Echoes of Grace: 1976

Another contemporary in a more recently published book attempts to disarm the other's "disturbing symbolism of 1984," contending that ever improving technology in a global free market will bring peace, prosperity— and even immortality itself— to all. While fully appreciating the prevailing dismal views of mankind, the writer tells his readers not to worry, because (he says) the good sense of the average man is proof against the rantings of the pessimists. People will prove masters of their fate, he is sure, and the creative energy thus released will not only solve the problems of pollution and famine, but gratify desires yet undreamed of.

Even if this light-hearted theory were anything more than irresponsible optimism, the fatal flaw in it would be that it leaves out God. It is well to remember that God may exercise His prerogatives and execute His plans, quite independently of man's will or wishes.

The one who says in his heart "there is no God," the Bible designates a "fool". To one who boasted himself of tomorrow, God said, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee." Luke 12:20.

In ancient Egypt, on festive occasions, a corpse was introduced and set at the banquet table to remind the guests of their mortality, and in such a presence the festivities proceeded. In this regard the idolatrous Egyptians were wiser than many in so-called Christendom.

But even if one should be spared to live through 1984, what if the Lord should intervene? What if Christ should come for His own in 1976? What charm would the rosiest 1984 hold for the one who was consciously left behind— shut out of heaven forever?

And what if the Day of the Lord, the judgment day, (which will surely follow the coming of Christ for His Church) should break upon this world before 1984 arrives?

Although such imminent events, divinely foretold in the Bible, are scouted on every hand today, and scoffers ask, "Where is the promise of His coming?"— "the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night." (2 Peter 3:4, 10.)

Satan's object is to occupy the minds of men either with the anxious cares of this life now, or with empty dreams of the future. God proclaims that for the ungodly judgment lies ahead; and that TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION.

Reader, do not wait till tomorrow for you its sun may never rise. "Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts." Heb. 3:7, 8.

"I do therefore earnestly exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the worth of your precious soul that you delay not a day nor an hour longer. Leave not the great, the momentous question of your personal salvation, your eternal destiny to an uncertain tomorrow. Have it settled TODAY. "Now is the day of salvation."

Believe in Him who died for thee,

And sure as He has died,

Thy debt is paid, thy soul is free,

And thou are justified.

?I Want Peace?

The power of an accusing conscience to banish peace, and the power of the blood of Christ to silence the accuser and bring peace have been proved by millions today. On the other hand millions are seeking for peace by various other means; but in vain.

In Singapore the urgent quest for peace led an elderly native gentleman into the little Christian bookroom there. He arrived near closing time and insisted on being served by "the European lady."

"What may I do for you?" she asked pleasantly.

"I want to find peace," he replied. "Can you tell me where I can find it?"

"This Book," said the saleslady, picking up a Bible, "shows how to find peace."

"But you told me that five years ago," he replied came into your store then and asked you the same question. But I am still looking for peace." The saleslady had forgotten the incident, but not so the Good Shepherd. He continued over the years to seek this lost and wandering sheep and would not allow him to rest until he rested safely upon His shoulders.

The native man had all this world had to offer; it was not poverty that kept gnawing at his soul. He had plenty of material things; but his mind was in turmoil. How true are Augustine's words penned nearly 1500 years ago: "Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they rest in Thee."

"The trouble is," continued the old man, "I cannot believe the Bible."

"If you do not believe the Bible, there is no hope of you ever finding peace," said the saleslady; "the Bible is the only book that can teach us that."

But the man contended that the Bible was written by human beings— "so how was one to be sure that it was the Word of God?"

The Bible is in truth the very Word of God and carries its own credentials. Many who doubt and criticize it most have really read it the least. Finally the saleslady was able to persuade the gentleman to go home and read the gospel of John, especially the story of Nicodemus in the third chapter, and note how the Lord Jesus insisted that even a morally upright "master in Israel" MUST be born again.

Having referred him to the Word of God she then referred him to an earnest Christian doctor who lived near the old gentleman's home. He said he would be glad to visit the doctor if he could but be cured of the turmoil in his heart.

"But," said the saleslady as they parted, "the doctor will give you the same medicine; 'ye MUST be born again'."

On reaching her home she telephoned the doctor, explaining how she had referred to him a patient suffering from sin-sickness. The doctor, a faithful servant of God and true lover of souls, said he would be pleased to be of use to His Lord if He could use him in this case. And He did.

As advised by the saleslady, our elderly friend subsequently kept an appointment with the doctor. But instead of prescribing medication or recommending a psychiatrist, the doctor opened his Bible and together they read in John's Gospel.

"The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119.

At last light and understanding began to dawn upon the dark, restless soul of the man who for years had sought peace. He saw indeed that he too "MUST be born again." It took more than one visit to the good doctor's office before the full light shone; but on the third visit— at midnight— the man believed the Word of God to the saving of His soul. The peace of God entered his troubled heart. He went home rejoicing in the knowledge of sins forgiven and peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1).

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin;

The blood of Jesus whispers, "Peace " within.

No Way Back to Childhood

Outside a shop in England some 300 years ago, an unprecedented volley of cursing and swearing brought the shop lady running to the door where she delivered the following rebuke: "You are the ungodliest fellow for swearing that I have ever heard in all my life! By thus doing you are able to spoil all the youth in the whole town if they but come in your company."

The swearer was a youth named John Bunyan, afterward the author of "The Pilgrim's Progress."

Stunned by this withering reproof, young John hung his head, and to quote his own words, wished with all my heart that I might be a child again, that my father might learn me to speak without this wicked way of swearing."

Two hundred years later the poetess Elizabeth Akers Allen wrote:

"Backward, turn backward, O, Time, in your flight,

Make me a child again just for tonight!"

In more modern times a brilliant career woman attached to the league of Nations and mistress of seven languages wrote: "I would give all I possess if I could begin life over again with the heart of a little child."

"The heart knoweth its own bitterness." In this world every life has its disappointments. Even the most distinguished careers are checkered with secret regrets. To many, the mythical "Land of Beginning Again" is a desired haven; but alas! we have all reached the point of no return; there is no way back to childhood.

But even suppose a man of today became again the child of yesterday, although he might correct some of his past mistakes, he could not thus fit himself for heaven. He would find that "that which is born of the flesh is flesh" (John 3:6)— and that "they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom. 8:8.)

It is not in the ways of God to begin again with the old nature or the old creation. He has before him a new creation.

"Ye must be born again," (John 3:7) is the firm declaration of the Son of God. To be in Christ is the answer to every heart's deepest longings, for "if any man be in Christ he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. 5:17.

To relive a life as a child of Adam would be but to compound my sins. To be born again a child of God is to be like Christ and perfect in Christ.

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

Have you received Him?

and I Refused!

Felix Mendelssohn, the great master of music, was born in Germany in 1801. As a young man his talents had already won him worldwide fame.

One afternoon, being in Frieberg, he wandered, unnoticed and unknown, into its ancient cathedral where he had heard there was a rare old pipe organ. Finding the old man in charge, he humbly asked permission to play it. But the old man stoutly refused, saying, "No! Strangers are not allowed to play my organ."

The young musician, however, persisted, and spoke so long and lovingly of the organ and pleaded so fervently, that the old man at last consented to let him play, but only for a few minutes.

Seating himself at the instrument and sweeping his fingers across the keys, the musician began to play. Instantly the old organ responded to the master's touch. It seemed to thrill with new life, as there burst from its pipes such a glorious rhapsody as it had never before produced. As if the great cathedral could not contain all the melody, the music rolled out through the open doors and windows into the streets, while the townsfolk stopped to listen and wonder.

When the short performance ended, the old man, with tears streaming from his eyes, laid two trembling hands on the musician's shoulders and demanded: "Wonderful man! Who are you?"

Hearing the name "Mendelssohn" he drew back in fear and astonishment, exclaiming, "Mendelssohn!— and I refused to allow you to play my organ!"

May this story remind us that a heavenly Stranger stands at the heart's door waiting to be admitted... to fill that heart with such heavenly joy and song as it has never known before. His name is Jesus. Have you let Him in?

How Am I to Come to Christ?

A Scotch shepherd, in a state of great anxiety, asked a preacher what was meant by "coming to Christ." "I have been hearing," he said, "a most earnest discourse; we have been urged and entreated to 'come to Christ'; and I felt as if I had been sitting on needles all the time, for he never told us how to come to Him. Can you tell me?"

"Can you fly to Him?"

"No, I cannot do that."

"Can you walk on your feet to Christ?"

"No."

The preacher then told him that Christ though in heaven was beside him on earth, loving him with a deep, strong and tender love, eagerly anxious to save him. He was shown that with his mind and heart, and not with his body, he was to come to Jesus; in other words he was to believe on Him who died that he might live. "Is that it? Is it that simple? I see it now," he said. By faith he came and went on rejoicing.

Have you come to Jesus yet? If not, come to Him now. Believe in His love and death for you, and you will know on the authority of Him who cannot lie, that you are saved, and have eternal life.

The Drover and the Infidel

The train was traveling from Norwich to Yarmouth. Occupying the same compartment were a clergyman, two ladies, and a man who proved to be an infidel. Farther on a cattle-drover also entered the compartment. As the train moved on, the clergyman gave a gospel tract to each. The infidel alone refused it, saying he never read such trash, and that he had two daughters at home whom he would not allow to read the Bible.

For fully ten minutes he then assailed the Word of God, professing to show it up.

"Pardon me, sir," said the clergyman, "but you say this Book is not fit for your daughters to read, yet for the last ten minutes you have quoted extracts from it, in the hearing of these two ladies, extracts which you say are unfit for your children. This is most inconsistent." The clergyman quoted scriptures and argued, but all was rejected by the infidel.

At last the drover spoke: "May I be allowed to say a word, sir? I am a cattle-drover, and sometimes I drive sheep, and sometimes I drive pigs. My boss went to the market the other day and bought some sheep, and I had to drive them home. Near his farm, there is a narrow lane, with nice green grass all through, and a pond at the far end. You should have seen those sheep go for the grass when I got them in the lane! They nibbled it, bleating as though cheering one another on. And when they had put their noses in the pond, they seemed as fresh as though just off the downs. The boss says to me, "Jim, those sheep look fresh."

"Of course they do," I said, "they have been feeding as they came along."

"Well, the next week the boss sent me to drive home some pigs. When I got them into the lane, they began rooting up the grass to get at the worms, grubs and dirt. It hurt me to see them destroying the beautiful green sod, so I drove them as fast as I could.

"And when they came to the pond, in they went, stirring up all the mud, and got home filthier than when they started.

"Now, sir," said the drover turning to the infidel, "you are like the pigs. Millions of dear souls find food and comfort in God's word, but you do not; and because it does not suit you, you would try and spoil it for others who could live on it. And while God made the worms to do His work in nature, so has He been pleased to write down in His Word, the Bible, things that you call unfit for reading. And as far as I can see, he has written down these dark sins committed in the lives of men (things we should leave out if we had to write their lives), to show that it is vile sinners that His grace can save. Yes, sir, He shows them up just as he sees them, and yet He says, `I can save the vilest; for the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth from all sin.'

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

The infidel sat silent all the while, nor did he open his mouth again. But the clergyman said, "My worthy friend, you say you are only a cattle-drover, I have had a college education; but I am free to confess I have learned more from you today than I learned in all my college career."

I Will Yield

"Once again the gospel.

From the Savior you have heard."

The above well-know gospel song was used of God to convert a once successful lawyer who had sunk so low in sin and poverty as to become a tramp in the streets, of New York. A homeless, penniless wreck of a man, he happened one night to wander past a mission just as those within sang

"Will you heed the invitation?

Will you turn and seek the Lord?”

He stopped for a moment to listen. His early training had been Christian and old memories were stirred. He turned and entered the hall just as the second verse, was being sung:

"Many summers you have wasted

Ripened harvest you have seen,

Winter snow by spring have melted;

Yet you liger in your, sin.'

He realized that this unreeled a truthful record of his own past life away from God. He listened to the third verse ending:

"While the Sprit still is striving,

Yield and seek the savior’s side."

Deeply convicted, he jumped to his feet and said, "I will yield I will seek the Savior’s side!"

He was converted that night, and confessed the Lord Jesus as his Savior, and there was joy in the presence of the angels of God.

Omnipresence

(present everywhere at the same time)

Chateauneuf, keeper of the seals of Louis 13 of France, when a boy of only nine years, was asked many questions by a bishop, and gave very prompt answers to them all. At length the prelate said, "I will give you an orange if you will tell me where God is?"

"My lord," replied the boy, "I will give you two oranges if you will tell me where God is not."

Nearly three thousand years before this, David wrote by inspiration of God: "Whither shall I go from Thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from Thy presence: If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee." Psalm 139:6-12.

Fragment: Not for the Proud

Salvation has been procured for all who are not too proud to take it for nothing.

"SON, REMEMBER." Luke 16:25. The rich man who cared only for this life and forgot God, "died and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments."— verses 22, 23. Satan promises what he never gives— an enduring pleasure; but he gives what he never mentions— an eternal torment.

O, Leave It All With Jesus

I left it all with Jesus long ago;

All my sins I brought Him, and my woe,

When by faith I saw Him on the tree,

Heard His small, still whisper, "Tis for thee,"

From my heart the burden rolled away—

Happy day!

I leave it all with Jesus, for He knows

How to steal the bitter from life's woes;

How to gild the teardrop with His smile,

Make the desert garden bloom awhile;

When my weakness leaneth on His might,—

All seems light.

I leave it all with Jesus day by day;

Faith can firmly trust Him, come what may.

Hope has dropped her anchor, found her rest

In the calm, sure haven of His breast;

Love esteems it heaven to abide,—

At His side.

O, leave it all with Jesus, drooping soul!

Tell not half thy story but the whole;

Worlds on worlds are hanging on His hand,

Life and death are waiting His command;

Yet His tender bosom makes thee room—

O, come home!

"There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 2:5.

How Grandmother Rested

"Don't go Over to Grandmother's during noon-hour!"

That was Mother's standing order to John, her little boy of seven. Grandmother lived in the old cottage across the lane from the farm house where John lived. He had been told that Grandmother rested an hour at noon every day and must not be disturbed.

But the thought of Grandmother resting puzzled John. He had never known her to rest. The idea of her stopping work for a whole hour in the middle of the day was too hard to imagine. His curiosity increased until one day he ventured over to Grandmother's back door just before twelve o'clock.

She was busy as usual— this time baking pies for the threshing crew expected next day.

"Grannie", he called shyly, "what do you do when you rest every noon hour?"

"Who told you I rest?" she replied a bit sharply. "Wait a minute and I'll show you how I rest."

Having removed some pies from the oven and smoothed her long white apron, she led John into the next room, closed the door and sat him on a chair.

Then she knelt down and began to pray aloud while John looked on amazed.

She prayed that God would save John and his brother from the paths of sin. She prayed for his father and mother and other loved ones near and far. She prayed for the neighbors, for the sick, for the preacher and for the Gospel. Then she thanked God for sending His Son into the world to be the Savior of sinners. She thanked Him for all His loving care over them all. Nothing or no one seemed to be overlooked. For nearly an hour she prayed, pouring out her heart to the God who hears and answers the prayer of faith. With her fervent Amen, John slipped off the chair and ran home. At last he knew what grandmother did every noon hour. She prayed!

John was brought up the hard way. By the time he was twelve, he was able to cut wood and handle a logging team almost like a man.

At the close of one long cold day in the woods, his father told him to hurry home ahead of the horses and chop the ice from the waterhole.

Evidently this took longer than expected and when father arrived and found the waterhole still unprepared, he angrily grabbed the ax and wielded it as if to strike John.

The boy dodged the blow and, half in fear and half in anger, ran into the house. Quickly collecting the only extra piece or two of clothing he owned, he ran away, determined never to return.

The winter was spent working for his keep on a neighbor's farm a few miles away, and in the spring, though still only twelve, John struck out to face the world alone.

For many years he led a hard sinful life, drifting from place to place and job to job, finally becoming a hard rock miner in the Northern Ontario gold fields. Here he was married and had children of his own.

But God, who is the observer as well as the preserver of men, had his eye upon John still, and the time came for Grandmother's prayers for him to be answered.

His wife, unknown to him, had attended a gospel meeting and been brightly saved. Immediately her heart yearned for her husband and the following Sunday she ventured to ask John to attend the gospel meeting with her. To her surprise and delight he readily agreed.

The preacher was also a miner, and after the sermon, John promptly asked him if he would come to their home for supper the next evening.

At the appointed hour the preacher arrived and following supper inquired, "John, why did you ask me to supper, was there not something you wished to ask me?"

"Yes," replied John. "You know I am fast traveling the road to hell. Tell me, is there really any hope for a sinner like me?"

How gladly the preacher showed John from the Scriptures God's way of salvation. How fervently he prayed that John would look to Christ and live!

Far on into the night the light shone into his dark heart and John, weary and heavy laden with his sins, came to Jesus, just as he was, and Jesus gave him rest. (Matt. 11:28).

Grandmother's prayers for John were answered at last! Today he is happy in Jesus and awaits the moment when he shall look into His Savior's face and see his dear old grandmother who prayed daily for his precious soul.

HE WAS A SAILOR. "All, right boys," he said, "go on, say all you want to, make all the fun of me you please; but I have tried it now for over six months. Taverns do not let my money now; and I have got a clear head, a clear eye, and a happy heart; all because I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.”

Last Words of Famous Men

NAPOLEON: "I die before my time, and my body will be given back to the earth. Such is the fate of him who has been called the great Napoleon."

VOLTAIRE (to his doctor): "I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months life... Then I shall go to Hell, and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!"

THOMAS HOBBES, a skeptic: "If I had the whole world, I would give it to live one day. I shall be glad to find a hole to creep out of the world. I am about to take a leap into the dark!"

M. F. RICH, an atheist: "I would rather lie on a stove and broil for a million years than go into eternity with the eternal horrors that hang over my soul! I have given my immortality for gold, and its weight sinks me into an endless, hopeless, helpless Hell.

DWIGHT L. MOODY, the evangelist: "I see earth receding; Heaven is open. God is calling!"

JOHN WESLEY: "The best of all is, God is with us!"

SAMUEL RUTHERFORD: "I am in the happiest pass to which man can ever come. Christ is mine, and I am His; and there is nothing now between me and resurrection, except Paradise."

Do you know why the difference in these famous last words? The Bible has the answer: "He that believeth on the Son [Jesus Christ), 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.

Show Me Myself

Years ago a Scottish preacher traveling to Edinburgh put up in a comfortable inn on the Highland road. As it was his practice to hold family worship in every house where he slept, and to insist upon the attendance of every inmate, he summoned the family together.

When all were seated and the Bible opened, the preacher, surveying the company, asked whether every member of the household were present.

"Yes," replied the landlord.

"All?"

"Yes, we are all here. There is a maid in the kitchen, but we never think of asking her. She is not very presentable."

"Then call in the girl," said the preacher, laying down the Bible, "we will wait till she comes."

The landlord protested, but the preacher insisted.

"The kitchen maid has a soul and a very precious one," he said. "If she is not in the habit of attending family worship, all the greater need for her to join us now."

At last the host consented and the poor girl was admitted to the family circle.

After the devotions, the preacher asked the girl his usual introductory question: "Who made you?" There was no answer.

"Do you know that you have a soul?"

"No, I never heard that I had one. What is a soul?"

"Do you ever pray?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Well," said the preacher, "I am going to Edinburgh, and I will bring you a little scarf if you promise to pray a prayer that I will teach you. It is very short, there are only four words in it: `Lord, show me MYSELF.'

"If you will pray this prayer each night and morning, I will not forget to bring you what I have promised."

The little maid was delighted and her promise given. The preacher retired and the next morning he resumed his journey to Edinburgh.

He completed his business there, not forgetting the Highland Inn and its little kitchen-maid, then he resumed his journey from Edinburgh.

He arrived late at the inn, but before eating any supper he summoned as usual, the household around the family altar. Again, however, the little maid was absent and again he inquired the cause. But this time it was a different reason that withheld her.

"Indeed, sir," replied the hostess, "she's been of little use since you were here. She has done nothing but sit and cry night and day, and now she is so weak and exhausted, that she cannot get out of her bed."

"O, my good woman, let me see the girl!" exclaimed the preacher, instantly grasping the reason for her grief. She took him to a small closet beneath the stairs, where the poor little thing lay on her bed, a pitiful picture of mental agony.

"Well, my child, here is the scarf I have brought you from Edinburgh," said the amiable man; "I hope you have done what you promised, and prayed that prayer I taught you."

"O no, sir— no, I can never take your present," was her response. "A dear gift it has been to me. You have taught me a prayer that God has answered in an awful way. He has shown me myself, and oh what a sight it is! Oh, dear sir, what shall I do?"

He entered into her case fully; and after a conversation on God's way of salvation and peace, the interview was ended by the preacher recommending that she use another short and comprehensive prayer: "Lord, show me THYSELF."

This second prayer went heavenward from the girl's heart as sincerely as the first, and God answered her with a revelation of Himself, as seen in Jesus. She found in Him a Savior God, and her fears and terrors ceased. By faith she saw that "the blood of Jesus Christ God's Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Her dark soul was brought into the glorious light and liberty of a child of God. And for many years afterward she lived, not only a consistent character, but an eminently holy Christian.

Three Lines and a Bit

I was hailed one morning by a tall, gaunt and haggard looking fellow with, "Is your name Soltau?"

"Yes, that is my name. What is yours?"

"There's my name over my store," pointing to his place of business.

"Bellet, is it? I knew that name well enough. Yes; I think my brother knows your brother."

"Well," said he, "I am in the dark; and I thought possibly you might to able to help me. I have blotted God out of my thoughts, but somehow, lately I have been awfully troubled in my mind. The great trouble is that I can't believe a single word of the Bible— not a word."

"I'm sorry for that," I said; "but if you can't, why, you can't, and there's an end to the matter." "But can't you help me?"

"No, I'm afraid not; I don't know how I can." "It does seem hard that I can't get some light. It's awfully dark."

"How long has it been troubling you?"

"About three or four weeks."

"Can you account for it at all?"

"No, it came all of a sudden— night after night so— that I couldn't sleep for thinking. Can you account for it anyway?"

"Yes, I think I can. Does your brother ever pray for you?"

"He has never left off since I left England ten years ago."

"Then what you are now feeling is merely the beginning of the answer to your brother's prayers. You are getting a bit squeezed, and the truths of past years are coming to the front again. How do you like it?"

"Oh, it's awfully dark, and I'm miserable. I can't get any light anywhere. My health is beginning to suffer. Can't you help me?"

"No," said I, "I'm afraid I can't; it's not so easy to get back to God when you have been going away from Him for ten years. Jesus Christ says, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.' You can only get back to God by Him. But what I have said comes out of the Bible, so that won't help you at all."

"No, I can't believe that."

After further talk we parted. A few weeks passed, and I saw him coming into the service one night. At the close he came up to me, saying, "Will you try and help me tonight? I am worse than ever; and if I don't get help soon I shall die. I can't sleep, eat, or attend to business. It does seem hard."

"Not hard, my friend, by any means. The Bible says, 'Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; but then, I forgot, you can't believe a word in the Bible."

"No, I can't believe a word in the Bible; but can't you help me, somehow?"

"No, I don't see how I can. I have no other resource but the Bible; and that's no use to you."

"What shall I do? I am all astray. I have got far away from God!"

"What did you say just then?"

"Why, that I'd got far from God, and gone astray altogether."

"Well, I think I could find one line that you could believe now. Shall I try?"

"Do. I shall be so glad to get one line that I can really believe."

Turning to Isaiah 53:6, we read together, "All we like sheep have gone astray."

"Is that true!"

"Why, yes; that's true."

"How do you know it is?"

"It describes me. I've gone astray! Why, there's one line that I can believe!"

"Well," said I, "You've got what you wanted now— one line out of the Bible that you can believe; so, good night, friend."

"Stop! wait a minute! True, I've got a line that I can believe; but it doesn't seem to do me any good. That line hasn't helped me at all."

"No," said I, "it wasn't meant to. It merely states a fact that you knew before."

"Would you mind trying another line?"

"I don't mind trying another, but do you think one at a time is enough?"

"Well, you see, I don't feel that one line has helped me at all; and I'd much like to try a second."

So again we turned to Isaiah 53:6, and read the second line: "We have turned every one to his own way."

"Why, that's true, too; I said; "you went your way from God— I went my way. That line describes us both."

"Yes, I can believe that line."

"But observe," said I, "it is a line and a bit— a little more than you expected. So now you have two lines and a bit that you can believe! You never expected that, did you?"

"No, I never did. But yet, somehow, they don't seem to have done me any good. I'm just as dark. I feel no nearer God."

"No," said I, "they are not meant to bring you into the light, because they merely describe us two; and we know they are true, because they are our experience."

"Well, would you mind trying the third line?"

"I don't mind, because I can believe all the lines in the Bible; but I wouldn't advise you to try a third. You see, two lines and a bit are a good deal for a man like you to swallow all at once; and I am pretty sure you would find the third line one too many. You wouldn't be able to believe it."

"I think I might; I think perhaps I might."

"I feel very sure you will not be able to," I said; "still, if you very much wish it, I will let you see it."

Once more we read together: "And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." "There, now, this third line is more than you can believe, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, I must confess I can't believe that." "I told you that two lines and a bit were all you would be able to manage at one time." "But how do you account for it that I cannot believe this third line?"

"I could tell you; but you would not much like me to say."

"I wish you would; for it seems strange that I can believe two lines, but not three."

"Suppose that instead of this Bible in my hand, I were holding a photograph album, and we were looking at the pictures. The first one would be a picture of John Muir. Yes, you would say, I knew that man well; and it's a good picture of him. The next one, I might say, is that of William Holt. Do you know him? Yes— exactly; a speaking likeness. Now, we will turn over to the third picture. That is Thomas Nelson. Did you ever see him? 'No,' you reply, I never saw him. But I have, I say; and I can vouch for that being a first-rate picture. Now the fourth is James Black. Is he a stranger to you? Yes, I never saw him. But, I say, I know it is as good a picture of him as are the others that we have looked at.

"And then you reply, I can't believe that those last two are a bit like the men you say, because I have never seen them; and until I do see them, I shall never bring myself to believe that those are their pictures, even though they are taken by the same photographer. Wouldn't you be a fool to reason that way?"

"Why, certainly I should; but I have not done that."

"Yes, you have," I replied. "I have shown you four pictures in that one verse, Isaiah 53:6. The first one was yourself— which you immediately recognized. The second was mine; and that, you said, you recognized also. Those two first lines showed us ourselves. Now the third line shows us just as plainly the Lord Jesus and God: and you turn around and say, 'I can't believe that third line.' What right have you to call in question the accuracy of the Holy Spirit, in describing to you the Lord Jesus and the Living God, when you have seen His accurate drawing of us two?"

"Let me have the whole verse again."

" 'All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way, and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.' "

"I see! I'm entirely wrong after all. You are right!"

We read the verse over; and once more I tried to explain to him the meaning of the statement in the three lines and a bit.

"Do you mean to say," said he, "that my safety and life depend upon my believing that third line?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then I'll stake my sole existence for time and for eternity on that third line. I put my finger on it, and declare that I believe that every word of it is true."

Solemnly we dropped on our knees, and I repeated his words to the Lord Jesus. He then followed in humble and broken confession of sin; and before he rose again the light had entered his soul. The three lines and a bit had accomplished the purpose of God! They had found entrance through the door of faith, and he was rejoicing in salvation.

I Was a Wandering Sheep

I was a wandering sheep,

I did not love the fold;

I did not love my Shepherd's voice.

I would not be controlled:

I was a wayward child,

I did not love my home,

I did not love my Father's voice,

I loved afar to roam.

The Shepherd sought His sheep,

The Father sought His child;

They followed me o'er vale and hill,

O'er deserts waste and wild;

They found me nigh to death,

Famished, and faint, and lone;

They bound me with the bands of love,

They saved the wandering one.

Jesus my Shepherd is,

'Twas He that loved my soul;

'Twas He that washed me in His blood,

'Twas He that made me whole;

'Twas He that sought the lost,

That found the wandering sheep;

'Twas He that brought me to the fold,

'Tis He that still doth keep.

I was a wandering sheep,

I would not be controlled;

But now I love my Father's voice,

I love, I love the fold.

I was a wayward child,

I once preferred to roam;

But now I love my Father's voice,

I love, I love His home.

Horatius Bonar

March

Coo-Ee

The late Dr. George Soltau, after addressing a meeting in Australia, was approached by one of the audience, a young man quite unknown to him, who asked for an interview. The conversation which followed is here given in the doctor's own words:

"Well," I said, "what is it?"

"I want to have a little talk with you, if you don't mind. I'm a skeptic. I don't believe in anything."

"Lots of fellows are skeptics nowadays, just like you, and it's not very easy to help them. What do you want to know?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you if you would kindly try and prove to me that Christ really exists."

"Why should I? He doesn't interest you at all, if you are a skeptic. It can't concern you, surely."

"Well, I am very miserable, and I find things unsatisfactory; and I have been wondering this evening whether I could get any proof about this."

"Supposing you did; what next?"

"Well, perhaps I might become a Christian."

"Is it worth your while— being a skeptic?"

"Well, I am so utterly miserable and wretched."

"That's no wonder— serves you right; and I'm not going to waste two minutes trying to prove to you that Christ exists."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not worthwhile under the circumstances. Besides, I'm not sure it's possible to do so to a skeptic."

"I wish you'd try. You have no idea how dark and miserable I am."

"Perhaps I will, if you will kindly prove to me something first."

"What's that?"

"That you are your mother's son."

"That's easy enough."

"All right, fire away. How will you begin?" He sat thinking for some time, and then said, "I'm blest if I know how to begin!"

"That's just my fix too, about proving Christ exists. I don't know how to begin. Look here, my dear fellow. All you can tell me is that as far back as you can remember someone taught you to call her Mother, and she called you her own son; and you have gone on doing it ever since. Has it worked all right?"

"Certainly it has."

"Are you satisfied that she is your mother?"

"Perfectly so."

"Can you prove it?"

"No, but I'm perfectly satisfied she is."

"And so am I that Christ exists. Many years ago I first began to call Him my Savior, and to obey Him as such; and He has called me His, and it works perfectly. I have no further proof for you than that."

"How can I find Him for myself then?"

"Very simply, and quickly, if you are thoroughly honest in the inquiry."

"Yes, indeed I am."

"Suppose you were ever to be lost in the bush, you could only do one thing— stand still and coo-ee. Then, if any one, of whose existence you had no knowledge, heard you coo-ee, he would answer you, and you two would keep it up until he found his way to you and took you out the way he came in. You've got to coo-ee to the Lord Jesus Christ. If He exists anywhere around, He will hear. If He hears, I can guarantee He will answer; and if you keep it up He will come to you and lead you out of the dark."

"That's simple enough."

"Will you coo-ee?"

"Yes."

"When will you begin?"

"Here and now."

"Then just kneel down and begin right away."

He dropped on his knees and began with some such words as these: "O Lord Jesus, I don't know whether you exist or not, but I'm lost, I'm bushed! Can You save me?"

He paused, and then I began to pray with him, watching his pale anxious face. Presently I saw a great smile steal over it, and I stopped, feeling sure that God was working.

"Does God exist?" I asked him.

"Of course He does."

"How do you know?"

"He has taken me out of the dark, and I am His. He has saved me. He is my Savior." "Are you satisfied?"

"Perfectly."

We rose, and after a few words we parted. More than twelve months passed by, when I was greeted on the top of a streetcar by a young man with a good-sized Bible under his arm. "Do you remember me?"

"No," I said, "I can't say I do."

"The coo-ee fellow! That was a good night's work. I have been studying this Book ever since, and it's just grand."

?Be My Guest?

Dinner for Two $4,000.00

If one were offered dinner for two at any price to be eaten in any restaurant, anywhere in the world, where would the choice be? And what would be the cost?

Last year the New York Times proposing these questions was able to provide these answers. The place: Chez Denis in Paris. The cost: $4000.00.

It all began when a large American Corporation awarded the "meal ticket" to the donor of $300 (the largest donation) on a fund-raising program.

The winner took weeks to decide on the restaurant; and having considered famous eating places in Rome, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Copenhagen, Brussels and London, finally selected the Chez Denis in Paris.

The historic meal, which was to be the finest dinner in Europe, and money no obstacle, went in three services and comprised a series of thirty luxurious and exotic dishes— besides nine rare and distinguished wines, one of which was one hundred and forty years old.

To the question, "Was the $4000 meal perfect in all respects?" the answer was, "No." By so much do man's best efforts fail to satisfy!

May the above event make us think of an infinitely greater feast made by Another— and note the contrasts. This feast was comprehended in a parable spoken by the Lord Jesus and recorded in Matthew 22: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son." v. 2.

The parable immediately commands our most intense interest when we realize that "the king" is none other than God— "the King eternal, invisible, the only wise God." 1 Tim. 1:17. "His Son," is, "Christ Jesus who came into the world to save sinners." v. 15. Surely on such an occasion all other feasts must fade into insignificance. At such a feast all must be divinely perfect and eternally satisfying. Think! It is to be God's feast to honor His dear Son— the One who "in all things must have the preeminence." Col. 1:18.

And who, today and now, are invited to this feast of all feasts? Read carefully His command to His servants who convey the invitation: "Go ye therefore into the highways and as many as ye shall find bid to the marriage.

"So the servants went out into the highways and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests." Matt. 22:9,10.

Another has commented: "Who could doubt his welcome: for in the world mankind is either `good' or 'bad.' But God's word concludes all in unbelief "there is none that doeth good" (Rom. 3:10, 11, 12.) And to all such God sends this invitation: "All things are ready; come unto the marriage."

The now famous dinner at the Chez Denis was prepared for only two. Furthermore, it was really a reward for a $300 donation. And the two guests had to travel from New York to Paris to be there. God's feast, on the other hand, is prepared for all. It is free to all. And it is for all who accept God's gracious invitation. And again, Christ is coming personally to take all who accept the invitation to heaven to enjoy it. And all this is to be had free, "without money and without price" (Isa. 55). Right well has God's feast been described "the poor man's dinner!"

The bridal hall is filling

for the feast;

Pass in, pass in, and be

the Bridegroom's guest.

Room, room, still room!

O, enter, enter now!

Exracts

"Do you pray for salvation, Johnnie?" a boy asked his companion.

"No, Jim, I've got it: I praise God for it." See Acts 3:8.

Oh, why was He there as the Bearer of sin,

If on Jesus thy sins were not laid?

Oh, why from His side flowed the sin-cleansing

blood,

If His dying thy debt has not paid?

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

False And True Religions

THE FALSE: Something in my hands I bring, Be that something what it may.

THE TRUE: Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling.

"He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."

John 3:33

The Wedding Garment

It was graduation day. Sixty-six grade eight girls had assembled in their Clifton, Arizona school for the event. But amid all the pomp and happiness one of the graduates was ordered out of the ceremony, because her dress did not conform.

They had all been instructed to wear plain pastel dresses. The penalized girl appeared in a yellow flowered dress; but only to be sent home in tears.

"She was defying authority," explained the school board chairman.

May this unhappy turn of events at an otherwise glad affair, remind us of a far more serious breach, with eternally sad consequences.

It is the sequel to the Lord's parable concerning "a certain King, who made a marriage for His Son" (Matt. 22). The festivities were about to commence and the supreme moment had arrived "when the King came in to see the guests."

It is not hard to imagine the joyous impact which the royal Presence made upon the assembled company. Surely they arose as one to bow and thank Him for inviting such as they to such a kingly banquet.

And how the great King rejoiced to see the happy guests, each arrayed in a wedding garment which spake to His eye and heart of the sufferings of His Son, of the grace that led Him who knew no sin to be made sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor. 5:21). How those marriage robes must have brought it all before the King's heart, while the guests proclaim, "He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isa. 61:10.

But look! Among the guests "the King saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment"— a man who preferred his own clothing to the wedding garment provided by the King.

Whether this man's garment was showy or shabby was not the question. The decisive fact was it was not the wedding garment. As another has commented:

"Nothing could excuse this man's contempt for the King's grace and honor— or excuse his preference for his own robe, especially on the grand occasion planned by the King to honor His Son. It was therefore a direct offense against the grace which did provide according to the King's majesty and magnificence."

And what was the penalty? Banishment forever from Him who is love and light, from Him whose grace was so utterly despised!

How final, how terribly solemn are the words of the King to this presumptuous, self-righteous guest!

"Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?

"And he was speechless.

"Then said the King to the servants,

"Bind him hand and foot, and take Him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 22:12.

Truly "the King's wrath is as a roaring lion!" Prov. 19:12.

Today the gospel invitation goes forth to all; and God's grace is ample for everyone. But since His grace is abused by so many and Christ is received by relatively few, the words of the Lord Jesus on closing this illuminating parable are: "Many are called, but few are chosen."

Jesus Gave Her Water

You would have loved Aunt Gertie. We met her first in a little gospel hall in Gordon Bay, Ontario. She was very old— one of the pioneers— and had attended the meetings there all her long strenuous life. Her face was all furrows and wrinkles; her hands work-worn and hard. But her smile was radiant as the sunshine, and her hearty handshake, genuine and warm.

"How long have you known Jesus," we asked.

"Ever since I got lost in the bush."

"Tell us about it."

"I was eight years old. Already I knew I was lost in my sins. But hunting up the cows one hot summer day I got lost in the woods. I ran and ran till I thought I would die of thirst. So I knelt right down and called, "Oh God, give me a drink!" Right away I found a drink waiting. There in front of me was a hole punched in the soft ground by a cow's foot long before. It was full of clear rain water. So while I knelt, I drank."

At the same moment, by faith she saw Jesus offering her living water (John 4:10). She only had to take it. And take it she did.

Late in the day, when at last she reached home with the cows, Gertie was a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). Had not Jesus said, "If any man thirst let him come unto Me and drink"? She came, she drank, she was saved. And from that day she became a willing worker for Jesus, always serving others, and helping to bring others to Him.

Jesus gave her water

That was not from the well:

Jesus gave her water

That was not from the well:

She went away singing,

She came back bringing

Others for the water

That was not from the well.

How Spurgeon Found Christ

(As told by himself.)

I had been about five years in the most fearful distress of mind, as a lad. If any human being felt more of the terror of God's law, I can indeed pity and sympathize with him.

I thought the sun was blotted out of my sky— that I had so sinned against God that there was no hope for me. I prayed— the Lord knows how I prayed but I never had a glimpse of an answer that I knew of. I searched the Word of God: the promises were more alarming than the threatenings— I read the privileges of the people of God, but with the fullest persuasion that they were not for me. The secret of my distress was this: I did not know the gospel. I was in a Christian land; I had Christian parents: but I did not understand the freeness and simplicity of the gospel.

I attended all the places of worship in the town where I lived, but I honestly believe I did not hear the gospel fully preached. I do not blame the men, however. One man preached the divine sovereignty. I could hear him with pleasure: but what was that to a poor sinner who wished to know what he should do to be saved? There was another admirable man who always preached about the law: but what was the use of plowing up ground that needed to be sown? I knew it was said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," but I did not know what it was to believe in Christ.

I sometimes think I might have been in darkness and despair now, had it not been for the goodness of God in sending a snowstorm one Sunday morning, when I was going to a place of worship. When I could go no further, I turned down a court and came to a little Primitive Methodist chapel. In that chapel there might be a dozen or fifteen people. The minister did not come that morning; snowed up, I suppose. A poor man, a shoemaker, a tailor, or something of that sort, went up into the pulpit to preach.

This poor man was obliged to stick to his text, for the simple reason that he had nothing else to say. The text was, "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." He did not even pronounce the words rightly, but that did not matter.

There was, I thought, a glimpse of hope for me in that text. He began thus: "My dear friends, this is a very simple text indeed. It says, 'Look!' Now that does not take a deal of effort. It ain't lifting your foot or your finger; it is just 'look.' Well, a man need not go to college to learn to look. You may be the biggest fool, and yet you can look. A man need not be worth a thousand a year to look. Anyone can look, a child can look. But this is what the text says. Then it says, `Look unto Me.'

"Ay." said he in broad Essex, "many of you are looking to yourselves. No use looking there. You'll never find comfort in yourselves. Some look to God the Father. No: look to Him by and by, Jesus Christ says, 'Look unto ME.' Some of you say, 'I must wait the Spirit's working.' You have no business with that just now. Look to Christ. It runs, 'Look unto Me.' "

Then the good man followed up his text in this way: "Look unto Me; I am sweating great drops of blood. Look unto Me; I am hanging on the cross. Look! I am dead and buried. Look unto Me; I rise again. Look unto Me; I ascend; I am sitting at the Father's right hand. Oh, look to Me! look to Me!"

When he had got about that length, and managed to spin out ten minutes or so, he was at the end of his tether. Then he looked at me under the gallery, and I dare say, with so few present, he knew me to be a stranger. He then said, "Young man, you look very miserable." Well, I did; but I had not been accustomed to have remarks made on my personal appearance from the pulpit before. However, it was a good blow struck. He continued: "And you will always be miserable— miserable in life, and miserable in death— if you do not obey my text. But if you obey now, this moment, you will be saved."

Then he shouted, "Young man, look to Jesus Christ: look NOW!" He made me start in my seat, but I did look to Jesus Christ.

There and then, the cloud was gone; the darkness had rolled away, and that moment I saw the sun. I could have risen that moment and sung with the most enthusiastic of them of the precious blood of Christ, and the simple faith which looks alone to Him. Oh, that somebody had told me that before! Trust Christ, and you shall be saved.

You Ask Me?

You ask me how I gave my heart to Christ?

I do not know.

There came a yearning for Him in my soul

So long ago.

I found earth's flowers would fade and die—

I wept for something that could satisfy;

And then and then somehow I seemed

to dare

To lift my broken heart to Him in prayer.

I do not know I cannot tell you how;

I only know He is my Savior now.

You ask me why I gave my heart to Christ?

I can reply;

It is a wondrous story; listen, while

I tell you why.

My heart was drawn, at length, to seek His face;

I was alone, I had no resting-place;

I heard of Him how He had loved me, with a

love

Of depth so great, of height so far above,

All human ken; I longed such love to share,

And sought it then, upon my knees in prayer.

You ask me why I thought this loving Christ

Would heed my prayer?

I knew He died upon the cross for me

I nailed Him there.

I heard His dying cry: "Father forgive!"

I saw Him drink death's cup that I might live;

My head was bowed upon my breast in shame!

He called me— and in penitence I came.

He heard my prayer! I cannot tell you how,

Nor when, nor where; only— I love Him now.

Out of the Jaws of Death

The desperate position of the sinner— with a life of sin behind him and the judgment of God ahead— is well illustrated in the following true story of a sailor who was stationed off the coast of Africa.

In the scorching heat of mid-afternoon, his ship lay anchored on the back of a river infested with crocodiles. Half drunk, and unconscious of danger, he threw himself into the river for a cooling swim and struck out for the opposite bank, while his comrades looked on.

Suddenly, as if from nowhere, a crocodile appeared above the surface of the water. Warning shouts from the other sailors alerted the swimmer to his danger and a race for life began. Shots were fired from the ship at the crocodile, but to no avail. Nothing would frighten the great reptile away from its prey. The imminence of death, in one of its cruelest forms, completely cleared the sailor's senses as he strove to reach the land.

But just as he thought he had gained the safety of the bank, another equally horrific enemy appeared just ahead. A ferocious tiger had been lurking in the reeds and was awaiting his arrival. While the great beast crouched ready to spring, the crocodile closed in with his terrible jaws open for the kill.

The swimmer's case was utterly hopeless. But suddenly, in a flash, God came into the doomed man's mind. The sins of a lifetime rose before him like a great mountain. His mother's prayers, his father's teaching, his Sunday school teacher's pressing appeals which he had despised —indeed his whole life— seemed to pass before him in one marvelous moment of time. Then, with what seemed to be his last breath, he screamed in indescribable terror: "O God! have mercy on me, a poor miserable sinner."

Immediately, in a most remarkable way, his prayer was answered. By a miraculous move he dodged the flying tiger, which landed instead into the very path of the oncoming crocodile. A furious death struggle between tiger and crocodile ensued. The water foamed red with the blood of the tiger, whose claws and teeth were no match for the crocodile's iron-like armor. Slowly the mighty reptile drew its snarling, struggling adversary beneath the water. Together they disappeared into the depths of the river.

His friends, who had watched the terrible drama from the ship, were amazed to see their comrade emerge from the very jaws of death, and stand unscathed on the riverside. A rowboat soon brought him back to the ship.

The moment he reached the deck he fell on his knees and thanked God aloud for His marvelous deliverance.

From then on the Bible, that for years lay unopened at the bottom of his kit, became his constant companion. He confessed to God his sins and the lost state in which he had lived for so long.

He saw that Jesus Christ who had borne all his sins upon the cross asked nothing more of him than to believe. He saw that his divine Substitute had satisfied all the claims of God's holiness. He was saved and "filled with all joy and peace in believing" (Rom. 15:13).

Furthermore, he saw that his privilege and joy from then on was to live for the One who delivered him from so great a death. Now, with nothing before him but glory, he could rejoice in the truth that there "is now no more condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1.

A Certainty

Following a bombing mission during World War 2, a terribly wounded rear gunner was brought into a British military hospital to die.

Turning to the man in the next bed he inquired, "Do you know anything about religion?"

"Sorry, chum, I don't," was the reply; "but a lady comes here every Thursday giving out tracts, she will tell you."

"But I might be dead by then," replied the young airman.

"Come to think of it," said the other, "when I was a boy, our Sunday School teacher taught me this Bible verse: "Jesus said, Suffer the children to come unto Me." (Luke 18:16).

"Do you think I could come in on that?" exclaimed the wounded man hopefully.

"You could try," said the other encouragingly; "it's in the Bible."

Following a long silence the dying man pulled the sheet up over his face and began to pray aloud, closing with these words, "Suffer... the children... to come."

The sheet did not come down. With these words of the Son of God on his lips, he died.

Afterward a Christian Wing Commander, having recounted the incident at an officers' mess, was asked by one of the company, "Tell me, padre, do you think that that young fellow had a chance?"

"No," replied the officer, "not a chance, but a certainty. He came by faith to Jesus Christ who declared, 'Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.' " John 6:37.

Jesus says, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 18:17.

Two “Alls”

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

Notice that this verse begins with all and ends with all. An anxious soul (one of thousands!) who was directed to this verse and found peace with God, afterward said, "I bent low down at the first all. I stood up straight and came out at the last all."

At the first all he acknowledged his deep need. At the last all he found how fully his need had been met in the cross of Christ.

Are you one of that happy company that has found salvation through the atoning work of Christ, which took place on the cross of Calvary?

"It is not a question of the amount of your faith, but of the trustworthiness of the Person you repose your confidence in."

A Horrible Pit

One Saturday in September, 1975, two teenage college girls were kidnapped and forced into a pit, dug beneath a garage floor in Vancouver, B.C. The pit was then covered with cement, in which a small hole was left for air.

Five days later the police searched the unused garage, broke through the concrete slab and released the two terrified girls.

The million dollar ransom demanded for them was not paid; and the kidnapper was arrested a short time later.

The foul act of stealing and kidnapping people and hiding them in pits is one of the oldest of crimes. Joseph suffered such a fate, as recorded in Genesis 37, nearly 4000 years ago.

The practice of paying ransoms is also very ancient. It is referred to more than once in the book of Job, perhaps the oldest book in the Bible.

The penitent sinner in Job chapter 33 is delivered "from going down to the pit," because God there declares, "I have found a ransom." v. 24.

"No man can give to God a ransom for his brother," but God can, and has, provided a ransom Himself.

That stupendous ransom price was the lifeblood of His only Son "in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Eph. 1:7.

In Psalm 40 we read of "a horrible pit," filled with "miry clay," out of which One was lifted by God; and His "feet set upon a rock." Prophetically, this refers to the Lord Jesus, He having died under the believer's sins, and buried, was after three days and three nights in the grave ("the horrible pit") raised again by the glory of the Father.

As one having been raised together with Christ, (Eph. 2:6) the believer can now sing with Him the new song!

"He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.... He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." Psalm 40:2, 3.

The two kidnap victims in Vancouver were rescued without ransom. But in the case of sinners held in their sins, this can never be. For "without shedding of blood is no remission." Hebrews 9:22. But believers are "redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18, 19.

Do you know for yourself the value of the death of Christ? Have you been delivered from going down into the pit... and saved from a lost eternity?

A busy business man was offered a tract. He replied, "I have no time to think of such things."

"Then God will give you eternity in which to think about them," was the crushing reply. We can either think on these things now, or "remember" (Luke 16:25) in eternity.

In the historic Mohawk Valley there is a sign which reads:

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."

Without the Way there is no going.

Without the Truth there is no knowing.

Without the Life there is no living.

What Is Grace?

It was the custom of a certain family to meet together during the holiday season. One year the reunion took place in the house of the eldest son, Henry, who was an avowed infidel.

When the family was seated at the table, the old, gray haired father, reverently thanked God for the food they were about to enjoy.

But Henry angrily objected: "You have no right to give God thanks. I bought this food, every bit of it; and I will not have you thanking God for what I bought and paid for. There is no God. I don't believe in any God at all. Look here! If there is a God I'll give Him a chance. I will give Him five minutes to cut me down."

He took out his watch and laid it on the table, while the rest of the family sat aghast. They knew what God could do: but would He?

One minute went by... two... three... four... five... and the defier of God was not cut down.

"There," he said, "where is your God? He has had His chance, and lost it."

"Son," said the old father, "when you put your watch on the table, I began to pray to the Lord for you. When you were a child I gave you to God, son, and I have never taken you back. I believe God will yet save you, my boy."

Soon after the gathering had broken up, the old father died; but Henry went his own way. He knew better than his father.

But after fifteen years he was seen walking down the street in rags. In his pocket he had his last bit of money.

"What shall I do with it?" he thought. "I will have two glasses of whiskey, and carry home a bottle of beer."

But even as he turned to go to the nearest bar, the recollection of that family scene suddenly struck him and an arrow of conviction entered his soul.

"O God, have mercy upon me, and answer my dear old father's prayer!" he exclaimed.

Instead of going into the bar he went back to his home and his wife. He got down on his knees and cried to God for mercy. And God answered his dear old father's prayers, and blessed him. He was saved.

That was grace!

Oh, you say, I expected he would be cut down! That's man's way. But God did not cut him down. He spared him, and then saved him. Thus grace wins its noblest victories.

Bring Forth the Best Robe

Luke 15.

The best robe that God has is waiting for the sinner.

Afar off is the prodigal. He has spent his substance in riotous living and become a beggar.

But now he is returning to his father's house. The servants may not know him; but his father does. While still a great way off he sees him and he runs to meet him with a kiss!

Then the poor ragged derelict begins the little speech he has prepared. But he only gets the length of the first sentence before his father interrupts him with, "Bring forth the best robe."

There doubtless were many robes in the father's house; but the long lost son must have the best.

It is the same with God. He gives like a king. To the returning sinner He gives "the best robe."

Like the prodigal starving among the swine, the sinner "comes to himself" and is led by grace to decide, "I will arise and go to my Father."

He starts for home. His back is turned upon the world and sin. His eyes look heavenward.

But will God receive him? No doubt! He sees him while he is yet a great way off, and runs to meet him with His kiss of redeeming love and forgiveness. Then the astonished angels hear His command, "Bring forth the best robe and put it on him." A far better robe than even the angels wear "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all them that believe. For there is no difference." Rom. 3:22.

Are you clothed in this "unspotted beauteous dress?" Oh, sinner, come home!

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his Father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:20.

?Ye Must Be Born Again?

An elderly Christian lady once felt a strong impulse to invite a neighboring farmer's wife to an open-air meeting. But the neighbor refused.

"Open air meetings are not for the likes of us," she said. "I go to church. Not as often as I should: but as often as I can. I don't need those open-air meetings."

"Well," replied the Christian; "but don't forget, 'Ye must be born again.' "

"What do you mean by that?"

"Come to the meeting tomorrow afternoon and perhaps you will find out."

That ended the conversation, but the farmer's wife could not forget those words. All day she went about her work repeating, "Ye must be born again. Ye must be born again. I wonder what she meant?"

Her wonderment built up to the point where at three o'clock the following afternoon she was standing with many others waiting for the open-air meeting to start.

The preacher, without the usual preliminary hymn, or even the usual opening prayer, announced his text: "Ye must be born again!" He repeated it over and over and over. The effect on the farmer's wife was deep and immediate.

"Dear me!" she exclaimed; "the very same words. What can they mean?"

She found that afternoon that those five words were spoken by none other than the Son of God— and meant something that had never taken place in her soul before. But now the Holy Spirit was shedding the light of truth in her hiding place. She came out of it, abandoning all her religious observances, and was soon led to the Savior's feet. She was born again and knew it.

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

Jesus is tenderly calling thee home—

Calling today!

Why from the sunshine of love

do you roam Further away?

Learning to Sing

Among the pupils of Porpora, the great Italian master of music, was a lad from Naples in whom the great musician took a special interest.

One day the master asked him if he had the courage to undertake a special course, and stick to it, regardless of how long and wearisome it should seem.

The pupil agreed. Whereupon Porpora wrote upon a single page of ruled paper, the Diatonic and Chromatic scales, ascending and descending, the intervals of the third, fourth, and fifth and so on, in order to teach him to take them with freedom, and to sustain the sounds, together with the trills groups, appoggiaturas, and passages of vocalization of different kinds.

This page occupied both the master and scholar during an entire year; and the following year was also devoted to it.

When the third year commenced, nothing was said of changing this primary lesson, and the pupil began to murmur. But the master reminded him of his promise and the fourth year slipped away. The fifth followed, and they were always at that one eternal page.

The sixth found them at the same task; but the master added to it some lessons in articulation, pronunciation, and lastly in declamation.

At the end of this year the pupil, who supposed himself still in the ABC's, was much surprised, when one day his master said, "GO, MY SON, YOU HAVE NOTHING MORE TO LEARN, YOU ARE THE FIRST SINGER OF ITALY, AND OF THE WORLD!"

He spoke the truth, for this singer was none other than the celebrated Carlo Broschi Farinelli, born in 1703 and died in 1783. He was the most extraordinary tenor the world has ever known. It is difficult to imagine the furor which his appearance created in London in 1734.

His fame reached the court of Spain where Phillip V was suffering from black melancholia. The exclusive services of Farinelli were engaged and for ten years he sang the same four airs for the king, night after night.

Such an anecdote as this, as recorded in a standard history of music, well illustrates the Lord's way with those who have accepted Him as their personal Savior.

It is God's purpose to fill heaven with singers who were once sinners; but saved by His grace.

The sweetness of God's grace is tasted when we first accept Christ as Savior— "in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace."

But the fullness of that grace will be learned all through our Christian pathway through this world.

As Farinelli was told by his master, "you have nothing more to learn, you are the first singer of Italy, and of the world," those saved by grace in the highest sense, having learned their lesson, shall find to their joy and amazement that they are perfect singers.

And oh, what a song will be theirs! Such strains as no ear ever listened to before; telling out, as they will, the praises of Him who is infinitely worthy.

"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy... for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation."

All-Sufficient Grace

When, sin-stricken, burdened, and weary,

From bondage, I longed to be free,

There came to my heart the sweet message:

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

Though tempted and sadly discouraged,

My soul to this refuge will flee,

And rest in the blessed assurance:

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

My bark may be tossed by the tempest

That sweeps o'er the turbulent sea—

A rainbow illumines the darkness:

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

O Lord, I would press on with courage,

Though rugged the pathway may be,

Sustained and upheld by the promise:

"My grace is sufficient for thee."

Soon, soon will the warfare be over,

My Lord face to face I shall see,

And prove, as I dwell in His presence:

His grace was sufficient for me.

The Gypsy Boy

Passing near an encampment of gypsies I learned that one of their number was ill, and begged to be allowed to see him. The gypsy father asked:

"Do you want to talk about religion to him?"

"No."

"What, then?"

"About Christ."

"Oh, then you may go; but if you talk religion, I'll set the dog on you!"

In the caravan I found a lad alone, and in bed, evidently in the last stage of consumption. His eyes were closed and he looked as one already dead. Very slowly in his ear I repeated 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."

I repeated it five times without any apparent response he did not seem to hear even with the outward ear. On repeating it the sixth time, however, he opened his eyes and smiled. To my delight he whispered: "And I never thanked Him! But nobody ever told me. Only a poor gypsy boy! I see! I see! I see! I thank Him kindly!"

He closed his eyes with an expression of intense satisfaction. As I knelt beside him I thanked God. His lips moved again. I caught, "That's it!" There were more words, but I could not hear them.

On going again the next day, I found the lad had died, (or rather, he had "fallen asleep in Christ" 1 Corinthians 15:18).

A Tale of Two Horses

(As told by a Christian Farmer)

In the old days, not far from our farm was an abattoir where droves of unwanted horses were processed for fox food and dog food. To me it was a dreadful place.

One day I had the misfortune of losing one of my team. So, needing another horse, I called the abattoir to see if I could buy one of their live animals for a replacement. The answer was: "Yes, go over to the holding pasture and pick out the one that suits you."

I drove over, and what a sight! There were about one hundred horses in the holding paddock attached to the slaughterhouse. There were all breeds, colors, sizes and ages— some old and feeble, some evidently quite young. One team in particular caught my eye— beautiful creatures with long manes and tails. They were all doomed to die, so many a day, and more to follow.

It was a cold winter morning and the horses were eating what little grass they could find on the bare, frozen sod. Truly, I thought, it is like Lo-Debar, "a place of no pasture," where King David found poor, lame Mephibosheth, and took him home to his palace (2 Sam. 9).

My heart ached for those poor horses in their miseries, and soon to be destroyed.

However, glad to be able to save at least one, I looked around for the horse which would suit me best.

Singling out a fine, sleek mare, I made towards her, calling kindly and holding out my hands. However, she had no wish to be approached, even in kindness. Laying back her ears and opening her mouth wide, she stretched her neck to bite. Then suddenly turning, she quickly ran away.

I thought, how like many poor lost sinners who reject and despise God's proffered grace!

I turned sadly and selected another mare. She was not as good looking, nor so young either. But she gladly received the kindness I offered. So I took a piece of cord and tied it about her neck to identify her as mine. Shortly afterward I happily led her home to our farm, where she lived comfortably and worked faithfully for several years.

To one that loved horses, that packing house scene was a most sorrowful operation. But if we have eyes to see, how infinitely more sad is the sight of multitudes of poor lost sinners treading the broad road that leads to destruction, despising the One whose nail-pierced hands are stretched out to save. Thank God, that some (like my humble horse) receive salvation and escape.

But my illustration is but a feeble picture, and falls far short of reality. I could have only one horse from death that day. But God is not willing that any— man, woman or child— should perish. He has provided a full, free salvation for all who will receive it, without money and without price.

"As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways for why will ye die..." Ezek. 33:11.

Fragment: Almost Saved - Entirely Lost

"Almost persuaded" now to believe; "Almost persuaded". Christ to receive.

He who is almost persuaded is almost saved; but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost.

Jerry Mcauley's Own Story

Jerry McAuley was founder of the Water Street Mission in New York. At the age of nineteen he had been sentenced to Sing Sing Penitentiary for sixteen years and six months. Following his conversion to Christ, after serving five years of his sentence, the Spirit of God wrought a remarkable revival within the prison. Missionaries from the city engaged in it and every opportunity was given by the penitentiary management. Jerry was the center of this activity. Subsequently he was pardoned by Governor John A. Dix, eight years of his sentence being remitted.

Following is the account of the conversion of Jerry McAuley in his own words.

I was nineteen when brought before the criminal court on a charge of highway robbery. Sure I was not guilty! But having no friends to take up my case and being unable to prove my innocence, I was sentenced to fifteen years hard labor in a penitentiary.

This was the saddest hour of my life. All seemed to be against me. Yet there was One whose eye looked in grace and pity upon me. God, against whom I had sinned all my life, had compassion upon me and stretched out His hand in love and mercy to save me. To bring me behind prison walls was indeed His own remarkable way to save my soul.

Five years of my sentence had passed when one Lord's day, on arriving at the chapel, a great surprise awaited me. Alongside the prison chaplain stood a man whom I had known too well in years past. He was one of my former pals— "The Terrible Gardner," we called him.

How that man had changed! He addressed the prisoners after a few remarks by the chaplain. Every word sank deep into my heart. What power could have changed this once lawless terror so remarkably? When he concluded he came right down among us and told us, with tears streaming, how he through the grace of God had learned that he was a vile, lost and guilty sinner; but he had found the Lord Jesus as his Savior, and given his heart to Him.

While relating this Gardner had looked so happy that one just knew that all he said was true. I felt more miserable and forsaken than ever. When that man prayed for us we all wept, deeply touched by the power of his testimony.

In concluding he read several portions from the Bible— that old Book for which I had never cared. But now a merciful God was speaking words of love and compassion to me— to me, a poor castaway— through His own blessed Word.

Returning to my cell, still thinking about what I had heard, my eyes wandered around the desolate room. Suddenly I discovered, in an opening which served as a ventilator, an object which had heretofore escaped my attention. I took it down; and what a surprise! It was a Bible.

It was covered with a thick layer of dust, but otherwise well preserved, complete and readable. It was certainly the goodness of God to have kept this Book. Had I found it before this memorable day, I would undoubtedly have torn it to pieces.

How grateful I was to have it for my own! I longed to look up the verses which had been read to us by Gardner. But where to find them?

I began to read at the very beginning of Genesis. My interest increased with every word. Not for the most fascinating romance would I have exchanged my new-found treasure. I read on until I had to go to bed. My interest did not slacken in the following days, but I read on and on until I came finally to the narration of the life and sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This touched me so that on one evening, while marveling at the remarkable change in my old friend Gardner, and while pacing up and down my little room, a real hunger for a new life took hold of me.

Could such a change for me be possible? A voice seemed to suggest:

"Pray! Pray the prayer of the publican: 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner." I tried to pray this; but in vain. My sins stood terrorizing and condemning me.

Suddenly the word "whosoever" came to my mind— that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish," I had read.

"That means you," whispered the voice again. "But I am so ungodly," I protested, "too bad to be forgiven."

Thus the battle in my soul continued, raging for weeks. At times I was almost despairing; for what could a poor sinner do when between him and a holy God there was nothing but a life of black and awful sins? I prayed and prayed. My desire to be accepted of God was deep and sincere.

One night I determined not to stop praying until I had found peace. I might have to stay on my knees until morning; but, behold! at midnight, my prayers were answered. The sense of my great need seemed to have reached a climax, when suddenly, as it were, a hand was laid on my head and the words came to me: "My son, thy sins are forgiven thee!"

I do not know if I actually heard this voice speaking, but most certainly these words were received into my soul. It was Jesus, the blessed Savior, who had thus spoken to me by the Holy Spirit.

Now I knew and believed that He had died for my sins on the cross. This fact took hold of me with such power that I sprang to my feet. A flood of heavenly light seemed to fill my being. I did not know at first whether I was still in this world or in the heavenly. Clapping my hands together, I shouted.

"Thanks be to God! Blessed be His name!" One of the watchmen passed by my door and asked what I wanted.

"I have found Christ!" I called out to him. "My sins are forgiven! Thanks be to God!"

Of course the man could not comprehend my joy. He told me to be quiet, and threatened to report me next morning for disturbing the peace. But even this could not dampen my joy; my happiness was too great and too deep. Oh, what a night was this! Never shall I forget when the Lord Himself spoke peace to my soul. Jesus alone can save!

"For other foundations can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 3:1.

That Christ should leave His place

on high,

And come for sinful man

to die...

You think it strange? So once

did I,

Before I knew my Savior.

A Sudden Call

The call for Tommy was sudden and final. In a moment a major stroke paralyzed his left side and rendered him speechless. A few hours later, he lies on a hospital bed dying. Through the mercy of God his powers of sight and hearing are spared and his mind is clear. He is aware that between him and eternity only a few hours remain, and it is a terrible reality. He is not ready for death, and he dreads it.

Such utter unpreparedness is surprising, because life insurance has been Tommy's chosen profession. He has worked for years for a big insurance firm; and protection against the uncertainties of life and the certainty of death were his stock in trade.

But the fact that the hour surely comes when he must die and meet God, was something he would not think about. It could wait for that indefinite "tomorrow" which never comes.

Adding to his mental anguish is the memory of a Christian office associate who had often pressed upon him the importance of having to do with Christ about his soul. But he would not listen. The blood of Christ as the sinner's only insurance against the second death, he had resolutely ignored. He would not have Jesus then: and it is too late now. Such are his sad thoughts.

But is it too late? Are the pleadings and prayers of his friend back in the office to be forever in vain? Who dares to limit the kindness and patience of God who desires not the death of the sinner!

At this point one lone visitor enters Tommy's room and stands beside his bed. It is his old office associate, true to the end.

For "a friend loveth at all times, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Prov. 18:24. He comes with a message of hope for hopeless Tommy. It is in substance like this:

"Tommy, you know you will not get better. You know the gospel— I have told you many times. Let me tell you once more, "God loves you. He sent His son to die for you. He wants to save you now.

"Call upon Him while He is near. Pray the publican's prayer. Here, I will read it to you from the Bible: 'God be merciful to me a sinner.'

"God knows you cannot speak; but you can believe in your heart. Be like the publican— lift your good arm in faith to God. He will see and hear, and forgive all your sins for Jesus' sake. And I will meet you in heaven."

Tommy tries to speak, but he cannot move his lips. So with eyes full of tears, he raises his right hand (the other is paralyzed) and strikes himself on the chest. Then he lifts the arm heavenwards.

At this point, Tommy's wife and daughter enter the room. His considerate friend leaves.

That night Tommy's soul went to be with his Savior— "a brand plucked from the burning."

The following evening Tommy's earthly remains lie in a casket in the funeral home. Among the mourners stands his old friend from the office. He is in serious conversation with Tommy's heart-broken wife, who tells him: "We cannot understand Tommy's action when he was dying. He kept laying his hand on his breast and then pointing upwards. Now he has left us wondering what he was trying to say."

"I can tell you," replied Tommy's old friend, and he rehearsed to her what had transpired in the hospital the night before.

Perhaps from the way that Tommy went home, his loved ones, too, learned the Way home. May you do the same.

THE PUBLICAN'S PRAYER

"And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified...." Luke 18:13, 14.

"THE SIMPLE BELIEVETH EVERY WORD: BUT THE PRUDENT MAN LOOKETH WELL TO HIS GOING."

Proverbs 14:15

Wise and simple are relative terms, referring not so much to mental condition as to the fear of the Lord on the one hand, and indifferent self-sufficiency on the other.

The simple are ready with amazing credulity to believe anything given forth by men as foolish as themselves, while stumbling over the clearest truths of revelation.

No one has such strong faith in the greatest absurdities as the very man who quibbles over the truth of God.

The unbeliever can believe, unhesitatingly, that he is the descendant of a long line of lower animals ranging all the way from protoplasm to ape, while he sneers at the Christian who receive by faith the divine record that "God hath made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions."

The prudent man mistrusts himself, and trusts the Word of the living God. Ordering his steps in that Word, he looks well to his going.

John 3:16

God the greatest lover.

So loved the greatest degree.

The world the greatest company.

That He gave the greatest act.

His only begotten Son the greatest gift.

That whosoever the greatest opportunity.

Believeth the greatest simplicity.

In Him the greatest attraction.

Should not perish the greatest promise.

But the greatest difference.

Have the greatest certainty.

Everlasting life the greatest possession.

?Just Lippen to Jesus?

In the broad Scotch translation of the New Testament the word "lippen" is used for the English word "believe." For example, John 3:16 reads: "For God se loved the world as to gie His Son, the only begotten ane, that like ane wha lippen till him sudna dee, but has life for aye."

An exact English equivalent for the word "lip-pen" is not easy to find. It expresses the condition of one who is entirely unable to support or protect himself, but trusts implicitly to the safe-keeping of some other person or object.

For instance, a man walking across a rushing stream on a wooden plank "lippens" to the plank. If it breaks, he can do nothing to save himself.

The word "lippen" implies entire dependence when there is risk and helplessness.

Years ago a Scottish Christian doctor was visiting in a country district. The scene was a low dirty hovel, over whose damp and uneven floor it was difficult to walk without stumbling. The small grimy window admitted scarcely enough light to see a single thing clearly.

The object of the doctor's visit was a poor old woman, bedridden and almost blind. She lay in a miserable bed opposite the fireplace. Seating himself beside her, and after a few general inquiries, the doctor entered into a solemn conversation with her about her soul.

But the heart which he strove to enlighten had been closed so long, and was so dark that it seemed impossible that a single ray of light could ever penetrate it.

Still on the part of the woman there was evidently an anxiety to lay hold on what the doctor was telling her. Encouraged by this he persevered, "plying her," to use his own expression, "with the efforts of the gospel," and urging her to trust in Christ. At length, with a sigh of despair, the old woman said: "Ah! sir," I would fain do as you bid me, but I dinna ken how. How can I trust in Christ?"

"Oh, woman," was his expressive answer in the dialect of the district, "just lippen to Him."

"Eh! sir," was her reply, "and is that a'?"

"Yes, yes," was his gratified repsonse, "just lippen to Jesus, and lean on Him, and you will never perish."

"Oh, is it just to lippen to Him? Why surely I will lippen to Jesus. He will never let me doon, will He?" They bowed together, and she settled it.

And that, dear reader, is all that God asks you do to be saved. Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:47.

Forgiven

Not far from New York, in a cemetery lone

Close guarding its grave, stands a simple headstone;

And all the inscription is one word alone—

Forgiven.

No sculptor's fine art has embellished its form;

But constantly there, through the calm and the

storm,

It bears this one Word from a poor fallen worm—

Forgiven.

It shows not the date of the silent one's birth,

Reveals not his sins, nor lies of his worth;

But speaks out the tale from his few feet of

earth—

Forgiven.

The death is not mentioned, the name is untold,

Beneath lies the body, corrupted and cold,

Above rests his spirit, at home in the fold.

And when from the heavens the Lord shall

descend,

This stranger shall rise and to glory ascend,

Well known and befriended, to sing without

end—

Forgiven.

Burke the Burglar

He was a real old-time burglar. His kit and gun were always ready. His picture adorned many a rogues' gallery. He had courage born of many desperate "jobs." Twenty years of his life had been spent in prisons, here and there. He was a big strong fellow, with a hard face and a terrible tongue for swearing, especially at sheriffs and jail guards. But in spite of all his violent wickedness the Spirit of God awakened him. His name was Valentine Burke. This is the substance of his story as told by D. L. Moody to a friend.

It was years ago when Moody was young and not long in his ministry. He went to St. Louis to lead a gospel meeting, and one of the big daily papers announced that it was going to print every word he said— sermon, prayer, exhortation.

Moody said that it made him quake inwardly when he read this; but he made up his mind that he would weave in a lot of Scripture for the paper to print, and that might count, if his own poor words failed.

This he did, and his printed discourses were sprinkled with Bible texts. The paper tried its best at putting big, startling headlines at the top of the columns. The people were either going to hear Moody, or read what he said.

Burke was in the city jail, waiting trial for some offense. Solitary confinement was wearing on him, and he spent his time railing at the guards, or cursing the sheriff on his daily rounds. It was Burke's delight to curse a sheriff.

Somebody threw the daily paper into his cell.

The first thing that caught his eye was the big scare line:

HOW THE JAILER AT PHILIPPI GOT CAUGHT

It was just what Burke wanted, and he sat down with a chuckle to read the story of the jailer's bad luck. He had once passed through a town in Illinois called Philippi, and concluded that that was where the capture took place. But somehow the story had a strange ring to it, not the usual newspaper style. It was Moody's sermon of the night before.

"What rot is this?" said Burke to himself:

PAUL AND SILAS

A Great Earthquake:

WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

"Have the papers got to printing such stuff?" He looked at the date. Yes, it was the morning paper, just off the press.

He threw it down with an oath, and strode about his cell like a caged lion. After a time he picked up the paper and read its blessed story. It was then a strange something, from where he knew not, came into the burglar's heart, and cut him to the quick.

"What does this mean?" he said to himself; "twenty years and more I've been a burglar and a jailbird, and I never felt like this before. What is it to be saved anyway? I've lived a dog's life and I'm getting tired of it. If there is such a God as that man is telling about, I believe I'll find out even if it kills me."

Away toward midnight, after hours of bitter remorse over his wasted life, and with broken prayers— the first uttered since he was a child at his mother's knee— Burke learned that there is a God— One who is able and willing to blot out the darkest record with one stroke. He found the wondrous secret of the cross, how on it Jesus Christ bore his many sins and put them all away forever.

That night God saved the burglar. He believed the word of Christ and received everlasting life. Then he waited for day, a new creature, crying and laughing by turns.

Next morning when the guard came round, Burke had a pleasant word for him, and the man eyed him with wonder. When the sheriff came, Burke greeted him as a friend, and told him how he had been led to Christ by reading Moody's sermon.

"Jim," said the sheriff to the guard, "you had better keep an eye on Burke; he's playing the `pious dodge' and the first chance he gets he'll be out of here."

When the trial came up, through some legal technicality, the case was dismissed and Burke was released.

Friendless in a great city, known only as a daring criminal, for months he lived a life of desperate loneliness and sorrow.

Men read his face when he asked for work and upon its evidence turned him away. But he was brave and sustained by the mighty power of God, he struggled on.

Seeing how his sin-marred face told against him, he asked the Lord "if He couldn't make him a better-looking man, so that he could get an honest job."

And God answered that prayer. For Moody said that a year from that time, when he met Burke in Chicago, he was as fine a looking man as he knew. This was of the Lord, who did it for him in answer to his childlike faith.

After seeking in vain for a long time to find steady work, Burke went to New York, hoping, far from his old haunts, to find peace and honest employment. But he did not succeed, and came back to St. Louis, much discouraged. He was, however, still kept by the God who had found him in the prison cell.

One day there came a message from the sheriff that he was wanted at the courthouse. With a heavy heart he went, "Some old case they've got against me." he said: "but if I'm guilty, I'll tell them so; I've done with lying."

The sheriff greeted him kindly.

"Where have you been Burke?"

"To New York."

"What have you been doing there?"

"Trying to find an honest job."

"Have you kept a good grip on the religion you told me about?"

"Yes," answered Burke, looking him straight in the eye. "I've had a hard time, sheriff, but I haven't lost my faith."

"Burke, I had you shadowed every day you were in New York. I suspected that your religion was a fraud. But I want to say to you that I know you have lived an honest Christian life, and I have sent for you to offer you a deputy-ship under me. You can begin at once."

From that time the tide began to turn. He set his face like a flint. Steadily and with dogged faithfulness Burke went about his duties, until the best men in the city came to know and recognize him. Moody was passing through, and stopped off to meet Burke. He was found in a closed room upstairs in the courthouse, serving as a trusted guard over a bag of diamonds. He sat with the bag of gems in his lap and a gun on the table. There were $60,000 worth of diamonds in the sack.

"Moody," he said, "see what the grace of God can do for a burglar. Look at this sack of diamonds! The sheriff picked me out of his force to guard it!"

He cried like a child as he picked up the stones.

Some time after this, Some Christians in St. Louis had made ready for the coming of an evangelist. He was to lead a series of meetings, but he was prevented from coming. There was sore disappointment until someone suggested that they send for Valentine Burke to carry on the meetings. He led night after night, and many sinful men and women were saved from lives of crime and shame by the wonderful grace of God.

Burke's gentle and faithful life of service was greatly blessed of God in the city where he had been such a sinner. And when at last his work was done and his life here ended, the rich and the poor, saints and sinners, came to the funeral. It is a blessed story of God's mercy and salvation, of His power to save sinners. Are you one of them, dear reader?

54 Words Sold for $16,000

Abraham Lincoln's 54 word "autobiography", written while he was still a congressman, was purchased for $16,000 at an auction sale in 1973.

In 1858 Congressman Lincoln received a letter asking him for a biographical sketch. He wrote the information on the bottom of the letter and mailed it back. His reply was: "Born February 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. Education, defective. Profession, a lawyer. Have been a Captain of Volunteers in the Black Hawk War; Postmaster at a very small office; four times a member of the Illinois Legislature; and since a member of the Lower House of Congress.

Yours sincerely,

A. Lincoln.

John Newton, born in 1725, and author of the well known hymn, "Amazing Grace," wrote the following 54 word "autobiography," to be his epitaph, and requested that nothing be added or deleted. It appears on his gravestone today:

JOHN NEWTON

Once an infidel and Libertine

A servant of Slaves in Africa,
was by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior
JESUS CHRIST

Preserved, restored, pardoned

And appointed to preach the faith
He had long labored to destroy,

Near 16 years at Olney in Bucks;
And (28) years in this church.

The Apostle Paul by inspiration wrote the following 54 words which sum up the "biographies" of countless millions of Christian past and present: "We ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

"But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us." Titus 3:3, 4, 5.

Lincoln's 54 words were worth $16,000 to the Boston doctor who made the purchase. He bought them to keep in his private collection. How much are the following 57 words of God worth to you to believe, act upon and keep in your heart?

"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. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." Romans 10:9, 10, 11.

Mary Glory-Face

"Mary Glory-Face" was the name by which a happy old Christian woman was known in her native village; and it suited her well. For truly the glory of her beloved Lord shone in her face; while morning, noon and night her heart and lips overflowed with joy and praise.

She praised God as she went about her work. She spoke joyfully of His love and goodness to her neighbors.

One summer morning as she stood at her cottage door, a neighbor said to her: "We wish you would be more quiet about your God and His love, Mary Glory-face; you're brimful of it."

"Yes," added another, "we should like you to keep it a bit more to yourself, that's what we mean."

"Impossible!" said the old lady pleasantly. "No, no, I just can't help praising Him."

Then some of the neighbors complained to her landlord, and asked him to give her notice to vacate her cottage. But he said: "Why, Mary Glory-Face pays her rent better than any of you; I shall certainly not lose her." But he did call on the old woman and said: "Perhaps, Mary, you could come down from the skies a bit. Need you be always so full of praise?"

With a beaming smile she answered: "It's just eleven years ago that God told me I was saved, bless His holy Name, and He will never hear the last of it!"

So Mary was left in peace. And her influence for good told upon her neighbors and friends till first one and then the other joined her in her songs of praise.

When at last Mary Glory-Face was called to go home to be with her Savior, a young minister sitting by her bedside asked: "Is your faith strong now, Mary, as you near the glory?" He thought it strange as she shook her head and answered: "No, it's not faith with me now; but that I have the 'Author and finisher' of faith with me indeed. It's that what is filling me so full of praise. I'm just 'looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith' and it's just grand!"

Thus Mary Glory-Face passed into the presence of Him, "Whom having not seen, she loved." Thus for years, even on earth, was this plain old country woman "beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord... changed into the same image, from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.

This same Lord says to all His children: "Who-so offereth praise glorifieth Me." Psalm 50:23.

Too Good for Jesus

He had lived all his long life on the comfortable old farm. Everybody knew him and spoke well of him. He was a kind, helpful neighbor, not greedy of gain: a commendable and upright man.

But "What think ye of Christ is the test." He lacked the "one thing needful."

Just before he died a Christian neighbor spoke to him about his soul and of his need of being saved. He pointed to the wonderful grace of God in sending His Son to die for sinners. He pleaded with him to accept "the gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Having pondered it all the old man replied. "All my life I have lived the way I am. I will not be a coward and accept such a gift at the end seeing I have not done so earlier in my life."

Further words were of no avail, and it is feared that he died as he had lived— without Christ.

Far, far better to come when I am old than never to come at all! "For a living dog is better than a dead lion." Eccles. 9:4.

Today is God's day of mercy; tomorrow may be the day of doom.

You cannot repent too soon, for you know not how soon it may be too late to repent.

He who truly hears the gospel believes it just as a little child believes a mother's word. And none but such shall ever enter the kingdom. Read Luke 18:17.

Kepy by the Power of God for 90 Years

"Anybody that's one hundred years old is news in any language," a newspaper editor once told his staff. Recently we talked to a Toronto man who was born in 1875, "born again" in 1885, and still able to tell the story in 1975.

Here is the account of his conversion to God as he recalled it some 90 years after the fact. Truly our God is both "mighty to save" and "able to keep."

It was Sunday, his 10th birthday. In the evening, as usual he attended a gospel meeting. The speaker, turning his attention to the children present, remarked: "Wouldn't it be nice if one boy or girl were saved, here tonight!"

With these words still fresh in his mind the boy walked towards home. Behind him walked a lady who had also attended the meeting. She, knowing the boy, called him by name and when he turned, she inquired, "Stanley, are you saved?"

"My father and mother are," he replied.

"But you must be saved for yourself!"

Here the short dialog ended. Arriving home, the boy went upstairs to his room. He quickly prepared for bed, extinguished the light, and he slid under the covers to think about what he had just heard not the sermon, but what the lady had said:

"You must be saved for yourself!"

As he thought on these words, he felt suddenly aware that there was someone else in the bed beside him. Whoever it was, it whispered in his ear: "Don't you think about what that lady said to you. You are too young. Think about those things when you are older."

He leaped out of bed, realizing that it was the devil himself who had whispered this lie.

He dropped on his knees beside his bed and called on the Name of the Lord, and told Him, he wished to be saved for himself.

That did it, for "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21. And ninety years later he was still able to tell others of "so great salvation."

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

Never Too Old

If the above story magnifies the grace of God in saving and keeping a boy through boyhood, manhood and exceeding old age, the following anecdote testifies to the patience of God in waiting for nearly one hundred years for a sinner to come to Christ.

This man had the notorious reputation of being one of the wickedest men ever in the area. Crime had been his occupation from his youth up. Much of his long, hard career had been spent in prisons here and there. Now at the age of well over 100, he lay dying in his sins.

But his desperate case did not pass unnoticed by a servant of God in the community. He frequently visited the old man, read the Bible to him, pleaded with him and prayed for him.

One Sunday afternoon knowing that the end was near, he resolved to pay him a final visit and plead with him once more to receive the Savior, before it was forever too late.

Entering the institution where the dying man lay, a great surprise awaited him. The old man hearing him talking to the matron outside his room, called out, "Come on in! I've got something good to tell you."

As the visitor walked into the room, the old man repeated, "I have something good to tell you!" then added, "The Lord has saved my poor black soul!"

Amazed and incredulous, his visitor inquired how it came about.

"As I lay here thinking," said the old man, "my thoughts went back 100 years to when I was a little boy sitting on my grandmother's knee. There she taught me verses out of the Bible how 'God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.' The Lord has helped me to remember it all. I believe it. And now He has saved my poor black soul!"

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." I Tim. 1:15

Pass in! pass in! that banquet

is for thee.

That cup of everlasting

love is free.

Room, room! still room!

Oh enter, enter now!

"O taste and see that the Lord is good!"

Psalm 34:8

Was It for Me?

Was it for me, for me alone,

The Savior left His glorious throne,

The dazzling splendor of the sky?

Was it for me He came to die?

Was it for me sweet angel strains

Came floating o'er Judea's plains,

That starlight night so long ago?

Was it for me God planned it so?

Was it for me the Savior said,

"Pillow thy weary, aching head,

Trustingly on thy Savior's breast?"

Was it for me? Can I thus rest?

Was it for me He wept and prayed,

My load of sin before Him laid,

That night within Gethsemane?

Was it for me that agony?

Was it for me He bowed His head

Upon the cross, and freely shed

His precious blood that crimson tide?

Was it for me the Savior died?

It was for me... yes, all for me...

O love of God... so great, so free...

O wondrous love... I'll shout and sing…

He died for me... my Lord the King!

The Old Colonel

He was one of the worse tramps that ever entered the Mission. He was over six feet tall. He was sixty years old but looked a hundred. His dirty gray beard was a foot long and his hair hung a foot down his back. His swollen eyes were blurred and blood-shot. The color of his face showed that he had not washed for weeks, perhaps months.

His ragged old overcoat, probably pulled out of some trash barrel, was fastened with a nail. A musty old jacket and vest completed his wardrobe. His trousers were little more than holes with rags tied around them. His shoes were a collection of things tied with bits of string.

Such was the description of the old derelict who wandered into the Water Street Mission in New York one night in June, as recorded by S. H. Hadley, to whom we are indebted for this story.

But who was this specimen of the devil's cruel power and handiwork? Let Mr. Hadley answer!

"I had known him for years. He was commonly known as The Old Colonel.' The fact was, he was from one of Ohio's oldest and best families; from a wealthy, prosperous Christian home. After going through college he studied law in the firm of E. M. Stanton, War Secretary under Lincoln. He married and began to practice law. But, alas! in college he began to drink whiskey, and everywhere he went he was a failure.

"He joined the army at the outbreak of war, and when mustered out a colonel in an Illinois regiment, he was a confirmed drunkard.

"He struggled against the deadly habit, but it was useless. Finally, when home, wife and children were gone, he became utterly discouraged and gave up in despair. Then he came to New York under an assumed name."

He never went near the Post Office. Ultimately he became a street beggar. For over a quarter of a century he had been a chronic drinker.

It was Sunday when at the time of our story he wandered into the Mission. In the middle of the evening service, he stood up and peering ahead said:

"Mr. Hadley, are you there?"

"Yes," was the reply, "I am here."

"Will you pray for me? I am contrite."

At the invitation he came up with probably twenty others, and prayed away like a man in dead earnest.

When they arose from their knees, he stood up and said:

"Well, I am saved. There is no doubt about it."

At the close of the service he came up to the platform and put his arms around Mr. Hadley's neck, and said: "Brother Hadley, what are you going to give me?"

"Oh, you will get a night's lodging."

"Yes," said he, "that's right, but what else." "I will give you a quarter for your breakfast." "That's right", said he. "I always knew you were a Christian." And with his quarter and ticket for a bed he tottered off. As he left he said: "I'll come every night, brother Hadley."

"Oh don't," said Hadley: "just come occasionally." But the Old Colonel said again: "Yes, brother Hadley, I'll come every night."

He was on hand early the following evening, as he had promised. He came forward again for prayer and prayed again like a good fellow. After they arose from their knees, he stood up and with much emotion said he was saved sure enough this time. He tried to put his arms around Hadley, but this time he was repelled and pointed to the door.

"Do you mean it?" said the old man.

"If you linger much longer, you will see if I mean it!" was the reply.

Two weeks from that night, Jerry Griffen, a saved drunkard came across the Old Colonel in Battery Park, and told him that Mr. Hadley was praying for him.

"I hastened," Hadley wrote, "to the elevated road and came down to the Mission. There on the back bench sat the Old Colonel.

I got him a beefsteak, some potatoes, bread and butter, and coffee. He ate like a famished animal.

"I got a tub of water, a bar of soap, and plenty of towels, and with the hands that pen these lines, I washed the poor old outcast.

"I threw his rags into the furnace. I dressed him in clean clothes from head to foot.

"I then took him across the street and told them to put the clippers on him. His long hair and beard soon disappeared, but the mustache was left."

He stayed for the meeting that night, but oh how changed! His whole frame trembled with emotion, and tears fell from his eyes as he cried:

"Oh, Lord, if it is not too late, forgive this poor lost sinner!"

For six nights this was repeated, and at the close of the service on Saturday he arose, and with heaven in his face said: "Oh, brother Hadley, I am saved!"

"I believe you," replied Hadley.

"With all my heart I believed that God had received and saved this 'chief of sinners.' "

And so it proved. From that instant the old beggar tramp was changed into a child of God. He fairly loathed drink and all its works. God restored his intellect which was so badly impaired. His youth returned and he became transfigured.

Thousands heard him during the next thirteen years that he labored faithfully at the Mission, and told of the wonderful love and power of the Lord Jesus Christ, in that, "He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.

Jesus Saves!

We have heard the joyful sound,

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Spread the tidings all around,

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Bear the news to every land,

Climb the steeps and cross the waves;

Onward! 'tis our Lord's command,

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing above the battle strife

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

By His death and endless life,

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Sing it softly thro' the gloom,

When the heart for mercy craves;

Sing in triumph o'er the tomb,

Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Napoleon and the Drummer Boy

A British drummer boy, only fifteen, was captured by one of Napoleon's patrols. It was evening as he strolled off-duty outside the camp. He was promptly marched before the French commander, who accused him of being a spy.

"Spy! I'm no spy, sir," exclaimed the lad, "I am a drummer in the British army."

Eventually he was brought before the Emperor himself. Again the young prisoner stoutly protested that he was not a spy, but a British drummer.

"Bring a drum," ordered the Emperor. "Here, lad, beat a march."

Hope rising in his heart, the boy beat a couple of marches. But Napoleon was not satisfied. "Now beat a retreat," he commanded.

For a moment the boy hesitated, then threw down his drum. Holding his head high and looking the Emperor full in the face he answered: "A retreat, sir! I don't know what that is. A British soldier would rather die than retreat."

A smile lit up Napoleon's face as he looked at the brave boy. He ordered him to be released, and the commanding officer wrote a letter to the drummer boy's general, complimenting him on the British courage and spirit.

Are you a soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)? Then by grace may you sing along with the rest, "I have decided to follow Jesus.... No turning back."

Man’s Strange Sense of Values

Most people are looking for all they can get in this world. They will accept pleasures, riches, honors or anything which will add to their enjoyment here.

But when it comes to accepting from God true riches, pleasures for evermore, and a place with Christ in glory, they are not so ready to accept.

Salvation, forgiveness of sins, eternal life and everlasting inheritance in glory are freely offered by God to every needy sinner.

Yet how few there are who are willing to receive these priceless blessings!

How freely God in His Word offers His gifts to every believing sinner!

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

"Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom. 3:24.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Eph. 2:8.

No matter what your past life has been, if you will but bow to God in confession of sins and true repentance, and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, all these blessings and many more are God's free gift to you.

If not saved, why not? The Lord Jesus Himself answers:

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

May this no longer be said of you.

Why not come to Him now?

"Repentance is the teardrop upon the eye of faith."

A False Hope

A young lady, just recovering from a dangerous illness, was visited by a gospel preacher. She was very weak, but, as most persons do when recovering, liked to tell how much she had suffered, and how wonderful was the preservation of her life.

Among other things, she said: "At one time I sent for my aged parents, and my beloved brothers and sisters; and took, as I thought, my last farewell of them. The doctors had given me up, and my friends expected to see me no more."

As she finished this sentence, the evangelist said: "We seldom meet a person who has been so near death as you have. Tell me, what were your feelings when you were on the verge of eternity?"

"I was happy," she replied.

"And what were your prospects?"

"I hoped to go to heaven of course."

"Had you no doubts, no fears, no suspicions?"

"None."

"Perhaps almost all hope to go to heaven. But I fear there are very few who have a good foundation for their hope. Tell me, on what was your hope founded?"

"Founded?" she replied: "why, I have never injured anyone; and I had tried to do all the good in my power. Was not this sufficient?"

"It is a delightful reflection," he said, "never to have injured anyone; and still more delightful to think of having done all the good in our power. But even this is a poor foundation for a sinner to rest upon. Was this the foundation of your hope?"

She seemed quite astonished at this question and eagerly inquired:

"Wasn't this sufficient?"

The minister did not give a direct answer, but observed:

"I am very thankful that you did not die."

"What, do you think I should not have gone to heaven?"

"I am sure you could not in the way you have mentioned. Do you not see that, according to your plan, you were going to heaven without Christ? This is what no sinner has done since Adam fell, and what no sinner will be able to do while the world stands. Be very thankful that you did not go out of life resting on this delusive foundation. The Lord Jesus says, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."

God carried these faithful words home to her soul. The light broke in and she saw for the first time her lost condition before God. And that very day in believing in the shed blood of Christ, her sins were washed away; and she had peace.

O, the peace forever flowing

From God's thoughts of His own Son,

O, the peace of simply knowing,

On the cross that all was done!

Peace with God, the blood in heaven

Speaks of pardon now to me:

Peace with God! the Lord is risen!

Righteousness now counts me free.

Peace with God through Christ in glory,

God is just and God is love;

Jesus died to tell the story,

Foes to bring to God above.

Reconciled

It was toward the end of World War 2. U. S. troops had captured one of the Pacific islands held by the Japanese.

Following the invasion, as the medical corps moved among the dead and wounded they came upon a little Japanese soldier with a terribly injured leg. He could have been left to die, but moved with pity the stretcher bearers carried him to the tender, which subsequently took him to the hospital ship anchored offshore.

The Japanese was terrified on finding himself helpless in enemy hands. He had been solemnly warned by his officers that all Japanese prisoners were tortured unmercifully by their captors, especially by the Americans. With growing apprehension he watched as first one and then another was wheeled into the operating room.

Finally his turn came and he was placed on the operating table. Words could not describe the terror written on his face as the doctors moved in for the examination and prepared to amputate the shattered limb.

A spinal anesthetic was administered and the surgery swiftly performed. The best possible skills were employed, so that the patient, on recovery, could with little discomfort wear an artificial limb.

When the operation was completed, it suddenly dawned on the Japanese soldier that the torture tales he had been told were utterly false. Instead, his captors had shown him nothing but mercy and kindness.

The surgeon, having completed his task, bent over the patient and smiled.

Overcome with gratitude, the wounded man with what little strength he had, put his arms around the doctor's neck. Then with tears streaming down his face, and using the only English word he knew, he exclaimed: "American, oh, American!"

The above story recalled from the Reader's Digest, illustrates on the one hand man's unfounded fear and terror of God; and on the other hand, his complete ignorance of God's compassion, mercy and love.

The stretcher bearers, who could have left the Japanese soldier to die, brought him to the one he dreaded the most— to the surgeon, whom he believed would take advantage of his helplessness to torture him.

How absolutely wrong he was! On the contrary, his condition only served to draw out the kindness and consummate skills of the only one who could save his life.

May it all serve to illustrate how we who are by nature enemies, are reconciled to God by the death of His Son. As the Scriptures say: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us... For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement" (reconciliation. R. V.).

?If I Had Only Read That Letter!?

It Is interesting to note that the two great modern structures which excel in height today were built to satisfy two basic human impulses: namely, the urge to congregate and the urge to communicate. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:3) was planned with the same ends in view, over 4000 years ago.

The new Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta is claimed to be the world's tallest hotel.

The new 57 million dollar CN Tower in Toronto, is the world's tallest free-standing structure. It was built to provide improved communication facilities.

An insatiable desire to communicate and know what is going on around the world is characteristic of the human race today.

The God-given ability to understand, reason and communicate separates mankind from all other creatures in the world.

But how does man use this marvelous capacity so far as God is concerned? The answer is that so complete is his estrangement from God that he does not know Him. Neither will he receive, much less believe, communications from His Creator.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him." 1 Cor. 2:14.

Despite the fact that God's message to man today is the supreme good news, offering him a full and free salvation and an inheritance with Christ in glory, the vast majority either neglect, reject or openly despise it. A simple illustration of this is seen in the following true story of a modern prodigal who had joined the army and was stationed overseas. Here he became the leader in a worldly set. He was regardless of God, and went deeper into sin, extravagance and debt.

One day he received a letter from home. Finding it contained no money he returned it unread to the envelope and stuffed it into his trunk, saying:

"Just a scolding again, I suppose."

Some time afterward he contracted a serious illness. Lying in the hospital alone and sick of heart, he thought of the letter and asked a comrade to bring it to him.

When he opened and read it he moaned:

"Too late! Too late!"

The letter was from his father. It told him that arrangements were made for the purchase of his discharge from the army. That his passage home was reserved in a certain ship. That he would inherit a fortune and be restored to his rightful place in the family. And that his mother was longing to see him once more.

Poor fellow! How bitterly he cried:

"If I had only read that letter!"

Dear unsaved sinner, the New Testament is God's letter, telling the rich provision He has made for you, not only for time, but for eternity.

It is the gospel— the good news of a free pardon for all your many sins, a place in His family and an inheritance of eternal glory with Christ.

But if God's letter is tossed aside and neglected, is there not a danger that you too may cry: "If I had only read that letter"?

"Hear, and thy soul shall live." Isa. 55:3.

I Looked to Jesus

"I looked to Him, He looked on me, And we were one forever."

C. H. Spurgeon.

I looked to Jesus in my sin,

My woe and want confessing:

Undone and lost, I came to Him,

I sought and found a blessing.

I looked to Jesus on the cross,

For me I saw Him dying;

God's word believed, that all my sins

Were there upon Him lying.

I looked to Jesus there on high,

From death upraised to glory;

I trusted in His power to save.

Believed the old, old story.

He looked on me; O look of love

My heart by it was broken;

And with that look of love He gave

The Holy Spirit's token.

Now one with Christ, I find my peace

In him to be abiding;

And in His love for all my need,

In child-like faith confiding.

"I looked to Him, to Him I looked,"

'Tis true His "whosoever";

"He looked on me, on me He looked,

And we were one forever."

God Speaks. . . in a Dream

There is abundant evidence in the Bible that God often conveyed His mind to people by means of dreams. Many today have found that God can act on the mind in a dream; and doubtless many have been aroused to see their need of a Savior thereby.

In the Book of Job, we read: "God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, that He may withdraw man from his purpose and hide pride from man." Chapter 33:14-17.

The following true story tells how God once spoke to a young man in a dream. Since its publication some years ago it has spoken in awful solemnity to thousands. May this same dream speak to every unsaved reader today!

It was in the city of Glasgow. A number of wealthy but godless young men had banded together and formed an exclusive club. Ostensibly it was for the purpose of meeting together to play cards. But the club soon became so distinguished for such unbridled wickedness, that it became popularly known as "The Hell Club."

One of the club's special events each year was the annual festival. On this occasion it was expected that each member would endeavor to "outdo all his former doings" in drunkenness, blasphemy and licentiousness.

The "super-star" at these events was a brilliant young fellow named Archibald Boyle. Long before he was twenty-five he was one of the most accomplished blackguards on the club's roster.

What to him were "hell," "heaven," or "eternity"? Mere words wherewith to edge his blasphemous wit or spice his curses!

To him, no glory was equal to hearing himself styled "the very life of the club."

But one night a horrible dream arrested him in his wicked career. It was the night following the club's annual banquet. As he slept he dreamed that he was riding home on his famous black horse to his country house outside the city.

Suddenly he was confronted by a mysterious person who seized the bridle reins, and in a heart-chilling voice, commanded: "You must go with me."

"And who are you?" exclaimed Boyle, struggling to regain control of the reins.

"That you will see by-and-by," replied the intruder.

Boyle dug his spurs into the panting sides of his horse, which reared, and darted forward at a speed that nearly left its rider behind. Fleeter than the wind he flew— the mysterious half-seen guide still before him.

Again Boyle furiously spurred the gallant horse. The frightened animal reared and plunged. He was thrown from the saddle, and expected at the same moment to be dashed to the earth.

But no— he continued to fall with ever increasing velocity— down, down, down.

At length the falling sensation ceased and to his horror he saw his mysterious attendant was still at his side.

"Where are you taking me?" he demanded. "To hell," replied the same iron voice.

Onward they hurried until they reached an arched entrance of stupendous magnificence.

Within was a scene too awful to describe. Multitudes gnashing their teeth in the hopelessness of despair.

Boyle suddenly perceived that he was surrounded by those whom he had known on earth, but had been dead for some time.

Observing that his unearthly conductor had vanished, he ventured to address one of his former friends.

"Delighted to see you," he said to her, "for old time's sake do stop for a moment and rest." But with a shriek that seemed to cleave his very soul, she exclaimed:

"THERE IS NO REST IN HELL!"

He rushed away; but as he fled, he saw those whom he knew must have been dead for thousands of years, still absorbed in recollections of their sinful pleasures on earth and toiling through their eternity of woe.

Boyle tried to shut his eyes, but he found he could not. He was compelled to gaze with still increasing intensity of horror at the ever-changing, yet ever steady torrent of eternal torment.

And this was hell!... the scoffer's jest— the by-word of the profligate!

All at once he perceived that his spectral conductor was once more by his side.

"Take me", cried Boyle, "take me from this place. By the living God, whose name I have so often outraged, I demand of you, take me out of here!"

"Can you still name His Name?" said the fiend. "Go then. But in a year and a day, we meet to part no more."

Boyle awoke from his dream, feeling as if the words of the fiend were traced in fire upon his brain.

He resolved utterly and forever to forsake the Hell Club. Above all, he determined that nothing on earth should tempt him to join in the next annual festival.

But the Hell Club members flocked around him, curious to learn the cause of his dejection, and why he refused to take further part in their accustomed orgies. They became alarmed with the idea of losing "the life of the club," and bound themselves by an oath never to desist until they discovered what was the matter with him.

One evening, one of the members on entering Boyle's room detected him in the act of hastily hiding a Bible.

Alas, had Boyle possessed sufficient true moral courage and dignity NOT to have hidden the Bible, how different might have been his future! But, like many a hopeful youth, he was ashamed to avow his convictions, and to take his stand for God. His ruin was the result.

The efforts of his fellow club members to regain his active support were all too successful. Eventually he told them his dream. They ridiculed it and his feeling of repentance.

He who "hid the Bible" had neither nerve nor strength to stand the ribald jests of his companions.

His virtuous resolutions were broken. His prayers were voluntarily called back by sin from the throne of heaven. All was lost; but not without a terrific struggle between his conscience and the spirit of evil. It made him before the year elapsed, a haggard, gray-haired man.

From the annual meeting he shrank with horror. Well aware of his resolutions, his tempters determined that he should have no choice. And despite his iron resolve, Boyle found himself once more seated at the very table where he had sworn to himself a thousand times that nothing on earth should make him sit.

His ears tingled, his eyes swam, at the president's opening remarks: "Gentlemen, this is leap year; therefore it is just a year and a day since our last annual meeting."

Boyle's first impulse was to rise and fly; but then, the sneers! How many have sold their souls to the dread of a sneer, and dared the wrath of almighty God!

He was more than ever plied with wine. His laugh sounded fiendish even to the evil ears that heard it.

The night was gloomy when Boyle, with feverish nerves and reeling brain, mounted his horse for home.

The following morning, the well-known black horse with saddle and bridle, was found quietly grazing on the roadside. A few yards away lay the lifeless body of his master.

Reader, this dream of Archibald Boyle is a well authenticated fact. God, who has all power to communicate with the human mind, spoke to this young man. And through the same dream God now speaks to you.

The gospel bells give warning,

As they sound from day to day,

Of the fate that doth await them

Who forever will delay.

"Escape thou for thy life!

Tarry not in all the plain;

Nor behind thee look, O, never,

Lest thou be consumed in pain."

Are You Converted?

In order to ascertain the spiritual condition of the villagers, a preacher went from house to house in a small village some time ago.

He asked their names, whether or not they attended any place of worship, and finally inquired: "Are you converted?"

To this last question the answers were amusing, except for the fact the question was so serious.

Some had been "christened," some "registered," some "confirmed," and several had been "vaccinated." But whatever "conversion" was, they did not know.

On his way home after a day of such labor, the interviewer came to a little shop. The shopkeeper's name was over the door. He wrote it down, and entering said to the elderly lady behind the counter: "I know your name. Let me ask you, do you attend any Sunday services?"

"Yes,"

"Are you a member there?"

"Yes."

"Are you converted?"

To this question there was no reply.

"People in this village," said the evangelist, "do not seem to know the meaning of the word, `conversion,' Do you?"

He pressed for an answer; and finally she replied:

"I dare not say that I am not converted."

"Very well," he said, "I will put a 'C' after your name. Now can you tell me how you were converted? I should like to hear."

And this was the old lady's story: "When I was a little girl, there came to live near us a man who preached on Sunday afternoons. No matter what his subject was, he always pressed home one thing: "Whether churchman or otherwise, Christ is the door by which you must enter." He made us understand that we must enter in by this door or be lost forever.

"About this time I was taken very ill with a fever, and I heard the doctor say to my mother: `Do not be surprised if this child dies in the night. She is very ill.'

"I was so frightened that I cried to the Lord to save my soul. All at once, while praying, I felt my sins were pardoned and my soul saved. I was so happy, and although it was three o'clock in the morning, I called my mother and told her. `Oh, Mother! what do you think? Jesus has pardoned my sins and saved my soul. I am not afraid to die now.'

"My poor mother began to cry and told me I must be quiet. When morning came and the doctor called, he shook his head, saying I was delirious and would soon die. The minister was called, and he too thought I was out of my mind.

"I did not die nor did I go out of my mind. I remained happy and recovered from my illness.

"But there was no sympathy or encouragement in this experience, so I kept it to myself. Eventually my happy feelings faded away. For fifty years I have not told anyone of my conversion."

As the old lady told her story her face began to brighten with animation, and she there and then declared that she was happy once more.

From that day on she had many opportunities to tell her customers of her conversion, and continued a bright and happy Christian.

"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." Romans 10:9.

From All Sin

The night was dark. Along the lonely road traveled a single horseman. His horse was a handsome bay and his owner rode him well. The saddle bags bulged.

Presently the road ended in a rough field where robbers were known to lurk, especially on dark nights. And yet this strange rider never slackened his pace or looked to his pistols. Instead he began to sing!

But suddenly out of the gloom reached a rough hand that seized the horse's bridle; and a course voice shouted: "Halt! Your money or your life!"

The rider was John Wesley. In response to the robber's command he humorously searched his pockets for the very small amount of money he had. The robber swore as he took it and then swiftly searched the saddle bags. Finding that these contained only Bibles and booklets, he quickly turned away.

"Stop you!" called Wesley, "I wish to say something."

Thinking that his strange victim might deliver up something of more value than the shabby purse with its meager contents, the robber stopped.

"My friend," said Wesley solemnly, "the time may come when you may regret the course of life in which you are engaged. So remember this: `The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin' ". (1 John 1:7)

On hearing this, the robber disappeared into the darkness, while across the field sped the man of God.

While Wesley's poor little purse lay in the robber's pocket, the great preacher's words lay heavier on the robber's heart. Over and over again he repeated them: "From all sin ... us ... from all sin."

Many years later a great crowd of people were pouring out of a large hall. They had been listening to a well-known preacher— the same John Wesley who had been held up by the robber. Many waited about the steps to see him as he left the building. But why was he lingering so long within? Here is the reason: A stranger had entered the church and introduced himself to Mr. Wesley as he left the pulpit. It was the robber— but now a respectable, wealthy businessman.

The scripture— I John 1:7 quoted by that servant of God on that dark night years ago, had wrought a wonderful work. Just ten words from the Bible had been the means of his soul's salvation.

Turning from his criminal career, the robber had turned to the Bible and read there of "the blood speaking better things than that of Abel." (Hebrews 12:24.) He became a faithful follower of Christ a Christian indeed.

"To you I owe it all," he said as he kissed Wesley's hand.

"No, my friend," replied John Wesley, "not to me, but to God's wonderful love."

He Suffered for You?

In a French village once the wife of a wealthy prominent man lay dying.

In the village lived a Christian girl named Jeane, whose holy life had won her the respect and esteem of many.

One evening to her great surprise, Jeane was sent for by the sick lady.

"I wonder," she said, "why a rich lady should send for a poor girl like me?"

On reaching the house, Jeane was ushered into the sick-room. It was filled with nurses and friends.

Standing by the sufferer's bedside, and addressing the lady Jeane said: "Madam, all here appear to be doing their utmost for your body; is no one caring for your soul?"

"No one, Jeane," said the dying woman, "and that is why I have sent for you. I have been told that you may be able to tell me what I have to do to be saved."

"Madam," replied Jeane, "the Bible says, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

"I know that is what the Bible says, Jeane, I do believe; but I am not saved."

"Of course you believe that Christ came down from heaven and died. Believing that never saved anybody."

"To believe on the Lord Jesus Christ is to believe that when He died on the cross, He died for you; when He suffered the punishment of sins, He suffered for you; when He paid the mighty debt, He paid it for you; so that you may stand free before God."

As the soul-saving truth of the gospel was brought home by the Holy Spirit, in wonder and amazement the sick lady exclaimed: "And is that all, Jeane? I do believe. And I am saved!"

Throughout the night that dying woman, with her hand in Jeane's, rejoiced in Christ as her Savior. Even when her mind wandered she was heard to utter:

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ— saved."

As the end drew near, it was suggested that a clergyman be sent for, but the newly saved soul replied: "I have the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not require another."

Soon afterward, with Jeane's hand in hers, she peacefully passed into the presence of Him who shed His precious blood to redeem her for Himself. The last words on her lips were: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ— SAVED." Reader are you a saved... or an unsaved sinner?

Hebrews 9:27, 28

Here we have FOUR striking facts

DEATH... "It is appointed unto men once to die."

JUDGMENT... After death the judgment."

ATONEMENT... "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many."

THE LORD'S RETURN... "He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Why not come to the Lord Jesus now and be ready to meet Him?

The Savior shall yet become the Judge; but judgment waits on grace. "By grace are ye saved through faith." Eph. 2:8.

a Very Poor Choice

Following a gospel meeting a military officer approached the evangelist and greeting him with a cheery smile said: "You Christians are a gloomy lot; I am a happy-go-lucky sort and like something bright."

"I agree with you," replied the preacher. "I like something bright too; and I do not approve of a gloomy religion. I think we Christians have more right to be happy, and have more cause for happiness, than any other people in the world.

"But," he continued, "I cannot help thinking that even if it were otherwise, I should rather have my gloom here in this world than in the next. You would rather have it all bright and happy now. That is a very poor choice."

The officer made no reply. But two weeks later he met the preacher again and said: "I do not want my gloom in the next world."

What a joy it was to the preacher to hear this, and point him to the One who alone could change his heart and make him truly happy in this world and happier still in the next!

Come, Chains and All

A man once said to the evangelist, Dwight L. Moody:

"I feel as if I were chained. I cannot come to Christ."

"Come, chains and all," replied Moody, "Only come."

He who truly hears the gospel believes it just as a little child believes a mother's word. And none but such shall ever enter the kingdom. Read Luke 18:17.

Think!

If I gained the world but lost the Savior,

Were my life worth living for a day?

Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort

In the things that soon must pass away?

If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,

Would my gain be worth the toil and strife?

Are all earthly treasures worth comparing

With the gift of God eternal life?

Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,

With a name renowned both far and near,

Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,

Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;

If I gained the world, but lost the Savior,

Who endured the cross and died for me,

Could then all the world afford a refuge

Whither in my anguish I might flee?

O what emptiness without the Savior

'Mid the sins and sorrows here below!

And eternity, how dark without Him

Only night and tears and endless woe!

What though I might live without the Savior,

When I come to die, how would it be?

O to face the valley's gloom without Him!

And without Him for eternity!

O the joy of having all in Jesus!

What a balm the broken heart to heal!

Ne'er a sin so great, but He can cleanse it,

Not a sorrow that He does not feel!

If I have but Jesus, only Jesus,

Nothing else in all the world beside—

O then everything is mine in Jesus;

For my needs and more He will provide.

"I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."

Isaiah 43:25

The Fortune Teller

I was traveling on the train one afternoon when five of the men in the coach began to play cards. They were evidently sharpers, and before long challenged others to play with them, but all declined. At last they turned to me and said: "We can see by your face that you fully understand the game; come, take a turn."

"I did know the cards once," I replied, "but it is so long since I played that I forget."

"Nonsense!" they said, "you could win all our money if you tried."

"Perhaps that would not be very much," I answered. "Anyway, I will not attempt. Five of you are quite enough for the game; we will look on."

As they still kept pressing me to play, I at last said: "Gentlemen, I tell you I cannot play. But there is one thing I can do."

"What is that?" they asked eagerly.

"I can tell fortunes."

"Great! Will you tell ours?"

"If you wish it; but I warn you it may not be very flattering."

"What cards do you want?"

"The five of spades, please." It was handed to me with expectation of great sport.

"I shall require one other thing, if you don't mind."

"What?" they asked impatiently.

"A Bible."

They could not produce one.

"No, but you had one once," said the fortune teller, "and if you followed its precepts you would not have been what you are now. However, I have one."

To their dismay I produced the small Testament I always carried. A revolver would hardly have been more unwelcome. Then as fortune teller I began: "Gentlemen, you see these two pips at the top of the card? I wish them to represent your two eyes; this one in the middle, your mouth; and these other two at the bottom, your knees.

"Now, in Revelation 1:7, I read: 'Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him.' The speaker is Jesus, who shed His blood for sinners like you and me. And your eyes, that do not see Him now shall surely see Him then. You will stand before Him to be judged. That is the future of your two eyes.

"Now concerning your mouth and your knees, let me read Philippians 2:9-11:

" 'Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'

"From this I foretell that your knees will bow to Jesus, and your tongue, that used to say, `Gentle Jesus' and 'Our Father,' will have to confess that He is Lord of all.

"Your eyes will see Him, and when you see Him your knees will grow weak, and you will fall before His Majesty."

They got more than they bargained for, but I gave them some more.

"Gentlemen, that is only the first reading of this card. Now for the second. These five spades represent five actual spades— tools that are already made, and may before long dig the graves of you five sinners, and then your souls will be in Hell, crying in thirst for a drop of water, and you will wish you had never been born."

The five card sharpers were getting more and more restless, but they could not get out until the train stopped.

"Gentlemen," I continued, "you may escape this terrible future, and my fortune-telling not come true, if you do what I did when I was perhaps the worst of us six.

"My eyes saw the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for me in my stead, bearing my doom. My tongue confessed Him Lord, and my knees bowed to Him in lowly submission. If you do this, I can foretell the very opposite of all I have said.

"I have told your fortunes, as I promised. If I am right you ought to cross my palm with a quarter apiece. But I do not wish your five quarters. I will be content if even one of you will promise to accept the Lord Jesus Christ whose blood cleanses from all sin."

They would neither pay nor promise; but as the train slowed to a stop they tumbled out as if the coach contained a small-pox patient, leaving me in possession of the "five of spades."

"Stop!" I called, "here's your card," and I tossed it after them.

Was the effort wasted? Let the sequel answer. Recently walking near my home years later, a man greeted me.

"Good evening, sir," he said.

"It is a good evening, if all your sins are forgiven," was my response.

"Yes, and I am glad you are still at it," replied the stranger.

"Still at what?"

"Telling fortunes."

"That is not my line."

"Well, you told mine more than ten years ago."

"I think you are mistaken."

"Oh, no, I am sure you are the same person."

He then recalled the train journey.

"Ah! I remember, and you left like a lot of cowards, without paying the fortune teller!"

"I am your payment," he replied. "Your words have already come true of three of us. Three spades have dug their graves. The other one I saw a few days ago. He is anxious to be saved from the fortune you foretold. As I parted with him I earnestly said: 'Sam, don't forget the five of spades.' "

"And what about yourself?" I asked.

"When you saw me on the train, I had been to my sister's. I was downright miserable. Mother had just died. Calling me to her bedside, she had said:

"William, kiss your mother, and I leave you this Scripture: "Behold He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him." (Rev. 1:7).

"When you quoted those very words, it seemed as if my dear mother rose up and frowned upon the cards. That text followed me. I drank and drank, and drank again; but continually I heard, `Every eye shall see Him.'

At last I went to California. Soon after I landed, having nothing to do one evening, I stopped to hear someone singing. When a young man got up to speak, he gave out his text: "Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him."

"It was more than I could stand. That night I bowed my knees in submission, saw Jesus as my Savior, and with my tongue confessed Him Lord.

"I have long wished to meet you and tell you the results of your fortune telling, but I did not know who you were, and had no means of finding you. With what surprise and delight I recognized you tonight!"

He was soon going back to California; but that one interview was good payment for the fortune teller.

Step Over!

A young Canadian army officer was returning to camp from a gospel meeting. The claims of Christ had been pressed upon him by the mighty power of God, and he was deeply moved.

On the other hand, his worldly prospects and the pleasures of sin had never appeared more attractive. A choice lay before him— it was Christ or the world. The moment of decision which comes to everyone had come to him.

Like Pilate of old, he was confronted with the most important question ever asked by an awakened sinner: "What shall I do with Jesus?"

He determined to settle the question that night before going into his tent. As he neared the door he stopped, and laying his swagger stick in the path, said to himself: "If I step over this stick I shall have taken Jesus as my Savior; if I walk around it I shall have decided not to."

He backed away several paces and then approached the fatal line.

"Walk around it," whispered a compelling voice within. He had heard that voice before: it was Satan and he knew it.

Then as if from the skies another voice seemed to say:

"Step over that stick to Jesus!"

Again he backed away several paces. Then clenching his hands, and closing his eyes, he ran to the stick— and across it.

He had decided for Christ. The victory was won. The peace of God entered his heart there and then, and never left him.

It was a decision he never regretted. For who ever heard of a cleansed leper that was sorry he was cleansed or a believing sinner that he was saved?

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

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

A Two-Edged Sword

Many years ago, the members of a drinking club had a Negro boy serving them. This lad was adept at mimicking people, and often amused his masters with this skill. One day they told him to mimic George Whitefield, the famous Christian evangelist. This the boy was very unwilling to do. When the men insisted upon it, he stood up, and in Mr. Whitefield's dynamic manner cried out: "I speak the truth in Christ, I lie not, unless you repent, you will all be damned."

This unexpected speech struck home. The two-edged sword pierced every heart there. The club was entirely broken up, and many of its members turned to Christ.

The Old Fashioned Preacher

Many preachers today have given up the old ideas about the fall and total depravity of man. People are rarely told that they are guilty sinners before a holy God. Sermons that press this are regarded as relics of the dark ages, only fit for the old curiosity shop.

But there is one preacher of the old school who still speaks as loudly and clearly as ever. The whole world is his parish. He speaks every language. He preaches to rich and poor, to people of every religion and no religion; and the substance of his sermon is always the same.

He is an eloquent preacher. He often stirs feelings which no other preacher could reach. He brings tears to eyes that rarely cry.

He is not popular. Most people hate him. But in one way or another he makes everyone hear.

He is neither refined nor polite. He often interrupts the public arrangements, and breaks rudely upon the private enjoyments of life. He lingers at the doors of theaters and ballrooms. His shadow sometimes falls on card tables. He is often in the neighborhoods of bars, saloons and taverns.

He frequents the shop, the office, the factory, the farm, the school and university. He constantly visits prisons, hospitals and homes for the aged. He has a master key which gives him access to the most secluded rooms. He appears in the midst of both legislators, and fashionable religious assemblies. Neither the palace nor mansion daunt him by their greatness; and no slum, alley or hovel is too mean to escape his notice.

His name is DEATH.

You have heard many sermons from this old preacher. Perhaps he has often addressed you personally. The sudden departure of that neighbor— the solemn parting with that dear parent— the loss of a valued friend— the awful gap left in the heart when that fondly-loved wife, that idolized child, was taken. All these have been loud, solemn appeals from the old preacher.

Someday, very soon, he may have YOU for his text. Let your heart turn to God this moment to thank Him that you have not before now died in your sins!

You may get rid of the Bible. You may ridicule it and despise its warnings. You may reject the Savior of whom it speaks. You can get away from preachers of the gospel. You are not compelled to attend church or mission room. You can turn off the gospel broadcast. You can cross to the other side if there be a street meeting. It is in your power to burn this booklet and every tract that comes your way.

But if you get rid of God's Word and of God's servants, what will you do with the old preacher of whom you are reading?

Your little day will soon be passed. Your pleasures will end. Your possessions will be worthless to you when you leave this world. After all, you "must needs die."

Must there not be a cause for this? Is it by mere accident that a creature with such marvelous powers and capacities should come to so ignominious an end?

Listen! "By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin." Romans 5:12.

The fall of man is no mere theological dogma, but a fearful reality. Sin is not just an ugly word in the Bible or on preachers' lips. It is a dark, foul reality which blights and curses the world by its presence. Nor is there any exception: "Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned."

Thank God, He has not been indifferent to the ruin of His creature, whose sin has brought death upon him. There is no denying the fact that "the wages of sin is death"; but it is equally true that: "The gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9.

Jesus, the holy Son of God has died in love upon the cross. In this stupendous act, God commends His love to us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

The old preacher never spoke so loudly, or in more positive tones, than when Jesus went to Calvary. Divine love would bless the sinner, but divine holiness could not make light of the sin. The full penalty of guilt, the wages of sin in all its dark and dreadful reality, passed upon the sinless Substitute. He took our place in death and judgment, that we might have His life and His place of acceptance and favor before God.

You may die unsaved; but you will not die unloved. God loves you; Christ died for you; eternal life may be yours. The love of God— the work of Christ— urge you to turn to the Son of God whose soul-assuring words are these: "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.

"Doctor May I Sing?"

A lady was taken to the hospital suffering from a malignant disease. Eventually it was found necessary to perform an operation on her tongue, the results of which, at best, would deprive her of her speech. The surgeon knew this and before the anesthetic was given he asked his patient:

"Is there anything you would like to say before you go to sleep?"

"There is nothing I wish to say," she replied; "but doctor, may I sing?"

"Yes, you may sing," answered the physician."

And sing she did, so that all in the operating room heard that great hymn of the faith sung just before she died:

There is a fountain filled with blood,

That flowed from Jesus' veins,

And sinners washed in that blest flood

Lose all their guilty stains.

Soon in a nobler, sweeter song

I'll sing His power to save;

No more with lisping, stammering tongue,

But conqueror o'er the grave.

Although she failed to survive the operation, she passed into the presence of her Savior with the song of the precious blood of Jesus (her title to glory) on her lips.

Years ago at a gospel meeting in Napanee, Ontario, the congregation instinctively dropped to their knees, as if in prayer, while they sang the following hymn. Will you?

Just as I am without one plea,

But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidst me come to Thee:

O Lamb of God, I come!

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus?

Years ago a great conference of religions was held in Chicago. Practically every religion in the world was represented, and the delegates heard many great speeches and discussions.

During one of the sessions, Dr. Joseph Cook of Boston arose and said: "Gentlemen, I beg to introduce to you a woman with a great sorrow. Bloodstains are on her hands, and nothing she has tried will remove them. The blood is that of murder and nothing will take away the stain. She is desperate in her distress. Is there anything in your religions that will remove her sin and give her peace?"

A hush fell upon the great gathering as the speaker turned from one to another for an answer.

No one replied.

Dr. Cook then cried out:

"I will ask another!" Then he raised his eyes heavenward and called in words such as these: "O God, canst Thou tell this woman how to get rid of this awful sin?" He waited, as if listening for a reply. Suddenly he cried: 'Listen! God speaks: 'The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin.' " 1 John 1:7.

Not one in that great assembly made a single move. The representatives of Eastern religions and Western cults sat speechless. In the face of the guilty sinner's need they were without message or hope. The gospel of Jesus Christ alone could meet the need.

That precious blood avails for you today.

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

What can make me pure within?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

The King's Business

Walking home from a meeting one night Dwight Moody saw a man leaning against a lamppost. Stepping up to him and laying his hands on his shoulders, he said: "Are you a Christian?"

The man flew into a rage, clenched his fists and it seemed for a moment as if that city missionary might be pitched into the gutter.

"I am very sorry if I have offended you," said Mr. Moody.

"Mind your own business!" roared the man. "That is my business," the other replied quietly, and went on his way.

About three months later, early one bitter cold morning, someone knocked at Moody's door. "Who's there?" he asked.

A strange voice answered, and he asked: "What do you want?"

"I want to become a Christian."

Mr. Moody opened the door, and to his astonishment, there stood the man who had cursed him for talking to him as he leaned against the lamp-post.

"I am sorry," said the man. "I haven't had any peace since that night, and I thought I would come and get you to pray for me."

That same morning the man accepted Christ as his personal Savior, and the moment he had done so he asked, "What can I do for Him?"

"If any man serve Me, let him follow Me." John 12:26.

The Christless Tomb

Wrapt in a Christless shroud

He sleeps the Christless sleep;

Above him the eternal cloud,

Beneath the fiery deep.

Laid in a Christless tomb,

There bound with felon chain,

He waits the terrors of his doom.

The judgment and the pain.

O Christless shroud, how cold! How dark,

O Christless tomb!

O grief that never can grow old!

O endless, hopeless doom.

O Christless sleep, how sad!

What waking shalt thou know?

For thee no star, no dawning glad,

Only the lasting woe!

To rocks and hills in vain

Shall be the sinners call;

O day of wrath and death and pain

The lost soul's funeral.

O Christless soul, awake!

Ere the last sleep begins;

O Christ, the sleepers' slumber break,

Burst Thou the bonds of sin.

The Human Fly

In this pleasure-loving age the so-called "Show Business" never seems to lack the "talent" necessary to provide hair-raising performances with which to thrill or amuse its patrons.

Recently it was reported, that while lying in his hospital bed where he had spent four years recovering from an automobile accident, a twenty-nine year old Montreal man conceived the idea of becoming the most incredible stunt man the world has ever known.

According to his promoters he will be called "The Human Fly," and attempt three spectacular feats in 1976-77. First, the Bonneville sky walk in which he will be strapped to the body of a Lear jet and assume a vertical stance fifteen feet from the front of the fuselage. This act is designed "to establish credibility and make himself a viable financial entity."

The major event, however, will be an attempt to make a one-minute jump across the English Channel strapped to the outside of a custom designed missile. Later he plans to use a similar missile to jump Mount Everest. A jump off the CN tower, the world's tallest freestanding structure, into a twenty-foot pool of water, is said to be also contemplated.

Such a daredevil program might have passed unnoticed had it not recalled to us that nearly sixty years ago another then famous performer known as the "Human Fly" astounded the world by climbing the walls of some of the tallest buildings in Canada and the United States.

The Human Fly, employed to help promote a War Bond Campaign in Hamilton, Canada, in 1919, successfully scaled the front wall of the Bank of Commerce building bare handed, pausing on window sills during his giddy ascent to shout victory slogans to the thousands who watched from the streets.

A short time later it was announced that this same Human Fly would climb up the face of one of the large department store buildings in Los Angeles. Long before the scheduled event began the area was packed with thousands of spectators to watch the incredible performance.

But slowly and confidently he began the upward climb, now grasping a window sill, then a jutting brick, then up on to a cornice, ever overcoming apparently insurmountable difficulties, till at last he reached the top.

Here he reached right and left above his head for something solid to bear him for the rest of the way. Then looking skyward he seemed to spot what appeared to be a piece of weather-worn brick or cement protruding from the otherwise smooth wall. Risking all in one last upward thrust he grasped the protuberance. It was a fatal leap! there was no substance there for a handhold. Before the horrified crowds he plummeted to the street to his death.

When his broken body was gathered up, his clenched hand was found to be holding a spider's web. What he thought was firm and dependable proved to be as nothing.

It is true that only a few today imagine, much less attempt, such outlandish feats. Yet how many millions there are endeavoring to reach heaven by their own efforts. Are you one of them? Oh, be warned, it is to attempt the impossible. The Lord Jesus Himself has declared: "I am the way... no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." John 14:6.

Today the Savior calls,

For refuge fly!

The storm of judgment falls,

And death is nigh!

?Borrowed Time?

Some time ago a Christian commercial traveler, who was touring England, decided to pay an informal visit to an old associate in London. This associate was now a highly successful business man, with whom he had been well acquainted when both lived in Canada years before.

In fact, the visitor, his brother Jim, and the now extremely wealthy top executive had lived, played and grown up together in the same poor street in Toronto.

On presentation of his business card to the uniformed attendant at the door, the traveler was escorted into the private office of the great tycoon who had not forgotten his boyhood chum. He greeted him warmly and after the old acquaintance had been renewed, he inquired as to his brother Jim.

"How is Jimmy?"

"Jimmy is dying of cancer."

"That is too bad. He and I are both the same age, you know— both over seventy. Both of us are now living on borrowed time. He should not complain."

"Jimmy is not complaining. He has the peace of God in his heart. He knows Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and is peacefully waiting for Him to call him home to heaven," replied the visitor.

The reference to God, Christ and heaven was apparently ignored completely by the great business leader, who again commented: "Well, Jimmy has lived a good life; we are both now living on borrowed time."

"How true," said the visitor. "You recall that you and Jimmy are the same age; and you acknowledge that you are living on borrowed time. Now tell me, what are you doing on your borrowed time?" With a triumphant smile, and with devastating frankness, the reply came: "I am making a lot of money!"

"But what will your money profit you after you are dead? You can't take it with you. You are an astute business man; tell me, when your borrowed time has run out, what about your soul and eternity?"

"I'm much too busy to think about it."

"But if you never think about it, if you do not have to do with God about your sins and take Christ as your Savior as Jimmy did, some day you will wake up in hell, lost forever."

"Then I shall have a good time making a lot of money while I'm going there," was his sacrilegious reply.

On this note the brief visit ended. The faithful Christian friend that visited his wealth-possessed friend is now with Christ. So is Jimmy. Recently their boyhood chum who had become famous, the friend of royalty, prime ministers and billionaires, also passed into eternity at the age of eighty-two. He left an estate valued in the hundreds of millions. He boasted that he had made more money between his years of sixty-five and seventy than in the whole sixty-five years of his life before.

But "what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Had I health and wealth in fullest measure,

And a name renowned both far and near,

And no hope beyond, no harbor waiting

Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer.

What though I might live without the Savior,

When I come to die how would it be?

Oh, to face the valley's gloom without Him!

And without Him for eternity!

A daily newspaper once ran a contest for the best definition of the meaning of money. One of the published answers was: "Money is a universal provider of everything but happiness, and a passport to everywhere but heaven.

Memory's Pearl

A news reporter interviewing a celebrated lady in Ontario asked: "And which day do you recall as the happiest day in your life?"

From the countless pleasant memories harvested during ninety-five happy years, she immediately called back this pearl of them all: "It was," she replied, "the day when as a little girl of seven I took the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior."

Take my love: my Lord, I pour

At Thy feet its boundless store;

Take myself, and I would be

Ever, only, ALL for Thee.

A girl who met Frances Ridley Havergal, the well known hymn writer, for just a brief moment, said that seeing the face of this dear Christian woman was the means of her conversion. "I am so glad," she said, "that I saw, just once, that God-satisfied face."

?Read It Again?

It was after the battle of Murfreesboro, D. L. Moody was stationed in the hospital. For two nights he had been unable to get any rest, and on the third night had laid down to sleep.

But about midnight he was called to see a wounded soldier who was very low. At first he tried to put the messenger off, but was told that if he waited till morning it might be too late.

So he went to the ward where he had been directed and found the man who had sent for him. Asking what he could do for him, the soldier replied that he wanted him "to help him die."

Moody told him he would bear him in his arms into the Kingdom of God if he could, but he couldn't. Then he tried to preach the gospel to him; but he only shook his head and said: "He can't save me; I have sinned all my life."

"My thoughts, “wrote Mr. Moody afterward, "went back to his loved ones in the North, and I thought that even then his mother might be praying for her boy. I repeated promise after promise and prayed with the dying man, but nothing seemed to help.

"Then I said that I wanted to read him an account of an interview that Christ had one night while here on earth— interview with a man who was anxious about his eternal welfare.

I read him the third chapter of John, how Nicodemus came to Jesus. As I read on, his eyes became riveted upon me, and he seemed to drink in every syllable. When I came to the words, " '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 everlasting life.' he stopped me.

"Is that there?" he asked.

"Yes."

“‘Well, I never knew that was in the Bible. Read it again.' Leaning on his elbow on the side of the cot, he brought his hands together tightly, and when I finished he exclaimed:

“’That's good! Won't you read it again?'

"Slowly I repeated the passage the third time. When I finished I saw that his eyes were closed, and the troubled expression on his face had given way to a peaceful smile. His lips moved, and I bent over him to catch what he was saying, and heard in a faint whisper:

" '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.'

"He opened his eyes and said:

“‘That’s enough; don't read any more.'

Early next morning I came to his cot, but it was empty. The attendant in charge told me that the young man had died peacefully, and said that after my visit he had rested quietly repeating to himself, now and then, that glorious proclamation: " 'Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.’” John 3:15.

"It is wonderful," said a man to a preacher, "it is wonderful to see a whole congregation moved to tears by the preaching of the gospel."

"Yes," said the evangelist, "it is wonderful, but I know a wonder ten times greater than that: the wonder is, that those people should so soon wipe away their tears and forget what they have heard."

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

Are You Willing to Be Saved?

In one of the southern states there once lived a successful farmer, whose main enterprise was raising pigs. He was a godless man; but one of his workmen was an earnest Christian, named Joe, who seldom missed an opportunity to speak to his employer about his soul.

But there came a day when the rich farmer took seriously ill. Fearing that he was going to die, he sent for his Christian hired man and asked: "Joe, tell me what I will have to do to be saved?"

Pointing through the window to one of the pig pens, Joe replied: "Go and kneel in that pig pen and pray the publican's prayer, "God be merciful to me a sinner."

"O, man, I am not willing to do that!"

Whereupon Joe returned to his work. But some days later he was again called to the sick man's bedside.

"Joe, what did you say I must do to be saved?" Again pointing to the pig pen, Joe repeated: "Go and kneel in that pig pen and pray the publican's prayer, 'God be merciful to me, a sinner.' "

"Joe, I am willing now," was the reply.

"Ah, sir!" exclaimed Joe joyfully, "you need not kneel in the pig pen, so long as you are willing to be saved. Now pray right here."

The anxious, willing sinner gladly responded, and kneeling beside his bed, fervently prayed the prayer from his heart. God heard and he was saved.

The Publican's Prayer

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

A Christian doctor received the following anonymous letter:

Sir:

"I heard you preaching the gospel on Sunday evening; and, if you remember, you were speaking about the sprinkling of the blood on the door posts (Exodus 12). I understood this was a type of the blood of Jesus, and those that are saved have, as it were, the blood sprinkled on their door posts. Well, I have not got that blood sprinkled upon my door posts. I have longed to be saved for six years and cannot find peace.

"I believe that Jesus died for all sinners and that I am among the worst of them. I am in great need of a Savior, yet there is something I don't understand. I will be at the Hall the Sunday after next, if the Lord will spare me, to hear you preach once more. I am afraid I will never get another chance. I have had the gospel set before me plain enough, but I think I get harder-hearted every time I hear it. I have tried to pray for faith, but Satan seems to laugh at me, and tell me I am too late. I feel as if he has too fast a hold on me now to get away from him.

"Oh, will you pray for me, that I might have light, and that I might find the true Savior?

I hope the Lord will bear with me a little longer.

I have given up all hopes of being a Christian.

I shudder to think of the terrible judgment day."

The letter was unsigned and the doctor was at a loss to know who the writer could be. But "God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform."

The Sunday following the receipt of this letter, the doctor was attending a meeting when he received an emergency call. It was to attend a patient who was thought to be dying, if not already dead. He immediately drove to the house to find the mother of the family unconscious, and her husband and several of her children gathered around her, expecting each breath to be the last.

Although in a death-like swoon, she was breathing. The doctor proceeded to apply treatment, and endeavored to calm the fears of those who watched their loved one. He knew his patient was a Christian, and so also was her husband, and some of the other members of the family, but at the bedside stood some of whom the doctor was not sure.

A few minutes later as they gathered around the fire in the adjoining room he asked the father: "Are all your children converted yet?"

"No, no," said he, "I wish they were."

Then addressing the eldest daughter, who had come from her place of employment for two or three hours, and whose name the doctor knew, he said: "Is it true, Mary, that you are still unsaved?"

"Yes," was her reply. This admission was coupled with a deep sigh. Perceiving that she was anxious about her soul, he asked her to come into another room where they might talk together for a few minutes, while others carried out his directions with regard to the mother.

"I suppose you know where your dear mother would be if she died?" said the doctor.

"In heaven with Jesus," was Mary's reply. "And if you died."

"I should go to hell, I know," she answered, bursting into tears.

"But have you no desire to be saved?"

"Oh, yes, indeed I have. I want to be saved, if I only knew how."

"How? Why, it is very simple. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' Only believe Him. Just trust Him as you are— a poor guilty sinner. He has died for sinners; His blood avails to cleanse the most guilty: and He says: `Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.' Come to Him, that is all you have to do. Just trust Him. Do you think you can?"

"I should like to, doctor. I wish I could. Will you pray for me?"

"Let us kneel together before Him," said the doctor, and while she wept, he prayed. He asked the Lord to spare the beloved mother, if it was His holy will— and save the sin-burdened child who knelt before Him.

As he got up again to see the sick one, he said: "Don't you get off your knees till all is settled, and you have found Jesus."

He found the mother decidedly rallying and she shortly completely recovered. On returning to Mary after a lapse of some minutes, he found her standing, with a beaming, though still tearful face. But these were tears of joy, as she exclaimed: "I have found Him; Jesus is mine!"

By simple faith she had found Him: and peace, and life, and joy in Him working. She went on her way rejoicing from then on.

Two days afterward the doctor learned that Mary was the writer of the anonymous letter!

Was this not just like the Lord? This anxious soul proposed to itself to wait ten days. But Jesus loves to meet the truly anxious one at once, and thus He must needs let the mother fall sick, and the doctor be sent for, just at the moment when the sin-burdened daughter was by, that His own message of grace might be spoken to her.

Reader, may He speak to you now.

Nothing but Christ

Remember, it is not your hold of Christ that saves you: it is Christ! It is not your joy in Christ that saves you: it is Christ! It is not your faith in Christ, though that is the instrument; it is Christ's blood and merit. Therefore, look not so much to your hand, with which you are grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to your hope, but to Jesus, the source of your hope; look not to your faith, but to Jesus the author and finisher of faith.

We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doing, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to our souls. If we would at once overcome Satan, and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Let not your hopes or fears come between you and Jesus; follow hard after Him, and He will never fail you.

That day of wrath, that dreadful day,

When heaven and earth shall pass away!

What power shall be the sinner's stay?

How shall he meet that dreadful day?

"Behold NOW is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2

The Prodigal's Cry

Afflictions, though they seem severe,

In mercy oft are sent;

They stopped the prodigal's career,

And caused him to repent.

"I'll not pine here for bread," he cries;

"Nor starve in foreign lands:

My father's house has large supplies,

And bounteous are his hands."

"What have I gained by sin," he said,

"But hunger, shame, and fear?

My father's house abounds in bread,

While I am starving here!"

I'll go and tell him all I've done,

Fall down before his face;

Unworthy to be called his son,

I'll seek a servant's place."

His father saw him coming back,

He saw, he ran, he smiled.

And threw his arms around the neck

Of his rebellious child!

"O Father, I have sinned forgive!"

"Enough!" the father said:

"Rejoice, my house; my son's alive,

For whom I mourned as dead!"

'Tis thus the Lord His love reveals,

To call poor sinners home;

More than a father's love He feels,

And welcomes all that come.

The Peddler's Song

It was a cold, dark November evening in a large American city. At the brilliantly lighted entrance of a luxurious hotel sat a poor crippled peddler with the customary collection of pencils, pins, shoe laces and lavender. His incongruous figure caught the mischievous eye of one of a party of worldly young men as they entered the hotel for dinner. Seized with a sporting idea, he said to his companions:

"Let us give that old chap a feed!"

They all agreed that it would be great fun, and without hesitation the old man was ushered into the gorgeous dining room and seated at the table they had reserved.

Humorous stories and gay songs followed the sumptuous meal. Their humble guest partook of the warm-hearted hospitality with quiet thankfulness; but eventually they insisted on him making some acknowledgment.

"It's your turn now to give us a song," they shouted; "so tune up!"

Little did that careless company expect the song they were about to hear, as the old man raised his heart to God for help and began to sing:

"My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;

For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign;

My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou—

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."

By the time he had sung the first verse, all the hilarity had yielded to complete silence. So the aged singer, inwardly crying for strength, sang on: "I love Thee, because Thou hast first loved me, And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;

I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow—

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

"I would love Thee in life, I would love Thee in death;

And praise Thee as long as Thou lendeth me breath;

And say, when the death-dew lies cold on my brow—

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

The old man's voice quivered with emotion as he bravely sang on. The gorgeous room now wore a faded look; the feast seemed poor to his audience. As he sang the last verse some of the well-to-do young fellows felt themselves poor too, realizing that their needy guest had riches of another sort:

"In mansions of glory and endless delight,

I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;

I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow—

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

The party broke up quietly and the eyes of some were full of tears.

Now for the sequel: Next morning as the old peddler sat in his accustomed place, a fashionable lady drove up and spoke to him. Her son was one of that company at the dinner the evening before. After hearing the old man sing, he was in great distress of soul. His anxious mother had come to ask the peddler to come and talk to him.

Gladly the old man accompanied her to her home. He read the Bible, pleaded and prayed with the convicted young man. And before the old peddler left the house the young man believed and confessed Jesus as Lord and was himself able to sing, "My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine."

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?"— James 2:5.

Pierpont Morgan's Will

John Pierpont Morgan, American multi-millionaire, in the first paragraph of his will declared: "I commit my soul into the hands of my Savior, in full confidence that having redeemed it and washed it in His most precious blood, He will present it faultless before the throne of my heavenly Father, and I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all hazards and at any cost of personal sacrifice the blessed doctrine of complete atonement for sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, once offered and through that alone."

Sir James Simpson, the famous physician who discovered chloroform, was once asked by an interviewer to name his greatest discovery. He replied: "My greatest discovery was Jesus Christ."

Henry J. Heinz, founder of the great food firm bearing his name, made the following statement in his will: "I desire to set forth at the very beginning of this will, as the most important item in it, a confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I also desire to witness to the fact that throughout my life, in which were the usual joys and sorrows, I have been wonderfully sustained by my faith."

I Would Like to Go Home

"Have you seen Brown today? I don't think he can last much longer." The question was addressed to a lady missionary by an orderly in a military hospital in India some years ago.

Brown was a young Highlander who had been ill for months. When the missionary went to his ward, she found him alone. Sitting by his bedside she talked a little about his illness and asked if he had any relatives who might come and see him.

"No," he answered, "I have no near relatives. I am alone in the world and I don't think there is a living soul who cares whether I live or die."

"Oh, but there is One," the lady replied: "the Lord Jesus cares, and loves you very much. Is He with you now?"

"No, indeed He is not."

With those sad, hungry eyes fixed upon her, the missionary told him how the great tender heart of the Savior yearned to save, forgive and comfort. She pleaded with him to turn to Jesus in his loneliness.

The next day when she visited Brown again he said: "I did pray to God last night, but I don't feel any better. Will you read and pray with me?" This she did and again endeavored to tell him simply the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

The day following she found Brown with a peaceful, satisfied look on his face, and at once inquired:

"Is it all well? Is it all peace today?"

"Yes," he answered brightly, "It is all settled."

"You are not lonely any longer? Is the Lord Jesus with you now?"

"Yes," he replied, "He is with me always."

After this he eagerly looked for his kind visitor every day and always asked her to read and pray with him. No longer did she find him lonely, for the presence of the Lord Jesus filled his heart.

The day before he died, as she read and prayed with him for the last time, she asked if there was anything special he wanted?

"Yes," he replied, "I would like to go home."

"To Scotland?"

"Oh, no! Home to the Lord Jesus."

Very early the next morning his request was granted as the Lord Jesus welcomed him home to be with Him forever.

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:55, 56, 57.

The Bible

An aged Christian once said, "When first converted, I began reading the Bible. I read it for ten years, and I thought it a very nice Book. I enjoyed it greatly. I read it for ten years more, and I thought it the most surpassingly precious Book in the world. It was food and drink to me. Now I have been reading it for forty years, and I am filled with delight and amazement at its beauties every time I open it."

Stop and Think

Outside the city of London a gravestone inscription proclaims this message:

Passerby! Stop and think!

I'm in eternity; you're on the brink.

Wonderful Love

"You are the ugliest old woman I've ever set eyes on." That was the cruel taunt hurled at an old woman as she stood at her cottage door.

Without doubt she was an ugly old woman. Not only had great age wrinkled her face and bent her body; but a life of sin had left its scars upon her. Altogether she looked as if she well deserved the reputation of being the ugliest old woman in all that countryside.

But recently she had been converted to God; and she let all her neighbors know it. It was with the idea of raising her quick temper that this ungodly tormentor told her that she was the ugliest of women.

But it produced a different response to what was intended. Instead of her eyes flashing with wrath they filled with tears. Her heart melted as she thought of her Savior's love. And ugly though she was, the moral beauty of the grace of Jesus shone out in her reply as, in a voice trembling with emotion she cried, "Wasn't it wonderful love that could love an ugly old woman like me?"

Cling to the Bible, My Boy!

As you journey thro' life to the grave you pursue,

There is one thing in earnest I wish you to do;

Oh! listen, my boy, while I say this to you:

Oh, cling to the Bible, my boy!

CHORUS

Then cling to the Bible, my boy,

Oh, cling to the Bible, my boy;

While living or dying, all else letting go;

Oh, cling to the Bible, my boy.

You may meet with misfortunes and sorrows and tears,

You may battle with sin and with Satan for years;

Be a Christian, press on, do not have any fears

But cling to the Bible, my boy!

Put your faith in our Father and you will be strong:

Keep your eye on the cross and you'll never go wrong;

Sing the sweet songs of praise as you journey along;

And cling to the Bible, my boy!

Every time that you read it you'll learn something new

Of Jesus who died on the cross to save you;

To the Lord, to yourself and to heaven be true

And cling to the Bible, my boy!

'Tis the anchor of hope, and the lamp that gives light,

'Tis the star that will shine through life's darkest night:

If you follow its guidance you'll always be right,

Oh, cling to the Bible, my boy!

D. B. Towner

One writes:

I heard this hymn sung in the year 1911; heeded its message; accepted the Lord Jesus as Savior; have sung it for 32 years; proved by experience every line to be true concerning the Word of God. I recommend to every young man the Bible and the Savior who said: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."— John 14:6.

"It is not a question of the amount of your faith, but of the trustworthiness of the Person you repose your confidence in."

The Murderer of Twenty

His name was Keruba. He was chief of one of those bands of robbers which infested a great part of India long ago. Throughout the region he was notorious as the boldest bandit ever known.

With his own hands he had murdered twenty innocent victims, some of whom were women and children. But in the height of his career, the British government made its power felt, and the robbers in their turn became terrified at the sight of British soldiers.

Keruba found that his men were now afraid to join him in his plundering raids. A few of the bravest still followed him, but when some of these were killed the rest fled for their lives. Depressed and discouraged, he wandered here and there not knowing what to do.

Old age found him utterly deserted by followers and friends. He had no home but among the rocks in the hills. And only with great difficulty could he find enough food to satisfy his hunger. He dared not go to the villages where he was known, lest he should be arrested.

His conscience too became aroused, and smote him for all his wicked deeds. In his dreams he would hear over and over again the dying shrieks of the victims he had butchered in cold blood. He seemed to see their ghostly arms stretched out to tear him to pieces.

Thus haunted and distracted he wandered from one place to another, till at last he reached villages where he was not known. Here, as if to atone for his sins, he gave alms to the poor. He went on long pilgrimages; he spent days and nights worshiping the idols; he tortured his body: and the people thought that a very holy man had come among them. They called him their Gooroo or priest, and came to him for advice and counsel. Some even bowed down and worshiped him. But still his mind was not at ease.

Nothing he did could take away the sting of those horrible murders. They haunted him night and day till he thought of killing himself. But the fear of death was more terrible to him than the pangs of remorse.

As a last hope he decided to go to the sacred river Ganges, which was several hundred miles away. This distance he resolved to crawl on his hands and knees. There he would wash, for it was said that washing in the holy waters of the Ganges would make the vilest sinner clean. Still Keruba had not much faith even in this remedy; he felt that his sins were too monstrous to be ever taken away.

While on this pilgrimage he entered a large city to attend an idolatrous celebration. As he moved about he heard the clear, silvery tone of an American bell, so different from the Hindu bells. He made inquiries and was told that it was the bell which rang every Sunday to call the Christians to worship.

Christians? Who were they? He had never heard of them. He went in the direction of the sound, and came at length to a large building. People were flocking in, and after a moment's hesitation Keruba also entered.

When the preacher read his text: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin," (1 John 1:7), he was aroused, and listened with deepest interest. The preacher caught sight of Keruba's eager anxious face and preached "Christ and Him crucified," with uncommon power.

The service ended and the people left the place; but Keruba lingered until the missionary came out. Stepping up to him, he said:

"Sahib, is all that you have said true?"

"It is," said the missionary, "for it is just what God Himself has told us."

"Well, Sahib, you say that the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse us from all sin. Can it take away the stain of murder?"

"Yes, indeed it can. If the murderer truly believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, God declares that `whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins' " (Acts 10:43).

"Well, but, Sahib, supposing a man has committed two murders, can he be forgiven them?" "He can."

"Five murders?"

"Yes, even five."

"Supposing he had murdered ten innocent persons?" said the man earnestly.

"God can forgive and blot out ten murders." "But, Sahib, supposing it's twenty instead of ten?"

"God will forgive twenty murders for the sake of His Son Jesus Christ."

"Then He's the God for me!" exclaimed the man, tears filling his eyes and streaming down his hard cheeks. "O God have pity on me, for I have murdered twenty poor innocent victims! Sahib," he added, "will He forgive me?"

The missionary grasped his hand and wept with him, while Keruba gradually unfolded to him the whole story of his life, and of his torture of mind during the past years. He told how he had tortured himself, and tried every means to ease his conscience, but all in vain.

"But now," he exclaimed, "I've found the Lamb of God. You say He died for me. I feel here, in my heart, that it is true. Oh! Jesus Christ, I want You! Oh, take away my sin!"

And as twilight stole into the chapel the missionary and the robber knelt and prayed; and Keruba, owning Christ as Savior and Lord, rose from his knees. His heavy burden was gone the Lord had taken it away.

In a few days he returned to his people and told them what had happened; how wicked, and wretched, and miserable he had been; but that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the guilty had given him pardon and peace.

They all wondered at his words, but more than all at his radiant, happy face, so changed from what it had been. Many were led by him to inquire and to believe as he did.

As before he had won followers to himself to rob, so now, with all his zeal and might, he strove to win followers to Christ.

Three Executions

Years ago, the Russian war-artist, Verestschagin painted three pictures, each the scene of an execution. The paintings were titled respectively, "Russian Execution," "A British Execution," and "A Roman Execution."

The first showed a cordon of cavalry surrounding a wretched Nihilist.

The second was that of a rebel Sepoy during the Indian Mutiny. He was lashed to the mouth of a cannon.

Then came the last: Three crosses standing side by side against the sky on the hill-top. They had nailed Him there— the Jew who had called Himself a king— nailed Him between two thieves that He might die the same death.

To the world it was just another Roman execution, an ordinary occurrence in the ordinary course of events. It seemed no more to the world than the death of the Nihilist or the Sepoy.

And yet the story of that deed, the story of the Cross, has stirred men's hearts and changed men's lives, and passed from nation to nation, till all men may hear the wondrous tidings.

What made such a vast difference between the first two scenes and the last? In each we see depicted a man about to suffer the last penalty of the law; the Nihilist for his rebellion against the Emperor; the Sepoy for his horrible crimes, his treachery against his officers. But the One on the cross?

Even the Roman judge before whom He had stood was forced to confess:

"I find no fault in this man."

The judge's wife sent a warning:

"Have thou nothing to do with that just man.

“The criminal on the cross beside Him said:

"This man hath done nothing amiss."

The difference can be summed up in a few words. The Nihilist and the Sepoy were bearing the penalty inflicted by earthly kings for their defiance of those kings' decrees. But the One on the center cross was the SINLESS Son of God who "Himself bare our sins in His own body on the tree." (1 Pet. 2:24; Isa. 53:5, 6.)

Surely "The chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed."

He knew how guilty we had been,

He knew that God must punish sin,

So out of pity Jesus said:

"I'll bear the punishment instead."

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!

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!

Sinner, heed the warning voice;

Make the Lord your happy choice,

Then all heaven will rejoice.

Be in time!

Come from darkness into light,

From the way that seemeth right;

Come and start for heaven tonight

Be in time!

Catastrophes Plague the Globe

Summer 1976 was a summer of catastrophes in many parts of the world.

Earthquakes: Two major shocks hit China's heavily-populated northeast corner causing, it is believed, tens of thousands of deaths. The worst earthquakes in Philippine history struck the southern islands. Giant waves caused many casualties.

Volcano: La Soufriere, a volcano on the French Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe, began spewing acrid fumes and ash. About seventy-two thousand people were moved from the danger zone to shelters in the north.

Floods: Flood waters twelve feet high surged down Big Thompson Canyon in Colorado, catching hundreds of residents and tourists off-guard. In South Korea, torrential rains caused floods and landslides. The heaviest rains since 1878 caused floods in Russia.

Hurricanes: Hurricane Belle struck Long Island, N.Y. causing three deaths and damage estimated at twenty million dollars.

Typhoon: Billie killed four people and injured many others in Taiwan, and almost one thousand homes were damaged. Hurricane Liza killed more than six hundred people, and as many as one thousand bodies were believed still under the mud. Fourteen thousand were injured and seventy thousand left homeless in La Paz area, Mexico.

Drought: Months of drought hit much of Europe and resulted in unprecedented water rationing in Britain and the elimination of herds of cattle.

Surely in all these things God speaks to the world. Such a catalog of disasters brings to mind previous catastrophes whereby God has spoken loudly to mankind.

Of all the volcanic eruptions in the twentieth century, probably the most devastating was the eruption of Mount Pelee in Martinique, when in an instant the principal city, St. Pierre, was utterly destroyed with its thirty thousand inhabitants.

When Mount Pelee began erupting in May 1902 The local paper endeavored to reassure the terrified inhabitants that it would probably be but a small affair, and that St. Pierre would be a safer place than ever after the volcano had relieved itself a little. The editorial concluded with this reasoning: "Where, then, can we be more secure than in St. Pierre?" Yet within two days the writer and readers were in eternity, and the whole town lay in a heap of flaming ruins.

A Captain's Warning

Among special incidents related was that of the Italian ship, Orsolina, which lay" at anchor loading sugar for Havre. Captain Marina was greatly alarmed by the appearance of the mountain. To his experienced eye there were evident signs of a coming calamity.

He went to the shippers and told them his fears, saying he had made up his mind to weigh anchor and proceed with what cargo was already on board. But the annoyed shipper said: "You haven't half the cargo, and cannot go yet." But the Captain replied: "I would rather sail with half a cargo than run a risk by staying here."

The shippers tried to calm his fears, saying nothing need be feared from Mount Pelee.

"Well," replied the Captain, "If Vesuvius were looking as your volcano looks today, I would get away from Naples, and I am going to get out of here."

They became very angry and said they would have him arrested at Havre. Two officers were sent to the ship with instructions to detain her. But the Captain gave orders to weigh anchor, and the officers left the ship for the shore, threatening the law's utmost penalty.

Within twenty-four hours the city was no more. In a moment its thirty thousand inhabitants had been swept into eternity. There was a warning, but the warning went unheeded.

They had thought themselves secure— though to be sure, the barometer had acted strangely for some time. But now, in the midst of pleasure, business, and sin, they were suddenly cut off, the victims of false security.

Reader, as to this world, the word of God says: "When they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape." (1 Thess. 5:3) Ominous signs are seen today that the Judge is at the door, and signs of "the last days" appear everywhere.

The world has grown expert in sin; man becomes continually more daring in impiety. The day is not far distant for the fulfillment of the second Psalm, when the great apostasy shall say: "Come, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us."

The long suffering and gracious God still bears with man's folly, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Soon all warning will cease, and swift destruction shall overtake the ungodly in their sins.

Where will you be in that awful judgment day? It is yet the day of grace. Yield yourself to the Savior. Come now before this day of God's mercy closes forever.

Turn and believe this very hour;

Trust in the Savior's love and power,

Then shall your final answer be—

"Saved by grace for eternity."

A Hopeless Prodigal's Warning

An extract from an issue of the Times read as follows:

"A black felt hat and several articles of clothing were discovered on Sunday afternoon on the bank of the Thames near Isleworth, together with the following letter, written in a good bold hand: "Good-bye to friends and enemies. I have come to the end of my journey at last, and life has no further charms for me. Before I go, let me give one word of warning, especially to young men.

"Avoid betting and the race course as you would poison.

"Four years ago I was a rich man, possessed of something like $100,000 from one source alone. My fortune reverted to me suddenly, and I lost my head over so much money, and immediately launched into a fast life.

"The company of bad women (how horribly bad some of them are!) and low and illiterate men was my delight almost as soon as I set foot in the city, coming straight from the peaceful village of Dorsetshire, where I had lived for years amid good surroundings.

"My gay companions quickly introduced me to the gambling table and the turf. Intoxicated with pleasure, I did not consider for one moment whither they were leading me. Every race meeting I attended, and seldom won, as the results of my friends(?) advice. There are thousands frequenting the race course who live upon the stupidity of men like myself.... They live to cheat, utterly regardless of the hereafter. Betting is this country's curse and will ruin her in the end.

"I am about to do as scores of others in their desperation have done before me. Poverty and starvation have taken the place of affluence and comfort. My friends have forsaken me, and life is no longer worth living.

"Please communicate with ... . Perhaps he and his pals will subscribe towards giving me a decent burial. Farewell." (Signed)

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

=============================

Baron Severin Brunicki, a Polish millionaire, possessed half a million acres of land, comprising twenty estates, seven castles in Austria, Russia and Germany, as well as palatial residences in Vienna, Paris, St. Petersburg and Warsaw, yet wanted more! He had set his heart upon a few hundred acres of land adjoining one of his estates, and because the owner refused to sell, the Baron shot himself!

"They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare... which drown men in destruction and perdition." 1 Tim 6:9.

The City Solicitor

The distinguished "Harley Street Physician," the late Dr. A. T. Schofield, told the following story: I was in residence at the London Hospital as house physician when Moody and Sankey were holding their services in a large building erected for the purpose at Stratford. Sitting in the crowded hall one afternoon, I found at the close of the service that immediately in front of me was a distinguished-looking man, who did not move when the rest went out. The choir was softly singing on the platform what I fear I must describe as doggerel, being an endless repetition of the words, Come to Jesus! come to Jesus!

Come to Jesus just now!

Just now, come to Jesus;

Come to Jesus just now!

I leaned over and asked my neighbor how he liked the address. He turned and said: "Excuse me, sir, it was very powerful; but as my feelings are slightly agitated I would rather not say more. I don't wish to speak at present."

And there he sat a little longer, while the choir still kept crooning the same endless invitation.

How little we really see with our eyes! All the greatest things elude us, or are only dimly perceived by the finer vision of the spirit. Anyhow, I was quite unconscious of the divine drama which was being enacted on that wooden form in front of me in that somewhat squalid building that afternoon.

"Well," I replied, "here is my address, and if at any time you would care for a chat, come and see me at the hospital."

Three days later the card of a city solicitor was brought up to my room, and as he entered I recognized my neighbor at the gospel meeting, though he was completely changed. His face had lost its dull look, and was animated and sparkling with joy.

"Doctor Schofield," he exclaimed, as he held out his hand, "I cannot stay away. I must tell you my joy. Do you know, sir, my sins are all forgiven? Do you know Jesus Christ is my Savior? Do you know that I, a respectable lawyer, have the greatest difficulty in not telling every one of the great change come over me?"

"I suppose it was at Moody and Sankey's service," I said.

"It was," he replied: "but it wasn't the address." I looked surprised.

"Nor was it what you said to me," he added. "The fact is, I am very fond of choral singing, end am a member of the Temple Church, where I hear some of the finest singing in the world."

"I'm afraid Moody and Sankey's choir was hardly up to your standard."

"Well, no, it wasn't," he replied: "but it has done more for me than any other choir in the world."

"Tell me," I said.

"While you were talking, I was listening to that choir. You know how they kept at it: 'Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus!' Well, the first fifty times I didn't mind; but when it kept on unceasingly, and after I had heard it about a hundred times, I began to think. And as it still went on I realized the truth of the Savior's words, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.' Matt. 11:28.

"I thought I had better come. So I took the Lord Jesus as my Savior there and then, and went home rejoicing. And ever since my joy has been growing; I don't know how to contain it.

"You see, I'm a prosy city lawyer, and this is the last thing on earth I ever thought would happen to me. But, oh, I praise God it has!"

We rejoiced together, and I well know there was joy in heaven over this one sinner that repented.

She Died Instead of Me

In a terrible typhoon which struck Japan in 1934, the leper colony at Sotojima, near Osaka, was swept away in less than an hour.

Of the five hundred and ninety-four inmates, one hundred and seventy lost their lives, as well as fourteen of the staff and their families. The chief nurse, Miss Nakano, was one of those who perished while helping to save the blind and helpless patients.

The survivors were distributed among five other leper institutions in various parts of the country, and on October 10, a funeral service was held which a thousand lepers attended.

During the service one of the surviving Sotojima patients told with much feeling how he himself had been saved by Miss Nakano.

He was blind, and she was guiding him through deep water when a high wave struck them. He was saved, but he wept bitterly when he heard that the chief nurse was missing. He wept again at the funeral service, crying: "She died instead of me, helpless, blind, ugly leper!"

Because of his blindness, the leper was helpless. He could not see the way to escape.

The leper stated that he was half-dead. God uses the very words to describe in parable how Satan leaves his victims: "He fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half-dead." Luke 10:30.

The leper gave himself the least attractive name: "me, ugly leper." Sin has ugly results in the heart and soul. It affects the character and sooner or later leaves its mark on the faces of those who practice sin.

But remember, God loves us in our sin and wretchedness. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8.

With all our striving, all our supposed good works, we could never make ourselves attractive to God, for our hideous sin, like leprosy, remains, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.

Still he bids us come to Him just as we are. "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Thus He can cleanse the vilest and make him fit for His eternal presence.

Will you be there? Trust the Lord Jesus as your own Savior now then thank Him for dying in your stead.

Tell Mother?

During the American Civil War D. L. Moody wrote: `We were taking wounded men down the Tennessee River after the battle of Pittsburg Landing. A number of young men of the Christian Commission were with me, and I told them that we must not let a man die on the boat that night without telling him of Christ and heaven.

You know the cry of a wounded man is "Water! Water!" As we passed along from one to another giving them water, we tried to tell them of the Water of Life, which, if they would drink, they would never die. I came to one man who had about as fine a face as I ever saw. I spoke to him, but he did not answer. I went to the doctor and said: "Doctor, do you think that man will recover?"

"No, he lost so much blood before we got to him on the field that he fainted while we were amputating his leg. He will never recover."

"I can't find out his name, and it does seem a pity to let him die without knowing who he is. Don't you think we can bring him round?"

"You may give him a little brandy and water," said the doctor; "that will revive him if anything will."

I sat down beside him and gave him brandy and water every now and then. While I was waiting I said to a soldier nearby:

"Do you know this man?"

"Oh yes, that's my chum."

"Has he a father and mother living?"

"He has a widowed mother."

“Has he any brothers or sisters?"

“Two sisters: but he is the only son."

“What is his name?”

“William Clark.”

I said to myself that I could not let him die without getting a message for that mother. Presently he opened his eyes, and' I. said:

"William, do you know where you are?"

He looked a little dazed, and then said:

"Oh, yes, I am on my way home to mother."

"Yes, you are on your way home," I said, "but the doctor says you won't reach your earthly home. I thought I'd like to ask you if you had any message for your mother."

His face lighted up with an unearthly glow as he said:

"Oh yes, tell Mother that I died trusting in Jesus."

It was one of the sweetest messages I ever heard in my life!

Biscuits and Cheese

A young Scotchman was going to America by ship. Having reached Liverpool where he was to embark for New York, he carefully counted what little money he had, and decided he would economize on the trip, in order to have more money to spend when he arrived.

So he went to a small store and laid in a good supply of biscuits and cheese. He would easily manage to exist on these during the days at sea, he thought, and be none the worse for his meager rations.

But as the voyage progressed the sea air made him very hungry. To make matters worse, the damp atmosphere made his biscuits soft and his cheese hard. He became almost desperate with hunger.

But the climax came one day when he caught the savory aroma of steaming food on a tray which a steward was carrying along the deck to another passenger. It was irresistible. The hungry man immediately made up his mind to have one good square meal, even though it meant parting with some of his precious earnings.

He waited for the steward to return and asked him how much it would cost to go to the dining room and buy a dinner. The steward was amazed at his question, and asked.

"Have you not a ticket for your passage?"

Of course the man had his ticket. Whereupon the man told him:

"THE MEALS ARE ALL INCLUDED IN THE TICKET!"

The poor man could have saved the money he had spent on biscuits and cheese and gone to the dining room and eaten as much as he liked each mealtime.

Sad to tell, this is a feeble illustration of many "biscuits and cheese" Christians today. They believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and know they are going to heaven. But on the way there they live as spiritual paupers because they do not appropriate the boundless, soul-satisfying blessings that God has for them in Christ.

The forgiveness of sins; justification by faith; the indwelling presence of. the Holy Spirit in the heart; the love of the Father; joy unspeakable and full of glory; peace that passeth all understanding; strength to make us more than conquerors through Him that loves us— all these and more are to be found in Christ. "All are included in the ticket."

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all; how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were an offering far too small:

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Come!?

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,

Weak and wounded, sick and sore,

Jesus ready stands to save you,

Full of pity, love, and power;

He is able,

He is willing, doubt no more.

Let not conscience make you linger,

Nor of fitness fondly dream;

All the fitness He requireth

Is to feel your need of Him;

This He gives you,

'Tis the Spirit's rising beam.

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,

Lost and ruined by the fall;

If you tarry till you're better,

You will never come at all.

Not the righteous;

Sinners Jesus came to call.

Agonizing in the garden,

Lo! the Savior prostrate lies;

On the bloody tree behold Him,

Hear Him cry before He dies,

"It is finished!"

Sinner, will not this suffice?

Lo! the Incarnate God ascended,

Pleads the merits of His blood;

Venture on Him, venture freely,

Let no other trust intrude:

None but Jesus,

Can do helpless sinners good.

"He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."

Hebrews 7:25

Echoes of Grace: 1976

Table of Contents

Today Is the Day …

?I Want Peace?

No Way Back to Childhood

and I Refused!

How Am I to Come to Christ?

The Drover and the Infidel

I Will Yield

Omnipresence

Fragment: Not for the Proud

O, Leave It All With Jesus

How Grandmother Rested

Last Words of Famous Men

Show Me Myself

Three Lines and a Bit

I Was a Wandering Sheep

March

Coo-Ee

?Be My Guest?

Exracts

The Wedding Garment

Jesus Gave Her Water

How Spurgeon Found Christ

You Ask Me?

Out of the Jaws of Death

A Certainty

Two “Alls”

A Horrible Pit

What Is Grace?

Bring Forth the Best Robe

?Ye Must Be Born Again?

Learning to Sing

All-Sufficient Grace

The Gypsy Boy

A Tale of Two Horses

Fragment: Almost Saved - Entirely Lost

Jerry Mcauley's Own Story

A Sudden Call

John 3:16

?Just Lippen to Jesus?

Forgiven

Burke the Burglar

54 Words Sold for $16,000

Mary Glory-Face

Too Good for Jesus

Kepy by the Power of God for 90 Years

Never Too Old

Was It for Me?

The Old Colonel

Jesus Saves!

Napoleon and the Drummer Boy

Man’s Strange Sense of Values

A False Hope

Reconciled

?If I Had Only Read That Letter!?

I Looked to Jesus

God Speaks. . . in a Dream

Are You Converted?

From All Sin

He Suffered for You?

Hebrews 9:27, 28

a Very Poor Choice

Come, Chains and All

Think!

The Fortune Teller

Step Over!

A Two-Edged Sword

The Old Fashioned Preacher

"Doctor May I Sing?"

Nothing but the Blood of Jesus?

The King's Business

The Christless Tomb

The Human Fly

?Borrowed Time?

Memory's Pearl

?Read It Again?

Are You Willing to Be Saved?

The Publican's Prayer

God Moves in a Mysterious Way