CHRISTIAN traveler in South America writes:
“More than once I have given a tract to a well-dressed Britisher abroad, and seen him crush it, drop it, and walk on without stopping, or looking at the giver. But it is frequent, when a Portuguese or Brazilian gentleman receives a tract, to find him raise his hat, and thank you, fold it carefully, and put it in his letter-case.”
Did you experience a shade of annoyance when this copy of GOSPEL TIDINGS was put into your hands? Of course you received it politely; you did not crush it and cast it from you with contempt, or you would not now be reading these lines.
But the question that stands at the head of this paper has no reference to your gentlemanly or ladylike manner of receiving it. It concerns your treatment of the message it brings you.
A "tract," if you like to call our little magazine by that name, is nothing in itself. It is but paper and printer's ink. But it seeks to make clear and to enforce the all-important message, which comes from God, and is addressed to "all men, everywhere.”
Am I not right in calling the gospel an all-important message, since your everlasting weal or woe depends upon your attitude towards it?
To refuse a tract and to fling it from you with scorn may, after all, be nothing but a manifestation of ill-breeding. But to refuse the gospel message, that the despised tract contains, is to refuse salvation, and to expose yourself to the Christ-rejector's doom. And 46 what shall the end be of them that obey, not the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17.)
It must not be assumed, because you belong to the English-speaking world, that you know what the gospel is. A most astonishing ignorance, even among religious people, prevails as to this.
A Christian friend, inviting a young man to attend a "gospel meeting," remarked “Of course, you ought to know the gospel.”
The young man replied with a smile: "Oh! yes; I know it well. I have been a member of a church for sixteen years.”
The conversation drifted off to another subject; but a little later, returning to the point, the Christian friend asked: “Would you mind telling me what the gospel is?”
The young man sat as if he had been transfixed, and just stared. The question seemed to strike him dumb.
After a considerable pause the friend asked: "Would it be praying?”
“Yes," said the young man, "that's it; that is the gospel.”
Then he was asked: "Do you think it would mean giving of your money to help a good cause?”
Again he said, "Yes, that's it.”
“And would it be attending church and reading the Bible?”
To this, and several further similar questions, he answered "Yes"; until finally the Christian friend had no option but to tell him that he was utterly ignorant of the gospel. His replies had been as far from the mark as they well could be.
How would you answer the question, reader? What, in your opinion, is meant by the gospel?
I am not going to trouble you with my opinion on the subject. One man's opinion would not necessarily be better or more reliable than another's. But may I bespeak your earnest attention while I show you from the Scriptures, the Word of God, what it is?
(2) It is the gospel of GOD. (See Rom. 1:11Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Romans 1:1)) It declares to us what is in the heart of God; that He is "rich in mercy," and that He can righteously exercise His prerogative of mercy and forgiveness towards sinners. "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8.)
(3) It is the gospel CONCERNING His SON. (See Rom. 1:33Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; (Romans 1:3).) It tells us how the Lord Jesus Christ "path once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18); and that His precious blood "cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7.)
What glad news, what glorious tidings, are these! Do they not exactly suit you?
"It is just what I want, and I mean to have it." So said a man at the close of a gospel address to which he had listened attentively. Can you not echo his words?
Forgiveness, salvation, eternal life: are these things to be despised? Are they not just what you want? Do you not mean to have them? It is "only a tract" that speaks to you. But it speaks of vital matters, matters that none can afford to treat with indifference. It is only a finger-post, but it points you to One who waits to be your Savior; only a piece of paper with some words on it, but the words are words of earnest entreaty that you may give heed to the things that pertain to the best interests of your soul.
H. P. B.