Echoes of Grace: 1972

"Life is but a moment, and eternity is a long time." These were the last reported words of an earnest Christian young man who, in his thirty-third year, met his death in a sudden and tragic way.

He had come to the great metropolis to spend the winter in special studies. Happily converted as he was, he was deeply impressed with the need of the many lost souls perishing around him, and longed to bring before them the solemn question of their eternal destiny. Towards this end he went out one Saturday night to distribute gospel tracts telling the story of the love of God and of the Savior He has provided for lost sinners.

On his way home he stopped at a drug store to make a needed purchase. In the course of a conversation with the owner of the store, he spoke these solemn words: "Life is but a moment, and eternity is a long time."

Just then the door opened and a man entered. Holding an automatic revolver in his hand, he smiled as he spun it round on his index finger. The storekeeper instantly recognized him as the "Wolf"— a desperate bandit who had entered his store, only ten days before. At that time he had compelled the merchant, at gun-point, to go to a private room at the back. Then, having bound and gagged him, the bandit had robbed his store and departed.

Now, fearing for the young Christian's safety, the storekeeper whispered hurriedly to him to do whatever the bandit might ask; but, either not hearing or not understanding the whispered advice, the young man began to walk towards the robber.

Instantly a shot rang out. The glass showcase and fittings flew in splinters. The Christian dashed to the door and into the street. A second and a third shot were fired after him, and he fell mortally wounded. Hit in a vital spot, his death came in a few short hours.

And this time the bandit did not escape. His shots had drawn a crowd, some of whom disarmed him, and he was turned over to the authorities, later to pay the penalty for his evil deeds. How blessed if the intervening time was used of God to draw him to Himself! "The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 1 Peter 3: 9.

The young Christian's last words to the storekeeper bore fruit shortly in having awakened him to his own need to prepare for that long eternity. In relating the incident, he exclaimed: "Those bullets were meant for me! Thank God that in His mercy my time is extended, and my eternal salvation now made sure."

Friend, time is short and uncertain; eternity is long and sure. Would you, like the young Christian, be ready to meet God if your call came today? Are your sins forgiven and your lost, guilty soul washed white in the blood of God's dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ? This is the most important question ever put before you, for on it hinges your destiny—heaven or hell—for a long eternity.

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

Go Thou Thy Way Till the End

Some years ago a man named John Dunn went with his wife to live in a remote village of the United States of America, where he opened a grocery store. Being of a genial and kindly disposition, as well as having a character for honesty and straight-forwardness in all his business transactions, John soon became a prosperous man, and was much liked by all his neighbors. But for all this, John was a man who scoffed at all religion, openly avowed his disbelief in the existence of God, and avoided hearing about God's goodness or salvation.

After many years John's old Christian father died, and in his will he bequeathed to him, among other things, a large and much-valued old family Bible. "What a fool was my father," said John to his wife, "to leave me a Book which is absolutely worthless to me! It must have cost quite ten dollars too. Yet if I sell it, it will only fetch a few cents. How can I make any profit out of it? Let me see—yes, I shall use the pages as wrapping paper in my shop." In spite of his wife's protests, he placed the Book on his counter and tore out the pages one by one to wrap up his customer's purchases.

For some time this godless man continued thus recklessly to tear to pieces his father's Bible. Some of his customers felt a little shocked, but they did not trouble to give expression to their feelings.

One day a farmer living at some distance came into the shop to buy some nutmegs. John proceeded as usual to tear a leaf from the Bible and place it on the scales. Just as he was about to weigh the nutmegs, his customer called out, "Wait a bit, John! That page you have taken to wrap your merchandise in is sacred to me. You have torn it out of my God's blessed Book. You shall never make use of it for any purchase of mine! Give me the nutmegs without any paper."

He put them loosely into the pocket of his coat and walked out of the shop, leaving John feeling very uncomfortable.

"Is this Book really so different from other books?" he asked himself. "I must see if this page contains anything extraordinary," and folding it up, he put it into his pocket.

That evening, when business was over, he seated himself by the fire. He drew the page from his pocket, unfolded it, and began to read. It was the last chapter of the book of Daniel. Slowly and carefully he read the solemn words, and a feeling of awe crept over him as he thought of resurrection and judgment, of the portion of the wicked and of the just. When he came to the last verse, the voice of the God whom he had hitherto despised and ignored spoke loudly: "But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days."

John was filled with alarm. "That is just what I am doing," he said, "I am going my way until the end, and there is no doubt I shall then rest in my grave. Must I too stand in my lot at the end of the days? Then in which lot shall I stand? Mine will assuredly be the lot of the wicked—mine the shame and everlasting contempt!"

The arrow of conviction had entered the conscience of the careless scoffer. He now saw himself a guilty sinner in the presence of a holy God. Filled with misery and unable to rest by day or night, he at length spoke of his trouble to his wife.

"Oh, John," she exclaimed, "I always knew it was very wrong to tear up that Bible. Let us fetch what now remains of it, and see if it will help you."

The dilapidated book was fetched from its place on the counter, and together they began to read. They had turned to the book of Revelation. Every word his wife read seemed only to increase John's fear, and when she came to the words, "their works do follow them," he groaned, "Oh, I wonder if my works will also follow me? I don't want them to, for they have been so wicked."

But the blessed Spirit of God had aroused this sleeping sinner. Having first shown him his great need, He guided him to other portions of the blessed Book in which with delight he read of the great salvation accomplished for him by another. He saw that the Christ of God whom he had once despised and ignored was his only Deliverer from the judgment which he so feared.

With joy he learned that the precious blood of God's holy Son could cleanse all his sins. In simple faith he rested his soul upon the value of that blood to God. His misery and fear soon gave place to peace and joy.

John now longed to read the whole of God's precious Book. The poor remnant of his father's Bible he placed on a table. By its side he put a new Bible of a similar edition which he had purchased. In reading this he now found his greatest joy. When anyone wondered why the two large Bibles were thus placed side by side, John delighted to tell them how the torn one recalled to him the time when in his lost and sinful condition he had scorned a God of love, and abused His message of grace; and the new spoke to him of that wonderful day in his history when Christ became his joy and treasure. He now "goes his way" with a glad heart, no longer fearing to "stand in his lot at the end of the days."

But where will you, my reader, stand at the end? Pray, ask yourself: "Where, and how do I stand now?" You have started a new year. Where will its end find you? If in eternity, what will your lot be? Is the inquiry worth an answer? Then may you never rest again till a satisfactory one can be given.

An Awful Decision

It was the last night of December. Three young men were sitting in the living room of a Christian's house talking of eternal things. Two of them were "saved by grace," and rejoiced in the knowledge of it. The other was not and, moreover, seemed totally indifferent as to his soul's salvation. His two companions were speaking very plainly to him, but he regarded all with a smile of derision. At last, looking up with defiance at them, he said: "I don't want to be saved, as you call it. If there is a hell I am willing to go to it; but I intend to have a good time here first."

For a time his friends were too shocked to reply. At last one of them took his watch from his pocket, and holding it in his hand, said: "Do you decide here, in the presence of God, on this last night of December, at fifteen minutes past eleven o'clock, to refuse Christ as your Savior, and choose hell as your eternal portion?"

To the astonishment of both, he answered: "I do"; and as far as anyone knows, he is unsaved still.

"What a dreadful choice!" says one.

"I cannot see how anyone could be hardened as to decide definitely in that manner," says another.

Yes, it was an awful decision, showing that Satan surely held the reins. But let me ask, friend, Have you been born again? Have you accepted Christ as your own Savior? "Well," you answer: "I cannot say I have.' Then you too are a rejector of Christ, and are practically choosing hell as your eternal portion.

Think, friend, of the facts of the case. Satan, who is God's enemy and yours, would hide from you your danger. We would, by God's help, show it to you. We cannot awaken you, nor can we save you, but if we can but warn you of your peril, we trust you will take heed to it, and escape for your life to Christ, the Savior of sinners.

Have you begun a new year on earth? Remember, you may end it in eternity! How solemn! Thousands began the past year as healthy and hopeful as you are now, but they are now in eternity. Meet God you must; how soon you know not. Are you ready? Be warned in time. Tomorrow will not do as well as today. "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2. "Boast not thyself of tomorrow." Trifle not with the precious moments which God has given you; they will not always be yours. Why then delay?

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

"He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true." John 3:33.

The Question …

"Talk of questions of the day! There is only one question for every one—and that is the gospel."

So wrote the Honorable W. E. Gladstone, several times prime minister of England. The statement is a remarkable one to come from the pen of one who was thoroughly acquainted with all the "questions" of his day.

But is it true? Ask the sick man from whose bedside the doctor has just turned away with a grave face. He has but a few days to live. What question commands his interest to the exclusion of every other? If he is wise, he will reply, "The gospel." No question of business, wealth, prospects, friends, amusements can compare in his estimation with that of the gospel.

The great question, then, for you is: How do you treat the gospel? You may treat it in one of three ways. You may either (1) reject it; (2) neglect it; or (3) accept it.

The wise course is to accept the gospel as God's gracious message to you. Flee to the Savior of whom it speaks. At this very moment the forgiveness which it proclaims shall be yours. Neglect it and you will just as surely be lost forever.

The Great Question

Many learned and religiously instructed men who were accustomed to put difficult questions to others were assembled together. In their midst was Jesus, and He became the questioner. He asked them not as to their learning, but by one simple word He laid bare the state of their hearts, silenced their questions, and taught them to fear to ask Him more. "Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ?"

"What think ye of Christ?" Eternity is near! Its issues for you depend upon your answer.

The rapid and fatal increase of unbelief threatens, like a rampant weed, to choke the growth of the pure gospel in this land, and to turn our country into a wilderness of infidelity and superstition. More than ever do we need personal, heart-searching tests. Surely there is no test to the heart like this: "What think ye of Christ?"

The Bible may be in the hand, the knee may be bowed, the voice may be lifted up in strains of worship, with the heart utterly at enmity to God. The mere professor may spend his life in the outward things of religion, yet never be for one hour alone with God as to what he thinks of Christ.

Thus it was not long ago, with a venerable man whom we know. Hearing that his days were numbered, he cried out, piteously: "Tell me, how am I to be saved? I have been an elder of a congregation, but I have not been to Christ."

What think ye of Christ? Do not inquire of your heart for warmth or for coldness, for light or for darkness. Turn off the eye of the soul from self and all that is within, and, in the presence of God, ask yourself what you think of His Son—of that Jesus who died for sinners, and who is now upon the throne of God. Escape the question you cannot. You may evade it now, but hereafter it will find you out. In hell, Christ will be hated; in heaven, He is adored. And now upon the earth, the knowledge of whether one is saved or lost may be discovered by what the heart thinks of Christ.

"What think ye of Christ," anxious and distressed soul? Why is it that you are in doubts and darkness? Have you ever considered that the reason is simply because you have such poor thoughts of Christ?

You reply, "It is not so; my darkness arises from the sense of my own state." But the truth is, the state of your soul, which begets darkness, is occasioned by your thoughts of Christ.

Did you ever hear a troubled soul saying: "It is Christ that died, yea, rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us"?

No, dear reader. With such God-given thoughts of Christ, doubts and darkness flee away. Christ in the heart and mind, and dark thoughts of God's salvation, cannot dwell together.

"What think ye of Christ," as the Sin-bearer? Hear the Word of God in reply—"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 we were healed." 1 Pet. 2:24.

"What think ye of Christ" as the One-offering?

Thus saith the Lord—"After He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God." Heb. 10:12.

"What think ye of Christ" as the Life-giver? These are His own words—"This is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life." John 6:40.

"What think ye of Christ" as the Preserver of His sheep? "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand." John 10:28.

May the Spirit of God make the thoughts of both reader and writer to agree with the Word of God respecting Christ!

"Unto Him that loved 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."

"Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen." Rev. 1:5, 6, 7.

At the Junction

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

"You're a signalman?"

"Yes, sir."

"You know what a junction is?"

"Yes."

"Well, you've reached a junction tonight in your lifeline, and it is very possible that if you pass this one, THERE MAY NOT BE ANOTHER!"

The signalman grasped his meaning. After a moment's thought, he turned there and then to God, repented, and received the gospel.

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

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

You are in darkness. "He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth," the Lord Jesus said. (John 12:35.)

May the light of this message open your eyes to see the danger signal now waving before you. "TURN YE, TURN YE! for why will ye die?" You are fast hurrying toward the brink of a precipice at the foot of which is the lake of fire! That precipice may be before you in this very year you have now entered. Therefore, decide, now.

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

The Unchanging Word

Feelings come and feelings go,
And feelings are deceiving;
My warrant is the Word of God—
Naught else is worth believing.

Though all my heart should feel condemned
For want of some sweet token,
There is ONE greater than my heart
Whose word cannot be broken.

I'll trust in God's unchanging Word
'Till soul and body sever,
For, though all things shall pass away,
HIS WORD SHALL STAND FOREVER.

Martin Luther "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.

All for Christ

"Now, girls, have I got news for you!"

The speaker was a showy-looking girl, dressed in the height of fashion. She was just entering a room where there were several young ladies.

"What is it, Julie?" cried one and then another.

"You'll never believe it! Linda Ashbrook has professed religion," was the half serious, half laughing reply.

"Linda Ashbrook!" The girls repeated the name more or less in surprise.

"Linda Ashbrook!" said the oldest girl, seriously. "Why, she was forever making sport of the subject."

"And such a fashionable girl! Why, she would hardly look at any one who was poorly dressed," remarked another.

"Her father an infidel too. What will he say?"

"I heard that he turned her out of the house," said Julie.

There was a long silence. It was abruptly broken by the youngest of the group: "Now we shall see if there is any reality in the religion that Christians talk about. I don't believe there is one single person in any branch of her family who is religious. She will have plenty to undergo. I wouldn't be in her place."

"Troubles? Pshaw! There's no such thing as persecution in these days. It would be a rare thing to see a martyr."

This was lightly spoken by Julie, who had been Linda's nearest friend, and who felt an unnatural bitterness springing up in her heart towards the other girl whose companionship she knew she could no longer enjoy as before. "But martyrs are rare in these days, even martyrs to religious persecution."

The girls made an early call on Linda. She received them with her accustomed ease and a sweeter smile than usual. She was pale; and though there was a quietness in her beautiful face, she appeared like one wearied a little with some struggle in which she was the sufferer. She did not speak directly of the new peace she had found, but her visitors could see clearly a change in dress, in manners, and even in countenance.

Linda was engaged to be married to George Philips, a thorough man of the world. George loved his wine, his parties, the race track, the theater, the convivial and free and easy club. Sunday was his day for pleasure, and many a time had Linda joined him on that day. He had a pleasing manner, a keen mind, and was welcomed and admired everywhere.

His brow darkened when he heard the news. What! The girl of his choice, the one who would be mistress of his home, now a Christian? Nonsense, he wouldn't believe it. It was a ridiculous hoax!

"What! The daughter of Henry Ashbrook, the freest of free-thinkers? Ba! It was a joke, nothing more."

He called upon her very soon after hearing the news. He coldly scanned her from head to foot; but how gently, how sweetly she met him! Her voice, pleasant before, was sweeter in its tones now. Winning grace was there, and settled peace. A happy smile dimpled her cheek. But there was something, a subtle something, that filled him with apprehension, because it was unlike her old self. What could it be?

Lightly, scoffingly, he referred to the report he had heard. For one moment her face paled, her lips refused to speak. This passed, and something like a flash of sunshine crossed her face. It lighted her eyes anew, it touched her cheek with soft crimson as she replied, "George, please don't treat it as a joke; for truly, thank God, I have become a Christian. Oh George!"—her clasped hands were laid upon one of his —"I have only just begun to live! If you knew—"

Impatiently he sprang to his feet, throwing her hand from him in his abrupt movement. He did not dare to trust his voice, for an oath was uppermost. He walked swiftly backward and forward for a moment, and then he came and stood before her. Angrily he exclaimed, "Do you mean to say that you will really cast your lot among these people, that for them you will give up all—all?"

"I will give up all for Christ."

The words were very soft and low and not spoken without reflection. But they angered him still more. "Linda, if these are your intentions, we must go different ways."

There was fury in his voice. This was cruel, a terrible test, for that young girl, as it were, had placed her soul in his keeping. Before a higher, purer love was born in her heart, she had almost worshipped George, and giving him up, even now, seemed unthinkable. Tears came to her eyes.

As he saw this his manner changed to entreaty. He placed before her all their hopes and plans. He lured her by every argument that could appeal to her womanly heart. The gentle spirit of the young Christian felt as if she must yield. But a scripture she had read strengthened her: "How can two walk together except they be agreed?" Help direct from the fountain of life sustained her in her choice.

Who had said, "All this will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me"? It was the enemy of souls and of Christ. There could be no compromise; it was "Christ or me." And standing there, with her newfound heavenly faith shining in her heart and lighting her pale features, she said, with a firmness worthy of the martyrs of old, "Christ."

Though his soul was filled with rage, never had she seemed so dear, so lovable to the young man. Her earnest, upward look, her attitude, so self-possessed, yet so modest, filled him with a strange admiring awe. But his hostility towards religion was so strong in his heart that it bore down all tenderness, all love. He parted from her for the first time coldly, and like a stranger.

The engagement was broken off. This was the first trial. Then came another, while yet her heart was heavy.

Linda Ashbrook's father had never been very loving towards her. He was proud of her. She was an ornament to his beautiful home. She gratified his vanity. But for her to break with the wealthy, brilliant young George Philips, was unthinkable! He called her into his study, and required a minute account of the whole-matter. He had heard rumors, he said—had seen a surprising and not an agreeable change in her; she had grown mopish, quiet—what was the cause?

What a testing for the poor girl, so newly converted! It was a great trial, with that stern, unbelieving face, full of hard lines, opposite, to stand and testify for Christ! But He who has promised was with her, and she told the story calmly, resolutely, kindly.

"And do you intend to be baptized?"

"Yes, sir!" A gleam of hope entered her heart. She did not expect his approval, but she couldn't think he might refuse to sanction this step.

"You know your Aunt Eunice has long wanted you to become an inmate of her home."

"Yes, sir," the gentle voice faltered.

"Well, you can go there now. Unless you give up this absurd religiousness and become reconciled to George Philips, I do not wish you to remain with me. Be as you were before and you shall have all luxury, all your heart desires. Follow this miserable notion, and I shall be your father only in name."

And still, though her heart was broken, she answered as before: "Christ."

She did forsake all for Him, but her grief for her loved ones broke both heart and health. The gentle, tender girl was unable to cope with such overwhelming sorrow. Swiftly she went down into the valley, but it was not dark to her. The presence of the Lord sustained and comforted her. As she neared the end of the way, George Philips heard that she was dying. His heart was again stirred by memories of her gentle dignity when, as opposed to him, she had chosen Christ. Could there be such power in Him? George longed to know. Hesitantly he visited the dying girl and implored her forgiveness.

Too late? No, not too late for his own salvation, for in that hour his eyes were opened to his own sinfulness and to the uselessness of his life. By her side he knelt and yielded his lonely heart to God.

Her father too proud infidel though he was, looked on his child with wonder and with awe. Such a dying scene is the privilege of but few to witness. She had given up all for Christ, and in her last hour the Spirit of God seemed to fill her. The sweet face filled with heavenly light testified to them of the power of Him who has triumphed over death, hell, and the grave, and is now seated at God's right hand in the glory. It was with reality that his own voice echoed hers as she whispered one word—the last—it was, "Christ."

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:23, 24.

Right Now

For years Bill Bowen had been a respected church member. His name on the church roll showed him as being in good standing. But it was not so toward heaven. His heart was not at rest. Mere profession finally disgusted him; he threw it overboard, and for twelve years tried to be a skeptic.

But now two strange preachers had come to the vicinity, and Bill Bowen had gone to hear them. The preaching seemed different from what he had heard before. Man as a sinner and Christ as a Savior were clearly brought to view, and the love of God toward man was proclaimed as He is shown in the gift of His beloved Son.

On the night mentioned, a voice seemed to say to him, "Thou art the man,"—a sinner—a lost sinner—one who richly deserves the wrath of God. Deep was his exercise now. At the close, on being asked if he thought he was saved, he gave a very decisive "No"; but in his heart he wanted to be. He invited us to go home with him, and upon reaching it, expressed his great desire to know how he, a sinful man, could be saved.

We sought to show him what Jesus had accomplished on the cross for sinners; that this was the only work through which a sinner could be saved. We told him that God was perfectly satisfied with that finished work, and that because of that cross, God now could in righteousness receive and save all who believe on Jesus. We besought him to take God at His Word, and to rest on Christ wholly for salvation. Then the forgiveness of sins and eternal life would be his.

Since darkness still seemed to prevail in his soul, we got upon our knees and cried to God, beseeching Him to burst this dark cloud, and make the light to shine upon this dear man right now!

He cried out, "Yes, Lord, right now!"

We paused a few moments before we rose to our feet. We knew our prayer was answered when dear Bill came across the floor, and with both hands laying hold of us, while tears ran down his cheeks, he exclaimed, "Thank God! I do accept Him right now—right now! And I am saved."

Until He Find It

Employed in the same banking office, we met each other daily. My conversion and confession of Christ he treated with contempt, and blasphemously repelled all my efforts to lead him to Christ.

My removal to Dundas, Ontario, separated us for about a year. Then, one day, a lad entered the bank bearing a note addressed to me. It read: "My poor boy's dying, and begs you to come to see him."

Reaching the address given me, an elderly lady warmly thanked me for coming, and said: "My poor boy is in the front room upstairs."

Upon entering the bedroom I was horrified to see terror personified: a face white as chalk, eyes starting from their sockets, body writhing, while the lips uttered the terrible wail, "The eleventh hour's passed! My God, there is no hope for me!"

Seating myself by his side, overwhelmed by the awful spectacle, I silently prayed that One mighty to save would deliver his soul from the pit. Then taking my Bible from my pocket, it opened at Luke 15. I read verses 1-4, concluding with the words, "Until He find it."

Involuntarily I repeated these words, adding, "Oh, Sam, don't you see? It says 'until He find it,' and He hasn't found you yet! That proves He's seeking still."

The agonized movements of his body ceased, and the awful wail was hushed; so I read the whole chapter to him, telling of a love intent upon finding sinful souls, and at amazing cost transforming the straying, lost and spiritually dead into dearest objects to the divine Seeker's heart. And there in the stillness of that sick chamber Sam was found by the Good Shepherd, assured by the Holy Spirit, and welcomed as a son beloved by the Father. All his terror and anguish were exchanged for the joy of God's salvation; and I too witnessed that miracle of redeeming love, the new birth of a believing soul.

Reader, is your soul saved? Beware of the terrors of the damned. Escape the wrath to come! But beyond and above all these solemn considerations, give the blest Redeemer the joy of possessing your soul for Himself. For you He suffered; your soul He seeks and awaits the joy of finding.

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

Out of the Heart of Men Proceed Evil Thoughts

Mark 7:21

We often hear it said these days that man is being elevated by lofty and scientific thoughts. But the question for us is: Does man give God the right place in his heart, and is there anything there to suit Him? The Bible shows us clearly that, from the beginning, the tendency of man's thoughts has been to make much of himself and little of God. Perhaps not always openly so, but God looks at what lies hidden in the heart. "Hell and destruction are before the Lord; how much more then the hearts of the children of men?" Prov. 15:11.

Let us contrast what the man of the world thinks in his heart with what God has revealed in His word: "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psa. 14:1.

"The wicked... hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity." Psa. 10:6.

"He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten:... He will never see it." Psa. 10:11.

"He hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it." Psa. 10:13.

"That evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming." Matt. 24:48.

"Thou hast said in thine heart, I am, and none else beside me." Isa. 47:10.

"She saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow." Rev. 18:7.

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Tim. 2:5.

"When they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape." 1 Thess. 5:3.

"Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance." Psa. 90:8.

"God requireth that which is past." Eccles. 3:15.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9.

"Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity." Psa. 39:5.

"In one hour is thy judgment come." Rev. 18:10.

"As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Prov. 23:7.

It is a blessed thing that the gospel not only unfolds to us the deceitfulness of our thoughts, but it reveals to us the thoughts of God—thoughts of love and mercy for the poor sinner who is weary of the evil of his own heart. When we can own before God that every imagination of the thoughts of our hearts is only evil continually, so that nothing less than the death of Christ can deliver us from them, then God can say: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jer. 29:11.

Do It Now

"Do it now" is a thoroughly good business maxim. Whatever has to be done and can be done, should be done immediately. Have you something to do? Then do it well, but do it NOW.

Many a merchant has "put off" attending to a matter until later, and has proved that time and tide wait for no man. He has lost a golden opportunity.

So the poet has said:

There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood leads on to fortune:
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries."

DO IT NOW! Write that letter—pay that call—secure that interview—conclude that contract— complete that bargain.

DO IT NOW. If this holds good in the professional and business worlds, and in connection with matters of time, it is of still greater importance in matters of eternity.

YOU HAVE A SOUL. Its salvation is of more consequence than any question of business. You mean to be saved some time. You mean to give heed as to your future. Then DO IT NOW. Take your place as a sinner. Own your true condition before God. "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

YOU ARE A SINNER. God has opened up one way of blessing and forgiveness—but only one. Christ is that way. He came into the world to save sinners.

In His name forgiveness is preached and by Him all that believe are cleared from every charge in the sight of God. You mean to tread that way. DO IT NOW.

YOU MUST MEET GOD. You may shrink from it. You may put from you the thought. You may occupy yourself with pursuits for profit and pleasure, and refuse to face the fact.

But hour by hour you are being urged forward irresistibly and sooner or later you must meet God. If you die in your sins you will be raised in your sins, to stand before Him, for "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." You cannot escape it.

Go to Him at once. DO IT NOW. Today He is a "God of all grace." A Savior-God is waiting to welcome you. If you bow before Him in true repentance, owning your need, He will clear you of all your guilt and give you eternal life. Then you will know that you will never come into judgment and that your sins and iniquities God will remember no more.

YOU HAVE ETERNITY BEFORE YOU. You are a responsible being and know it to be true. You are not like a beetle, or a bird, or a beast "made to be taken and destroyed." You are intelligent, and accountable as no mere animal is; and you have a God-given consciousness of it. "That unknown bourne from which no traveler returns" lies before you.

You are nearing eternity. You may be gone out of "time" before a week—before a day has passed.

Are you ready for eternity? You intend to get ready. DO IT NOW.

Receive Christ as Savior and Lord, and eternity with Him will be your portion.

The Power of Our Desires

How our desires shape our judgments! What we want to see needs not spectacles. None are so blind as those that will not see. This is true regarding spiritual things, and molds our views more than we are willing to acknowledge.

Men WISH there were no God; so they SAY there is no God.

Men wish they had no conscience; so they ignore it, and it is seared to them as with a hot iron.

Men wish there were no divine law; so they fight against it and ignore its demands.

Men wish there were no hell; so they whiten its blackness, and shorten its duration to a transitory purgatory.

Men wish there were no devil; so they clothe him as an angel of light, or picture him as a phantom of the imagination.

Men wish there were no Bible, because it reveals all these to them very plainly. Therefore they deny its inspiration, ignore its authority, garland it with purple and gold, distort, mistranslate, misconstrue, laugh at its commands, and deride its object.

BUT FOR ALL THAT, GOD IS TRUE: YES, EVEN IF EVERY MAN BE PROVED A LIAR.

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

"Thou hast magnified Thy word above Thy name." Psa. 138:2.

"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."

Romans 10:9, 10.

Twice Saved on the Atlantic

At a Bible conference held in Hamilton, Ontario, a Christian who became a servant of Christ told the story of his conversion.

It was through the late John Harper, a well-known and much esteemed servant of God. He and our friend, then unconverted, were passengers on the Titanic on her ill-fated voyage across the Atlantic.

The great ship was sinking. With hundreds of others he, our unsaved friend, was struggling in the cold waters of the ocean. Laying hold of a floating object, he was enabled to keep himself from sinking until rescued.

Suddenly above the groans and shrieks of the terrified passengers, the voice of John Harper was heard calling to him: "Is your soul saved?"

Our friend replied, "I fear it is not."

"Then," said the herald of the cross, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

His voice grew faint as he was carried along by the waves. The ruling passion of his life was strong in death, as was evinced in his telling those around him God's way of salvation. In recounting the story, the speaker testified that the words borne to him over the water were spoken to him by Mr. Harper. They were used of God to his eternal blessing. "Right then," said he, "with two miles of water beneath me, I believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and was saved."

Shortly afterward, someone heard Mr. Harper saying, "I am going down! I am going down!" Then, "No, no! I am going up!" and the soul-winner was called to be with his Savior, whom he loved and served. Our friend, with others, was rescued and taken to New York.

Though John Harper's body went down, his spirit went up. Scripture shows us that the believer, in departing from this life, goes to be "with Christ, which is far better." Phil. 1:23. Where is Christ? Seated at the right hand of God. To the believer, "absent from the body" is to be "present with the Lord."

Reader, if your body had gone down into the waters of death, would your spirit have gone up into life everlasting?

"No one knows," says one.

Speak for yourself, friend; but don't say that "no one knows."

The early Christians knew that they were "saved," "converted," "born again." They knew that if they were called into eternity they would be with Christ. If you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ—that He died for your sins on Calvary's cross—you have the authority of the Word of the living God for it that you are "saved" (Acts 16:31), "justified" (Acts 13:38, 39), and "born of God" (1 John 5:1).

A reader may say, "I don't believe in sudden conversions."

All conversions are "sudden." There may be exercise of soul for weeks or months, but there is a moment when a sinner passes from death unto life, from darkness into light. One moment he is on the "broad road" leading to destruction, and the next on the "narrow way" leading to life, and bliss, and glory.

How long does it take to believe the testimony that God has given concerning His Son? "A moment!" "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness (testimony) in himself; he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar, because he believeth not the record (testimony) that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." 1 John 5:9-11.

Will you now believe the "testimony," "record," or "witness" that God has given concerning Christ? As long as you continue in unbelief you are guilty of the horrid sin of calling the eternal God a liar! I pray you: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

Need, the Door to Blessing

Anna Quarles had been lingering many days between life and death. She had heard the gospel many times, but she still had no peace, no assurance of her sins having been forgiven. Yes, she had heard the gospel; but she had been taught to add to the atoning work of Christ her own faith and prayers, as though Christ had done His part, and now she must do hers.

Was it surprising that she knew no peace? Weak in body, and anxious of soul, she lingered day after day. Occasionally a visitor would tell her to pray, so that Jesus might bless her; but that she must exercise her own faith and come to Him aright.

Though there was a measure of truth in this, yet it was far from answering in full her soul's need. Discouraged as she was, it was not strange that, when asked if my visit would be agreeable to her, she said, "What is the use? So many come to see me almost daily, and none of them help me."

However she was finally persuaded by her mother and aunt to see me, and I called on her. As I entered the sickroom, I definitely felt that God had a message for me to deliver to that weary soul. She was very weak, and scarcely able to move her head. Looking to the Lord as I went in, I quietly asked, "Are you resting by faith upon the finished work of Christ on the cross?"

Startled by the question, she slowly shook her head, saying, "I don't understand it. I can't pray."

"God is not asking you to pray," I replied. "Listen to His words: '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.'

"God, by the mouth of His servant Paul, is urging you, 'Be ye reconciled.' Now, won't you be reconciled? He says nothing to you about your sins, for 'God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them!"

"Oh, I haven't faith enough."

"God is not asking you for a great amount of faith. Do you believe that God is able to save you?

"Well, then, I have proof in the Lord's personal ministry here upon this earth, that He is not seeking for any particular amount of faith. Remember that poor leper of Matthew 8. He was an outcast, afflicted with a disease that was most abhorrent. Slowly, surely, it was dragging him down to the gates of death. He believed that Jesus was able to cleanse him, but he did not believe He was willing. Said he, 'Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean.'

"Mark how dishonoring to the Lord was that unbelieving `if.' But what a need was his!

"What was the immediate answer of the Lord Jesus? 'I will; be thou clean.'

"Not the leper's great faith cured him, though there was faith too. It was his need that brought him to Christ. Our gracious Lord saw his need. That was enough to draw forth a stream of blessing to the poor doubting leper. Much prayers and great faith the Lord does not require. Just bring your need to Him; and as with the leper, so with you, your blessing is assured."

With this the sick girl's face lighted up. With a look of infinite relief she lay quietly upon her pillow, relaxed and at rest. Through simple faith in the finished work of Christ upon the cross, and by no exercise of prayer nor seeking great faith, she was able to commit all to Him, the author and finisher of faith.

A mind at "perfect peace" with God—
Oh, what a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood—
This, this indeed is peace.

So near, so very near to God,
Nearer I cannot be,
For in the Person of His Son
I am as near as He.

So dear, so very dear to God,
Dearer I cannot be,
The love wherewith He loves His Son,
Such is His love to me.

Too Late

The steamship Central America was on a voyage between New York City and San Francisco. When she was some distance from land a bad leak was noticed. The crew immediately set to work to stop the leak but were unable to make more than temporary repairs. In the darkness of the night they shot distress flares into the air. Any other ship seeing such flares would know what they meant: a ship was in serious trouble.

The flares were seen by another ship which immediately changed course to go to the aid of the Central America. When they were within hailing distance, the captain of the rescue vessel called out to ask the condition of the other.

"We are in bad repair, and we are going to sink. Please stay by us until morning," was the answer.

"Let me take your passengers on board now," said the captain.

"No, we will wait until morning. It will be easier to make the transfer in daylight."

Once again the captain of the rescue ship called, "You had better let me take them now."

Again the offer was refused with the call, "Wait until the morning."

The captain of the rescue ship could do no more, so he retired to his cabin. On deck the crewmen went about their duties, looking from time to time toward the Central America whose lights shone through the darkness. But suddenly there were no lights! Without warning, without sound, the Central America sank beneath the waves. Not one person was saved.

How solemn! The passengers and crew trusted the captain. The captain knew the ship was sinking, the rescue ship was standing nearby, ready and willing to save all; but the captain foolishly thought there was a better time coming to be saved. The time to be saved was NOW.

Whom are you trusting? Is someone telling you there is plenty of time to be saved from your sinful condition? Dear friend, you are in imminent danger of eternal destruction. You must have to do with God about your sins and if you leave that until after death, you will stand before God condemned to a lost eternity in hell.

God in His wondrous love has provided a way for you to be saved. He gave His Son an offering for sin. Jesus died to atone for sins; and now He stands with arms open wide, inviting all to come to Him and be saved.

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

The Lord Jesus came down from heaven to be here on earth as a man. As the blessed and holy Son of Man He died on Calvary's cross. He rose from the grave, went back to heaven and from heaven He now invites you to be saved. Salvation is by faith; simply believe in Him, put your trust in Him as the Savior.

Soon this free salvation will be offered no more. That same Son of man, Christ Jesus, is coming back this time to take away all who have put their trust in Him. Be saved today. Tomorrow may be too late.

"Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." Matt. 25:13.

Complete Satisfaction

An evangelist had been holding gospel meetings in a large town. The Lord had saved many souls there, and others were evidencing concern about their sinful condition. As the preacher visited in their homes one afternoon, he met a young woman who for some time had been in a state of the deepest anxiety.

Many had spoken to her about her soul's difficulties. She had attended meetings to hear the gospel preached, but still she was undecided. At times she wondered if her mind might give way under such severe stress.

On that afternoon, seeing the preacher coming to the door of her house, she invited him in. He had just come from visiting another young lady who was also in great anxiety about her eternal future. In the course of the conversation he happened to mention this.

"Oh, indeed, sir, I can sympathize with any one like that," his hostess observed. "I have been for several months in a similar state. If I could only know that I am saved my mind would be at peace."

"And so it may at once," he replied; "for Christ has died and risen, and God offers salvation freely to all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. How do you expect to be saved?" he added. "Is it by doing good works, by praying, or by getting better?"

"No," she said, "I cannot get better, and my poor works would never save me."

"Then do you believe that God is willing to save you as you are, in your sins, helpless, vile, and ungodly?"

"Yes, I believe He is willing to save me just as I am."

Then she related how God had been showing her what she was in His sight. She had been praised by acquaintances for her natural talents, and had been proud of herself in some respects; but she was now convinced that in God's sight she was only a poor, lost sinner, and that the best she had to offer was altogether as vanity.

"Well," he said, "if you know yourself to be lost and vile, and that God is willing to save you while in that condition, what is there to hinder you from believing the gospel, and being saved?"

"I don't know," she replied; "but I can't feel saved; and I would be dreadfully afraid to meet God."

"Tell me plainly, now," he questioned, "what do you think your salvation depends upon?"

"I believe," she said, "that my salvation depends upon my acceptance of the work of Christ."

This reply would to many believers have probably appeared quite sound, but it struck the evangelist that the answer would account for this woman's deep distress.

"Ah," he said, "no wonder that you have no peace, such being your idea."

She seemed astonished, and he continued: "No, your salvation does not depend upon your acceptance of the work of Christ, but upon your believing that God has accepted the work of Christ as a full and complete satisfaction for all your sins from beginning to end."

Her expression suddenly changed as though a flash of light from above had entered her soul. She gazed at him inquiringly. He continued, "It is the creditor that is to be satisfied, is it not?"

"Certainly," she replied. "Thank God for making it all so clear to me now. I see it all so plainly. I never looked at it in that way before. I have been thinking whether I accepted Christ properly or not, whether I believed aright, whether I had the right faith. Sometimes I thought I was saved, and then again I doubted it. I could not get peace."

Yes, dear reader, God is satisfied with Jesus, and the mighty work He has accomplished for His own glory and for the eternal blessing of the sinner who, by faith, rests on it for salvation. Indeed, God is satisfied. How can you not be satisfied as well?

A Living Savior

Not long ago I called upon a lady whom I had known for several years. During the conversation, I asked: "How long have you been a Christian?"

She replied, "I have been a believer for years, I may almost say from childhood; but I never knew `peace with God,' or my place as a Christian till this summer at one of your preachings. Then I saw for the first time in my life that there was a real living Man in the glory of God, and that Man was my Savior. I had been accustomed to think of Jesus as a Spirit, but never realized till then that He was a real living Man, alive in heaven."

How many are in the same condition? Believers in Christ they undoubtedly are. Their hearts have really trusted Him. They believe He died for them, but there they stop. They have never by faith seen Him alive in heaven.

These believers often sing, "Cling to the cross, the burden will fall"; yet somehow the burden does not fall, in spite of their clinging to the cross!

Friend, is this your present condition? Are you groaning in bondage, clinging to the cross, and longing for deliverance?

Is "clinging to the cross" the gospel of salvation? Does it rid believers of their burden, and give them "peace with God"? Does it bring them deliverance? Most certainly not.

A dear young Christian was met one day by a gospel preacher who had long known her, but had not seen her lately. After the usual salutation, he inquired, "Are you still clinging to the cross?"

"Oh, no!" said the young woman. "I'm not doing that now, sir."

"Indeed!" said he. "And can you do without the cross, then?"

"Oh, no, sir!" she answered. "I cannot do without it. It is the foundation of all my blessings. But the cross is nothing without Christ, sir! I have learned that Christ is neither on the cross nor in the grave, but on the throne. My Savior is up there in the glory. But I do give the cross its right place."

Beloved, yes! Everything depends upon whether Christ is on the cross, in the grave, or on the throne. Where is He? "If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain:... ye are yet in your sins." 1 Cor. 15: 14-17.

But, said the Apostle, "Now is Christ risen from the dead," (verse 20) and believers are not in their sins.

Then where is He? The resurrection morning dawned on the women at the grave, and the angel proclaimed the glad tidings, "He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matt. 28:6.

The vacant cross, and the empty grave, alike repeat the blessed news, "He is risen," and the believer sees the Savior in the glory of God. Stephen "looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus." Acts 7:55.

God's throne is where we now find the Son of man, Christ Jesus! The glory of God shines in His face. Could He be there, if the sins were not gone? Could the glory light up His face, if the sins were still upon Him? No! No! A thousand times, No! Mark, then, the contrast between Christ on the cross, in the distance and darkness bearing our sins and forsaken of God; then see Christ on the throne, without our sins, accepted by God, "crowned with glory and honor." The glory of God shines in His blessed face. Now answer, are you clinging to the cross, or looking up to the throne where Christ is? The privilege of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is to answer, "I am looking unto Jesus."

Friend, Christ the Savior—crucified, dead, and buried—is Christ our risen Lord, the Man in the glory of God today—alive forevermore.

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

Be in Time!

LIFE at best is very brief,
Like the falling of a leaf,
Like the binding of a sheaf,
Be in time!
Fleeting days are telling fast
That the die will soon be cast,
And the fatal line be past,
Be in time!

Be in time... be in time...
While the voice of Jesus calls you,
Be in time!
If in sin you longer wait,
You may find no open gate,
And your cry be "Just too late! "
Be in time!

Fairest flowers soon decay;
Youth and beauty pass away.
Oh! you have not long to stay.
Be in time!
While God's Spirit bids you come,
Sinner, do not longer roam,
Lest you seal your hopeless doom,
Be in time!

Time is gliding swiftly by;
Death and judgment both draw nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly.
Be in time!
Oh! I pray you count the cost,
Ere the fatal line be crossed,
And your Christless soul be lost.
Be in time!

"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."

Isaiah 1:18

The Lonely Cabin on the "40 Mile

Joe Conlee was the son of a prosperous Christian farmer in Iowa. While Joe was still young his father hoped that his boy would become a preacher of the gospel.

Joe was a brilliant student and soon earned a college degree. Then he went to another college where he came under the influence of an infidel professor who encouraged him to read the writings of Darwin, Huxley and other infidels—men who did not believe in God and treated with contempt the Holy Scriptures. On coming out of that school Joe found a battle in his soul of reason against faith. He became a "free thinker" and was soon denying the teachings of the Bible. However, instead of being free, as he thought, he was really bound tighter in the chains of Satan.

Joe was also a gifted writer and in a short time he became editor and owner of a large newspaper. This he sold for a fortune and bought another. But, alas, he lost all through drink. He gambled and went from bad to worse, going from one city to another and spending much of his time in taverns. To get a few dimes for drink he would entertain visitors by giving lectures against God. So hard a master is Satan that once promising fellow was now reduced to a poor, wasted, ragged, despised drunkard.

One day he met a kind doctor who helped him join in the gold strike in Alaska. But before her daddy left home Joe's little daughter had put a Bible in his bag, quite unknown to him.

In Alaska Joe, with two other friends, Wally and Jimmie, stayed in a little log hut on the "40 Mile," spending most of their time drinking. Then one day one of his chums took sick and, while searching for some medicine in his bag, Joe discovered the small Bible his little daughter had given him.

It was Christmas day and the three drunkards began reading the Bible in turns. They kept it up saying "it would pass the time." After a few days one of the three remarked, "Haven't you noticed a kind of change coming over us?" They had actually stopped swearing and drinking.

January came, and they started reading the Gospel of John. Then arrived the eventful day, February 14, when Wally read: "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:1, 2.

Joe's hand brushed across his eyes. "What's the matter, Joe? Are you crying?" asked Wally.

"Yes, go ahead," returned Joe. "I'm thinking about my little girl. I'm not crying because of the Bible." Then Wally said, "For the last five days I've been wanting to pray and I was scared you fellows would laugh at me."

"Well," Joe continued, "my heart has been broken for the last week. I can hear my dear mother back in Iowa praying—though she is now in Heaven."

"If you fellows want to pray," joined in Jimmie, "I'll pray with you."

And there those three men in their lonely cabin got down on their knees to pray. Suddenly Wally Flett jumped to his feet crying, "Praise the Lord! Jesus heard me." While he was shouting, up jumped Jimmie and Joe in similar sincere happiness. As sinners they had cried to God for mercy and He had heard their cries. They had trusted Christ for forgiveness and found salvation.

It was two o'clock in the morning when into that lonely cabin came the Son of God, the blessed Man of Calvary, and those three men were "born again" by the Spirit of God. Not long after Joe returned with his two friends from Alaska. What a day of rejoicing it was when he was reunited with his wife and daughter! Later he became the well known and honored Dr. Joseph Conlee, Dean of a College.

As he told me his story of God's saving grace, he wept and prayed. Not too long after this, he went to be with his Lord in the glory, and his last words were praise to that blessed One who had found him in that lonely cabin on the "40 Mile." God had done a permanent work in the hearts of all those three men and while this was being written Jimmie and Wally were out preaching the gospel of the grace of God.

Now, dear reader, God can do the same for you, if you will only let Him. Do not go into sin as Joe did. How gracious God was to him! Yet think of those wasted years, the lonely hours, the sorrows and heartaches he brought, not only upon himself, but also to his dear wife and little daughter.

God has provided for your salvation through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to put away your sins and mine.

"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.

Surrender to Christ and claim Him as your Savior now!

The Broadminded Captain

One summer I was crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Quebec to Liverpool. My cabin was on the upper deck, close to the place where the passengers were accustomed to play the various games which are usual on shipboard. Consequently, it became the rendezvous of many who were interested in the games, including, occasionally, officers of the ship's company.

One morning, when one of the officers and several passengers were chatting in my cabin, the officer said to me: "I say, Major, you will be glad to hear that on Sunday morning we shall have service in the saloon. It will be conducted by the Reverend Doctor—," naming an eminent minister on board who had a large church in Montreal.

"I hope he is a good, sound preacher," said I, "and that he may interest and help his hearers."

"Oh, yes," replied the officer. "You will be sure to like him; he is SO BROADMINDED."

"Is he really?" I responded; "but what do you mean by 'BROADMINDED'?"

"Well," replied the officer, "he takes a cheerful view of life; is always ready for a game at cards, if the stakes are not too high: and he does not condemn us all to hell if we don't happen to agree with his religious opinions, or if we don't see our way to accept all the ancient creeds."

When the officer had finished his flippant remarks, there was a brief pause in the conversation, after which I said: "Gentlemen, may I give you an illustration, which has just now occurred to me? It is this: suppose one of you had met me in Quebec a day or two before our sailing, and that the following conversation had taken place: 'Where are you going?' you ask me.

“‘I am about to sail for Liverpool,' is my reply.

“‘What ship are you going in?'

“‘I am going in the MAJESTIC.'

“‘Are you really? Would it be safe to do so?'

“‘Certainly. Why not? Is there anything wrong with the ship?'

“`No; the ship is all right; but what about the captain? I distrust him entirely.'

“‘Indeed! Why do you distrust him?'

“‘Well, I will tell you. I understand that, in the exercise of his profession as captain, he prides himself on being, as he says, a BROADMINDED MAN; that he has his own ideas and notions about navigation and that he refuses to be bound, or even influenced, by the opinions or experiences of any other captain. Sometimes he takes one route, and sometimes another, just as his fancy inclines him. He pays no attention to the compass, but sails by dead reckoning of his own devising. He seldom, if ever, steers by the government chart; and, indeed, he spends much of his time in declaiming against and ridiculing it, alleging that it is full of blunders and therefore is unreliable.'

"Now, sir," said I, turning to the officer, "What would have been your advice in such a case, and under such circumstances? Ought a captain of that kind to be trusted?"

"Well," he replied, "I think you are rather hard on me, Major."

"What," said I, "does the cap fit so tight that you can't get it off?"

At this point, there was a shout of laughter all round, which was followed by another pause.

"Gentlemen," I resumed, "I am waiting for some reply, which none of you seem anxious to give."

Immediately, however, an unmistakable Yankee who was sitting just opposite me, drawled out: "Well, Major, I guess I wouldn't go to sea in that yacht!"

Honest and sensible man! Who but a fool would entrust his life to the hands of such a captain who steers his vessel according to his whims and fancies, and not by the government chart?

There is another voyage which we all have to take—the voyage across the ocean of Time to the unknown land of Eternity!

On that voyage the Lord Jesus Christ is the Chief Captain; and He will guide safely all those who put their trust in Him.

He has provided an unerring chart— the holy Bible; and that chart will lead aright all those who follow its teachings.

Moreover, He has also supplied a dependable compass—the Holy Spirit; and that gracious Spirit is always available.

Furthermore, He has provided pilots and captains whom He calls "evangelists, pastors and teachers," whose duty it is to obey His directions, to study and follow the chart, and to explain and commend it to others.

But today, there are many pilots and captains who are disloyal to the Chief Captain. They make it their boast that they are not "traditionalists," but that on the contrary they are "BROADMINDED MEN." This, however, is scarcely to be wondered at; for, sad to say, in the universities and colleges they have been taught that the chart is "out of date," "behind the times," and "full of errors."

Sad it is that tens of thousands of men and women who would never think of risking their lives by going to sea with an ignorant or a reckless captain are nevertheless imperiling their eternal salvation by trusting to those ecclesiastical pilots and captains who disregard the divine chart and who substitute in its stead the misleading and dangerous teaching of Materialism, Spiritism, Christian Science, Theosophy, and so-called Higher Criticism!

These pretentious and fantastic speculations, which, metaphorically, may all be summed up in the one title, THE NEW NAVIGATION THEOLOGY, are just a modern rehash of the devil's lie, first spoken in the Garden of Eden: "YEA, HATH GOD SAID?" Our first parents, Adam and Eve, through believing this lie made shipwreck of their faith and happiness.

God has spoken; and has revealed Himself to mankind. The Bible is His infallible chart for our guidance across the treacherous ocean of life. It is complete, and final. By denying or questioning these facts the boasted "broadminded" NEW NAVIGATION THEOLOGY proves itself to be the ancient ship of infidelity with an alluring and a deceptive modern name.

I would therefore earnestly implore you, dear reader,

To STUDY THE DIVINE CHART—the Bible.

To TRUST the DIVINE CAPTAIN— the Lord Jesus.

To be GUIDED by the DIVINE COMPASS— the Holy Spirit.

Then through divine grace you will be safely guided and guarded throughout the voyage of life; and in due time, you will be landed triumphantly and blissfully upon the shores of the eternal city of God.

"Believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, if they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world... every spirit which confesses Jesus Christ come in flesh is of God." 1 John 4:1, 2. J. N. D. Trans.

Peace

No one will deny that all the prodigious efforts of men to procure peace for the nations have ended in failure. However, few realize that the explanation of this failure lies in the world's rejection of God's Son, the Prince of Peace.

With the coming of the Babe of Bethlehem, the entry of peace into the world was celebrated by the praising heavenly host saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace." But the imminent departure of peace was proclaimed, just before Christ's final rejection, by the multitude, crying, "Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest." Not until the Lord returns as Prince of Peace will peace be found on earth again. One has truly said, "On earth there is a kingless throne; in heaven there is a throne-less King. Until the throne-less King is on that kingless throne, there'll be no peace.

But God in infinite wisdom and compassion used the very occasion of the cross to secure for men a more wonderful peace than that brought to earth in the Son's incarnation. This peace was made by the blood of His cross, and it is proclaimed in the gospel. Indeed in Ephesians 2:17 Christ is presented as the great Preacher of peace both to Jew and Gentile. It is because of this peace received from Him that we can have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace when standing in conflict in the evil day.

The troubled sinner needs peace for his conscience, and he receives it when he believes the gospel. Romans 5:1 unfolds this: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment illustrates this beautifully. Trembling, she came to Jesus, only to hear from His lips, "Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" Luke 8:48.

"She only touched the hem of His garment
As to His side she stole,
Amid the crowd that gathered 'round Him,
And straightway she was whole.
"Oh, touch the hem of His garment
And thou too shalt be free;
His saving power, this very hour,
Shall give new life to thee!"

Those enjoying peace with God soon realize that, if they stand faithful to Christ, they will share the reproach of His rejection, and be the object of the world's malice and opposition. When forewarning His disciples of this the Lord said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace." John 16:33.

There is no peace for the Christian here; but while passing through tribulation for the Lord's sake, he can have the bounty left by the Lord: "Peace I leave with you, MY PEACE I give unto you."

Although brought into divine favor, the Christian is not relieved from the trials common to man; and these are apt to bring anxious care. For such circumstances the believer may have the peace of God which passes all understanding.

God's peace is not disturbed by the unrest and conflicts of the world; and this is the peace that He holds out to His people. To enjoy this divine peace in its varied aspects, the Christian must abide in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, for "He is our peace."

I Come Quickly!

What a short and strange announcement-I COME QUICKLY! Imagine these words posted in large letters all over the walls of your town. What effect would be produced upon the inhabitants?

As they awake one morning, and begin to stir about, they see everywhere around them the words, "I COME QUICKLY." What can they mean? They are on everybody's lips. The children on their way to school stand and stare at them for a few moments in mute astonishment. The merchant hurrying to business wonders, with perplexity as he sees at every turn the startling sentence: "I COME QUICKLY." Neighbors too gather together in little knots to discuss with curious interest in singular announcement that overspreads their city.

"I COME QUICKLY!" What mean these words?

"Bah!" say some. "They mean nothing at all. Why bother our heads about them. We have no time for such foolishness. Let us be off to our business and our pleasures, and dismiss them from our minds."

Reader, we need not wait till some future day to see these words, for if you will turn to the last page of your Bible you will see the very sentence, "I come quickly," three times over.

Not a few there are, no doubt, who treat this message with scorn and indifference. So far as all interest on their part is concerned, they might just as well never to have been written. And if they ever do give them a passing notice, it is but in the words of the last day scoffers: "Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." 2 Pet.

The scoffers continue to be as heedless as were the people in Noah's day and, as certainly as they were destroyed, these too shall be overtaken by destruction when "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night."

On the other hand, thank God, there are those that believe this word. Is the reader among this number? If so, let him open his Bible and read the last chapter of Revelation.

"Behold, I come quickly." v. 7.

"Behold, I come quickly." v. 12.

"SURELY I COME QUICKLY." v. 20.

Does the reader say: Something is going to happen; some event is going to take place; some prophecy is to be fulfilled? No, will he not rather say, Some Person is coming? Yes, a PERSON is coming! 1 Thessalonians 4:16 announces His soon coming. "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first."

Let this thought lay hold of the heart, that the coming of the Lord is not merely concerned with events that are to take place, and prophecies that are to be fulfilled, but with the return of a real, living Person, and that Person none other than Jesus, my Savior, Shepherd, and Friend.

"I come quickly!" says Jesus. Yes, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." 1 Cor. 15:52. Even before this paper is laid down, Jesus Himself may come. Will your response be: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus"?

Why Unbelieving?

Why unbelieving? why wilt thou spurn
Love that so gently pleads thy return?
Come, ere thy fleeting day
Fades into night away;
Now mercy's call obey;
To Jesus come.

Why not, believing, come to the Lord?
Trust in the Savior, doubt not His word;
Think 'twas for thee He died,
Think of Him crucified;
Now to the Glorified,
To Jesus come.

Why unbelieving? thou canst be blessed,
Jesus will pardon, He'll give thee rest.
Why wilt thou longer wait?
Haste to the open gate,
Come ere it be too late,
To Jesus come.

Why unbelieving? trifle no more;
Death may be near thee, e'en at thy door.
Come with a broken heart,
Come helpless as thou art,
Come choose the better part,
To Jesus come.

"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

The Brazilian Prisoner

For over ten years, in the foul darkness of a Brazilian prison, Pedro had dragged out a wretched existence. The monotony was only relieved by the shoemaking with which he was able to earn a little money and thus obtain something better than the bare prison fare. Sentenced to thirty years' imprisonment, the prospect of another twenty years of confinement stretched drearily before him.

One day, however, the dead level of life was broken by the small excitement of a visitor from the outside world, an Englishman, who had come with literature to distribute to the prisoners. Pedro was aroused to interest. True, he could not read, but he thought that if he had a book, he might teach himself to read. It would relieve the awful grayness of the long years that lay before him. It would, perhaps, save his reason: many of his fellow-prisoners had lost theirs.

Mr. Frederick Glass, the missionary visitor, was glad to find a man wanting to purchase a Bible. Having secured a copy, Pedro gave himself to the task of learning to read his new treasure. By degrees he did accomplish this, and day by day he pored over the Book, gripped by its contents. He discovered from its pages that he was not only judged and sentenced by the law of his country, but that he was condemned as a sinner in the sight of a holy God. How glad he was to learn also that the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, had borne his, Pedro's, sins in His own body on the cross at Calvary! In simple faith, Pedro took the Savior at His word, and, coming to Him, was not cast out. The light of God had shone into the dark heart shut away in that dismal Brazilian prison, and Pedro was a new creature in Christ Jesus. Very diligently he read and re-read the precious Book, and day by day the Holy Spirit taught him its meaning.

A few more years passed and Mr. Glass returned to Goyaz, where the prison was, and settled down to preach the gospel. Several soldiers were converted and began to witness for their Lord. One day a little band of them visited the prison with tracts for the prisoners, and they returned to Mr. Glass with the story of a man in that prison who owned a Bible and appeared to be converted.

At once Mr. Glass remembered the sale of a Bible some years previously, and hastening to visit the prison, he obtained permission to have a talk with Pedro. He was taken to the barred window of the filthy cell where Pedro had lived for fifteen years, in which a dozen or more men were confined.

Pedro, hearing his name called, picked his way across the cell, and came to the window through which, to his joy, he saw the face of the man who had sold him his Bible. The light behind Mr. Glass shone full on Pedro's face, which was lit with a radiant smile as he put his hand through the grating for a grip of real fellowship from a brother in Christ. What a revelation of the grace and transforming power of God! Who could enable a man to live a Christian life surrounded by hardened, blaspheming criminals? Only God.

Mr. Glass visited Pedro as frequently as possible, but at the end of a month he was unexpectedly recalled to Sao Paula, and had to pay a farewell visit to the prisoner.

He found him very troubled, not so much at his friend's departure, but because of his keen desire to be baptized. He had read of the Lord's word in his Bible, and the young soldiers had told of their baptism, and Pedro's heart was set on this thing. Mr. Glass explained to him that God understood that in his case this was, humanly-speaking, impossible and that He would honor him for his desire; but Pedro could not see it in that light, and Mr. Glass had to leave him unsatisfied.

A few hours later, just as he was making final preparations for leaving on the following day, a soldier brought Mr. Glass a note from the prison. It was from Pedro, telling him that shortly after he had left, the head jailer had selected some men to go down to the river the following morning at six o'clock, to carry the sweepings of the prison, and he, Pedro, was one of those chosen. Could Mr. Glass be there? Immediately the missionary saw that God had thus made a way for the fulfillment of His servant's deep desire.

Next morning, the little company from the prison wended its way down to the river, where Mr. Glass awaited them. So beautifully had God arranged every detail, that four out of the five soldiers chosen to accompany the prisoners, were converted and baptized men. After the simple ceremony, a radiant-faced Pedro went back to the prospect of fifteen years more of prison life. His life and testimony henceforth in that dark place were such that many were won to his Savior. Later, like Joseph, God gave Pedro favor in the sight of the head jailer. He was taken out of that terrible cell and allowed to do his work in an old unused building. Eventually his sentence was shortened and he was released, but he remained in Goyaz, an honored Christian and servant of Christ there.

Yet There Is Room!

O blessed gospel sound!
"Yet there is room!"
It tells to all around—
"Yet there is room!"
The guilty may draw near;
Though vile, they need not fear;
With joy they now may hear—
"Yet there is room!"

"All things are ready, come!"
"Yet there is room!"
Christ everything hath done—
"Yet there is room!"
The work is now complete,
"Before the mercy seat"
A Savior you will meet—
"Yet there is room!"

The Invisible Passenger

There were but five passengers in the bus as it wended its way across the rolling Western prairies-five passengers from five different locations and with five different destinations. They had been brought together perhaps for the first and last time in life, and might never again meet in this world.

One of the five men knew the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and he endeavored to offer a word of testimony to his companions on this occasion. The only response was the slow smile of hidden ridicule. Christ was offered and Christ was refused. Silence filled the air as the five passengers were carried along their way across the plains.

But there was another passenger traveling on that bus. Where he had boarded it no one could tell, and what seat he occupied no one could discern, for he was invisible. He too heard the testimony; he too was witness to the cruel rejection; and he too was occupied with a mission which was solemnly and peculiarly his very own. And as that bus passed a crossroads junction, he made his presence realized in a sharp and grim manner!

One moment there was silence; and the next, there was a sudden gasp from one of the passengers in the forward section, and the quick drop of a figure to the floor of the bus. With a squeal of brakes the vehicle ground to a stop, the driver turning to examine the crumpled form. The air was tense as the passengers gathered about, staring downward with grim fascination. The whole scene was still accentuated by the weight of the silence which filled the air. For a moment the driver said nothing. Then he raised his head slowly and, with an awed look on his face, said: "Well, gentlemen, we have had another passenger in this bus..."

"And his name is 'Death,' " murmured the passenger who had been seated behind him who had so suddenly left his earthly life for eternity.

The Christian faced the group and again he offered his word. "And there has been another Passenger on this bus. HIM you would not heed... His name is the Lord Jesus Christ."

But of course that reminder was waved away. Grim testimonies to the shortness of life and the nearness of eternity make the heart uncomfortable and call men to consideration of matters which they do not care to face. Are not their sole interests centered upon the fleeting affairs of the here and now? Yet the fact cannot be dismissed, for who can dismiss death, or bribe him to refrain from touching any life in his own time and season?

Death is the ever-present passenger in every "bus" of life hurrying along and across the byways and highways of this fleeting life. Sooner or later, he will make his presence known, and reach out with the grasp that cannot be evaded, nor refused, nor ignored, nor denied, nor ridiculed. Scripture warns "it is appointed unto men once to die" (Heb. 9:27).

Death puts an end, sure and silent and final, to all pleasure and profit of earth. The final account is read in the grim balance: "for 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.

But there is also this ever-present passenger upon these "buses" of life: the Man of Calvary. He alone is prepared and able to offer to everyone that receiveth Him that eternal life and salvation which is the glorious answer for every soul cleansed in His precious blood. This man, Christ Jesus, is the great Sin-Bearer; and while "the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23), He, the unspeakable Gift of God, is "able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him."

Friend, receive this ever present Savior now. Make Him your welcome Lord for time and for eternity; and through His forgiveness of your many sins, He will give you deliverance from the claims of Satan and of death.

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

The Big Swede and the Irishman

Mel Trotter was a broken man, a drunkard and a dope addict. Penniless, hungry and cold as well, he had decided to end his life by jumping into Lake Michigan. He was on his way 'to the lake and was walking along State Street in Chicago. As he passed a Christian mission a friendly voice called to him, inviting him to come in.

Inside that mission Mel Trotter found a warm welcome. He was given a meal, which with the warmth from a stove, combined to fill some of his needs.

The kind folks who operated that mission were glad to do this for anyone but they had something even better. Mr. Trotter was invited to stay and during the evening he heard the story of God's love toward wicked, lost sinners. He heard how to be saved by simply believing that Jesus had died on account of his sins.

When the preacher had finished the gospel story, here and there in the audience men stood up, and one by one they told what God had done for them when they had taken Jesus as their Savior. Mel Trotter listened with amazement. One man, whom he later referred to as "a big Swede" told how the Lord Jesus had saved him from hell and saved him too from being a drunkard and a dope addict. This was just what Mel Trotter needed and he thought to himself, "If God can save a Swede like him, He can save an Irishman like me." Then he cried out, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

God heard that cry and right then and there Mel Trotter was saved. As with the Swede, the shackles of dope and drink fell from him too. Now all thought of suicide was gone. Joy and peace filled his heart.

Perhaps you feel that you are not so bad a sinner as Mel Trotter or the big Swede. Perhaps you feel that you don't need a Savior at all. But God's Word, the Bible, speaks truly and it speaks to you when it says, "ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. At the same time the Bible says, "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

Religion versus Salvation

Many people suppose that Salvation and Religion are the same thing. This is a mistake. Salvation and religion are by no means identical. One may have a great deal of religion without having a bit of salvation.

Indeed the Bible does speak of a religion which is "pure and undefiled," but even this religion is not salvation. It is only a product of salvation. The Bible frequently warns against religion as a substitute for salvation.

The dictionary will tell you that the word "religion" is derived from a root word meaning "to heed" or "to have care." It is the exact opposite of "neglect." One should take heed, and have care for the things of God; but even this will avail nothing unless it leads to salvation.

Religion, by itself, is death. Salvation is life. How is salvation obtained? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ tells us in His words to Nicodemus: "Ye must be born again."

There is no other way.

No one gets salvation by "getting religion," nor by "joining the church," nor by "turning over a new leaf and trying to serve God," nor by praying, nor by confessing his sins, nor by sorrow for sin, nor by asking God to forgive his sins. By none of these means is salvation obtained.

Salvation is obtained through definitely receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior. The instant this is really done salvation is an accomplished fact. In John 1:11, 12 we read: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."

The next verse tells what happens to those who "receive Him," that is, those who "believe on His name." They are at once "born... of God."

Just so it is today. As many as receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior, giving up all else and cleaving only to Him for salvation, are instantly and forever saved. His own declaration of John 5:24 stands good through all times: "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 is in three tenses: first, the past tense. When one takes the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Savior, he may at once and ever after truly say, "I am saved!" Putting the matter in the past tense as to the time, he is correct in saying, "Then and there I was saved!" This work is instantaneous. It is salvation from the penalty of sin.

There is the present tense. When a man is born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work in him, both to will and to do of God's good pleasure, and to conform him to the image of Christ. This work is progressive; it is salvation from the power of sin.

There is the future tense. When the Lord Jesus comes again it will be "apart from sin unto salvation." Heb. 9:28. It is then that we who are now the sons of God will be instantly changed into the image of Christ: "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2. This work is instantaneous; it is salvation from the presence of sin.

"He that hath this hope in Him, purifieth himself, even as He is pure." I John 3:3.

A Happy Old Man

He was an interesting old man, a stone-cutter, seventy-five years of age. He was minus an arm, which he had lost in an accident when he was young. In the course of conversation, I introduced the matter of eternity and his soul's salvation. At once his old wrinkled face lit up with joy. Looking up to the heavens, he said, "I thank God, my sins are gone! I am in Christ, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, and ready for His presence—:"

Here he suddenly stopped. His emotion had overcome him, for the tears were running down his old cheeks. Then he stammered out, "I'm just like a child, I cry when I think of it."

The old man had only been saved two years before while attending some mission services. Now his heart was filled with his joy in the Lord, a rare thing in one at his time of life, when the heart usually hardens and emotions dry up.

Dear fellow-reader, can you take sides with the old stone-cutter? Though seventy-five, he was only a babe in Christ—just two years old! Yet he manifested all the real emotions and overflowing heart of one grown old in the faith. His heart was filled with joy, and his mouth with praises unto our God.

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing." Rom. 15:13.

The Gospel "A. B. C.

"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Rom. 3:23. "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way." Isa. 53:6.

The Bible teaches that God is our Creator but the history of mankind from Adam onwards has been one of rebellion and disobedience. None is exempt—sin has left its dreadful scars on us all. The penalty of sin is death. God's love, however, does not desire the death of a sinner, but God's holiness is such that He cannot gloss over sin. This is the reason why Christ came—to die on the cross to bear the punishment of our sins.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved," was the wonderful answer to the question, "What must I do to be saved?" asked by a hardened jailer, convicted of sin. We need to have the real experience of conviction of sin, repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul also said that "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in thy heart that God has raised Him from the dead thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:9.

We should then commit our ways unto the Lord and consecrate our lives to Him—the Lord Jesus to whom be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

A life without Christ is a wasted life. The blessing and joy which comes from being fully committed to the Lord Jesus should be the portion of all who believe on Him.

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

Thy Weakness - His Strength

His grace is sufficient! Whatever the pathway,
His strength in thy weakness shall perfected be;
So great is His love it never can weary
Of meeting thy need and of caring for thee.

His grace is sufficient! Thou ne'er canst exhaust it;
BE STRONG in that grace which floweth to thee;
Draw largely, continually, out from His fullness
He still is sufficient, He careth for thee.

Thou'rt nothing but weakness, His arms are around thee;
Not a thing canst thou do, but simply LIE STILL,
And learn in the pathway of simple dependence
A song of thanksgiving, since this is God's will.

Then cling in thy weakness, for He is beside thee,
Upholding, supporting, sustaining thee still;
And know that the Father is only just working
To mold thee and fashion thee unto His will.

Thy weakness He'll use to display His own glory,
Resurrection strength then shall perfected be;
And thus thou shalt prove through the wilderness journey,
His grace shall be always sufficient for thee.

REDEEMED "Not with corruptible things, as silver and gold,.... but with the precious blood of Christ."

1 Peter 1:18, 19

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Years ago in Atlanta a well-known evangelist was holding gospel meetings in a tent. Crowds came every night to hear the blessed news of God's salvation. Many ministers of the city and other Christian workers were scattered among the congregations, devoting their prayers, their time, and their talents to the personal work of leading souls to Christ.

One night a tall elderly man of distinguished appearance and with decidedly Jewish features took a seat near me. When the meeting closed he prepared to leave. As quickly as I could I intercepted him, asking the question: "Are you a Christian?"

Never shall I forget the kindly smile that brightened his face as he replied: "Oh, yes! For these many years."

"But," I said, "Are you not Jewish?"

Upon his answering in the affirmative, I asked: "Would you mind telling me how you became a Christian?"

"I will gladly tell you," he graciously replied, and as a little group was gathering around us he told us the sweet story of his conversion. Wonderful in its power— beautiful in its simplicity— this is Mr. Ehrlich's story.

"My father was a Jewish Rabbi in the old country. To escape persecution, while still a young man, he brought his little family to the United States. He was ambitious for his children, desiring for them a good education and business success. He worked hard, lived frugally, and gradually accumulated a fair bank account. As each child came of age, he established him in his chosen business. When my turn came, he started me out as a merchant with a fully stocked and well equipped grocery store.

"The very day I opened my store to the public, a little girl about six years old, with sunny golden hair, came to buy a loaf of bread for her mother. As I handed it to her, she asked me in a sweet, childish voice: 'Do you love Jesus?'

"Astonished and amused, I replied: 'NO! I DON'T LOVE YOUR JESUS. I don't believe in Him.'

"Without a protest she turned way, but only to come again day after day for some small purchase. She always asked the same question, and was always answered— sometimes impatiently— in the negative. She never argued or asked why; but sometimes her eyes held a strange wistfulness.

"One day little Mary came when I was alone in the store. Once again there fell on my ears the oft repeated childish question, which I had now come to find annoying rather than amusing. Irritated at her persistence, I answered roughly: 'Now look here, Mary, you have asked me that question every day for months, and every day I have told you I DO NOT LOVE YOUR JESUS. Now don't ever ask me that again.'

"Not one word did the little one speak to me, but she dropped to her knees, bowed her shining head on a cracker box, and cried to her Father in heaven, `Lord, save Mr. Ehrlich! Lord, save Mr. Ehrlich! Lord, please save Mr. Ehrlich!'

"Such a short prayer from a little child's lips—and such a simple one! Yet in that brief time I saw myself as a godless lost sinner sadly in need of Mary's Jesus as my Savior. In a flash I knew Him as the Messiah I had long worshipped; and I now accepted Him as Jesus, the Christ, the anointed of God. For the moment, I could not speak; but as I saw the child, Mary, leaving the store, I ran after her. Lifting her in my arms, I said: 'Mary, I do love your Jesus—oh, I do love Him now. From now on He is my Jesus, too.'

"I locked up the store and went home with the child. To the mother I said: 'Mrs. Brown, you have been my customer for months. You have never spoken to me of your Savior, but your little girl has never failed to ask me if I loved Him. I have come to tell you that, because of her interest, He is now my Savior, my Jesus too.' "

What a story! And is that all? No, Mr. Ehrlich paused a moment in his narrative, then continued in a voice tinged with sadness: "You Gentiles do not know what it costs a Jew to be a Christian. It cost me my father and mother, my sisters and brothers, my home and my inheritance.

"When I went home that night and announced to my family that I now believed in Christ, a storm of grief and protest burst forth. They tried in every possible way to induce me to give up my newfound faith. When they failed to win me from it, my parents were heartbroken.

"My father wanted to give me every possible chance to return to Judaism. He announced that he would give me three years. If in that time I did not renounce Christianity, I would be forever cut off from the family. My inheritance would be divided among the other children; and among them all, I would be as though I were dead.

"Thanks be unto God, the end of the three years found me firmly established in the faith of my Lord Jesus Christ. However, my poor father was true to his word: my family observed the Jewish customs for the dead in the burning of candles and incense for the prescribed number of days of mourning. In their hearts and minds, they buried me. Though I might meet them face to face on the street, they give no sign of recognition. To them I AM DEAD."

The sadness became more pronounced for a moment as Mr. Ehrlich continued: "Oh, yes! In losing my people, I have lost much, for I loved them dearly. But"—and the expressive face beamed with joy—"I have gained far more. I have gained CHRIST, and now He is giving me the unspeakable joy of being used in leading other Jews to the Lord Jesus. Many of these who have accepted Him as their own Savior are also proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation through the shedding of His precious blood."

As we who were listening to this story of God's power by His Spirit to save, to keep, and to use for His glory poor human recipients of His grace, we could well apply to this converted Jew the same expressions the Apostle Paul used in Philippians 3:7, 8:

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."

SAVED through the blood of Jesus,
Saved from the curse of sin,
Saved now to share Christ's glory,
Are all who trust in Him.
Joy is among the angels,
And in the heart of God,
As each unworthy sinner
Trusts in the precious blood.

The God of All Comfort

L. B. Bridgers, son of a praying Christian mother, believed he had been called of God to preach Christ as Savior to "whosoever will believe." He had just completed a series of so-called revival meetings in a mid-western city. A few days rest was scheduled for him before beginning another evangelistic campaign in a nearby town.

Physically weary, L. B. had scant choice of a location in which to seek quiet and rest before his next appointment. He could either go to his mother's home, which was on the way to the town in which he must next preach, or he could take the long train journey to his own little family home. There he knew were his wife and two children with whom he could spend a few brief hours between the rail trips there and back. That would give him little physical rest; but only the loving heart of the Savior could know the rejuvenating spiritual power he would derive from seeing these dearly loved ones again.

This threefold natural tie won; and, without attempting to apprise the little family of his coming, L. B. secured a seat on the first available train HOME. Over the long journey his weary spirit revived as he anticipated the reunion awaiting him at the end of the way. How happily did he, who loved so tenderly the waiting trio, envision the hours just ahead of him! How fair to his memory was that little cottage at home! He would arrive at the village station just before dawn, and from there he would have to walk the rest of the way. But what of that? To his mind came the last line of a well-known hymn:

"The toils of the road will seem nothing,
When we get to the end of the way."

The village was still dark and quiet when he arrived there, but he knew well the dirt road that led to his cottage. Oh to see that little house again! And what joy awaited him there!

At last L. B. turned the last curve between him and home. Now surely he would see its whiteness against the back-drop of dark hillside. But, unable to believe his eyes, he stared at the sight before him. Instead of white walls and gleaming windows, a dull, reddish glow outlined the blackened foundations of what had been his home. An early morning breeze brought the pungent smoke of burnt wood as a few shadowy forms stood silently by. Were his wife and children among them?

This thought galvanized L. B. to action. Racing the remaining few yards, he demanded: "My wife? Our children?"

Pityingly the neighbors shook their heads. One old man on whose face age and sorrow had left their marks, gently put a loving arm around his shoulders as he said brokenly: "Parson, I guess all of us here have had you tell us at one time or another: 'Absent from the body, present with the Lord.' We know even that is bitter medicine to you now. But can't you say, `The Lord gave; the Lord has taken away'? The rest will come later."

As the fact was borne in on L. B.'s consciousness that his wife and children had perished in the fire, the enormity of his loss overwhelmed him. Only the necessity of his making proper decisions and arrangements for a final service for his loved ones kept the bereaved man in a semblance of composure. That sad duty accomplished, poor L. B. was left with a feeling of utter frustration, emptiness, and, yes, bitter rebellion against Him whose love he had previously proclaimed.

What was he to do? To resume his former life of gospel preaching would now be hypocrisy and sham. To turn to One whom he still owned to be "the author and finisher of faith," though He had deprived him of his nearest and dearest, could bring but small comfort to his rebellious heart. In his utter distress the only peace he could envisage lay deep in the quiet flow of the nearby river. There, he decided, he would find the answer.

Determined now to "follow through" with this decision, L. B. made careful preparations to guarantee his sinkability. Loaded with heavy concrete in his clothing, he chose the highest point on the river bank from which to plunge to the jagged rocks below. But listen! As the distraught man prepared to jump, it was as though a voice spoke to him. "Go to your mother!" was the command. It was so imperative, so insistent, that L. B. was effectively stopped.

His mother! Why had he not thought of her before? Yes, he would go to her for the sure comfort of her love and understanding, known to him all his life. Like a chastised child he sought again the soothing peace of his mother's presence. With tender patience she looked to the Lord for daily guidance in leading her son back into the consciousness of his Savior's unchanging love.

As bitterness and rebellion gave place to confidence and trust in his restored heart, Jesus, the Savior and Lover of souls, daily became nearer and dearer than ever before to L. B. In humble rededication to Him who had called him to "preach the Word," this life, almost wrecked by satanic doubt, fear, and disobedience, was reclaimed to the service of Him who "having loved His own which were in the world, loved them unto the end." (John 13:1).

A fitting memorial to L. B. is the hymn he himself wrote: "He Keeps Me Singing."

He Keeps Me Singing

Je-sus, Je-sus, Je-sus—Sweetest name I know,
Fills my ev-'ry longing, Keeps me singing as I go,

There's within my heart a melody,
Jesus whispers sweet and low,
"Fear not, I am with thee, peace be still,"
In all of life's ebb and flow."

All my life was wrecked by sin and strife,
Discord filled my heart with pain;
Jesus swept across the broken strings,
Stirred the slumbering chords again.

Though sometimes He leads through waters deep,
Trials fall across the way;
Though sometimes the path seems rough and
and steep,
See His footprints all the way.

Soon He's coming back to welcome me
Far beyond the starry sky;
I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown,
I shall reign with Him on high.

The Will of the Lord Be Done

"Oh, General, what a calamity!" exclaimed his chaplain to Stonewall Jackson when the latter lost his left arm in battle. To this the General, thanking him for his sympathy, replied:"... You see me wounded, but not depressed or unhappy. I believe it has been according to God's holy will, and I resign myself entirely to it.

"You may think it strange, but you never saw me more perfectly contented than today. I am sure my heavenly Father designs this affliction for my good. I am perfectly satisfied that either in this life or in that which is to come, I shall discover that what is now regarded as a calamity is a blessing. I can wait until God, in His own time, shall make known to me the object He has in afflicting me.

"Why should I not rather rejoice in it as a blessing and not look on it as a calamity at all? If it were in my power to replace my arm, I would not dare do it unless I could know it was the will of my heavenly Father."

"Ill that God blesses is our good,
and unblessed good is ill;
All is right that seems most wrong,
if it be His sweet will."

Neither Saint nor Sinner

"I don't like that kind of preaching at all," said one of the congregation at the close of the meeting. "Why, what's wrong with it?" he was asked.

"Oh, well, the fault it has is this: that address tonight was in two parts. The first part of it was addressed to some kind of persons the preacher called saints. The last half, he spoke of some notoriously bad kind of folks he called sinners. There was nothing for the likes of me at all."

Poor man! What kind of person was he, at that? He refused—indeed could not "go the length" of saying he was saved, and a saint. On the other hand, he would not have owned he was a sinner, already lost, and on his way to hell.

No wonder there was nothing for him, for God's Book tells of only two classes of people as being in this world. There are those whose souls are saved, and their sins forgiven. They are among the "few" on the narrow way that leads to heaven. They have known this happy destiny ever since they were "born again." That was the moment they entered the "straight gate," the portal to the way to heaven.

Others spoken of in God's Book are just "like other folk," and some of them "better than others." These are traveling on the "broad road." God says its end is destruction—the lake of fire. This road, being broad, is very commodious; so that people of different tastes don't need to come near one another unless they like. The religious man who "says his prayers," and takes the "Sacrament," may walk comfortably on the pavement side of it. The drunken wretch, who swears and fights drags himself along in the mud. But the road is one; and both clean and dirty sides of it have the same end—the lake of fire—the company of the devil and the damned.

Friend, which road are you traveling? Are you at this moment a "saint," or are you still a lost "sinner"? God knows, and He knows your present destiny just as surely.

Who is the "saint"? God's Word says: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Psalm 32:1. This is the result of believing on Jesus as the all-sufficient Savior, and thus becoming a child of God. Is it strange that God then calls His child, a "partaker of the heavenly calling," a "saint"?

What a mighty transition! Though born in sins and conceived in iniquity, as every child of Adam is, God, in His marvelous grace and mercy, has opened the way through the death of His beloved Son for every lost soul to leave the sinners' estate and enter the heavenly destiny of the saint.

Are you "saint" or "sinner"-saved or lost?

The Old Story

"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!"

If We Were Really Looking

If we were really looking
For the coming of the Lord,
I'm sure we'd seek more fully
To obey His precious Word;

To walk more closely to Him
And His dear reproach to bear,
If we were really looking
For that meeting in the air.

If we were really looking
For His promised, glad return,
Our hearts with love and longing
Would afresh with fervor burn.

And too we would be seeking
Every precious hour to buy,
If we were really looking
For His coming in the sky.

If to this precious promise
All His own were wide awake,
And we were really watching,
What a difference it would make!

'Twould cleanse and purify us
(This we readily can see)
Were we watching for His coming
Just the way we ought to be.

"To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

Acts 10:43

The Story of a Flood

Through the month of December one storm after another brought record rainfall to California. Temperatures higher than usual had melted much of the snow in the mountains. Lakes and reservoirs filled to overflowing and still the rains came. The rivers ran deeper and soon overflowed their banks.

Higher and higher the water crept. Highways and railroad tracks were covered and then washed away. Homes and other buildings were pushed off their foundations by the force of the water. Some farmers put their horses and cows into barns only to have the flood waters come ever higher and destroy both barn and animals. Other farmers drove their animals to hilltops where they were safe.

As the days passed and the storms continued, warnings went out in the newspapers and over the radio telling people of the peril and urging them to get out of the danger areas. Besides this, groups of men went from house to house and from one farm to another, warning people to flee.

So it was that some men stood at the door of a cabin on Bull Creek, waiting to rescue its occupant, an old man, from the rising waters of the Eel River. They told him that the river was rising so fast that he must leave immediately. But he refused their kindness, as he answered them, "I have lived in this cabin for many years. The river has never risen above that peg, and it can't happen now!"

His rescuers, however, knew that the water was going to rise yet more and would surely reach the very ground on which they were standing. Finding that their warnings were in vain, the men went boldly into the cabin, took the man up in their arms and carried him up the slope to higher ground. Here he was not only safe from the floodwaters but also would be cared for and fed.

How kind it was of those men to go forth to sound the warning of coming destruction, and not only to sound out the warning but also to actually carry a man to safety! What was their dismay and astonishment, however, when they saw the man running back to his cabin! The rescuers speedily followed but before they could overtake the man he was back inside. Now the rescuers again were at his door. Their knocking went unheeded and likewise their urgent calling. They tried the door but found it locked. Then with shoulder to door they tried to force their way in but again they failed.

The river had continued to rise and now was almost to the cabin. As the rescuers continued their pleading they looked up and saw a large wave coming down upon them. Now concerned for their own safety they ran for their lives. From the safe, high ground they looked back and saw the raging torrent hit the cabin with such force that it was torn from its foundation and smashed to pieces.

What must have been the thoughts then of the foolish man who had locked himself inside his cabin? He had just insisted that "It can't happen now"—but it did happen! In his proud self-confidence he lost everything—not just the cabin, but his life as well.

Dear reader, let me warn you of a worse flood that is coming on this poor world. God's judgment is soon to fall on all those who turn a deaf ear to the gospel of His grace and on those who neglect that free salvation which He offers in and through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Long ago, God said, "Behold ye... and regard, and wonder marvelously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you." Hab. 1:5. The work that God did was to provide a way by which sinners can be forgiven and made safe for heaven. The way of salvation is by faith in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Acts 16:31.

"Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 4:7.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. 2:3.

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

Proverbs 28:13

Two Bullets and Two Messages

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

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

When George was mustered into service, his mother gave him a Bible, begging him to read it daily. His love for his mother was not enough to make him carry out her earnest request, but it was too great to allow him to part with her gift which he always carried in his breast pocket.

One day after a battle from 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, but had not penetrated completely through it. His long-neglected Bible had thus been the means of saving his life. Eagerly he turned over the leaves to see where the bullet had stopped, and these were the words he read: "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.

The bullet intended by man to be a messenger of death was turned by God's mercy into a messenger of life to that young man. It pointed to a verse which went straight home to his conscience, showing him how he had indeed been walking in the ways of his own heart and in the light of his own eyes, and warning him too that he must one day be judged by the God whom he had neglected and ignored. Condemned by the silent scripture, the young man turned to the Lord Jesus Christ. He trusted in Him as his Savior and received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life.

Another true story of a bullet tells of an event which took place in Europe where French and Germans opposed each other in the trenches. One young soldier involved was a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. For him therefore to be "absent from the body" would mean to be "present with the Lord." Nevertheless, the nerve-racking roar of the cannon, the scream of the death-dealing shells, and the whizzing of bullets past one's ears are an awful ordeal for frail human nature to pass through, and a man is not necessarily a coward to feel something of their terrors. So our soldier-boy lifted up his heart to God in prayer that his life might be spared.

As if in mockery of his petition, a bullet came whizzing along and struck him full in the chest! But instead of falling to the ground sorely wounded or killed, he remained absolutely unhurt! What was the meaning of this?

The mystery was solved when later on he unfastened his tunic. The bullet had pierced the little Bible which was his constant companion. Like the young man in the American war, he opened the precious Book to see how far the bullet-hole went, and found 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. This time it was not for awakening a careless soul, but for comforting and strengthening one of His own children. God, who knows the heart, had in each case sent 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 soldier in Europe, sheltered beneath the precious blood of Christ, and safe under the shadow of His wings?

Perhaps you say: "Though I can't say I am saved, yet I don't feel that I need the warning addressed to the first soldier. I am not godless, or careless about religion. I have led a good, moral life; I have attended church, and said my prayers; so what is wrong with me?"

Oh, my friend! If you are trusting to your moral life and your religiousness, the words of the Preacher about walking "in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes," apply to you as truly as to the vilest sinner on earth. Don't misunderstand me! Thank God for every man or woman who leads a decent, moral life instead of an immoral one! But oh remember that it is God's mercy, and not your merit, which has kept you from the vices which destroy men and their homes, both in our dear country and in distant lands. Remember too that in spite of your morality you are yet a sinner in thought, in word, and in deed—unfit to stand before a holy God.

Morality cannot save you! Religion, with its forms, its ceremonies, and its emotions, cannot save you. If you trust to them, you are indeed walking in the ways of your own heart, and in the sight of your own eyes.

Christ alone can save you. Turn to Him without delay. Own your own sinfulness, and trust in Him as your Savior. So shall you be safe, whether in life or in death: safe in Christ, if left on earth; safe with Christ, if called to die.

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

"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.

Nepenthes

Far away in the tropics are some remarkable plants growing. They are called Nepenthes. The blossoms are veritable death-traps to flies and small insects, from which they largely derive their nourishment. The method these flowers use in catching the insects is one of the wonders of nature, and affords a striking example of how Satan allures and traps unwary Christians.

At the end of a long stem on the parent plant is a jug-shaped flower. It has a narrow neck which widens toward the base. In the neck are spike-like growths, all pointing downwards. These, along with the outer rim, are coated with honey.

Insects are attracted by the honey, and in their eagerness to get at it, they gradually enter the neck of the flower. Going lower and lower into the blossom, all at once they find the honey ceases, and they themselves are prisoners. Escape is well-nigh impossible, as the inside of the flower is slippery and affords no foothold, while the barbs point downwards and form an effectual guard to the entrance. Thus the trapped insects are held fast and digested by the cannibal plant.

And so it is that Satan ensnares young believers. Enticing them with seductive beauty and "sweets" that appeal to the natural taste, but which are not according to God, he gradually encloses them in his grasp, deeper and deeper, but each step leading them farther down from the heart that loves them.

The ways of Satan are always seductive. He knows our natural hearts, and will offer all kinds of things that are sweet as honey to our taste, but designed to lead us on a wrong path. The spikes are unnoticed as we go his way, but they will oppose themselves painfully on the way back, should we seek to be restored in self-judgment to the Lord.

It is worth remarking that only hungry insects are caught in these death-traps. We may rest assured that, as long as our hearts are filled with Christ and His love, Satan has no power over us. No matter how seductive may be his "Nepenthes," the Christ-filled heart is enabled, through grace, to reject his lure, happily satisfied by the conscious possession of that which is sweeter than honey, even the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.

"Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 1 John 2:1.

"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.

Two Strings to Your Bow

He was indeed an old man—ninety-seven years of age, wore no glasses, and had all his faculties in a remarkable degree, and looked the very picture of health!

I was a stranger to him, but had been asked to visit him. After inviting me to be seated, he inquired as to the object of my call. I at once informed him that I had come to read the word of God to him, to speak to him about God, about Christ and His precious blood, about his soul and eternity.

He looked steadfastly at me, and said grimly that I might save my breath and time. He did not believe in anything of the sort, and was not troubled in the least about the future.

"I am ninety-seven years of age," he said, "and no thanks to anybody but myself. I have lived a most careful and abstemious life, and I mean to live three more years. When I am a hundred years old I shall have seen and had enough of life. Then I shall quietly lay myself down and die."

"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment," I rejoined.

"All fudge and nonsense," he said. "When a man is dead he is done with. There is no hereafter for him at all." Then for nearly an hour he quoted to me the most blasphemous passages from his favorite infidel authors.

My blood seemed to curdle in my veins as I listened unwillingly to his awful conversation. I looked at him and thought of his nearness to eternity. What a dread future awaited him if he died as he was! Surely God must have sent me to him with a message from Himself. I must bide my opportunity to deliver it.

As the old man paused for breath, I told him that I had listened to him for nearly an hour. Now he must listen to me for ten minutes. Quickly I began quoting the Scriptures which I knew were the sword of the Spirit.

"The FOOL hath said in his heart, There is no God." Psa. 53: 1.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psa. 9:17.

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16.

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

I then fell on my knees, and asked God to bless His word just quoted to the old man, to open his eyes to his danger, to deliver his precious soul from the diabolical grip of the fiend of hell, and let me meet him in glory as a brand plucked from the burning, and washed from all his sins in the blood of the Lamb in heaven.

As I rose from my knees our eyes met, full of tears. As I took my leave of him he grasped my hand, saying, "If there is a heaven I hope I shall meet you there. If you are wrong and I am right, you are as right as I am; but oh, if you are right and I am wrong, I am wrong indeed. You have two strings to your bow, while I have only one to mine."

I was unable to call again for a couple of weeks. When next I knocked at his door, his wife, a Christian woman, answered. To my question, "How is your husband?" she bade me follow her. As we entered the old man's bedroom, the object that met my gaze was the mortal remains of her husband! Death had suddenly closed his long career on earth. Thus had God summarily cut down the impious old boaster who had planned to live three years more in this world.

In further conversation with the wife, I learned that she still had a hope, a slim hope, of her husband's salvation. After my visit with him, he had found no comfort in infidelity. Although his friends, and even his doctor, who were all skeptics, urged him to "stick to his guns" and "die like a man," his infidel opinions had become to him but the blackness of darkness forever.

The one hope that soothed the wife's sad heart was the final scene with the dying man. Rousing somewhat from the increasing state of coma, he had taken her hand in his. As loudly as his fast ebbing strength would permit, and looking earnestly at her, he had proclaimed: "I believe in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, and in heaven and hell." He then breathed his last.

Dark, cold infidelity has nothing to comfort its deluded votaries in the hour of death. Christianity has everything to cheer its happy followers in sickness and in health, in poverty and in plenty, in life and in death, in time and in eternity. Confident of the love of God in Christ Jesus, the believer can say with the psalmist: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me... Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psa. 23:4, 6.

Yea, tho' I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet I will fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff they comfort still.

Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God's house forevermore
My dwelling-place shall be.

As White As Snow

O Gracious, Savior, Thou hast given
My trembling soul to know
That, trusting in Thy precious blood,
I'm washed as white as snow.

Since Thou hast borne sin's heavy load,
My guilty fear is o'er.
Made Thine, by virtue of Thy blood,
I'm sealed forevermore.

What wait I for, most blessed Lord,
Except Thy face to see?
If such the earnest Thou hast given
What must Thy presence be?

To hear Thy voice, to see Thy face,
And grieve Thy heart no more;
But drink the fullness of Thy grace,
Thy love forevermore.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Acts 3:19

The Case of the Chinese Bandit

On the hot night when I for the first time preached the gospel in Chinese in the Tungku Gospel Hall, a young tobacconist's assistant was present. I knew him as such by the strange dress that he wore. His bulbous head and tapering fingers nervously touching his gospels, contrasted oddly with his style of dress. He was a student, we saw, and could read well; and we also noticed that his neck, lithe arms and strong legs were all equally tinted a yellowish green by handling the tobacco leaf.

During my preaching, I was keenly conscious of the hiss of the Tilley lamp overhead, and his shining, clean shaven head below. However, the Lord gave help, and after others had also preached, we watched the Chinese groups leaving the hall. This young man remained behind when the others had gone, and coming forward, sat on one of the front seats. My fellow-laborer sat beside him and I joined them there.

To our joy he told us that during the service he had trusted Christ. On talking with him though, we found that he had not yet received the assurance of salvation. We explained to him that, by simple faith in the finished work of Christ on Calvary's cross, his sins, however great, were all forgiven him. Only then we had the joy of seeing the peace of God come not only into his heart but also into his face.

At first we thought the reticence of this young man, and the hesitancy of his faith, were due to a natural timidity; but soon we were to learn differently. He seemed reluctant to leave us; so we waited, and then he began to pour his story into our ears.

He told us that five years previously the Communists had raided his home town. His parents had been killed by them and he had been taken prisoner. They made him a baggage-bearer in the Red Army; and eventually they thrust a rifle into his hands. He was forced to fight and to march among them as a Red soldier. On two occasions they made him execute innocent captives held by them. Then followed long months of their issuing forth from their stronghold among the mountains; then surrounding, storming, taking, and looting some city, until he became weary of the evil life he was forced to live.

It was at this time that there fell to them a city which had hitherto been held by the troops of Chiang Kai-Shek. On the walls of the city he saw, in large characters, an offer of pardon made by the Generalissimo to any of the Communists who would surrender to his troops. There and then, he determined to give himself up to the troops of Chiang Kai-Shek.

The Communists were driven out of their stronghold in Paipu and took refuge in the surrounding mountains. It was at this time that our friend decided to make his escape and to surrender. Accordingly, late one evening he cautiously made his way with his rifle toward the lines of the Generalissimo's troops. Before he could reach their lines, his plan was suspected by two of his old companions. He was seized by them, brought back, judged, condemned to death, and locked in a hut to await his execution on the morrow. During the night he was able to make good his escape and, empty-handed, he arrived at the headquarters of the Central Government troops. Here he gave himself up, and received the Generalissimo's pardon.

When he came to Tungku, he was conscious that, although he had obtained Chiang Kai-Shek's pardon, he still bore the burden of sin. This weighed heavily upon his heart and conscience. Determined to seek relief, he had come that night to that gospel hall. Here he had heard the wondrous story of God's love to lost sinners, and by simple faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, he had cast himself and his burden upon our mighty Burden-bearer. Now the peace of God filled his heart, and he could go on his way rejoicing in Christ.

"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.

"(NOTHING) shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:39

A Mother's Prayers

Within an hour Jose' Dias was due on board the freighter. There was nothing to indicate that this voyage would be any different from the many others he had made in her. A steward's job does not provide much excitement, and the regular trip to the West African ports can become pretty dull and monotonous after a time.

He sat in the humble living room of their neat little home not far from the Lisbon docks, while his wife busied herself gathering together the clothing he would need for the four or five weeks he would be at sea. Casually he picked up a book that lay beside the sewing machine on a little table. "Christian Readings"— a religious book, evidently, by the title. Well, he was forty years of age now, and had knocked about the world too much to bother about religion. If all Christians were like his mother, there might be something in it. It was years since he had seen her, though she never failed to write to him, and he knew that she always prayed for him. It was good to have a mother like that. What a pity that his boat did not cross the Atlantic sometimes, for then there might have been opportunity of putting in at Bermuda, where his parents had settled.

He started reading the book just where he had opened it. Suddenly, like a blow between the eyes, the words hit him: "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." He had always been careful about keeping strict accounts with his mates, but here was a fact that he had never faced before—the day was coming when he would have to settle up with God. He was like a man who has been quietly walking along a mountain path and, turning a corner, is confronted by a precipice at his very feet.

His wife, glancing up at him, saw that something was the matter, and asked him what was wrong. He replied evasively, but asked her to put a Bible in his kit-bag.

He made his way to the ship, his mind altogether preoccupied with the one dominating thought that he would have to meet God, that he would have to answer to God about his sins. His sins...! Immediately his mind commenced to review the past, and a feeling of horror possessed him.

Once on board, he sought the first opportunity of reading the Bible he had brought with him. But everywhere he turned, it seemed that he could find nothing but condemnation. "Be sure your sin will find you out." "The wages of sin is death." He could not sleep, and tossed in his bunk in an agony of dread. Nor did the morning bring relief, and so great was his distress that he could not eat, but sought a quiet corner of the deck to search the Scriptures, where every sin he had ever committed was written down in terms of judgment.

The other members of the crew counseled him to throw the Bible overboard, or he would go mad, they said. But he dared not do that, although its pages prostrated him in terror of the hell that awaited him. Days went by, and his anguish of spirit increased. There seemed to be no hope for him; no light at all for such as he.

Then one day he discovered the verse—"All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme." Here was a promise from the lips of the Savior, and laying hold of it, he found a new and wonderful peace. He resolved that as soon as his boat returned to Lisbon, he would seek someone who could explain the way of salvation.

His first evening on shore was spent in a gospel meeting, and it was there he learned that the "blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." He wrote to tell his saintly old mother that her prayers had been heard, and gloriously answered.

God can save us at all ages, and in any place, irrespective of our nationality. He can use a few words in print to tear the veil from our eyes. He can use even this brief story to bring the reader face to face with the realities of eternity.

"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.

Hidden Ministers

Many years ago Mr. Nathan, a converted Jew and at that time a missionary in Morocco, was holding meetings in St. Louis. One evening he preached on the subject of "Hidden Ministers."

To illustrate a point, he told of a young Swede who was converted in one of Mr. Moody's meetings in Chicago. After his conversion the Swede came to Mr. Moody, asking what he could do for Jesus. Mr. Moody gazed at the young man, noting that he was awkward and illiterate. What could he do? Finally, Mr. Moody said: "How would you like to be a sandwich?"

"Anything, sir; anything for Jesus," said the young man, not having any idea what it meant. So it was arranged that he should report the next morning for duty. At the appointed hour the young man was there. They placed two boards, strapped together, on his shoulders. On one board was printed John 3:16 in full; on the other was printed a notice of the meetings then being held. "Now," said Mr. Moody, "you just walk up and down these streets for Jesus, and advertise the meeting."

The Swede went off smiling, happy that he could do something for the One who had saved his soul. As he went down Clark Street, rowdy boys were throwing stones and mud at the board. A traveling salesman saw him, and stopped to read the signs and watch the happy, smiling Swede. The sight of such joy in the midst of persecution aroused the man's sympathy and interest. He determined to attend the meeting that night. What happened? He was converted.

This man had a splendid voice, and after his conversion he made it a rule to sing in the missions of the cities which he visited. One night he was in the Bowery Mission in New York City singing the Gospel. Presently he saw a young Jew come in and take a seat in the audience. Attracted by the singing, he had entered the hall, not knowing the character of the meeting. When he heard them singing about Jesus, the Jew became restless, for he had been taught to hate that Name. The traveling man was watching him, and when finally the Jew started for the door, the salesman was there to meet him. He led him into an adjoining room, and told him personally about Jesus as his Messiah and Savior. The result was that the Jew accepted Christ and His salvation.

In closing, Mr. Nathan said: "The young Swede lies in an unknown grave in Chicago; the traveling man, too, has gone to his reward. But I am that Jew. I am now a missionary to Africa, seeking to win souls for Jesus. When we all stand before Him to receive our rewards according to our service, shall I receive all the reward for the souls won in Africa? How about the traveling man who led me to accept Christ? How about the Swede who did what he could for Jesus? Will he not receive his full reward because of his faithfulness?"

"Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12.

What Is Truth?

"We seek the truth." This was the motto written upon a bulletin board at a Community Hall. It had been recently opened to the use of infidel speakers. Could any sentence have been more fitly chosen to their own condemnation? They profess to teach, and to instruct the people. What about? What do they teach? Certainly not the truth, for they declare they do not have it. We do not seek for that which we possess; we may wish and strive to understand, and better enter that we have. If I have something I have wanted, my search for it is ended. Infidelity professes to seek the truth, all the time rejecting it; and it would fain take the truth away from those who possess it. Infidelity attempts to take away, but cannot give the truth. A schoolmaster cannot teach that of which he is himself ignorant.

But can it be said that any one has the Truth? Yes, emphatically yes! God says so. "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." John 1:17.

"The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 1:14.

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." John 14:6.

Here plainly stated is the fact that truth is come and has been manifested—not in a code of laws, but in a living, loving Person—One who could say, "I am the Truth."

Infidelity is nothing new. He who was the Truth was here. He said to Pilate, who gave Him up into the hands of His enemies: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth."

The skeptic cry was then, as now: "What is truth?" The answer is still: "Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice."

Have you heard the voice of Christ? Do you know Him? Do you with your heart believe on Him? If so, you have the Truth. Many things you may want to know about Him, the glories of His Person, the wonders of His work; but if you know Him as the Christ, the Son of God, and receive Him as. your Savior, you have the Truth.

Man, by searching, tries to find out God. He will never succeed. God revealed Himself in Christ, else we never could have found Him. Blessed be His name, He sent His only begotten Son to declare Him, to unfold all His heart, and to bring back to Himself poor guilty man.

In Christ we find the Truth. In the light of His Presence we are revealed in all our sin and guilt. And oh blessed truth, we find in Him the One who can meet the deepest need of a sinful heart.

Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Grace is what I need—not grace at the expense of truth; but He, the expression of the loving grace of a giving God, came to unveil His Father's heart to lost man. He came to suffer in death, that by that death He might make a righteous channel for the outflow of God's heart towards His sinful creature.

Oh, do you really want to know what truth is? Are you a "seeker after truth"? Go not to the learned of this world. Ask not science for an answer. "The world by wisdom knew not God." Truth was here, in the Person of Christ. Man cast Him out. Now Christ, "the Truth," is in heaven. "There are three that bear witness in earth (to the truth), the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one... This is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son." 1 John 5:8, 9.

Do you believe on the Son of God? May you from your heart say, "Lord, I believe." Receive Him into your heart and then you shall have the truth. "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32.

More Than a Hope

When the things of God are considered, doubts, objections, and arguments characterize man's sinful heart. "Hath God said" was Satan's question in the Garden of Eden, and he is adept in instilling this same question in the minds of men today.

Martin Luther, in one of his many conflicts with the devil, was asked by the arch-enemy if he FELT his sins were forgiven.

"No," said the great reformer, "I DON'T FEEL THAT THEY ARE FORGIVEN, but I KNOW they are, because God says so in His word."

Paul did not say, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt FEEL saved"; but, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and THOU SHALT BE SAVED."

No one can FEEL that his sins are forgiven. Ask that man whose debt was paid by his brother. "Do you FEEL that your debt is paid?"

"No," is the honest reply. "I don't FEEL that it is paid; I KNOW FROM THIS RECEIPT that it is paid, and I FEEL HAPPY because I know it is paid."

So with you, dear reader. You must first believe in God's love to you as revealed at the cross of Calvary, and then you will FEEL HAPPY, because you will KNOW that you are saved.

And now let me ask you, in all love and earnestness: Is your soul safe for eternity? Do you reply, "I hope so"? But, dear friends, hoping is not enough; you ought to be certain.

"I fear I am not saved," you say. Then take your place as a lost sinner, and claim the lost sinner's Savior.

Another will say: "I intend to be saved sometime; but there is no great hurry."

What? No great hurry? Do you know that at this very moment you are condemned to be punished with everlasting destruction? "He that believeth not is condemned already." John 3:18. Without a moment's warning you may be called into God's presence; oh what will you then say? When asked why you refused His pardon and trampled under your feet the blood of His Son, what answer will you give? Your tongue will cleave to the roof of your mouth, and you will be speechless.

Hardness

Luxury and religiousness help to harden the heart, and they give to the heart a peculiar hardness and callousness.

The rough man who swears at, and scorns God's mercy is hard in his way; but his hardness is like that of the rock which the blow of the hammer breaks in pieces.

The religiously hardened heart is like a lump of India rubber, which, hit it as you will, only flings back the stroke of the hammer.

The ancient battering ram, which would crush down stone walls and iron gates, was often baffled by bales of straw and bags of sand or other soft substances placed in front of the walls and gates.

It is this India rubber kind of hardness, this respectable, religious hardness of heart, which is so difficult to overcome, and which repels, which flings back, the blows of the gospel.

Scripture says: "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart." Psalm 95:7, 8.

Jesus said:

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

The Gospel through the Key Hole

Lock Heng was a young man of up-to-date interests. Prior to the advent of war to the Malay Peninsula, he was a member of the Penang Flying Club. He was also ahead of his contemporaries in this: he had left the religion of his ancestors; he was a Christian.

On the outbreak of war, with others of his companions, he was mobilized in an Auxiliary Flying Corps, and in this saw service against the Japanese. When Singapore fell, these native airmen were sent back to their own home; but information given to the invaders led later to their arrest, which was followed by torture and imprisonment.

It was not long before Lock Heng made the discovery that he was confined in a neighboring cell to that occupied by one of his Chinese friends. They also discovered that at certain times they could tap close to the keyhole of the door separating their cells, and using the Morse Code could hold short conversations together.

It was the other man who evolved this system of communication, and suggested they have a daily chat when it was deemed safe. One day he tapped to the effect that he was feeling depressed and didn't want to "talk." Lock Heng replied, "If you are depressed, pray to God."

"I don't know what you mean—how can I pray in this place? To whom shall I pray?"

"Pray to the God of heaven in the Name of Jesus Christ—just tell Him what you feel. He will understand."

"I do not know how to do this. Please teach me to pray."

So the young Christian taught his friend a simple prayer, and told him little by little, tapping it out with his fingers by the keyhole of that cell door, when no sentry was near, the only way of salvation.

One day the man accepted Christ; the light dawned into his soul; he had found the Savior "through the keyhole."

After some months, release came in answer to many prayers. The day preceding their liberation was a day when a native preacher had addressed the congregation from these lines found in the Book of Joshua: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." Joshua 3:5.

The parents of the young men claimed this promise, and true enough, on the morrow their sons were restored to them from all the horror of a Japanese prison.

The new convert's wife and family soon followed the head of the house in receiving Christ into their hearts and lives, as Savior and Lord.

Thus does the evangel spread. Not always by the eloquence of preaching, sometimes by methods hitherto unheard of, is the message of truth proclaimed. The channels vary, the truth never alters: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3.

Kankwali's Questions

A Cure for the Witch Doctor

Some years ago, in a Central African village, there lived a man whose "profession" made him the most feared person in the district. The very appearance of his dwelling place was enough to strike terror into the bravest heart, for human skulls adorned the mud walls of his hut.

Kankwali, for such was his name, was the great witch doctor, and so much was he held in awe, that all were at great pains to remain in his favor. An important and influential personage, this man with his supposed wisdom and understanding, literally ruled in the village. His verdict concerning the cause of any death was accepted as infallible, while his advice was generally acted upon with implicit faith. Such action would frequently lead to much suffering or even death to the supposed guilty person, who, in Kankwali's reckoning, had brought misfortune to the community by incurring the displeasure of evil spirits.

One day, however, something happened which had never been known in the village before. It was the arrival of the Basangu, or white people. Kankwali viewed this new situation with mixed feelings. The white people commenced a school for the young children, who readily attended. Curiosity eventually prompted the witch doctor to interrogate the youngsters on what these strangers taught at school. In very childlike language the curly-headed black boys and girls repeated the story told them.

Their simple report revealed that they had learned of the love of God to everyone in the village, and indeed throughout the whole world. It told of the fact that God, knowing of the sinful state of all men, sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, down to earth, where He died for our sins. And, more wonderful still, that He, being raised from the dead, now lives to save and will forgive us our sins, seeing that His shed blood is accepted by God as a perfect sacrifice, atoning for sin. God's free gift to men, they told Kankwali, was everlasting life, and also the present power to live good lives, overcoming daily the sinful temptations that beset us.

Kankwali's Queries

This certainly was news for the cruel witch doctor. Did God really have a personal interest in him? Did God really love him? Could God forgive him? Would God receive him? These were the questions that crowded Kankwali's mind, and such questions are not at all singular to an African witch doctor, but may well also be asked by ourselves, of whatever class, age or nationality we may be. The answer to them all is at once explicable and understandable: "Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13.

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

The New Kankwali

Kankwali realized God's wonderful love, and received salvation through believing. The Lord Jesus Christ became to him the one and only Lord of his life. It meant serving a new master, for practicing evil and following Christ in everyday life were incompatible, and one or the other had to go. Witchcraft and its attendant evils were renounced and forsaken. He became a new man with a desire to live for his Lord.

This all happened years. ago. The writer has lived in Central Africa for a number of years, and knew Kankwali personally. That he became a different man is beyond question. He continued to plant his garden, and to fish from his canoe on the great Luapula River in order to earn his living, but his outlook and desires were completely altered. His life was changed, he became a real Christian, following Christ, and living for Christ. In place of the wicked advice he formerly dispensed, he began to tell people of the Savior.

When God forgives a man, He also changes the man, giving power to overcome sin, and giving full assurance of eternal life.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Rom. 1:16.

THERE is life in a look at the crucified
One;
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved—
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.

I'm waiting for a Sign

One summer while touring England I went with a party of young friends to visit a little village. It was of much historical interest as having been the scene of some of the battles in the Wars of the Roses. Maybe battles were fought there, but no traces of war can now be seen; the soft turf and grazing cattle forbid the thought of bloodshed, or the clash of arms.

While my party was climbing the ruins and exploring the moat, which I already knew well from previous visits, I turned my steps towards some cottages, asking my God and Father to give His child a message of peace to some heart there.

The village lay bathed in sunlight, and the inhabitants surely knew but little of the strain, and hurry, and bustle of life; for not a soul was to be seen, or a sound to be heard in the quiet street. I knocked at a door which stood ajar, and it was immediately opened by a bright-looking old woman.

I think I can see her now, as she stood before me leaning upon her stick, her sweet old face furrowed with wrinkles and surrounded by a snowy cap tied under her chin. Her cotton gown was just down to her ankles, covered by a clean white apron, and the little time-honored three-cornered shawl pinned over her shoulders.

A look of surprise came into her face as she saw a stranger at the door, but she responded to my "Good morning" with a low curtsy and said, with a smile, "Will you please walk in?" Wiping a chair, upon which there was not a speck of dust, she placed it for me, and then seated herself opposite in the chimney corner.

After a little friendly chat, during which she told me she was over eighty, I said, "May I ask you if you know the Lord Jesus Christ? Without a moment's hesitation she clasped her hands together, and looking up, said, with deep earnestness, "I love His blessed name!"

The answer came so unexpectedly, it was so different from what one often receives in reply to such a question, that it thrilled me with delight. "Oh, I am so glad," I said; "then He is your Savior, and your sins are forgiven!"

The brightness faded from her face, and slowly she replied, "Why no, I should not like to say that."

"Not saved?" I said. "And yet you love His blessed name!' Why, my friend, how is that?"

"I'm waiting for a sign. My mother had a sign afore she died. She saw the Savior hanging on the cross right against the foot of the bed. He held out His arms to her, and said, 'Come unto Me.' Then she felt very happy, and she knew she was all right. And I'm looking to have such a sight when my time comes."

I confess I was disappointed. To think that this poor old dear had been taught by the Spirit of God to believe in and to love the Lord, and yet she did not know that "he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life." John 3:36.

"You are making a great mistake, my dear old friend," I said. "Never, from beginning to end of the Bible, will you find that God promises you a sign." "Why, don't He, now? Well, I'm no scholar." "Let me tell you what He does say. Shall I?"

"If you please."

"Well, first of all, will you tell me what sort of people Jesus died for?"

"Why," she replied quickly, "in course He died for good people."

"Did He?" I said. "My Bible does not say so. Think again."

"Well there, I can't find it in my mind to tell you."

So I took my little Testament, and read very slowly and distinctly from Romans 5:8. "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

I read it twice, and on looking up the second time, was surprised to see the tears coursing down the dear old lady's cheeks. Oh, the power of God's Word! "Well," I said, "now what sort of people did Jesus die for?"

She did not speak; her feelings choked her, and I waited anxiously for her answer. At last it came, and it was worth waiting for. "Well, there. I never heard the like o' that. Why, it says He died for sinners, and I'm a sinner! He must ha' died for me."

"Of course He did. How glad I am you know it," I replied.

"And to think I should never ha' knowed it afore! I do love His blessed name!"

I found afterward that my old lady had long known and loved the Lord Jesus. He was her joy and comfort. But one thing was wrong. She knew she was not what a holy God could call good. Still she hoped to become better, and that at the end God would forgive her. But there was no rest for her heart in this. How could there be? Suppose she never got "good enough" for God. No wonder she could not say she was saved. But God saw her heart's deep need, and His light from heaven had flashed in upon her soul. By faith she saw that the One she loved and trusted had made Himself chargeable with her eternal salvation. Now for the first time she knew that, in glory, the Man Christ Jesus answers to God for everything that is against the sinner who trusts Him.

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Rom. 8:33, 34.

That is what the old lady now saw for the first time, and from that moment she never doubted her salvation again.

The Invitation

"Now is the accepted time!"
Now is the day of grace;
Then, sinner, come without delay,
And seek the Savior's face.

"Now is the accepted time!"
The Savior calls today;
Tomorrow it may be too late
Then why should you delay!

"Now is the accepted time!"
And Jesus bids you come;
And every promise in His word
Declares, "Yet there is room."

Lift Neither Hand nor Foot

Friend, are you saved? Or are you trying by your good works and general demeanor to merit heaven at last? If your answer is YES to the latter question, then I can assure you that you have missed the mark woefully. Ephesians 2:8, 9 says: "By grace [unmerited favor] are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast."

But if the first question warrants the answer YES, then you know that there was nothing you could do in the matter of your soul's salvation. Jesus, the Son of God, did it all nearly two thousand years ago when He bore your sins and mine on Calvary's cross; and having accomplished that mighty work, He said: "It is finished." Salvation must come first, and then works follow, to please Him who HAS saved us. We are not saved by our holiness, our good works, or our service. But, believing in Him who has washed us from our sins in His precious blood, we are saved to be holy, to do good works, and to serve because of the constraining love of Christ.

And yet such is the ignorance and perversity of poor, sinful man, that he tries to "lift hand or foot" in the matter of his soul's salvation. He does not see, or will not see, that God, at the cross of His own Son, saw that everything that He required for His glory, and man needed for his salvation, was done once for all there.

Look at Jonah in the great fish's belly three days and three nights. The waters compassed him about; the depths enclosed him round; the weeds wrapped themselves round his head; the bottoms of the mountains, the earth and her bars were about him forever! What could he do there? He could lift neither hand nor foot, but in conscious guilt and helplessness he cried, "SALVATION IS OF THE LORD." Immediately the fish vomited out Jonah upon dry land of God's everlasting salvation, where not a drop of God's judgment would ever be able to reach him.

Jonah lifted neither hand nor foot in the matter of his salvation. God did it all, and wrote as it were upon the very forehead of Jonah's salvation, "ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD." 2 Cor. 5:17, 19.

Look at the penitent thief on the cross, and listen to his confession: "We receive the due reward of our deeds"; his vindication of Christ, "This man hath done nothing amiss"; his request, "Remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom"; and hear Christ's answer: "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." What a blessed case of conversion at the door of death, and on the verge of eternity!

What did that poor thief do towards his salvation? Nothing! His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, and he was therefore totally unable to lift either hand or foot. Jesus DID IT ALL, and the thief got the benefit by casting himself just as he was upon Jesus and His finished work. What a crown to it all! The Savior and the sinner that very same day together in the paradise of God!

"To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." Rom. 4:4, 5.

"I would not work my soul to save,
For that my Lord hath done;
But I would work like any slave,
From love to God's dear Son."

Tasting

A boy was once walking along with a pot of honey in his hand, when a man stopped him and inquired what he had in the pot.

"Honey, sir," was the reply.

"What is honey?" inquired the gentleman.

"Sweet stuff, sir."

"How sweet is it?"

"Very, very sweet, sir."

"What do you mean by very, very sweet?"

"Here, taste it for yourself," said the youngster, at the same time handing him the pot of honey.

Now this is just what God in His goodness wants our reader to do. "O taste and see that the LORD is good." Psa. 34: 8. Then you will be able to finish this verse by saying from your heart, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."

The Time Is Short

THESE QUAINT lines are found on an old clock in a village square.

Time's on the wing, how swift he speeds his way,
Hastening to sink in one eternal day.
Pause, passing traveler, what thy destiny,
When death unveils a vast eternity?
Live then to Christ; in Christ eternal gain;
No Christ, no hope, but everlasting pain.

They speak a word of warning to all who are unsaved.

"The time is short." 1 Cor. 7:29.

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and bath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are... depart from Me all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Luke 13:24-28.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

John 3:14, 15

The Swedish Nightingale

This was the professional name of the celebrated singer, "Jenny Lind." She lived in the past century, and was considered the greatest operatic singer in the world at that time. Money poured into her purse; yet at the very height of her popularity, she retired to a country estate before leaving England.

She loved to wander over the hills and dales near her home, and evidently had no regret for leaving the stage, with all its monetary recompense. Do you ask "why?" The answer comes from an interview with an English writer.

This gentleman found Jenny Lind while she was visiting at the seaside. She was sitting on a sandy beach with an open Bible on her knees, and looking out into the glory of a summer sunset. For a while the pair talked on everyday matters, until finally the real purpose of the visit came out. The visitor asked: "Oh! Madame Goldschmidt (her real name) how did you ever come to leave the stage at the very height of your success?"

A short pause, and then she answered: "When, every day my work, my success made me think LESS of this (laying her hand upon the Bible), and nothing at all of that (pointing to the glorious sunset-witness to God's creatorial power) WHAT ELSE COULD I DO?"

Needless to say, her question was unanswerable. That Book of books had brought to the "Swedish Nightingale" the knowledge of God's love and grace. It had delivered her completely from the world and from its empty applause.

Reader, does that Book mean anything to you? Has it brought to you the knowledge of a Savior's love? In Psalm 119, known to many as "the Psalm of the Word," the Psalmist says: "Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path." Can you say this?

A Last Opportunity

Joe Bell was one of a gang of men employed in making a new railroad. He was neither learned nor polished, but his heart had been turned to the Lord. God had saved Joe, and Joe was not ashamed of God's gospel.

Our friend Joe seems to have been made for rough usage, and was not afraid to warn even these rough men of judgment to come. Of course he often met with opposition and persecution. Jim Barnes particularly mocked at Joe and his religion continually; but, as is often the case, God avenged His child and punished the evil-doer in a way that cast solemnity over the whole gang.

One morning after Joe in the fullness of his heart had engaged in his "gospel talk," Jim the scoffer ridiculed him and roughly told him to keep out of his way. This wicked, rough scoffer did not want Bell and his line-not he. But scarcely an hour later, how different it was!

The men were running truck loads of ballast down the road and "shooting" them to form an embankment. The rails were wet and slippery with recent rain, so that the wheels did not "bite" as usual. How it happened no one knew, but as one truck shot past a cry of distress arose from someone just in front of it. It was none other than Bell's scoffing mate! He had slipped and fallen.

In vain did the poor fellow roll over and over, trying to get clear. It was too late-the heavy load struck him, ran over him, and left him bleeding and mangled. His mates gathered round and were for taking him to the hospital close by, but, "No," he cried. "I'm dying; leave me alone!"

The stricken man's eyes wandered around the group as if looking for someone. "Where's Bell?" he asked.

The man who a few minutes before was the object of his scorn, was the very man he now wished to see! Why not send for the skeptical mate who had laughed at the good old Book? Oh, reader, there is no comfort in the dying hour to be had from scoffers and skeptics; the Christian was the man he wanted to guide him to death's portals.

With a sad heart Joe Bell knelt beside the prostrate man and tenderly told him how Jesus had died to save such as he.

"Look to Him, Jim! Count on Him. He loves you. He waits to pardon you. Believe on Him," Joe pleaded with his dying mate. "Trust in Him and be saved."

Who shall say what was the outcome of such pleading in that hour of death? The Lord only knows; but we believe that Joe's prayers were heard and that Jim's redeemed soul was received into glory.

Ah, friend, there are many like poor Jim and the gang with which he worked. They mock at sin and at the precious Word of God while they are in health; but how is it with them when God says, "This night thy soul shall be required of thee"?

Friend, accept now the love of God in Christ Jesus. It is offered full and free, 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.

Stormy Weather

Recently, while crossing the Atlantic, we encountered a severe storm. For days our vessel battled with heavy gales, high waves, and drenching rain. Through God's mercy we were able to live through it without accident.

When the wind had somewhat subsided and we were proceeding on our passage, another ship was sighted. She was flying her national flag upside down, and a set of pennants signifying, "We are sinking. Will you take us off?" The vessel evidently was in bad shape—so bad that they felt it to be impossible to reach port, if they trusted to her.

Friend, have you reached that stage? Have you realized that in yourself you are a hopeless wreck-that you have "sinned, and come short of the glory of God"? Rom. 3:22, 23 says, "There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." In such a state, all are lost, and, trusting only in self, eternally lost.

Is help available?

The crew of the sinking vessel realized their damaged ship was not seaworthy. They signaled for help where alone it could be obtained, and that was outside of themselves.

Are you content to drift on in a condition that endangers the eternal destiny of your immortal soul? You know you cannot save yourself.

Those men on the sinking ship knew their danger and their hopelessness, and they called for help. All we could answer was, "We will try to take you off when the sea subsides."

What miserable uncertainty! At any moment those men, now strong and active, could be hurled with their ship into the depths of the sea—unless we could help them. We too in this situation were helplessly standing by until conditions were right for us to be of help. Friend without Christ, you too are drifting over a stormy sea—your life rudderless, pilotless, a hopeless wreck. Signal for help! For you, it is at hand; there is no uncertainty. Your lifeboat is alongside; it is Christ Himself. Get in and be saved!

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

"The word is nigh thee... the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10:8, 9.

Free Thinkers

For many years, in traveling with our trailer home, we were permitted of God to carry the good news of salvation into out-of-the-way places. The arrival of our "rig"—an odd sight in those early days of mobile homes—was a sure bid for an audience. In one country village our arrival caused quite a stir. However, with little ado we pitched camp by a small stream and made things comfortable before attempting to make known our business.

Taking our stand on an open piece of ground not far from a German blacksmith's shop, we began to preach. We knew that farmers often congregated near such places, and we were not long without an audience. By word of mouth they spread the news of our meetings, and in a few days people came from miles around, perhaps curious as to our message.

As our meetings went on, the German blacksmith pumped his bellows discontentedly. This new religion was opposed to his views, and though crowds increased he "didn't know but what such doings were bad for his business." We sought to continue "holding forth the word of Life," even as we followed the scriptural injunction: "As much as lieth within you, be at peace with all men."

While going the rounds one day, I called at a roadside cottage. The mistress answered my knock and as is usual in the sunny south invited me in. I had just seated myself when she offered me a glass of cold buttermilk. No curiosity was shown as to my business nor present errand, and I finally had to explain to her something of my mission there. On learning that I was a preacher of the gospel, she promptly informed me that she was a freethinker, and was bringing up her family as skeptics.

"I too am a freethinker," I replied. "I think freely with God's thoughts."

To this she had no answer, but courteously received my invitation to the meetings. That evening I greeted her and her two daughters with those gathered in the village square.

For two weeks we "stormed the fort," and it became evident that the sword of the Spirit was piercing the hearts of the listeners. As we preached nothing but "Christ, and Him crucified," and held fast to the truth "as it is in Jesus," no protests were made and the people kept coming. Such news, they said, they had never heard before. Even the blacksmith admitted that our simple message had found lodgment in his heart, and that he was rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven and certainty of eternal life in the Father's house.

Even among the avowed Freethinkers was conscience aroused. The two daughters of the freethinking mother were now searching the Scriptures for themselves. Past records were scanned; past deeds were "weighed in the balance and found wanting." The teachings of the school of free thought offered no refuge from the wrath to come. They listened with rapt attention to startling messages of God's love and justice.

The father of the two girls had now returned home. Learning of dissension between mother and daughters, he began to pronounce "anathemas." He sent one girl to work in the city and forbade the other to attend the meetings. He was too late. The blessed Word that had wounded now began to heal the wounds. Christ revealed Himself as the Savior of sinners and they gladly received His gracious invitation: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

For a little while the mother held stubbornly to her freethinking. For her, it must have been an unhappy little while before she sent me the welcome message that she was now "resting sweetly in Jesus, her Lord."

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

Rug Me Up, Janet!

Isn't that an odd title for a gospel story? Among the Scotch it is a cry of distress and means, "Pull me up." I first heard it years ago. We were in a town in the north of Scotland. An evangelist had been faithfully preaching the gospel there, and one night there came a woman to hear him. She was known all through the neighborhood as "Drunken Janet," and her presence at the meeting surprised everybody.

Poor Janet had reached the extremity, and could raise no more money for drink. She had sold or pawned everything of value in her home, and could no longer finance her sprees, which were usually of many days duration. Befuddled as she was, she wandered from her home, disgusted with herself and miserably unhappy.

In this condition, she found her way into the meeting at the moment when the evangelist was expounding on the word "whosoever," in John 3:16. He had just stated that this word embraced all, no matter how bad they were or how low they had fallen. He remarked that though one were a confirmed drunkard, this word "whosoever" was for just such characters, and that even if they were the very chief of sinners, God's love in this text was for them.

Drunken Janet listened, amazed. Could a holy God love her? At the close of the meeting, Janet was on her knees, seeking salvation. Her extremity was now God's opportunity. The Holy Spirit opened her blinded eyes, and she was led to believe that "whosoever" meant even her. Janet accepted the Savior of sinners and was gloriously saved that night.

She ran home to her husband, a sober, humble man, joyfully crying, "John, I am saved! John, I am saved!"

"What do you mean, Janet?" he asked.

"I mean, John, God loves me and I'm saved. That `whosoever' means me!"

"Na, na, Janet," he replied. "Ye canna be saved se easy as that, for it says in the guid Book ye maun work oot yere ain salvation."

"Yes, John," she answered him, "that's true; but ye maun get it first. I have got it, and I want ye to get it as well as me."

There was no use in Janet talking. John's mind was set that nobody could be saved as easy as Janet had said, just by taking God at His word. So what could Janet do? She began to live Christ before her husband, putting in a word now and then to see if he would yield. The answer was still the same: "Ye canna be saved se easy as that. Ye maun work oot yere ain salvation."

Weeks passed and everybody saw that Janet was a changed woman. One by one she redeemed her belongings from the pawn shop. She herself looked tidy and her home was clean. Even John, together with his neighbors, saw the reality of the change in his wife and began to desire the same peace and joy. He realized his own sinful, lost condition, but he would not yield.

One night when it was very dark, John went out to draw water. Missing his footing, he fell into the well. He began at once to cry out: "O God, save me! O God, save me!"

His wife and a friend heard his cries and rushed to the rescue. Procuring a rope, they lowered it down to John in the well. He eagerly grasped hold of it, shouting: "Rug me up, Janet!"

Said Janet, "Have you got a firm hold of it, John?" "Yes, Janet," he said; "rug me up!"

They began to pull. When John's feet were out of the water, Janet let him go plump back into the well. "Oh, my! Janet, what are ye doing? Are ye going to let me be drowned?"

"Oh, no, John," was the reply. "I want to save ye in yere ain way, and that is by inches. I want ye to work out yere ain salvation before I save ye."

"Oh, my, Janet! I have been wrong. I see noo I must be saved all at once. Rug me up, Janet!"

Now Janet, with the aid of the neighbor, pulled John up, and from that hour, John too was a changed man.

John had been under conviction of sin for some days, but he had refused to yield to the Savior. Now this fall into the well had caused him to cry to God and he gave up his stubborn will. Thus Janet's prayers were answered, though, as it sometimes happens, in a very singular way.

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

A Great Gulf Between

Ingersoll's Brother:

When the brother of Col. Ingersoll died, the great apostle of unbelief came to pay his last tribute to his devoted brother.

He stood there by the grave, with one hand resting upon his brother's coffin. The tears rained down his cheeks as he said something like this: "Life is a dark and barren valley between the cold, ice-clad peaks of two eternities. We strive sometimes to look beyond the darkness for the light. Sometimes we cry for help. There comes back to us nothing but the echo of our own cry."

Then Ingersoll the skeptic bowed his head on his hands and sat down weeping.

Moody's Brother:

When a brother of D. L. Moody died, representative men from New York City came to speak at his funeral.

D. L. Moody leaned his elbow on the coffin. His face was bathed in tears as he said: "Friends and neighbors, I thank God that He ever gave me a brother. I thank Him also that He permitted me to lead him to Jesus. I thank God that I can now look down into his face and know that I shall see him again."

Moody stood a moment with hands uplifted and eyes looking into eternity. Suddenly he shouted in such triumphant tones that the multitude around could not fail to hear him: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

And the answer came, in every believing heart: "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:55, 57.

Lord, Make Me Careful

"Lord, make me careful in my walk
Where ever I may go;
Let me but follow Christ my Lord,
Through all the way below.

Lord, make me careful in my speech;
Control these lips of mine,
So that in this I may exalt
That precious Name of Thine.

Lord, make me careful in my thoughts,
Not proud nor haughty be;
But fill my heart with thoughts of Christ,
And His humility.

Lord, make me careful every day,
My aim, like Thee to grow;
No earthly praise or wealth or fame
To seek, desire or know."

There Is a God …

There is a God, all nature cries,
I see it painted on the skies!
I see it in the flowering spring,
I hear it when the songbirds sing;
I see it in the flowing main,
I see it on the fruitful plain,
I see it stamped on hail and snow,
I see it where the streamlets flow;
I see it in the clouds that soar,
I hear it when the thunders roar,
I see it when the morning shines,
I see it when the day declines.
I see it in the mountain's height,
I see it in the smallest mite;
I see it everywhere abroad:
I feel—I KNOW, there is a God!

Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

Isaiah 45:22.

Lost and Found on a Canadian Prairie

Years ago young Nelson, the son of an English clergyman, went to the Canadian Northwest. There he homesteaded on the plains several hundred miles west of Winnipeg.

He had traveled with a party of thoughtless, pleasure-seeking young fellows who knew little about farming. A good deal of their time was spent in shooting, hunting, and other sports. Their evenings were filled with playing cards and reading novels. If they had had any "religion" in England they had surely lost it now. However, it is one thing to have a Sunday "religion" and quite another to have Christ as one's personal Savior and Friend. So it was that these young men found the solitude somewhat irksome. To vary the monotony, they paid occasional visits to the settlers in the district.

Several young Canadians from Ontario often came to hold gospel services in the farmhouses around. Nelson now and then put in an appearance, and was a severe critic of the preachers and preaching. One evening in a spirit of bravado he asserted that there was no hell. The Canadians showed from Scripture God's declaration regarding the doom and destiny of the wicked, giving chapter and verse for their statements when the young fellow was cornered he boldly asserted that he would not believe in a place of eternal punishment even though the Bible said so.

One day Nelson had to go to the post office twelve miles away. Returning homeward, the sun had set, and he had several miles to travel without a road, track, trail, or landmark of any kind. The night grew dark, and after traveling for a considerable time he concluded he must have lost his bearings. He knew that people had been lost on the prairie, and had perished from cold and hunger. If he missed his way he might travel north toward Hudson Bay without meeting anyone.

It is one thing for a person to express disbelief in eternal truths when surrounded by a circle of admirers. How very different it is when, alone, one is conscious that the searching eye of a holy and sin-hating God discerns the deepest recesses of the soul. As Nelson began to realize the fact that he was lost on the prairie, with no one to comfort or help him in his extremity, a sense of helplessness took possession of him. In spirit he crossed the Atlantic again, returning to the loved ones in England whom he might never see again. His memory reverted to scenes of bygone days. What a fool he had been to follow his foolish companions and neglect his soul's salvation! As he thought of the coming day of reckoning, he trembled. God's Word declared: "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.

Nelson knew he was not prepared for such a meeting. The outlook was anything but encouraging. He had always believed in hell! Most so-called skeptics and scoffers do. Now he was convinced that hell was near at hand, and he was overpowered with the conviction that he was in the conscious presence of Almighty God. More and more clearly did he perceive that he was not only lost on the prairie, but that he was a lost, guilty, helpless sinner on the way to hell.

"Is salvation possible to me?" "Will God save me?" "What must I do to be saved?" were the questions that now filled his mind. Scriptures that he had learned when a child in far-off England came before him, and among them was John 3:16: "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."

His spirits rose as he perceived that in spite of his innumerable sins God loved him. He so loved him as to give the Lord Jesus to die as an atoning sacrifice that he might not perish.

The joy of the Lord filled his soul. The peace of God took possession of his heart. When the morning dawned, to his surprise and delight he discovered that he was close to a settlement. With a heart full of gratitude to God for his two-fold deliverance he could say: "I was lost on the prairie last night. I was a lost sinner, but Jesus found me and I thank God I am now saved for time and eternity."

Friend, have you taken the lost sinner's place and claimed the lost sinner's Savior?

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

A Most Efficacious Prescription

Some years ago a lady went to consult a famous physician about her health. She was a woman of nervous temperament, whose troubles and she really had many—worried and upset her to such an extent that her physical strength and even her mental health suffered. She gave the doctor a list of her symptoms, and answered all his questions, fearing a serious diagnosis. To her astonishment he gave a brief verbal prescription. "Madam, what you need is to read the Bible more."

"But doctor," began the bewildered patient.

"Go home and read your Bible an hour a day," the great man reiterated with kindly authority. "Then come back to me a month from today." And he bowed her out without a possibility of further protest.

At first his patient was inclined to be angry. Then she reflected that at least the prescription was not an expensive one. Besides, it certainly had been a long time since she had read the Bible regularly, she reflected with a pang of conscience. Worldly cares had crowded out her prayer and Bible study for years, and though she would have resented being called an irreligious woman, she had undoubtedly become a most careless Christian. She went home and set herself conscientiously to try the physician's remedy. In one month she went back to his office.

"Well," he said smiling as he looked at her face, "I see you are an obedient patient, and have taken my prescription faithfully. Do you feel the need of any other treatment or medication now?"

"No, doctor; I feel like a different person. But how did you know this was just what I needed?"

For answer, the famous physician turned to his desk. There, worn and marked, lay an open Bible. "Madam," he said with deep earnestness, "if I were to omit my daily reading of this Book, I should lose my greatest source of strength and skill. I never go to an operation without reading my Bible. I never attend a distressing case without finding help in its pages. Your case called not for medicine, but for a source of peace and strength outside yourself. I presented you with my own prescription. I knew it would work."

"Yet I confess, doctor," said the patient, "that I came very near not taking it."

"Very few are willing to try it, I find," said the physician smiling again. "But there are many, many cases in my practice where, if tried, it would work wonders."

This is a true story. The physician has since died, but his prescription lives on. It will do no one any harm to try it, and oh, what blessing lies within those sacred pages!

To another such patient the increased diligent reading of the Holy Scriptures were prescribed. "But," said the 'sick man,' "though I do read the Bible regularly, it is too deep for me. I can't remember nor quote it."

How encouraging to many others was the reply: "Perhaps not; but see this woven basket? Placed in water ever so deep, the basket empties immediately on being lifted out. Yes, the water rushes out, and as it goes it cleanses the basket. Such is the purifying action in the 'washing of water by the Word' " (Eph. 5:26.)

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple: the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes: the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Thy servant warned; and in keeping them there is great reward." Psa. 19:7-11.

When One Door Shuts another Opens

George Whitefield, a great Gospel preacher, was addressing a large open-air meeting. He emphasized the words, "And the door was shut." Matt. 25:10.

A flippant young man in the audience whispered audibly to his companion: "Well, what matter if that door be shut? When one door shuts, another door opens."

Whitefield seemed to know that some in the congregation would reason in that way. His answering remark was: "Some may say, 'What matter? If one door be shut, another door will open.' Yes, that is true; if the door of heaven is shut against you, the door of hell will be open. If you are shut out of heaven, you must enter hell."

What a solemn conclusion! It was used of the Holy Spirit to carry conviction to the consciences of the young men. They remained for the inquiry meeting, and in conversation with the preacher both of them accepted Christ as their Savior.

How solemn the words, "And the door was shut!" The verse from which Whitefield's text was taken is as follows: "And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came, and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the door was shut."

Thank God, the door of mercy is not yet shut upon you, unsaved fellow-traveler to eternity. It is not even standing "ajar." It is open wide for every sinner. All, without distinction or exception, are now invited to enter. But there is no time to lose. "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matt. 7:13-14.

The broad road is crowded, while the narrow way is trodden by comparatively few. Have you entered the narrow gate? You may be very close to it, and yet die on the hell side of it! Jesus said: "I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." John 10:9.

"One door and only one,
And yet its sides are two;
Inside and outside:
On which side are you?"

He Had Damned His Own Soul

Years ago Fort George, in Scotland, was garrisoned by an English regiment of the British army.

The nearest town was Campbeltown. As it was at some distance from the fort, a wooden slaughterhouse had been erected close to the water's edge immediately below the garrison. It served as a meat market for the convenience of the military as well as for others living in the area.

One day as he traveled homewards Mr. McPhail, a servant of the Lord, had to wait for some time below the fort for the ferry-boat, which had to be summoned over the opposite side.

While Mr. McPhail was standing at the little dock, a young soldier came into the market to purchase some meat. He asked the price of a quarter of mutton, and the butcher named the sum. With a frightful oath, in which he pledged the everlasting damnation of his soul, the soldier refused to give the price; but finally, after a good deal of haggling, he agreed to the butcher's terms.

All the while Mr. McPhail was standing outside the market. He overheard the conversation inside and was shocked at the awful jeopardy in which the soldier had placed his poor soul. He felt he must seek an opportunity of addressing him.

As soon therefore as the soldier was leaving, Mr. McPhail found a way to join him and to engage him in conversation.

"A fine day, soldier."

"A fine day, sir," replied the man, touching his cap.

"Do you belong to the Fort?"

"Yes, sir, and a dull enough place it is; nothing but drill and the blues."

"You are an Englishman, I see; what is your name?"

"Luke Heywood, your honor."

"That seems to be a nice piece of mutton you have."

"So it is, sir, and cheap too."

"What did you give for it, may I ask?"

The soldier named the price.

"Oh, my friend," replied Mr. McPhail, "you have given more than that."

Luke Heywood looked astonished. "No, sir, I gave no more; there's the man I bought it from, and he can tell you what it cost."

"Pardon me, friend; you have given your immortal soul for it. You prayed that God might damn your soul if you gave the very price you have just named; and now, what is to become of you?"

The ferry-boat was now at the slip and Mr. McPhail stepped on board. Luke Heywood walked off with his purchase, and entered the fort. Throwing aside his cap, he sat down on a bench in the barrack. The stranger's words had struck home, and now his deeply concerned reflections turned upon his conversation at the ferry. "You have given your immortal soul for it; and now, what is to become of you?"

He tried to banish the occurrence from his memory, but the words of the stranger were ringing in his ears like the death knell of his soul. In an agony of terror he rose from his seat, rushed bareheaded from the fort, and arrived, breathless, at the ferry in quest of Mr. McPhail.

"Where is the gentleman?" cried Luke to the butcher.

"What gentleman?" inquired the other.

"The gentleman dressed in black clothes. He told me that my soul was lost."

"Oh, you mean Mr. McPhail, the minister. He went across more than half an hour ago."

The ferry boat being about ready for a second trip, Luke entered it. Inquiring of the ferry-men the road to the minister's house he leaped from the boat as it touched land and started in pursuit across the weary solitudes of the moor. He arrived towards evening at the manse of the little village. Here he demanded eagerly to see Mr. McPhail, and was immediately received.

Luke remained in the town all that night and the two following days. During most of this time he was with the minister in his study and there Luke learned of God's love for his poor lost soul. Soon he was weeping with joy unspeakable over a newly found peace with God, and the knowledge of eternal salvation through believing in God's dear Son. Now Luke's greatest joy was to tell out the good news to sinners.

Friend, have you heard and received the news of salvation? If so, you can sing, as Luke did:

"He took me out of the pit
And from the miry clay;
He set my feet on the Rock
Establishing my way;
He put a song in my mouth
My God to glorify:
And He'll take me some day
To my home on high."

Doing My Best

While on a short train trip not long ago, I found myself sitting alongside a pleasant-faced young man. In the conversation between us I asked him as to the state of his soul, and whether he knew that he was saved.

His answer was, "I am a member of a church and in good standing. I was happy some years ago; but, if I must speak the truth, I scarcely know whether I am saved or not. I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I try to do my best, and I hope my sins will be forgiven."

I said, "Friend, you have failed to see a most important point. God forgives them that have done their worst. If you look at Luke 15 you will find the prodigal had not tried his best, but had done his very worst! Then when he really came to himself and confessed to his father that he had done his worst, immediately the father said, 'Bring the best robe and put it upon him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.'"

The young man looked at me with great astonishment, and said, "I never heard that before."

"Well," said I again, "if you look at Luke 7, you have there two characters in the presence of Jesus. A man who thought he had done his best, invites Jesus to dinner; and a woman, who knows she has done her worst, comes in and stands at his feet weeping.

"Now did Jesus say, Thy sins be forgiven, to the man who thought he had done his best, or to the woman who knew, she had done her worst, and by her tears owned it. How opposite were these two characters. Now notice the words of the Lord Jesus to each: He sternly rebukes the one, and He freely forgives the other."

Again the young man exclaimed, "I never heard anything like that before!"

He listened with close attention as I sought to show him how grace in the Person of the Savior had thus come down to this world to seek and to save the lost. Before we parted I trust that God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, shined into his heart to give him the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

My reader, are you saved? Your case cannot be beyond such mercy as this. You may think that someday you will begin to do your best. But should you not rather take the place of having done your worst? Are you lost? Are your sins still to be forgiven? Have you rejected Christ? Have you turned a deaf ear to God's forgiveness through His blood?

You insult God if you set up your own good deeds in the place of the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. You can never be saved by head knowledge of Jesus Christ and by trying to do your best. To receive forgiveness of sins you must first own yourself to be a lost sinner. Just as the father received in forgiving love the prodigal who had done his worst, so does God receive the sinner. This is God's only way of receiving you.

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

The All-Sufficient One

Although I cannot know God's wondrous ways,
Yet I believe from out of life's puzzling maze I shall be brought:
HE KNOWS.

I do not ask to see the journey's end,
For He walks at my side just like a friend, So all is well:
HE SEES.

I will not care, though roads are long and rough,
Sure will His grace sustain, and that's enough
To bear me up:
HE CARES.

I would not be my own guide if I might,
But rather trust in His unerring sight,
To lead me on:
HE GUIDES.

I could not guard myself, for that were vain;
Yet, this I know: He faithful will remain,
And keep me safe:
HE GUARDS.

I would not live, when done my task is here,
For I can heed His summons without fear,
He died for me:
HE LIVES:

So, when from scenes of earth He beckons hence
To fairer realms, 'twill be sweet recompense
Forevermore:
WITH HIM.

Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.

Matt. 10:33.

Our Extremity - God's Opportunity

In a large city in the South, the mission hall on Skid Row was crowded that night. In this very hall a few weeks ago the sports editor of a large daily paper was known to have bowed before the throne of grace and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. He had believed that the mighty work on Calvary was full payment before God for his life of sin and of negligence of His Son. Since that time, he had made a complete "about-face" and was now using his time, his talents, and his strength to speak well of Christ.

Tonight he was scheduled to speak at this hall on the present value and eternal good of believing God and receiving His Son through faith in His shed blood. Consequently, sports' fans from all walks of life were present, seeking to see or hear this reporter so well known to them by his unbiased and pungent paragraphs on subjects dear to their worldly hearts.

At last the speaker entered the hall from a side door. As he stepped up on a little platform facing his audience, the boisterous talk common to such a crowd slowly merged into a gentle murmur of comments and criticisms from those who were there. Primarily, some of them had come to question and heckle one who dared thus to face so many avowed enemies of the CROSS of Christ.

The erst-while reporter and editor stood quietly awaiting silence. Shall we too look at the faces before him? On some, the long years of denial of the rights of the God who had bought them, and their subsequent lives of abandonment to the "pleasures of sin" showed in their defiant eyes. Others expressed bitter rebellion to any question as to their "right" to live for self. On some could be seen the hardened awareness of years of deliberate refusal of Christ and His Word while a few scattered individuals sat with bowed heads and downcast eyes, as though humbly acknowledging the low estimate of self to which their lives of worldliness and sin had brought them.

The eyes of those now fixed on the lone figure on the platform held varying expressions: stony cynicism from the narrowed eyes of outspoken skeptics; defiant rejection of any possible infringement of personal right to choose a life of sin against God and scorn of His dear Son; smiling derision of an attempt to justify a belief foreign to the one already acceptable to the listener; and in a few instances, the puzzled questioning of an honest "I don't know."

Strange to say, complete "down-and-outers" appeared to be in the minority. On these few faces could be seen the bleary eyes of the habitual drunkard, the pin-point pupils of the dope addict, and the uncertain, shifting gaze or poker-face of those who lived by the exercise of their wits. Among the majority were those whom one might call the "up-and-outers"—the "good mixers," the "jolly good fellows," those who claimed boastfully that they "would try anything once."

Among the latter was a red-headed, red-faced, devil-may-care type, known to many as "Bruce our Buddy." He had indeed tried practically every vice at least once. In the pursuit of these "pleasures of sin" he had gone to such lengths that he had lost all that the natural heart most values: a loving wife and two young daughters; his comfortable home; social position, and well paid profession. Indeed, Bruce, everybody's Buddy, had dropped so low in his own estimation that he felt he could claim but one real friend: the dollars he sometimes won with cards or dice, or the uncertain results of dealings at the race track or bets on other sports events. It was with these easy earnings and profligate spending of them that poor Bruce, in a come-easy, go-easy way of life, had won the doubtful honor of his title, Buddy. Tonight, through the forthcoming discourse from one whom he had once admired but now considered a renegade and traitor to other up and-outers, Bruce hoped to get a "lead" on a more lucrative way of life.

The first words of the speaker were in a plea for reverence as he bowed his head in prayer. Bruce listened intently then and throughout the ensuing address for a hoped-for suggestion of the monetary advantage in being a Christian. Not a word as to such gain was spoken. Rather, this gifted writer astounded Bruce by humbly proclaiming with the Apostle Paul, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord."

"No advantage there," thought Bruce. "Maybe there was physical gain."

He had heard of faith healing; and surely such practitioners would charge plenty. But listen, that man was really preaching! "You derelicts back there! What are you doing with the lives the Lord gave you? Why is your soul stunted and shriveled like a rotten apple? How can there be health and strength of spirit, soul, or body when you yourself abuse them with such profligate living?"

"Hey," shouted a squirming old man. "You said God loves us and will save us to the uttermost. Do you take that back?"

"No," came the positive answer. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses from all sin. God's love to poor lost sinners is eternal, and for the contrite heart His forgiveness never fails. God does love and God will forgive; but mark my words, you'll not get off Scot-free. Old Mother Nature will collect." This was said most emphatically.

So, it wasn't faith healing, then, with possible fees to enrich him.

At last, really puzzled and anxious for true light, Bruce joined the men in an after-meeting. With this smaller group the sports editor seemed more at ease, and was more fluently able to present the love of God and the claims of Christ to their souls. So eloquently did he show forth Christ and His death on the cross, explaining that, while we were yet enemies, "Christ died for the ungodly," the hearts of these hardened old sinners could not but respond. Bruce, as well as others, saw himself as a helpless, lost sinner, with no hope in either this world or the next. In despair he cast himself at the Savior's feet. Drawn by the constraining love of Christ, he obeyed the tender invitation: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt. 11:28.

Friend, have you seen yourself as God sees you? Do you say, with Job, "I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes"? If you have indeed reached the end of the line, as it were, you are now where the Lord will take you up. "Your extremity is His opportunity." He is always ready, willing, and able to "save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him."

"Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses." Psa. 107:6.

Proverbs 4:12

“As thou goest, step by step, the way shall open up before thee." (Syriac translation)

"Child of My love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy ignorance doth hold no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known to Me.

Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
Of My command, but thou the light shalt gain;
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And as thou goest all shall be made plain.

One step thou seest—then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For step by step thy Lord is leading thee.

Stand not in fear, thy adversaries counting;
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
For I, the Strong, will open up the way.

At the Midnight Hour

Aldouran Hall, Leswalt, in the southwest corner of Scotland, though obscure geographically, became well known to many servicemen during the years of World War 2. It was in this quiet village atmosphere that a doughty servant of Christ set out to cater, in some measure at least, for the men who had been so suddenly separated from home life. Their physical comfort was not forgotten; a lounge, or "Rest Room," allowed for relaxation in a homely atmosphere. There was stationery in abundance to encourage the "letter home" habit. Food was found by a multitude of means, but chiefly through the untiring efforts of the man behind the whole scheme. It was not only that he trekked to the surrounding towns and villages to stand in queues with the housewives, but also that he burned the midnight oil after normal canteen hours, to turn out hundreds of pancakes per night; and, during the whole period covered by this goodly work, he made upwards of 600 pounds of jam for the lads.

Had this been the full purpose of his efforts, it would have been a noble work; but there was. something deeper, the effects of which would be more abiding than material things could produce. He was a minister of the gospel, and his great desire was that these men, many of whom have since died in battle, should have the way of life made clear to them, that when danger came, however their bodies fared, they might know assuredly that all was well with their souls. During three years over a hundred thousand men came to this little haven, and heard, before leaving, the message of God's salvation.

One evening, after the little service was over, and when the preacher had finished his kitchen duties, he was preparing to leave, and went into the hall to extinguish the lights. He was surprised to find a young R. A. F. lad still sitting at one of the tables. "Hello!" he said, naming him; "I thought the last of the lads had gone half an hour ago."

"I don't know just how to express myself," was the reply, "but I have reached the stage where I must get things settled; and I have made up my mind not to leave this hall till it is done."

The two sat down together over an open Bible, one seeking the way of life, the other seeking wisdom from God, that the young man might be delivered from his difficulty. His story was gradually unfolded. He had been brought up in a godly home, his father and mother being sincere Christians of the Wesleyan persuasion. He had a brother and they both chafed under the restraint and restrictions of home life, and longed like the prodigal for the supposed freedom of the "far country." The war presented them with their opportunity. When his brother was called up, this lad, against the wishes of his parents, volunteered.

Before they left home their father called them into his room, and presented the gospel to them afresh, and pleaded with them to trust in the Savior. They stubbornly refused and their father, on his knees, commended them to God, beseeching Him for their salvation. Then the day after they left home, their father took to bed and in a fortnight was dead. The doctor said that he had died of grief. This tragedy left them unmoved, and they continued to seek their satisfaction in the pleasures of the world.

After two or three years of service life, this young man was posted to the southwest of Scotland, and made his acquaintance with the "Rest Room," becoming in time a regular attendee. He made it known that night that he had scarcely slept for weeks. He would retire to bed and drowse, only to awaken with a start, the cold sweat breaking out over him. On such occasions he felt that he was "just dropping into hell." Now he was going to have the matter settled once and for all.

Various passages of Scripture were read, as the preacher reasoned with the young man, but to no apparent effect. The enemy of souls does not readily relax his hold. But as the 24th verse of the fifth chapter of John's Gospel was read, and the gripping words repeated—"shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life"—the lad was arrested. "Stop!" he cried. "That's what I need. Read that again."

Again and again the blessed words of Christ were reiterated, and about the midnight hour, the seeking soul "passed from death unto life," never to come into condemnation, through simply believing. "Before I sleep tonight," he said, "I will write to my brother, who is overseas, and tell him what I have done. I will entreat him to follow my example." His farewell words, ere leaving Aldouran Hall for another sphere of service, were these: "I will never forget John 5 and 24."

Let us read again what Jesus said: "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."

To you, too, is the word of this salvation sent!

Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?

During a series of evangelistic meetings, a young preacher, A. C. Upham, told in a sermon of a young man who had been converted to God only a month before he was stricken by a deadly illness. The sick man was questioned by a friend: "Are you not afraid to die?"

The answer came: "No, I am not afraid. Jesus is my Savior in death as in life. But oh, must I go, and empty-handed?"

This incident was told to C. C. Luther, another preacher. It made a strong impression on him— so strong that in a few minutes the words of this hymn had arranged themselves in Mr. Luther's mind. He wrote them out, and a few days later he handed them to Mr. George C. Stebbins, a noted composer of music for sacred hymns.

The poignant words of the dying young Christian have been used of God often over the years to awaken many hearts to receive the word of His Son, Christ Jesus. Others have been led of the Spirit of God, through hearing this hymn, to give themselves more fully to His service.

Not many years ago, a young man who was living a reckless, godless life went to a Sunday morning service in a mission hall. For the first time he heard this hymn sung during the meeting. As the third verse was sung, the young man was so forcibly impressed that he could not join in the singing. He went home, miserable and unable to eat any dinner. In the afternoon he was impressed to attend a Bible class for working men, conducted at the other end of town. As he entered the door the same hymn that had made him so miserable in the morning was being sung: "Must I go, and empty-handed?"

Again he was so moved by the Holy Spirit to apply this hymn to himself, and so impressed by the seeming coincidence of its being sung at both places where he had attended that day, that it resulted in his conversion. He has ever since lived a consistent Christian life, manifesting a real change of heart and a strong desire to "spend and be spent" for Him who so "loved Him and gave Himself for him."

Friend, will you not apply to yourself the known will of God in Christ for you? If unsaved, He longs for you to turn to Him, for He is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." 2 Pet. 3:9.

To every one saved by faith in His shed blood, He gives the formula for a life that honors Him, and thus "redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph. 5:16.

Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?

"Must I go, and empty-handed?"
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?

Not at death I shrink nor falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him, empty-handed—
Thought of that now clouds my brow.

Oh, the years in sinning wasted!
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I'd gladly bow.

Oh, ye saints, arouse, be earnest!
Up and work while yet 'tis day;
Ere the night of death o'ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.

Chorus:

"Must I go, and empty-handed?"
Mast I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
"Must I empty-handed go?"

Warning and Welcome

The well-known seabird, the stormy petrel, is rightly credited with a sensitive presentiment of a change of weather. Fishermen in Iceland keep their weather-eye upon him. Should he fly far out over the waters, it is a sign of fair weather, and they can pursue their calling with their frail barks upon the treacherous waves without fear. But should the petrel be seen flying landwards, it is a sign that a storm is gathering. Wise men will head at once, for the harbor of shelter and safety. To remain at sea after that, tossing to and fro on the waves, would be to run the risk of meeting with a watery grave.

How strikingly this reminds of the state of things in the world in relation to Christ! Man, since he cannot see God, acts in his unconverted state as though He were a long way off. He reckons that the outlook is fair, and sails fearlessly and heedlessly through the world, feeling sure that he has plenty of time to enrich himself with its offers of wealth, honor, or fame. He sees no sign of coming danger. Death and judgment to him are vague, a long way off in the dim uncertain future, and the latter possibly only a tale that is told after all! His present life and home are here, and they engage nearly all his thoughts. He esteems it his interest and duty to do the best he can for himself. But alas, he has no sense that his heart and mind have been blinded by the god of this world, and he sails on regardless of the warning sign of Scripture, "Behold, the Judge standeth before the door." James 5:9.

On the other hand, the troubled soul looks up. He sees Christ on high, but also at hand (Phil. 4:5.) He hears His warning voice telling of His coming soon as Judge, and entreating him to flee to Him at once as Savior. He is the only harbor of refuge and safety from the coming storm. Forewarned by His precious words of love and grace, and forsaking forever the delusions of Satan and this storm-threatened world, as a wise man he steers straight for the harbor. In Christ Himself who died for sinners he finds a present haven of shelter, rest, and peace.

A Bishop and Hell

I cannot forget the words of a dying man who often heard John Newton preach: "Sir, you often told me of Christ and salvation; why did you not oftener remind me of hell and danger?"

Let others hold their peace about hell if they will—I dare not do so. I see it plainly in Scripture, and I must speak of it. I fear that thousands are on that broad way that leads to it, and I would fain arouse them to a sense of the peril before them.

What would you say of the man who saw his neighbor's house in danger of being burned down, and never raised the cry of "Fire"? What ought to be said of us as ministers, if we call ourselves watchmen for souls, and yet see the fires of hell raging in the distance, and never give the alarm?

Call it bad taste if you like, to speak of hell. Call it charity to make things pleasant, and speak smoothly, and soothe men with a constant lullaby of peace. My notion of charity is ever to warn men plainly of danger. My notion of taste in the ministerial office is to declare all the counsel of God. If I never spoke of hell, I would think I had kept back something that was essential, and would look on myself as an accomplice of the devil! J. C. Ryle "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God." Psa. 9:17.

"FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME!" Luke 3: 7.

"He that cometh to God must believe that He h, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

Echoes of Grace: 1972

Table of Contents

Life Is Short - Eternity Is Long

Go Thou Thy Way Till the End

An Awful Decision

The Question …

The Great Question

At the Junction

The Unchanging Word

All for Christ

Right Now

Until He Find It

Out of the Heart of Men Proceed Evil Thoughts

Do It Now

The Power of Our Desires

Twice Saved on the Atlantic

Need, the Door to Blessing

Too Late

Complete Satisfaction

A Living Savior

Be in Time!

The Lonely Cabin on the "40 Mile

The Broadminded Captain

Peace

I Come Quickly!

Why Unbelieving?

The Brazilian Prisoner

Yet There Is Room!

The Invisible Passenger

The Big Swede and the Irishman

Religion versus Salvation

A Happy Old Man

The Gospel "A. B. C.

Thy Weakness - His Strength

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

The God of All Comfort

He Keeps Me Singing

The Will of the Lord Be Done

Neither Saint nor Sinner

The Old Story

If We Were Really Looking

The Story of a Flood

Two Bullets and Two Messages

Nepenthes

Two Strings to Your Bow

As White As Snow

The Case of the Chinese Bandit

A Mother's Prayers

Hidden Ministers

What Is Truth?

More Than a Hope

Hardness

The Gospel through the Key Hole

Kankwali's Questions

I'm waiting for a Sign

The Invitation

Lift Neither Hand nor Foot

Tasting

The Time Is Short

The Swedish Nightingale

A Last Opportunity

Stormy Weather

Free Thinkers

Rug Me Up, Janet!

A Great Gulf Between

Lord, Make Me Careful

There Is a God …

Lost and Found on a Canadian Prairie

A Most Efficacious Prescription

When One Door Shuts another Opens

He Had Damned His Own Soul

Doing My Best

The All-Sufficient One

Our Extremity - God's Opportunity

Proverbs 4:12

At the Midnight Hour

Must I Go, and Empty-Handed?

Warning and Welcome

A Bishop and Hell