll never forget it. But I was not hurt.”

"And did you not feel that God was speaking to you in all this?”

"Yes; and for a while—about three months—I did my best to be a Christian. Then the impression wore off, and I gave way to temptation. Now I'm as bad as ever.”

"That is sad! But I fear you were trying to be religious. Many do, and that's a great mistake.”

"Perhaps I did; but, anyway, I know I'm all wrong.”

"That is the first step to getting right, my friend," I replied. Then, putting the gospel simply before him, he was brought to see that Christ saves the lost out-and-out, without any doings on their part, and he was led to trust in Him.

When you discover this, you will have God's thoughts about you, for He has said, "There is none righteous, no, not one;... there is none that doeth good, no, not one;... for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3).

The Lord Himself fill you with the sense of His grace and love. In conclusion, with all my heart I say: "Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Heb. 13:20, 21.

The gospel is a declaration, not of God's decrees, but of God's heart.

It Will Do Me No Good”

"Sir, can a sinner eighty years old be saved?”

The old man who made the inquiry wept bitterly while he spoke. Gently the preacher inquired into his story, and received a sad account of the poor man's life.

"When I was twenty-one," he said, "I was roused to know that I was a sinner, a wicked man. But I stifled my conscience when I got with some other men who persuaded me to put off the matter of salvation.

"I decided to wait a while and then, after a time, I resolved I would put it off for ten years.

"At the end of that time my promise came to mind. However, I felt no great concern, and I resolved to put Christ off for ten years more. I did; and since then my desire to be saved has become weaker and weaker. Now I know I am LOST, and eternity lies just ahead.”

After talking with him for a while, the preacher, learned that the old man's thoughts had fallen into, a fatalistic groove. "No," he moaned; "nothing can do me any good—I have sinned away my day of grace." Patiently the man of God pointed him to the. Savior on the cross and the penitent thief dying at His side.: "But my day of grace is gone," wailed the old man, "and I am LOST!”

Again it was the happy privilege of this servant of Christ to tell the aged man of the patience and loving-kindness of Him who said to the eleventh hour suppliant: "This day shalt thou be with Me in paradise." The story of His grace broke the hard heart of: the old man. Weeping now for the Savior, crucified for him, the hardened heart was melted at the knowledge of His love, and the old knees bowed in amazed worship of Him who said: "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37.

The Procrastinator

Many have so often refused the gospel, so often put off the soul's salvation to some future time, that when they, have been surprised into the reality of imminent death, they have exclaimed, in deep and bitter remorse of conscience: "I have sold my soul for a bauble." Or they may wail: "Too late! too late!”

Others have been so aware of their lost condition that they have bewailed with their last breath their eternal destiny apart from God.

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

Reader, beware of procrastination! I pray you now, beloved, believe on the Lord to the saving of your soul. Why will you tarry a moment more? Cast yourself fully, this moment, on the Lord; He will not cast you out. Forgiveness of all the past you shall freely have at His hands. All your sins shall be blotted out as a thick cloud (Isa. 44:22). You shall no longer be a stranger and an exile from God, but He will receive you as His child through your faith in Christ.

"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.

September

Eternity

At an Inn in Savoy a traveler saw an unusual inscription printed upon a folio sheet and hung upon the wall. A similar copy had been placed, he was told, in every house in the parish.

"Understand well the force of these words:—

"A God, a moment, an eternity.

"A God who' sees thee, a moment which flees from thee, an eternity which awaits thee.

"A God whom you serve so ill; a moment, of which you so little profit; an eternity, which you hazard so rashly.”

Think what eternity means. Suppose, after one of our most violent snow-storms which covers the earth for thousands of miles, only one single flake were melted each thousand years. Eternity would stretch as far beyond that almost interminable period as if it had not yet begun.

Where will you spend eternity?

The Stony Heart

Mr. Duncan, a traveling preacher, was passing a quarry where the stones are cracked by machinery. Hearing the noise of the machine, he walked in and stood watching the process of breaking. Some stones were ground very small, and others were broken in large pieces.

The workers noticed and began to make remarks about "the idler in the black coat" and complained of the hardness of their own toil. Mr. Duncan heard their comments and called out, "What is that you say about hard work? I say that from your appearance you know very little what real hard work is.

"Look," he continued, "at your great strong limbs! You could wheel up three times as much as you do, could you not?”

"Dare say we could," replied the men.

"Very well, then, you are not overworked; but you laugh at my black coat, and you say that I know nothing about hard work. Tell me—would twenty miles be a day's walk for you?”

"Shouldn't like to do more," was the reply.

"Well," said the preacher; "I do that much walking in addition to my daily work of visiting and preaching. Frequently after evening gospel service I start back on a nine or ten miles' journey when you are at rest in bed, and sometimes I reach home covered with snow and wet.

"But more than all that, and far harder than all else of my work put together, I have stones to break. Hard stones they are too, and sometimes it will take many months to crack one of them. Once I remember it took eighteen months of pounding one, for the stones my Master expects me to crack are stony hearts. That work is so hard that the greater part must be done upon my knees, and only by using the hammer of God's Word and the powerful lever of His Spirit can I crack such hard stones." The preacher walked away from the quarry, leaving the men silent and ashamed of their ridicule.

With thankfulness to God he meditated on the hard, stony heart which he had mentioned as taking eighteen months to crack.

It was that of Ned Lane, the son of a godly mother, but a wicked father. Ned's salvation had been much upon Mr. Duncan's heart, and for that full eighteen months he had made it his practice to knock at Ned's door every time he went to the village. Each time the man of God knocked, Ned would shout: "Go away! I don't want you nor your preaching neither." Still Mr. Duncan knocked again and again, saying as he knocked on Tuesday evenings: "We are having preaching in the hall tonight. We'd be glad to see you over, friend.”

The preacher knew that Ned's mother was praying, too, and he believed in the efficacy of such prayers.

One day as Ned was at work, one of his buddies said to him: "I say, Ned! How about going to the meeting at the hall tonight? Would you care to go with me?”

"Why, Jim, I was thinking the same thing, but I did not like to tell you for fear you would laugh at me.”

Thus the Holy Spirit drew them both to the meeting, and as the preacher walked to the front of the crowded room he heard Ned joining in the singing:

"There is a stream of precious blood
Which flowed from Jesus' veins;
And sinners washed in that blest flood
Lose all their guilty stains.”

"Why, friend," inquired the preacher; "can you sing that?”

"Yes, and I mean it," was Ned's reply as the tears ran down his swarthy cheeks.

The preacher answered Ned by saying: "At the other end of this room your old father is down upon his knees crying to God for mercy; and He who hears will answer his need too.”

Ned was brought to Christ that night, as was his father. His was truly a broken and contrite heart, a living stone for God's spiritual house.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16.

Converted

A young Scotch girl was converted by the preaching of Whitfield. When asked if her life was changed she gave a beautiful reply.

"Something, I know, is changed! It may be the world; it may be my heart. There is a great change somewhere, I'm sure; for everything is different from what it once was.”

She was "born again." That was it.

She had a new life, with new desires and hopes. She had a new object now—to live no longer to herself, but to Him Who died for her and rose again. "If any man be in Christ" it is a new life altogether,

The Chalked Writing

In a rough Australian village where only natives now dwell a chalked writing may be seen upon the door of one of the huts. It is in English and the words are:

"GET RIGHT WITH GOD”

An inquirer asked who the actual writer had been. No one could tell, but it was learned from those gathered around that the house had once been the dwelling of a Christian missionary. When he was leaving this area, he had chalked this parting exhortation on the door of his home: "Get Right With God.”

Said the Apostle Peter to Simon, a sorcerer, "Thy heart is not right in the sight of God." Acts 8:21.

It may be that you draw nigh to God with your mouth, that you confess to be His, but your heart is far from Him.

Oh, get right with Him. "Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace: and thereby good shall come unto thee." Job 22:21.

The way is open. Christ is the way. He has died. His precious blood can cleanse you from all sin. GET RIGHT WITH GOD.

Ravening Wolves

I had reached my place of business and had opened the morning's letters. A buyer from a house with whom I had had previous transactions, was ushered in.

On my desk lay a small Bible. At once it attracted his attention, and he asked, "What book is that you have there?”

I replied, "A Bible But, of course, you know it is," I added.

He told me that he was sure he had read the Bible through as many, if not more, times than anyone then living. He said he admired its language and thought that as a literary work, it must take first rank.

This led me to ask whether, having so high an opinion of its structure and wording, he believed in its contents and the One of whom it spoke. His reply startled me. It was a very emphatic "No!”

When I questioned his reasons for withholding his belief in it he declared that the contradictions in it were so numerous that they rendered it unworthy of credence.

I urged him to give me one instance, and in answer he directed my attention to Gen. 49:27. Here the patriarch Jacob sets forth what should befall his sons in the last days. Then my visitor pointed out the marked difference in Deut. 33:12, where Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel.

Genesis

Deuteronomy

"Benjamin shall raven' as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.”

And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by Him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders."

I must confess that I was stumped. But I knew that these two passages, outwardly so contradictory, must have a divine purpose. Feeling also that Satan was at work here, I very earnestly lifted my heart to God for His help in giving an answer, lest the prince of demons should gain an advantage.

More quickly than I expected the answer came. Turning to him I asked, "Was not Saul of Tarsus a Benjamite?”

He quickly replied, "Yes," quoting Phil. 3:5, "of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Then I said, "Was not this Saul of Tarsus 'a ravening wolf' when he went to Damascus 'breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord'"?

To this my caller assented. Then I pointed out how the Lord subdued this Benjamite to Himself, turning him from the service of Satan to become "the beloved of the Lord" dwelling in safety by Him. So distinctly was this an answer from God that the man himself exclaimed: "Well! you, at least, have got hold of the right end of the stick.”

Beloved, what made the difference between Saul of Tarsus, the ravening wolf, and that same man later called Paul, "the beloved of the Lord"? It was the knowledge of God in his heart through the acceptance of the Son of His love.

Let me ask you, reader: Are you still numbered among the ravening wolves, with hatred toward God in your heart and no desire to seek His grace? Or, are you one of that blest company each of whom is beloved of the Lord, dwelling in perfect security and borne forward by His strength?

The Solitary Dignity of the Blood”

"The blood of Christ in its solitary dignity has settled all." The speaker was on her death bed, and these were among her last coherent words.

Mrs. Martin had for several years been under my care professionally, and I had long since found out that she was a simple believer in the Lord Jesus. A few months before this, her husband, nearly threescore and ten years old, passed away from this scene. There had been several children born to this couple, but all were now gone before. The old home was empty and lonely and the dear mother's life-work seemed over.

A few months after the death of her husband, Mrs. Martin sent for me. It was easy to see that she must soon follow him. Knowing that she had a little' worldly goods, I inquired of a kindly sister-in-law who waited on her if the sick woman had settled her affairs, and made her will. She replied that she thought she had; but it might be well for me to tell her if I thought she was not going to get better.

Going to her bedside, I said: "Mrs. Martin, you are very feeble. I think the end of the journey is drawing near. You may not be very much longer with us. Have you made your will yet? Your sister tells me that she thinks all your worldly affairs are settled. Is this so?”

"Oh yes, they are all settled, I have nothing to worry about," she replied, not lifting her eyelids.

"And the Lord has settled all your spiritual affairs?" I continued. She opened her great lustrous eyes, and with intense emphasis replied: "I could do nothing at that! The blood of Christ in its solitary dignity has settled all. I can say no more.”

What more indeed needed to be said? Everything was settled for time and eternity. Well indeed with her that it was so, for two days later she was forever with the Lord.

"The blood of Christ in its solitary dignity has settled all." What a testimony! It is magnificent in its simplicity. As I heard the words I noted them down, determined that wherever my voice could be heard, or the stroke of my pen could reach, the dying testimony of this saint to my blessed Savior's blood should, by the grace of God, be made known. That blood had brought rest, peace, and joy to her soul for many a long year; and in the light of eternity just ahead the solidity of her faith in that blood was triumphantly declared in its far-reaching and settling power. She and her lawyer had settled her earthly matters; but the blood of Christ alone could avail for her spiritual affairs.

Reader, what do you know about that blood? Can you say: "The blood of Christ in its solitary dignity has settled all"?

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot." 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

A Clergyman's Conversion

About four years ago a gentleman came to my cottage to engage a room for a night's lodging. He arrived about seven in the evening, and as I carried his luggage into his room, he announced that he would be out late as he was going to a dance.

"But," said he, "please call me at six o'clock in the morning. I have a preaching engagement on Sunday, and I have a long way to go tomorrow.”

Surprised, I said, "A preaching engagement, sir? I assume then that you are one of God's servants?”

"I am a clergyman," he replied.

He was very gracious in his manner, and after some conversation I said, "May I ask you, sir, how long you have known the forgiveness of your sins?”

"No one can ever know that "in this world," he answered quickly.

"I beg your pardon, sir, in so saying, but the Scripture says, 'we have the forgiveness of sins' in Christ, 'redemption through His blood.'" (Eph. 1:7).

"That may be," he replied. "But we go on sinning every day.”

"Yes; but are we pardoned sinners or unpardoned ones? What does this mean: 'Your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake?'" (1 John 2:12.)

"Well," said the gentleman, "I am a clergyman, but I have never been spoken to like this before in my life!”

As he hastily prepared to leave, I begged his pardon for having delayed him. "Oh, no," said he, very kindly, "I should like a long talk with you.”

I called him early next morning. He was soon dressed and came to my room to say, "I do wish I could have a long talk with you, but I must hurry to catch the train.”

"It is a most solemn thing," I answered, "to preach to lost souls without knowing that one's own sins are pardoned. What if God held you responsible for the destiny of those souls?”

"Will you pray for me?" he asked. "That will help more than anything.”

I told him I would indeed pray for him, and, if he would read it, I would send him a book I valued.

"Oh, yes," he replied, "if you will be so kind." Taking out his pencil and a piece of paper, he gave me his address; and so we parted.

For a while I heard nothing from him. Then I received a long letter in which he confessed that he wanted to know the forgiveness of sins.

Again a long silence followed. When I heard from him again, he told me that he was very ill. I at once wrote him a line of sympathy, and very soon received a letter of thanks.

Ah, what a different letter was this one! He wrote: "Oh! what desire and yearnings I have to see my Savior face to face, and to know Him even as I am known!" He explained that during his illness he had learned his own unworthiness and total dependence on God. And now he longed to preach Christ crucified for poor lost souls, and to lead others into the light of His love.

Such is the zeal of every new-born soul. He longs to tell others of the joy he has found in the perfect efficacy of the Savior's cleansing power.

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

Christ, Our Savior

There is, perhaps, not another title of the Lord more widely known on earth and more dearly loved than that of Savior. He shall be honored in glory everlastingly as "The Savior," for no created being shall ever share that glory with Him. It is a sorrowful day for lost men when, by thought, word, or act, they deny in any degree the glory of our whole salvation to the Savior. Those whom Christ has saved find their highest joy in giving the honor of all their salvation to Christ.

He is "our Savior from the wrath to come." He has rescued us. He has dragged us out of the awful danger in which we stood when unsaved. "The fire and the torment our eyes shall never see." No, thank God; we "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." 1 Thess. 1:10.

Death is not now for the Christian the door into the prison house of departed spirits. It is his entrance into the bliss of paradise. The dying thief by the Savior's side was sinking surely into hell whip Jesus saved him and said: "Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." Even so, the believer on Jesus, "shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

Meditate then, fellow believer, on the bright, happy, holy eternity which is yours. Consider also the awful words in the Bible which unveil the judgment and the lake of fire awaiting the lost. While so doing, praise the Savior for His abounding grace to you, and for His suffering "even unto death, and that the death of the cross," in order to effect your salvation from the wrath to come.

Soul Shipwreck

Captain Blount's regiment was quartered at Malta. From the Auberge de Castile he could command a beautiful view of the harbor.

Standing one day at his window he watched a ship sailing out of harbor. Gazing upon the beautiful object, he observed her suddenly tremble; then she began to settle and quickly sank beneath the blue waters of the Mediterranean. She had struck a rock; and so great was the gash in her side that she instantly filled with water and went down.

In a brief moment, and with little warning, every man on board was in need of salvation. Little had they prepared for such a disaster. All had been going as well as could be. Then a crash upon the rock, a gash in her side, and the proud vessel went to the bottom.

The solemn spectacle was the voice of God to the Captain's conscience. Such was its rousing effect from his slumber of sin that he instantly fell upon his knees. Tilled with the horror of such destruction, he exclaimed, "Such will be the shipwreck of my Soul, O Lord, if Thou dost not undertake for me." Re saw himself a sinner in desperate need of salvation. Seeking it through faith in the Lord Jesus, he found peace through His precious blood.

Oh, sinner, unsaved and unforgiven, awake. You too are in imminent peril. There is but a step between you and death. Thank God, this is the day of salvation; and no soul ever looks to Christ for blessing who does not receive it at once.

"Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21.

"THE WICKED SHALL BE
TURNED INTO HELL,
AND
ALL THE NATIONS
THAT FORGET GOD.”

Psa. 9:17.

October

Eternity

Count the little drops of water
That within the ocean lie;
Count the many stars that twinkle
As you look into the sky.

Count the sands upon the desert,
And upon the ocean's shore;
Count the moments in your lifetime,
Gone, but to return no more.

Count the leaves within the forest,
And the tiny flakes of snow;
Count the blades of grass in summer,
And the shining drops of dew.

Count the tears which all the millions
In so many lands have shed;
Count the stones in all the graveyards.
Telling where they've placed the dead.

Count the birds which soar above us,
And the atoms in the air,
Count the many, many blossoms
Giving fragrance everywhere.

When your counting all is done
Eternity has scarce begun.
Then, reader, say, where will YOU be
During all eternity?

The Wise Man and the Fool

In a country town lived Billy, a half-wit. He was often made the sport of the idle lads there.

"Billy," they would say, "prove if there be a God, if you can. We know there is none.”

"Shame on ye, lads," Billy would shout. "Shame! You should know better than to talk like that. No God? No food, no clothes! One there is lives up above, I know. Yes, He does too.”

One day Billy, with many others, heard a preacher telling of God's salvation for ruined sinners. After the sermon was over, a dissolute young man came swaggering up to half-witted Billy. "Well, Billy," he said, "I don't believe a word of that. He's only earning his pay. That's what those fellows preach for, just to make a living. 'No God!' That's the religion for me.”

"You'll find out there is a God when you're dead, though," said Billy in an instant. "You'll find it out when you are dead, won't you? 'No God," indeed! Why, who gave you your work or your bread? 'No God!' Ah! You'll find out when you're dead.”

Distressed to hear such scoffing, Billy tried hard to convince the young man, whom he had known many years, that he must believe in God. He followed him to his home, pleading with him to believe his simple reasoning. It was to no avail; and at last Billy left him, and went to his own poor little room.

A few days later, early in the morning, the halfwit hastened to the young man's house. The place was still, and the shutters were closed, but the door was open. He entered and went upstairs. In the hallway stood the young man's mother, weeping bitterly.

"He is dead, Billy, he is dead," she wept. "He died in the night. He went off to sleep, and never woke again. My poor, poor boy!”

"He has found out that there is a God now then, mistress, has he not?" said Billy. And the excited young man hurried downstairs into the street, crying, "Yes, and he's dead, and he's found out there is a God now.”

And so the skeptic had, in all verity. He who had been ushered so unceremoniously into eternity, now knew that God is. In His holy presence he must acknowledge the solemn, simple truths of heaven and hell. For all the endless ages of a lost eternity, separation from God and His love would be his portion.

"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.

Have you learned these things in the light of God's presence, dear friend? Doubtless you say you "know all about it." But I ask you, do you know God? Have you received His Son into your heart?

"He that cometh to God must believe that He is." Heb. 11:6.

"The fool hath said in his heart,... No God." Psa. 14:1.

God hath shown the way to Himself and eternal life, through faith in Christ, so plainly that "the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein." Isa. 35:8.

BUT

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psa. 14:1.

Earth or Heaven?

One morning while in an elevator of a business building, I met an acquaintance. Having been concerned about the salvation of his soul for some time, I seized the opportunity and handed him a gospel tract. It set forth man's lost condition and God's remedy.

My friend looked it over carefully, and then handed it back to me saying: "You can have all the heaven you want! Just give me earth.”

The remark so amazed and stunned me that I could not find words to answer him.

About the same time that this incident took place, another was being enacted many miles away. A preacher was telling his audience that this journey of life must end some day. Then he set forth the beauty and joy of heaven.

During the course of his sermon he asked his listeners how many of them wanted to go to heaven. Many indicated by raising hands or nodding assent.

There was, however, one elderly man who made no move or sign of any kind. After the service a kindly Christian went over to him. Mentioning that he had noticed he had made no sign when asked if he wished to go to heaven, he wondered if he had no such desire. To the astonishment of the questioner the reply quickly came: "Oh, Iowa is good enough for me!”

These two men, though separated by many miles and by occupation, had a common thought. One was a successful business man in a big city; and the other was a prosperous farmer in a rural community of the state of Iowa. Both became so well satisfied with the comforts of this life and their achievements that they were content for life to continue as it was. They enjoyed the things of earth. Neither wished to think about having to leave this world.

Both men, however, have now ended their earthly course. Shortly after the business man had refused to consider his destiny in the eternal future, he was taken ill very suddenly. On Wednesday he had apparently been in his usual health. He left his office at the regular time and went home. That evening after dinner, he and his wife went out. On returning home about 2 A.M., he complained of being ill. A doctor was called who pronounced his trouble "influenza." The following day he became unconscious and remained so most of the time until 2 A.M. on Sunday. Then without any apparent change spiritually—indeed, with no opportunity to reconsider his decision—he passed forever from this world which he had loved so dearly. Poor man! He died as he had lived—without God and without Christ.

The farmer likewise died shortly after he had said: "Iowa is good enough for me." We have no word nor indication that he first turned to God and found a Savior.

These two men are not alone in having such thoughts. Millions of people feel the same way, although all do not express their thoughts in these words. Many, like these men, would not be guilty of making foolish business deals, but display the greatest folly in connection with their souls and eternity. They know they MUST leave the world; and yet they make no preparation for this greatest of all journeys. They secure their property by every means; but they give not one thought to their never-dying souls.

Even if one acquired the wealth and pleasure of the whole world, yet dies unsaved, what a tremendous loser he is!

The Lord Jesus asked: "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36, 37.

The answer is plain—he would lose ALL. He would leave everything he had gained on earth, and he would spend eternity in that awful outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Dear friend, when your time comes to leave this world, will you do so with joy, peace, and perfect assurance that you are going to heaven? Not by some complicated procedure is this satisfaction obtained. Simply come to God as a poor, hell-deserving sinner. Believe that His beloved Son died on the cross for your sins, that the Lord Jesus, the holy, sinless One, died and bore God's just wrath against sin in order that you might be saved. God, in His great love, gave Jesus; and Jesus, in His tender love, died that sinners who believe in Him should be saved.

Dear unsaved one, salvation and peace are yours if you will ONLY BELIEVE. Will you not "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be saved" today? Tomorrow may be too late for you!

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

Be Ye Thankful

At the close of the gospel one night I observed a young woman leaving the meeting. There was a look of great distress upon her face.

As she was passing me at the door I spoke to her, inquiring the cause of her sadness. She told me that she was anxious to be saved but could not see her way clear.

I asked her if she had been anxious any length of time, and if she believed herself to be a lost, helpless, hell-deserving sinner. With tears in her eyes she answered, "Yes.”

When I asked what she was doing to get relief, she informed me she was doing the best she could and asking the Lord to forgive her sins.

"But," I replied, "Christ accomplished a complete and sufficient work upon the cross, and then said, `IT IS FINISHED.' He has borne the sins of all who believe in Him, and has put them away forever. In 1 Peter 2:24 we are told: 'Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.'”

I endeavored to show the troubled young woman that Christ had all our sins upon Him on the tree; that if He had not then, He never would, for He would never be there again; that He then put them all away with His blood; and that if He did not then, He never would, as He could not again shed His blood, having shed it when He was crucified in this sin-stained and guilty world.

"Do you believe that Christ had all your sins upon Him when He was upon the tree?" I asked. "Yes, I believe He had.”

"Do you believe that He washed them all away with His precious blood shed on Calvary?”

"Yes, I believe He did.”

"Do you believe that He was buried, and rose again without them, according to the Scriptures?" "Scripture says so, and I believe it is true.”

"Do you believe that He is in heaven, and has been for nearly two thousand years without them there?”

She answered with all her heart, "Yes.”

"Well now, does not that make you happy?" I asked.

"No," she answered.

I saw she was in earnest, and for a moment I could not understand her difficulty. At last I asked her the question: "Have you ever thanked Him?”

She frankly owned she had not, and, at once the secret of her unhappiness was laid bare. I advised her to do so without delay, assuring her the Lord would then make her happy.

The next evening she was at the meeting again. At the close she came to me, and with a bright and happy face said: "I have thanked the Savior for what He did for me on the cross, and He has made me so happy.”

Years have rolled away since this dear young woman believed in: the Lord and His work, since she confessed it to Him and thanked Him for it. Still she is rejoicing in the knowledge of God's great salvation offered freely to whosoever will.

"Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" 2 Cor. 9:15.

Only Think of That!”

I was staying for a short while in the little town of Douglas and was asked by a friend to visit a young fisherman who was dangerously ill. Having been shown into his room, I found lying upon the bed a young man about twenty-five whose emaciated body was apparently in the last stage of disease. He fixed his feverish gaze on me and said abruptly: "I believe in Jesus; I suppose you believe in Christ.”

Surprised at such ignorance in a place where the gospel was known to so many, I explained that these were two names of the same blessed Person—the Son of God. Further conversation revealed that he could not read, and never in his life had the gospel, in its divine simplicity, been put before him. He had been visited by some who had prayed with him, he said, and he had prayed for himself. "And I know," he continued, "that God will hear my prayers, and save my soul. I prayed for more breath last night, and He heard my prayers, and gave it to me.”

A blessed sign it is that God's Spirit is working when it can be said of one, as the Lord said of Saul of Tarsus: "Behold, he prayeth." But God's way of saving is by faith. Thus, in answer to prayer, He sent a messenger to this sick young man, as of old He had sent Ananias to Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:11,12).

This divine way of salvation through faith in the Lord Jesus I endeavored to explain to the young fisherman, repeating to him several passages which set forth this gospel. When I read to him 1 Tim. 1:15: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief," he exclaimed, in terms of wonderment which I cannot forget, "Only think of that! Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! Only think of that!”

I told him of the finished work of that One of whom he was so ignorant. He listened attentively, drinking in the truth. Soon he rested his soul for time and eternity on Him who is willing to save to the uttermost even you, my reader, if you will trust Him. Often since have I thought of his wondering words on hearing for the first time the simple gospel—"Only think of that!”

"Eye hath not "seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit." 1 Cor. 2:9, 10.

I've Always Done without Him

One Lord's Day afternoon a group of people gathered round a street preacher. Some apparently were listening; but two or three seemed bent on drowning his voice or frightening him into silence. The ringleader of these, in a thick, unsteady voice which told he was by no means sober, shouted just as I came up, "I've always done without Him." This was evidently his answer to the preacher's insistent statement, "you need Christ! You need Christ! For 'all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.'”

As the evangelist still went on speaking, his antagonist in yet louder, more defiant tones, shouted again: "I've always done without Him.”

That was all I heard—I had to hurry on; but that drunken man's words have often rung in my ears since. If he has not yet learned what a terrible confession he was making in his vaunted independence, may God open his heart to the truth before it is too late!

"The fool hath said in his heart... no God.”

Sinner, though lost you cannot do without God. Those boastful words of his were a lie. In the very God whose name he despised, he and you and I "live and move and have our being.”

In one sense they were but too true—true not only of the poor drunkard, but of everyone who has not yet had to do with God about his sins. Yes, the name of Jesus may be on the lips many times a day; but if the utterer of that name has not come into Christ's presence as a lost, helpless sinner, and by faith looked to Him as his Savior, he too "has always done without Him.”

What a terrible thing in the ages to come to look back upon the past and to have to say: "I have always done without Him." Then you would have to look on into the unending future and cry: "I shall always have to do without Him!”

"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and. He will have mercy upon him; and to our. God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isa. 55:6,7.

Offered and Taken”

She was an old lady, unsaved and puzzled by the very simplicity of God's way of salvation. To her it seemed incredible that the Lord means exactly what He says in John 5:24: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." Salvation simply through hearing and believing, without good works of any kind, was just too easy, too good to be true.

When I met the old lady, she said she was really anxious to be saved. I had given her a little gospel book, when I first met her, and then asked if she knew the Lord as her Savior. She answered that she was most anxious to be saved, and was praying for salvation.

"But," I said, "salvation is all ready for you; you have only to take it.”

I then asked her to give me back the little book I had just given her. Holding it in my hand, I said: "Now I am going to give the book back to you. But remember, when I offer the book to you, God is offering salvation to you in just the same way. The question is, Will you TAKE salvation?”

I then held out the little book to her, saying: "God is offering salvation to you. Will you take it?" At once the old woman put out her hand and took the book "Well," I asked, "what are you going to say?" To my joy she began to thank God for having saved her. "Are you saved?" I asked, incredulously.

At once I got a, decided "Yes." "What has He done for you?" I asked again. "He has saved me for time and eternity," was her answer.

"As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." John 1:12.

The old woman had so simply and readily received Christ that it seemed too good to be true. But a friend has since written to tell me that the old lady is still rejoicing in the knowledge of salvation. She told him all I had said to her, and that she had understood it quite plainly when I offered her the little book the second time. She had been anxious for years, and had been praying God to send someone to speak to her.

And now, reader, have you put out the hand of faith and taken salvation? God's message to you is: "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.

The Justice of God

An old Christian woman was soon to pass into eternity. Being asked what she was resting on, she surprised her inquirer by the answer: "I rely on the justice of God," adding, "justice not to me, but to my Substitute in whom I trust.”

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

The sin alights on Jesus' head,
'Tis in His blood sin's debt is, paid,
Stern justice can demand no more,
And mercy can dispense her store.”

"FLEE FROM THE WRATH
TO COME.”

Matt. 3:7.

"The name of the Lord is a
strong tower: the righteous
runneth into it, and is safe.”

Prov. 18:10

November

Life or Death

Let every thought, and work, and word, To Thee be ever given:
Then life shall be Thy service, Lord,
Or death the gate of heaven.

Out of, and Into

Out of the distance and darkness so deep,
Out of the settled and perilous sleep,
Out of the region and shadow of death,
Out of the foul and pestilent breath,
Out of the bondage and wearing chains,
Out of companionship ever with stains.
Into the light of the glory of God,
Into the holiest, cleansed by His blood,
Into His arms, the embrace and the kiss.
Into the scene of ineffable bliss,
Into the quiet and infinite calm,
Into the place of the song and the psalm.
Wonderful love that has done all for me.
Wonderful work that has thus set me free,
Wonderful ground upon which I can come,
Wonderful tenderness welcoming home.

Old Daddy”

Sister Gwen, a nurse in a large hospital, had to leave for her yearly vacation. However, she was loath to leave one of her patients, a poor man in whom she had a deep interest, and had little hope of finding him alive again. As soon as she returned she went at once to the Sister in charge to inquire how "Daddy" (as they called him) was.

The answer was sad. "He is dying, and not likely to live the night through.”

Now Sister Gwen was a child of God, and each patient in her care represented to her a human soul to be won for Christ. It was her custom always to let dying patients know their end was drawing near. The nurse on the floor had not told the old man for, she said, "his son and daughter are with him; let them speak to him about it.”

What cause it is for thankfulness that in the midst of suffering and dying there are those among the nurses in all our great hospitals who can speak of Jesus, the sinner's Friend! Through their faithful ministry of Christ, many hearts have been comforted and led into life eternal, even when the natural life was fast ebbing away.

This nurse made her way to "Daddy's" bed. There sat his son and daughter cheerfully chatting away. Acknowledging their presence with a smile, Sister Gwen inquired, "Well, Daddy, how are you?”

"Oh, I think I am better," he answered. "Don't you think I show it?”

Still smiling she replied, "No, Daddy, I don't think so.”

"What! You don't think I'm going to die, do you?" "Yes, Daddy, I do think so.”

Shocked at hearing this, he looked at her in anger, and said: "Look, Nurse, your turn will come some day. You will not be laughing then.”

"I was not smiling at your dying, Daddy," was her quiet answer. "I was thinking that death is not a thing to be dreaded if one knows the One who has conquered death.”

"What do you mean by that, Nurse?”

"Well, I mean this: if one knows the Lord Jesus who loved and died for sinners, and who was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, and who is now seated at the right hand of God, awaiting the time He will have all believers with Him-if one knows Him thus, dying means only going to be with Him. There is nothing very gloomy about that.”

The sick man looked at her with an oddly inquiring look, and asked: "What religion have you, Nurse?”

"Oh," she replied, "I am simply a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and just know Him as my Savior.”

Upon this he stretched out his hand, and happily exclaimed, "Well, whatsoever ye be, I follow you now." Such a look of peace spread over his face that the nurse quite believed the poor fellow received God's testimony concerning His Son in these last moments of life here. God's grace and love is wonderful! Salvation through faith in Christ is grand and glorious. Reader, do you know Him? Are you saved?

"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.

Heart Hunger

Mr. Moffat, the English missionary, told the following simple story to show the earnestness with which some of the unconverted heathen sought to possess copies of the Scriptures: Not long ago a woman came to me, bringing a boy with her. They had traveled fifteen miles on foot, and she said she wanted a New Testament. She brought the payment in her hand. I said to her, "My good woman, there is not a copy to be had.”

"What!" said she, "Amos I to return empty-handed?”

"I fear you must.”

"Oh," said she, "I borrowed a copy once, but the owner has come and taken it away. Now I sit with my family, sorrowful because we have no Book to talk to us. My boy can read, and he is teaching me to read. He reads, and I pray. We live far from anyone else, at a cattle outpost, and we have no teacher but the Book. Oh," said she, in true Sechuana style, "go and seek a book. Oh, father! oh, mother! oh, my elder brother! Do go and seek a Book for me; surely one can be found! Do not let me go back empty.”

I felt for her, for she spoke earnestly and feelingly, and I began to feel my own eyes grow a little misty. "Wait," I said, "wait a little, and I will see what I can do.”

I sought here and there. At last I found a copy and brought it to the good woman. Oh, could you have seen how her eyes brightened, how she clasped my hands and kissed them over and over again!

Away she went with her Book, rejoicing and with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

"Oh," she said, "I knew you had a heart. I told you, you had a heart.”

Is your heart touched by the thought that thousands and thousands of lost souls throughout the world do not yet know the gospel?

Paul said, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16.

"The holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim. 3:15.

Saved by Grace

Mr. M'Laren and Mr. Gustard were both noted preachers in Edinburgh. When Mr. M'Laren was dying, Mr. Gustard paid him a visit and put the question to him: "What are you doing, brother?”

M'Laren's answer was, "I'll tell you what I'm doing, brother! I am gathering together all my prayers, all my sermons, all my good deeds, all my ill deeds. I am going to throw them all overboard, and swim to glory on the plank of free grace!”

Sermons, prayers and good works, are all well in the place which God intended they should occupy; but they are worse than worthless, they are actually ruinous, as a foundation to rest our eternal hopes upon. It is one of the most important doctrines of the Bible that "by grace are ye saved, through faith." Then, when this salvation is ours, "faith worketh by love.”

What a Shame

Visiting from house to house one day, I came to one where a woman was in deep trouble about her sick child who was dangerously ill. It seemed to be hovering between life and death. The doctor had just been there and had given no hope of recovery; but he said children do recover in a marvelous way! To this slender prospect the mother's heart clung.

"Will God spare my child?" she asked anxiously.

"Have you prayed to Him?" I inquired.

This was just what she had not done; she had only hoped and feared. "Don't rest in human hopes or be deterred by your own fears, but pray and trust in God," I urged her.

While we were kneeling in prayer, Joe, her husband, came in. With no show of reverence he clattered the chairs about and manifested his impatience in many ways. However, he made no positive effort to stop the prayer. When we rose from our knees, he was standing in the middle of the room with his hat on his head, and his hands in his pockets. He half turned away from us; and presently turning, he said, "Do you think that does any good? Do you think your prayers can help when the doctor's medicine has failed? It's all superstition and nonsense!”

"Our prayers," I replied, "cannot, but God can! Jesus promised, `If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven.'" Matt. 18:19.

"I don't believe a word of such stuff," said he angrily; "I don't think you believe it either. Do you now?" said he, turning to me as if he had just caught me in a trick of trade!

"I have read of such people as you," I replied, "but I don't often meet them. I should like to have a talk with you very much. You have told me what you don't believe; I should like to know what you do believe.”

"I believe," he said, "I want my dinner now! It's all very well for you who have nothing to do. Working makes a man hungry. Now then, Betsy, let's have dinner, and be quick." So saying, he sat down in his chair while his wife hurried to get the dinner. I left, promising to come back in the evening for a talk. I hoped he would not run away.

It is needless to quote all the conversation which took place that evening. The man was very ignorant and self-opinionated; but he admitted that Jesus Christ had come into this world, and had died upon the cross, though he did not know why or what he himself had to do with it. He agreed that Jesus Christ would come again to this world; but even in this he saw no effect for him. He never applied these and such like truths to himself.

Recognizing the man's ignorance and self-complacence, I showed him from Scripture the reason that Jesus came as the "Lamb of God"—that according to the law given of God to His people, the Jews, a lamb that was perfect and had not sinned must die in the place of the sinner who had transgressed. God had said that without shedding of blood there could be no remission; so God provided His own Son to be the sacrifice for sin. "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.

"Now that the blood of God's dear spotless Son has been shed, there is remission, for all who believe in Him and trust in Jesus for the remission of their sins.

"There is pardon waiting for a rebel such as you are," I said. "Think of that! How foolish for you to refuse the gospel—God's good news of salvation offered to you through faith in Jesus Christ!”

The man's hard heart was broken when he sensed the scope of God's great love and that it was for him that Christ had suffered on Calvary. He did not answer or reason, but took the Savior. Joe, the once scornful infidel, was now converted, and he became a wholehearted, joyful Christian.

Soon Joe began to inquire in his factory among the several hundreds of men who worked there, how many of them knew the Lord Jesus as their Savior. How astonished he was to find how few, how very few they were! This weighed heavily on his heart, and he prayed much about it.

One morning while looking at the hundreds of men pouring out of the various outlets of the factory at the breakfast hour, Joe was overcome and cried out, "What a shame! what a shame!" Bursting into tears, Joe held up his hands, crying out again and again, "What a shame!”

"What's the matter, Joe," said several voices, "what's the matter?”

"What a shame," he replied, "that Christ has so few, and the devil so many in this factory! What a shame!”

This cry came from Joe's heart, and went to the hearts of his old companions. Some were so condemned in their consciences that they immediately began to seek the Savior whose loving heart had so long sought them.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10.

Down and Out”

"Down and out" ones are just the very ones for the Savior of sinners. He is the place of refuge for such destitute ones. Just as the hospital is for the sick and needy, so Christ is the Physician for the spiritually diseased and distressed.

A man does not try to make himself well before going to a hospital. He need not try to make himself righteous before going to Christ. Christ receives sinners, and only such. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.

He can save you. "Down and out" you may be; and the more you feel that to be your case, the better for you. But Christ can lift you up out of the mire and slavery of sin; and then He will take you in to a place of present and everlasting blessing.

"He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." Psa. 40:2, 3.

The Cords of Love

Dear Mrs. Eads was growing old. Now past seventy, she felt she must use all diligence in seeking souls in need of God's salvation. While attending a series of evangelistic meetings being held in a small town, she always sat in a certain seat on one side of the hall.

A happy party of Christian relatives always surrounded her; but one evening the thought came to her that, though enjoying the pleasure of being among her friends, she might be losing an opportunity of speaking to someone who as yet knew not Christ as Savior.

With this thought in mind she felt impelled to move across to a seat on the other side. Her friends remonstrated with her, saying that she would feel a draft and would not hear so well. Mrs. Eads remained firm in the belief that she must sit in that particular seat.

Soon two young ladies, evidently sisters, seated themselves beside her. During the service she observed that one of them was deeply touched. At the closing prayer the younger of the two could not restrain her tears. She laid her head upon the shoulder of her sister, and wept bitterly.

After the meeting was ended Mrs. Eads spoke to her. She soon discovered that she had lived only for the world in the fullest sense. She had utterly refused to receive Christ, or even to think of the future. She had been brought up in a Christian home but had turned her back upon all early teaching. Now the poor girl believed it was too late to turn back. She thought she had committed the "unpardonable sin," for which there is no forgiveness.

Nothing Mrs. Eads could say that night seemed to reach her in her state of despair. The dear old saint of God returned to her hotel, sad at heart, to spend part of the night crying to the Lord for a message from Him. She longed to show this aching heart that God was still beseeching her to be reconciled to Him.

"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Cor. 5:20.

So sure was Mrs. Eads that God Himself had drawn the poor young sinner to the gospel service, and had thus distinctly thrown her across her path, that she could not doubt it would end in blessing. However she longed to give His message aright.

Even as she awoke in the morning there suddenly came to her mind: "Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee." Jer. 31:3.

She resolved to go immediately and take that verse to the anxious soul. But ere she could finish breakfast, the sister of the one in whom she was interested came to tell her that her sister had been in such terrible anguish all night that she was now ill. She had asked her to go at once to find the lady who had spoken to her at the meeting. Her heart filled with thanksgiving, Mrs. Eads wrote down the God-given verse on a piece of paper, and went at once to the home of the poor sufferer.

On entering the room, she walked straight to the bedside and said: "God has given me a message for you. This is it: 'I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness have I drawn thee.'”

"How wonderful," was the reply. "Those very words sounded in my ears as I awoke a few minutes ago. I was just waiting for you to tell me if they were to be found in the Bible and where.”

Yes, God's "everlasting love" drew her into the haven of repose at last; and in the knowledge of that love she lives today in happy anticipation of the time when she will see Him who so loved her and gave HIMSELF for her.

"O God, what cords of love are Thine;
How gentle yet how strong;
Thy truth and grace their strength combine,
To draw our souls along.”

It Cost His Soul

"What is the value of this estate?" so questioned one gentleman of another. At the time, they were riding past a fine mansion surrounded by fair and fertile fields.

"I do not know what it is valued at," was the answer. "I do know what it cost its late possessor."

"How much?”

"His soul. Early in life he professed faith in Christ. Obtaining a subordinate position in a mercantile establishment, he continued to maintain a reputable religious profession till he became a partner in the firm. Then he gave attention more and more to business. Ere long the cares of this world choked the Word. He became exceedingly rich in money, but poor and miserly in soul. Just before he died, he remarked, 'My prosperity has been my ruin. Love of gain has destroyed my soul!' " 1 Tim. 6:10.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15.

Alone With God

Have you ever had a distinct transaction with God? Alone in His presence have you ever gone into the matter of your sins with Him? Sooner or later you must have to say to Him. There is no escaping it. There is no way of eluding the day when "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. 14:12.

Mockers may mock and scoffers may scoff, but this avails not in the least. The God who made man, made him for His glory. Man has rebelled against his Creator. Instead of doing the will of God, he seeks to do his own will and fulfill his own desires.

Man's back has been turned upon God. He counts God as an enemy. His whole endeavor is to do without his Creator.

"No God for me" is in all his thoughts day by day. And if the remembrance of God's being comes to him, he is miserable until he can banish it from his mind.

You must meet God. Today, in grace, He calls you, "Come now, and let us reason together... though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow." Isa. 1:18. He longs to bless you.

"DOST THOU BELIEVE
ON THE SON
OF GOD?”

John 9:35

"This is His commandment,
That we should believe on
the name of His Son Jesus Christ.”

1 John 3:23

December

A Stone of Memorial

"And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years." Deut. 8:2.

O Lord, I remember the day that I came,
All wearied and wounded to Thee;
My heart was bowed down with its sin and its shame;
But Thou spakest so kindly to me:
Oh, I ne'er shall forget Thy sweet accents of love,
Nor the mercy that beamed in Thy face,
When Thy pitiful kindness my load did remove,
And assured me of welcome and grace.

Lord, I remember the peace that I felt
When my pardon I read in Thy blood;
How my heart with the sweetest contrition did melt
In the arms of Thy Father, my God:
All the darkness was gone, all my terrors were o'er
As I saw all His glory in Thee;
And He promised my sins He'd remember no more,
But my God and my Father would be.

O Lord, I'd remember, each day that I live,
The grace that has made me Thine own;
To Thee, with myself, all I have would I give,
And live for Thy glory alone:
I'd remember, each step of my journey below,
Thou didst die for my sins on the tree;
But how can I ever express all I owe,
My Lord and my Savior, to Thee?

The Peddler’s Song

One cold December evening a party of worldly young men were going to dine together in a fashionable hotel. As they were about to enter, one of the party caught sight of a crippled peddler. The old man had a basket of tapes and buttons slung over his shoulder and offered them for sale to the passers-by. Pointing him out to the rest of his party, the young man said: "Let us give the old chap a feed.”

They all agreed quickly that it would be great fun. Without more ado they ushered him into the hotel dining room along with themselves, and gave him a seat at the table that was prepared for them.

When they had dined, they took turns telling humorous stories and singing gay songs. Their humble guest partook of their warmhearted hospitality with quiet thankfulness; but at last they insisted on his making some acknowledgment. They shouted: "It is your turn now. Give us a song! Tune up.”

With a silent prayer to God to help him testify for Him to that careless company, the old man sang: "My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine, For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign; My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou! If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.”

By the time he had sung the first verse, the noisy hilarity had given place to perfect silence; so the old man, inwardly crying for strength, sang on.

"I love Thee, because Thou hast first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree. I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

"I would love Thee in life, I would love Thee in death, And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath And say, when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.”

The old man's voice quivered with emotion as he bravely sang; but the once gay room now wore a faded look to the listening guests, and the feast had lost something of its appeal. Some of the well-to-do young men felt themselves poor indeed as they realized that their needy guest had riches of a more satisfying sort.

"In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright.
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow—
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

The party soon broke up quietly, and the eyes of some of them were full of tears as they bade their guest good-by.

Next day the old cripple stood with his wares in his accustomed place. A lady drove up in a fine equipage and, getting out, came to him. Her son had been at the dinner on the previous evening and was in great distress of soul after hearing him sing as he did. She asked if the old man would come to her house and talk to her boy.

Gladly the old man went with her and lovingly and faithfully presented the Savior. Before he left the house the young man had accepted Him and was saved.

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" James 2:5.

Just in Time

Time for departure had arrived. The train slowly started, and rapidly gaining speed, was gliding out of the station. Suddenly a young man sprinted up to a coach and, grabbing the handrail, jumped in only just in time. He was out of breath, pale, and very much flurried by his race to catch the train. A few seconds later and he would have been too late.

Recovering a little and looking more at ease, he was greeted by the man across the aisle: "A very near thing that time!" To this show of interest he replied: "Yes, it was; but I had to make this train! I nearly went underneath too, but I'm glad I didn't slip farther.”

"Ah," replied the first speaker, "and suppose you had slipped under the wheels and been killed. Would you have been prepared to meet God?”

Looking somewhat surprised, the young man hesitatingly replied: "Well, no; I can't say that I would have been.”

This led the older of the two to speak of the importance of getting right with God while all seems to be going well. We never know what a day may bring forth, but we do know that God in goodness and love is constantly warning us of the uncertainty of life and the reality of eternity. The young man became very serious and seemed to give assent. Perhaps the word struck home. A few stations farther brought him to his journey's end, and the two men parted. They had never met before, and might never meet again.

Reader, does this speak to you at all? No doubt you have read often of souls who have been ushered into eternity without a moment's warning. Had you been among their number would you have been ready? Could you have gone into the presence of God with joy? You must one day stand before Him. Will it be as one of His own, or must He then say to you: "Depart from Me"?

Oh, be wise in time. Accept at once the salvation which God offers you through the gospel, for He says, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Prov. 27:1.

Settled Peace

The true secret of settled peace with God is founded on the precious fact that God, instead of justly banishing us from His presence forever, loved us even "while we were yet sinners." Yea, He so loved us, even while we were sinners, that Christ His Son died for us.

Peace, then, springs from God-"the God of peace." It is founded entirely on the atoning work of Christ when He shed His blood and died on the cross. There is no other foundation for peace. The Scripture plainly says we are justified by His blood, and that He has "made peace through the blood of His cross.”

This peace deepens in the soul as the new relationships into which we are brought and the new standing given us. in Christ Jesus are apprehended. Now the fact of being a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus—an object of the Father's constant care and love as such—is a relationship unchanging in character, and going on to our perfect conformity to the image of the Son.

When we enter into the knowledge that we are loved by the Father as He loves His Son Jesus, and have received the Spirit of adoption to make these good to us, it causes settled peace to occupy our hearts. We then enjoy the goodness and love of God; and more and more we are lost in wonder, love, and praise.

"Hence through all the changing seasons—
Trouble, sorrow, sickness, woe—
Nothing changeth God's affection;
Abba's love shall bring us through.”

But there is another side. If we become worldly, careless in our walk, and neglect prayer and the reading of the Word of God, the Spirit dwelling in us will be grieved. Then our spiritual senses will be blunted so that our hearts, before we are aware of it, will be enticed by that which the Lord has forbidden: "the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." 1 John 2:16.

When the heart is filled with worldliness, one cannot enjoy the presence of God, but becomes unhappy. This neglect may call too for the Father's discipline, for though the work in which peace is founded never changes, the disobedient child is not abiding in the Savior's love.

Nothing changes God's love to us; but our enjoyment of it is another thing. Did the Lord not say, "As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you"? And He added this: "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in His love." John 15:9,10.

"I hear the words of love;
I gaze upon the blood;
I see the mighty Sacrifice,
And 'I have peace with God.'”

Sin's Hardening

"I believe I have written nothing for you," said a kindly Christian man to a soldier who was very ill in an army hospital. He was a strong-framed man, with glowing eyes, self-willed and arrogant, thoughtful yet unconfiding, repulsing all who sought to find a way to his heart.

"Shall I not write to your friends since you are unable?”

"I have no one to write to.”

"No one? No mother living?”

"No," was the reply.

As I stood, the eyes seemed softer and deeper; there was a swelling about the face and neck, a slight movement of his lip. Would he speak? Would he confide? I waited, and then asked the old question, "Can I do anything for you?”

"Can you undo?" burst from him.

What an utterance! Confession, remorse, agony. "None can undo—but it is left for us to do." "Do! What can we do? Sick—lying here, maybe dying—what can I do?”

"What would you do?”

"Undo," said he vehemently.

"Each one of us would do something, had not God in His wisdom forbidden it. But you are doing even now; you are repenting.”

"What's that? What good will that do?"

"It may lead to faith and pardon.”

"I would not pardon myself if I could. I don't deserve it." The lips were firm, the eyes clear, the muscles no longer swollen. He paused a moment, then added, "I don't want pardon, deserving what I do.”

It was clear that no ordinary counsels or consolations could reach this man's heart. The fountain being opened, he went on to tell the story of his life.

Among other confessions he said: "Let me tell you what I did. There was a boy in my tent that used to pray. I loved that boy; and yet I swore in his ears till he stopped praying and learned to swear. I saw him shot down in battle at my side. With one of the oaths he learned from me upon his lips, he went with it into the presence of God.”

So he went on with the terrible tale—stolid almost—unhoping quite. Not even that blessed word of salvation, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," could touch his heart or engage his trust. What a lesson! What a question! "Can you undo?”

"Does the Bible Say That?"

The question was asked by a young woman whom I visited. She had been persuaded to attend some simple Bible readings held in a Christian friend's home, and had been startled by what she had heard.

She was an attractive young woman, decent and respectable; but for all that she had learned that she was a lost sinner and still living in sin. She knew she had forfeited eternal life, for we had read: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek. 18:20); and "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Heb. 9:27.

The Holy Spirit of God had wrought in her soul from time to time in the meetings, and she was under deep conviction of sin when I went to see her. However, something was evidently keeping her back from receiving God's salvation.

Convinced that it was a serious moment in her history, a distinct crisis, I pleaded with her to tell me what was hindering her in accepting eternal life in Christ. At last she hesitatingly said: "You see, sir, I have lived all my life in forgetfulness of God. The Bible has been a closed Book to me, and I have had little or no thought about my soul or my sins. It does not seem possible for me to get blessing from God now.”

A solemn confession is this for anyone to have to make! But instantly I quoted from memory those magnificent words which fell from the lips of the Son of God: "'All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.' That takes you in, and your sin.”

Then it was that the young woman asked wonderingly: "Does the Bible say that?”

No longer quoting from memory, I opened the holy Book and read from Matt. 12:31: "Wherefore I [Jesus] say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.'”

"And shall I tell you why?" I inquired. "Yes," she said.

"Because 'the blood of Jesus Christ His [God's] Son cleanseth us from all sin.' 1 John 1:7. That is why.”

The next moment the anxious look was gone.

The young face was bright with joy, and she entered into life and peace through simple belief in the Word of God.

"Wonderful, wonderful love of God to save me," she said. "And what an answer I've got now for Satan when he says, 'It is not possible for you to be saved.' All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.'”

The Word of God applied by the Holy Spirit had done its mighty work according to Psa. 119:130.

"The entrance of Thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

The Cleanser

"I was taken suddenly ill, and lay unconscious for two days," a friend told me.

I had met him on the street and stopped to talk to him. He had been at death's door, as people say; but through God's mercy he had recovered again. He freely admitted that it was a very serious thing to be called to meet God. He knew that life was very uncertain, and that eternity was a solemn reality indeed.

I said, "And do you know now how a man can have his sins forgiven—what can take away all his sins and make him fit for the presence of a holy God?”

After a moment or two he replied, "I believe it is by going to church.”

"Where do you find that in the Bible?" I asked. To this he made no reply. Taking out a small Testament I read for him the words, "And the blood of Jesus Christ His [God's] Son cleanseth us from all sin." I sought to impress upon him the fact that the only thing which could cleanse from sin and give peace with God was the blood of God's spotless Lamb: not our doing, not our righteousness, but what Christ has done for us upon the cross.

What an answer to give as to what can cleanse a guilty soul! Yet this very man had been present at meetings held in his own home where God's way of salvation had been told out, and the words of the well-known hymn had been sung:

"What can wash away my stain?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

Little had he taken in the truth of those words, although I know he had sung them himself, and heard others sing them.

Oh, fellow-traveler to eternity, be in earnest! Your immortal soul's destiny hangs in the balance. The sands of time are sinking; eternity with all its great realities draws very near. Many of your loved ones, your friends, and your acquaintances have already passed beyond the boundary of time and have entered into eternity. You too must soon pass that way. Time is like a dewdrop, a vapor, compared to eternity, which is like a boundless ocean. Are you ready for it? If not, listen to the voice of God: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lon: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18.

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

A Backslider Restored

"Will you come in and rest while you listen?" I said this to a lonely-looking man. He was standing just outside the door of a room where one of God's servants was speaking. The address we had been hearing was on "Man's Ruin and God's Remedy.”

"No, thank you," was the reply. "I have heard the message the preacher gave, but I am a backslider. For many months I have gone my own way, and I fear I cannot be restored.”

In an instant a text of Scripture flashed into my mind. Turning over the leaves of my Bible I found it and read to him these words: "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him." Hos. 14:4.

"This verse," I said, "must have been sent straight from God to you. It is a verse that is not familiar to me, yet it came to me immediately when you told me your difficulty.”

"It must be so," he said. "Where is it?" He took out his own small pocket Bible and handed it to me to mark the verse. Then he read the words himself.

I touched his arm and asked him to come in and meet the preacher. "No! no need," said he; "I have found what I wanted—the way back to Christ!" Grasping my hand for a moment, he turned and was gone; but his face now bore a smile of joy instead of sadness.

My reader, if you are one of those who have known the love of Jesus, and yet have got away from Him in heart, you need to be restored. David said: "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation.” Psa. 51:12. The Lord Jesus says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6.

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

God Speaks

Dear friend, as you read this, perhaps you may be brought to realize the rapid passage of TIME. This year is fast slipping by—it is nearly gone—and ETERNITY lies just ahead.

The great question to be settled in each mind and heart is: SAVED or LOST? "God... now commandeth all men every where to repent." Acts 17:30. If saved, your eternal destiny for heaven is happily assured. "Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him." 1 Thess. 5:9,10. If you continue to refuse the Lord Jesus Christ, your sad future is just as sure. "The wicked shall be turned into hell." Psa. 9:17.

Throughout the life span of every soul on earth God by His Spirit seeks to turn all men to Himself (2 Peter 3:9). Have you responded to His pleadings? In many ways He speaks, and proves that He does indeed, by rod or by staff, reprove the wayward, and lead His own along.

When you look back over that part of life which you have passed, do you not see how God has, according to His Word, spoken to your heart and sought to bring you into the right way? "For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not." Job 33:14. He still pleads, and He calls to your heart. Will you not answer while it is yet the day of grace? "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 3:7,8.

"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.

Echoes of Grace: 1960

Table of Contents

January

Only One

Let Him in?

"Taken"

Joy in Heaven”

I Don't Want to Be a Christian”

Quick and Powerful

February

Jesus of Nazareth Passes by

The Boomerang

Stick to That, Sandy”

Man, I Am Sorry for You?

I Am the Door

The Coming of the Lord Draweth Nigh”

March

Excused!

Almost Sold

A Full Confession”

The Essence of Christianity

The Only Way

Tom's Coming.

Scripture Portions

The Shedding of Blood

Called”

Happiness

April

The Gipsy Boy's Thanks

What Will You Say Then?

How Many Were Crucified?

That Poor Cabman

God's Sheep

One Word

A Secret Worth Knowing

Thirty Pieces of Silver

May

Two Bullets and Their Message

Hell's Heritage

A Russian Arrested

A Stupid Mistake?

A Well Filled Heart

An Infidel's Conversion

Havelock's Saints?

The Old, Old Story

What Hast Thou Done for Me!

Question and Answer

June

All-Sufficient Love

The Queen's Promise

The Great Day”

Mike's Bible

The Best Armchair

Peace”

Come Clean Out

Naked Truth”

July

Eternity

The Simple Gospel

A Nurse's Story

Be Strong in the Lord

God Says It!?

Too Wretched or Too Full

How Long?

Deadly Indecision

August

Tomorrow - or Today

I'm Going by the Book?

True Gain

A Song in the Night

Nothing Doubting

Bare Facts

The Right Message

All, All Wrong?

It Will Do Me No Good”

The Procrastinator

September

Eternity

The Stony Heart

Converted