SIXTEEN years ago, I went to Scotland to work at my trade as a glassmaker. Like many others, I was "without hope, and without God in the world," seeking pleasure in every way but God's way. I went into the depths of wickedness; I sought the alehouse, theater, and singing room; I tried to enjoy myself and find happiness apart from Christ: all this was in vain. One Lord's Day afternoon, I left my home with the intention of committing a certain dreadful wickedness, but on my way I was arrested, like Saul on his bloodthirsty errand to Damascus.
A man stood by the gaol in Glasgow, and preached from these words—"And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:16, 17.) "Some of my companions," said he, "have been hung in this gaol, some have been drowned in the Clyde, and others killed through wickedness; God," he added, “in His wondrous mercy, has kept me from being killed. God used those words in the sixth of Revelation to convince me that I was a lost sinner under judgment. From that moment I was heartbroken, and cried to God for mercy. I wandered up and down the streets, praying to God to put any trouble upon me if He would only save my soul. I knew not how a man could be saved, and I was afraid to die. I had no desire to take my food, for the miserable thought pressed heavily upon me that at any moment I might drop down dead and go to hell. Many a time have I stood at my door, thinking I would drown myself, but I had heard it said that it was wrong to take away one's own life, and this prevented me from doing so.
I remember listening to some people who were preaching in the open air. It was their last outdoor meeting of the season. When they had done speaking they invited the people to a building which stood near by. The people flocked in, then the last one entered, and the door was shut. No one spoke to me, and I went away more sorrowful than before. "There is no hope for me," I thought, and I wept bitterly, lest I should die, and be lost forever.
Sin, death, and judgment are the lot of men, because "all have sinned," and "all the world is guilty." But, thank God, I found there was an open door of escape. Christ has died, and shed His precious blood; He has borne His people’s sins and the judgment due to them, and has died in our stead on the cross.
After God had broken me down, and shown me that I was a lost sinner, I heard Ills message of love. It was through a servant of His who came to preach at the building before mentioned. I went into that building that night a lost sinner, seeking to be saved. The man spoke from John 3:16. He pointed to me personally, and said, "Drunkard, Christ has died for thee! Scoffer, Christ has died for thee! Blasphemer, Christ has died for thee!” Then he said, "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 went into that building, as I have said, a miserable sinner, I came out rejoicing: I had found the Saviour—the Lord Jesus Christ, I came to Him, and found that Jesus had been seeking—me oh, wonderful love! God taught me "that the blood of Jesus Christ His Son" had cleansed me from all sin.
How did I know that His blood was shed for me? By the Scriptures. Christ suffered for sins—I had got sins; Christ died, the Just for the unjust—I was unjust; Christ had died for me.
How often do people say, "Oh! I believe that Christ died for sinners, but I cannot realize that my sins are forgiven—I do not experience the benefit of Christ's death!" But if we search all through the blessed book we shall not find mention of being saved by feelings. The gospel applies itself to all who are on the ground of being lost.
Christ died for sinners; that is just what I was by nature-a lost sinner. He died for me. How do I know this? Is it because I feel it? By no means. How then? By the word of God. "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” (1 Cor. 15:3.) Thus it is all according to the Scriptures.
“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come."
J. s—n